"I want to take you to a party tonight."
"Me?" I ask, confused by Damon's random question.
"Yes. Who else would I be talking to?"
"Oh. Uh…" I trail off, unsure of my answer. Truth be told, this will be my first party. Being in college, everyone is expected to go to parties and get wasted. I wanted- I want- to be that college student too, but I never had anyone to go with. I didn't want to go alone and be the creepy loner in the corner of the room trying to disappear. So I never went. Suddenly, my answer was a clear "yes."
"Yes?" he asks, seemingly shocked by my answer.
"Yes. I will go to the party with you tonight, only if I'm not the Designated Driver. The DD never has any fun."
"Deal. We are leaving at 7. Make sure you are ready by then."
Checking my watch, the hands point to 3:30 pm. I have three and a half hours to get ready. That is more than enough time for me to be all set to go.
"Deal."
Closing the door behind me, I go into the bathroom to take a shower. If I shower now, my hair will be dry in two hours and I can spend twenty minutes straightening it with enough time to get dressed, do minimal make up and gather everything I need to go.
My shower is a quick in-and-out ten minute one. Since I shaved yesterday, I didn't have to redo it today, saving me a lot of time. Throwing on a quick movie, "Taken 2" I let my hair air dry and get some popcorn in my system to soak up all the alcohol I plan on drinking tonight. By the end of it, my hair is dry and the bowl of popcorn is only left with butter marks and unpopped kernels.
Getting up, I quickly pick out an outfit to wear. A sleek black dress that stops mid-thigh and has a deep plunge in the neckline. Years ago, when I turned 21, I bought it for the club I was going to later that night. It was going to be my first time and I intended on getting absolutely hammered. Of course, that didn't happen. The line outside the club was an hour long and having a birthday in December, meaning there was snow on the ground, was not dress friendly. After finally getting in, the first thing I was hit with was the pungent smell of sweat and alcohol. It was horrible. Gagging, I pushed through the crowd to get a drink. Hell, after waiting in line I deserved one! Getting up to the bar was another ask and a half. It was completely surrounded by people making out and groping each other. Others were just talking, but most of the people were waiting impatiently to get their drink while the bartenders rushed around behind the bar to get everyone what they wanted. Nothing less than twenty minutes later, I was finally given a drink. One sip in, my nose scrunched. This was not what I ordered. Deciding it was not worth the headache, I chugged the rest of it and moved to the dance floor.
An upbeat song was vibrating the floor. I could feel my body move to the beat and I just went with it. My hands up in my hair, I moved my hips to the beat. I was warm, the song was good and I was free. I didn't care who I was, where I was or the fact that I was alone. I was just a girl lost in the song. The trance didn't last long. I only made it through four songs before some guy saddled up to me and pulled me back against him with his hands on my hips. He pushed them around, I could feel his reaction behind me. Without a moment's hesitation, I pushed his hands off of my hips and moved back away from him. He was tall and his arms were huge. He could easily overpower me. Ignoring the panic rising inside of me, I ran to the bar to make sure he wasn't following me before finally going outside. The one drink definitely wore off with that encounter, but I refused to drive home after drinking.
Staying in only lit places outside of the club, I called for a taxi and told them to drive me home. I was freezing, sober, and scared of what that guy could do to me. I mean, he could've been a nice guy, but I've seen enough horror movies to never trust someone enough that they reveal their true intentions. By then, if their intentions are harmful, there is no way out and that's when everyone in the movie dies.
Snapping back to the present, I shake off the bad memories and shimmy the dress over my body. It molds to my chest, hips and backside, giving my body a sensual curve. Back in the bathroom, I carefully brush my teeth, taking care not to drip any toothpaste on my dress, and plug in the straightener. Once it's hot, I brush and separate my hair into more manageable pieces before spring the next twenty minutes making sure every strand is pin straight. Checking in the mirror one last time, my hair brushes against my waist and I nod satisfied at how it looks. After quickly putting on a little mascara and lipstick, I grab my phone, cash and keys, stuffing them into a small purse that dangles from my wrist.
Just as I slip my right heel onto my foot, a knock at the door sounds and I take a deep breath. I am going to do this and I am going to have the time of my life. I don't need to worry about another guy who might take advantage of me and I won't have to wait over an hour and a half just to get in the place and have a drink in my hand. This is going to be so much better.
Opening the door, the boys stand there gaping. Damon takes his time roaming his eyes up and down my body. I feel pleasantly exposed. I don't feel afraid that he is checking me out, instead I feel empowered. Two hot guys looking at me with their jaws to the floor, is definitely something to boost the ego and mine is sky high at the moment.
"You two look nice," I say, breaking the silence.
"Thank you. You look absolutely gorgeous."
"Ravishing. You look ravishing," Damon replies, seemingly star struck by little ol' me.
"Thank you. Are you guys ready to go?"
"Yes. Are you? I mean, you look ready but girls are never fully ready, at least not on time."
"Yes, Brandon. I am ready and I am definitely a girl," I pause, gesturing to my body, "incase you couldn't tell."
"No, no. That's not what I meant!" he says almost desperately.
"I'm kidding. Let's go. Do either of you have a shot I could take before we leave. I want to pregame a bit."
"Yes. Here." Damon hands me a shiny silver flask, heavy with alcohol.
"What is it?" I ask, putting my nose up to the little opening. It scrunches from the strong smell.
"Vodka."
"Straight?"
Out of the corner of my eye, I see him nod his head as I take a big swig. The liquid burns down my throat and my eyes clench shut. The flavor is lost by the burn. Handing Damon his flask back, I ask if they are both ready to go. With two affirming nods, we go through the building and out of the front door where an Uber is waiting for us. After confirming our name, we hop into the back seat, I get stuck between the two men, and head off to the unknown destination.
The ride is quick, and three quarters of the flask is gone between the three of us. Not even tipsy, I have been told I have a high tolerance for alcohol by my old roommate, we pull up to the house. The music floods through the open windows and doors, disturbing the quiet night. People are everywhere. They are walking around the block, smoking on the side of the house, laying in the lawn, and getting out of their cars. The night is young and the people surrounding me are seemingly younger.
"Are you ready to do this?"
Taking a deep breath, and counting one, two, three, I assure myself that I can do this.
"Yes. Let's go party!"
We all climb out of the car and carefully walk across the lawn, which is more like an obstacle course with all of the bodies and red solo cups littered on it. Without knocking on the door first, we open the door and the first thing I smell is sweat.
Hey, at least I didn't have to wait an hour to get inside.