Sipping Slowly

I must have been sheltered in high school. I never went to parties, never drank, never tried smoking. As I stood in this first party, I held the cup and smelled it. I knew it was alcohol and I didn't want to seem like I didn't fit in so I slowly and carefully raised it to my mouth. I took my first swallowed and nearly gagged from the contents. I hadn't missed out on anything I thought as I took another swallow, sipping slowly so as to keep myself from getting drunk. I desperately wanted to fit in but wished that there was any other way than this. I stood there, chatting with my friends and slowly sipped the contents of my drink.