Often times the simplest decisions make in life are those we spend the most time agonizing over. The small details, that is of no real consequence become of high importance. Whilst the greater, life altering choices are made, without realization that we have shifted the course of our lives.

Which is why I spent three days trying to figure out what to wear to this party. Something of no real significance became something that kept me up at night. What did people where to parties anyway? Was I supposed to come in a dress? Something neutral or shiny? Eventually I reasoned that if it was at Lev's house it would be casual. I wanted to avoid looking overdress. Inwardly, I wished that I had some better sense of style. Some people had a flair for putting clothes together. A skill that I lacked. In the end I decided to keep it simple. Black jeans, black shirt and my black boots. 

"Sliming." I thought looking in the mirror. It was. I looked at the shirt, glad for the fitted tailoring. It was an uncomplicated look and in turn was effortless. I felt really pretty in it. It had an honesty that I thought was beautiful. 

"I can't believe I'm nervous." I sad shaking my head. My hands were quivering. Despite the angst, I felt like a fine layer of happiness was hovering over me. At long last this would change.

Even the ride there felt like I was driving towards something. To a purpose and to a future.

I pulled up to the house and exhaled deeply. Judging by the vacant yard, I was the first guest to arrive. A small part of me wondered if Lev had surprised me with a date but I shook my head. Lev said what he did and did what he said. He was never one for surprises. Either way, this party would be turning point for us. 

"Hey Katia!" Lev greeted, as he opened the door. A smile warmed up the features on his face and made him look so cheerful. 

"Hi Lev." I replied back, my voice just above a whisper.

"I'm so glad you are here! I can't tell you how much I appreciated it. I knew you would come early, Miss punctual." He said, already walking towards the kitchen. Pulling me out of my revere, I was forced to catch up. I did not realizing I was meant to follow. The kitchen was full of food. Some half prepared, some completed.

"I'm going to the shed and bring up the coolers, ice and drinks. Could you start on heating up some of the chicken?" He asked, his blue eyes forcing my focus on him.

"Uh, s-sure." I stuttered. I was started to sound like idiot.

"Great! Thanks again!" He called. The moment sharply ended he was gone from my sight.

The house seemed to freeze with the surreal quietness that descended over it. Whilst it was not the pack house, it was never empty. The silence was unusual. No-one else was here but me. 

I leaned my head against the cool surface of the refrigerator, grateful for a moment to pull myself together.  I wished Jane was here, but she left to visit her mom with David. I could really use her vibrant personality to anchor too.

"Get over your nerves!" I whispered to myself. I placed my had over my heart, trying to physically restrain my escalating heart rate. Grabbing the pan of chicken and I got to work. If I kept busy, I couldn't think. If I wasn't thinking then I wasn't going to overanalyze the bedlam in my mind. 

Before long most of the prepared food was reheated.  I finished off the salads wondering when those helping would arrive. Walking around I notice that Lev had setup most of the coolers but hadn't moved the furniture. Seeing no one around I jostled the bigger sofa's out the way to opened up the floor. 

"Crap. No! Not now!" In my haste I ended up accidently toppling over a bowl of chips. I was on my knees when people came in.  

It was in the time the guest started to arrive. For an empty house, it filled remarkably quickly in that moment. I must have had the wrong time when I came. Everyone was clearly more dressed than what I had expected.

I cleaned up the mess and quickly replaced the snack bowl

"Hi Katia, could you get us some dip please? I didn't see any out." Asked someone, whose face seemed loosely familiar.

"Uh, sure thing." I responded.

"Could you also bring out another tray of chicken wings? This one is starting to run out." Called out someone that I couldn't see.

"Sure of course." I responded.

Whilst I gather the missing party food, Lev finally made his appearance. Freshly showered, he looked good. I rapidly placed the things down and turned to go to him but he was swiftly surrounded. Friends that left when his mate died where quick to return when they heard his was back on his feet. His eyes scanned the crowd and connected with mine. I smiled back happy he was looking out for me.

"Katia, could you bring out some more salsa for the chips?" He asked across the room.

I nodded. Of course it made sense, after all I was close to the kitchen. I went in but couldn't find a bowl to put it in. 

"No, no, no!" I cried to myself, not wanting to waste time. Of course the first party I actually want to be at, I was continuously sucked back into the kitchen.

Rolling up my sleeves I quickly began to wash up everything in the sink. Knowing that more bowls would need to be refilled I surmised to wash all. That way, whoever came in looking for refills could just grab a bowl.

It took some time but I was finally I was free!

I grabbed the salsa filled up three bowls on a tray and grabbed another party platter for more food. Placing everything down, I looked around trying to find Lev. He was standing with his buddies deeply entralled in conversation.  It was good to see him laughing again.

"Katia, do you know where the napkins are?" Asked a girl whose dress was tight enough to be painted on her. A commonality amongst most of the girls. I was the only one that had wore pants. With all the extensions, false eyelashes and stiletoes you would think the ladies where at a club.

"Yeah. It's in the pantry behind the cereal. Not the cereal on the bottom shelf but on the left- lower middle." I replied back. Her face furrowed in confusion. Guess her smarts was not her strengths. 

"Don't worry, I get it." I replied back knowing it would be quicker if I went. 

"Thank you!" She replied in gratitude, bouncing back to the guy she was flirting with. 

I fast walked to the kitchen hoping to do a quick dash and grab. As soon as I walked through the door I found myself falling. My arms swung wildly trying to balance and my legs were running a mile a minute. My feet were skeeding as if on an ice rink. Before I could even blink I fell, half sliding and splatting in a pile of egg salad.  In the time I was gone, someone had dropped a whole bowl and never bothered to clean it up. 

Slowly I stood up. My entire backside was covered in the mess. Globs plopped off my hands onto the floor below.

It looked like I had farted a milkshake. 

"No." I groaned. I did not have any time for this! I was supposed to be moving on with Lev, not moving in egg salad! 

I grabbed sheets of paper towels swiping as much off my pants as I could. The mess on the floor needed to be cleaned up before someone else broke their tailbone. It felt like hours before I could no longer call the floor a hazard. 

Careful walking to the bathroom, I shut the door, took off my pants and tried to make them presentable. Even parts of my shirt needed to be cleaned. Twenty minutes later they were done. No longer the crisp black, my pants had a  grey tinge from the salad. Until I could get it into a machine it would have to do. The color was the least of my concerns. With our senstive noses, every wolf would be think I was a walking boiled egg.

Dressed and somewhat shaken I left the bathroom only to be hounded by more requests for food.

"Katia could you bring in some more ice?"

"Hi Katia, I'm still in need of those napkins. Thanks"

"Katia all the chicken is out. Is there more in the kitchen."

I felt like a freaking caterer.

Before I knew it, it was three-thirty in the morning and the party was rolling down. The whole night went by and I didn't even get a chance to chat to anyone. Unless the conversation was regarding more dip or chicken. 

I couldn't belive that I had been constitantly busy serving everyone. The last time my feet and arms hurt this badly was when I had waitress. The house was a mess. I was dissappointed that my pack and friends hadn't remained to help. None offered. Something that never happened before. We were a pack. We took care of each other. Maybe I was overthinking things? I had to stop my train of thought before distant thoughts became solidified concern. I grabbed another trash-bag to clear up on everything. Jane was going to flip when she came back home. 

"Katia! Can you believe that! Such a awesome party. Woah, what happened in here?" He asked survey the damage of the foyer.

"Well, wolves." I said, shrugging my shoulders. Lev just burst out laughing.

"We do have a propensity for heavy partying, eating and dancing." He chuckled.

"More like genetically programmed." I replied.

Lev smiled and tilted his head to the side. That look made my heart feel like it was being reassured. With the chaos gone, the lull made me feel like the evening was only starting. 

"What would I do without you Katia?" He asked. The words were serious and affection, but his tone was friendly. A odd contradiction of sorts.

I just shrugged. More out of confusion. I wasn't sure where this was going. He was saying one thing but his inflection and actions was indicating something else. Lev just continued, gathering my personal belongings that was in the coat closet.

"Thank you so much for tonight! I couldn't have done it without you! I couldn't think of anyone who knew the kitchen but you. Even though you hate parties I knew you could be counted on. You were such a great help, I really appreciate it." He said. 

"S-ssure, no problem?" I said, hating that my confusion turned it into a questions.

"Yeh. Don't worry about the mess. The guys and I will clean it up later. I think I'm ready to hit the sack. Listen to me complain, whilst you've be on your feet working all night. You must be ready to crash. I'm not going to keep you here any longer. Thanks again for everything." He said whilst opening the door.   

Wait. Lev didn't want to come to his party for him. He wanted me to come just to help out? Not even as a friend but as some free labor?

"S-ssure, no problem." I stuttered. Why could I not stop saying that?

"Katia, one day you are really going to make some guy happy. You are such a great friend. Sleep well. " He said.

"Ss-ure. No prob, uh I mean thanks? Bye." I said as he closed the door in my face.

I felt a door to my dreams and my future closing. Despite my hold and attempts to fight, fate was losing it grasp on my destiny.

What the hell just happened?