Go to the party

After sitting in my room for a while, I finally close my laptop. Maybe I’ve been taking this whole “stay focused” thing a little too seriously. I look over at Chase, who’s already getting ready to leave.

“Alright,” I say, grabbing my jacket. “I’ll come with you.”

Chase turns around with a grin. “Now you’re talking. Trust me, man, you don’t want to spend your first night of senior year sitting in a dorm room.”

I follow him out into the warm evening air. As we walk across campus, the sound of music gets louder with every step. Groups of students are heading in the same direction, laughing and shouting, while porch lights and strings of colored lights illuminate the sidewalks. I take a breath as we approach the house. I can already tell this is going to be a very different night than the one I had planned.

As I walk beside Chase, part of me is excited. It’s my final year, and for once I want to actually enjoy being here instead of treating college like a checklist. The music, the crowds, and the energy around campus make me feel like maybe I’ve been missing out.

But another part of me feels uneasy. My girlfriend is back home, and I can’t help thinking about the promise I made to her. I know going to a party doesn’t mean I’m going to do anything wrong, but I also know there will be plenty of opportunities to make bad decisions. I glance at Chase and take a deep breath. I’ll have a few drinks, hang out, and head back, I tell myself. Nothing more.