Walking off campus, after a surprisingly easy day, I meet the boys in the car. It quickly became a routine for us since the first time he dropped me off. I like the normalcy of it.
Getting in the car, I know I have to tell them about Amelia. After that one day in the cabin, we tell each other everything and I want to respect our new dynamic.
"Hey, guys. How were your days?"
Brandon answers first with "uneventful." While Damon blandly answers with "fine."
Taking that as my cue, "I met someone at work earlier in the week."
Both boys whip their heads around to look at me. "Look at the road!" I yell at Damon. He's trying to kill us!
"Who is it?" They ask at the same time.
"A girl from my university works in the same building as me, but in the financial department. We took the elevator together and I helped her file some papers away. Anyways, we were talking and she mentioned this club downtown and I want to go. She'll be here at 6 to help me get ready."
The car is silent for a few moments and I worry about their reactions. I know I shouldn't, but I look at the boys as a part of my family and their approvals and opinions mean a lot to me.
"You have never met this girl before this week, correct?" Brandon turns to look at me, eyebrows furrowed.
"No."
"And now you want to let her into your home and go out with her to a place you have never been to?" Damon finishes his eyes in the rearview mirror staring at me.
"Yes." I pause, feeling the need to defend myself. "I figured you both could meet her and judge her character. If you both want you can come with us, but hang out separately from us, if you're both free. I don't want her to think I need two bodyguards wherever I go, but if it makes you guys more comfortable you can come. Or…she could tell you the address of where we will be and if anything goes wrong I could call you."
"I'm going to meet her and if I think there is something off about her, you're not going. I'm glad you made a friend, but your safety comes first."
We pull into the parking lot, none of us attempting to get out. I don't know how I feel about Damon's commanding voice, but I understand where he is coming from. He has enemies that may know who I am. He wants me to live, but do it safely.
"I think that is fair, but I would really like a shot at making a friend. If you still don't trust her after the initial meeting, can you guys come with us instead and get to know her more? Maybe she will make a better impression. She's really funny and pretty blunt."
"Rose…" Brandon pauses.
"I want a fair shot," I say in his moment of hesitation. "I think I deserve one."
"Fine, but if anything seems off, we are leaving the club and taking you with us immediately." Damon compromises.
"Deal."
Finally stepping out of the car, we walk together into the building. I was anxious about tonight. Every time I went to a party or club where drinking and dancing were involved, something always seemed to happen. I should have learned my lesson from my previous experiences, but I couldn't help but want to be able to have a night out where I can be an ordinary young adult who has bills to pay, exams that Monday, a job to worry about, but can still embrace their youth in a stereotypical way.
But, even in my anxious state, excitement roars in my blood, spiking my adrenaline even with the few hours before Amelia gets here. It spurs my little skip as I go up the stairs, my energy as I bounce happily down the hallway, and even when I step in the shower, my voice battling the music's volume.
Getting dressed in comfy clothing, making Ramen, and brushing my teeth seem more fun than usual. The music blasts through my tiny apartment, making the walls dance along with me. I briefly think about the complaint I am going to get, but quickly forget when a new song comes on and I spin the volume dial even louder. My living room becomes my dance floor, my spoon the microphone. I jump on the couch, moving my hips to the beat when a loud bang makes me lose my balance. I rub my behind as I walk to the door, the music already turned down.
I swing open the door, my good mood still driving my actions and tampering down my anger at someone interrupting my jam session.
"Hey!" Amelia brightly says, standing at my door with a large bag in her hand. An electrical cord hangs out of the top and I get worried. What is in there?
"Hey! Is it 6 already?" I briefly check my watch, not believing how fast the time flew.
"Yes, and I am ready to party!"
Indeed she is. Her make up is brilliantly done, hair in silky waves that flow down her back and a red skin-tight dress to hug all of her curves.
I look down the hallway at the sheer volume of her voice, hoping no one comes out of their apartments to be noisy. Of course, no one does except for one door that creaks open on the opposite side of the hallway. I glare at Damon who glares back. I know we had a deal, but she just got here. He can wait.
"Come on in. I can't wait to start our night," I exclaim, genuinely happy.
"Alright, where should I get set up? The quicker we get ready, the quicker we leave and drink our asses off!"
Laughing, I mutely point to the room at the end of the hallway. I made sure to clean it earlier, removing all the clothes off the floor.
"Nice room," she comments, setting her things down next to my vanity.
"Thanks. It may be a little cozy, but it's all mine."
She nods her head in understanding. I never asked where she lived. I make a mental note to ask her the next time I see her.
"First thing's first. Shots!" Pulling out two shot glasses and a big bottle of Vodka, she pours them both to the top. "I hate vodka, but rent is due and I need to pre-game."
"Completely understood. The rough life of a college student, sacrifices must be made in the name of Friday nights."
"Agreed. Cheers to having a kick-ass night."
We clink our glasses together before dumping the urgent liquid down our throats. My eyes water from the strong taste, but I quickly swallow and breathe out to get rid of the taste faster.
Setting my glass back down, Amelia tips her shot back to get the rest of the alcohol. "Damn girl, you took that like a champ! I need to party with you more from now on."
Taking two more full shots, I feel the Vodka take effect on my body. My balance isn't as stable as normal and I feel light and bubbly.
"Do you want her hair straightened or curled? I can do both." Holding up the two different hair stylers, I quickly choose.
"Curled, please. I don't do it often, but love how it looks."
She plugs it into the wall, brushing and separating my hair in the meantime. I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when the heat from the curling iron lightly kisses my neck. Running through my hair, she finishes in a flash. If forty minutes can be considered a flash. Gently putting the last strand of hair on my back, she attacks it with hairspray, leaving me in a white cloud. I hold my breath.
Moving to look in the mirror, she grabs a hold of the back of the chair, halting my movements. "Don't look yet. Let me do your makeup first."
Obliging with her request, I turn the chair back around. "Okay, eyes first. I'm thinking of a light gold color. Maybe black." She contemplates, waving the brush around in the air absentmindedly.
Making up her mind, she tells me to close my eyes. I imagine what color she chose as I feel the soft powder being applied to my eyelids. Some of the powder falls on my nose, the sensation similar to a feather tickling it.
I flinch as the mascara wand caresses my eyelashes, lengthening and highlighting them with the rich black liquid.
Moving on to the rest of my face, she adds highlights to the small slits in my cheeks because of my high cheekbones, some blush to match my already alcohol-induced rosy color.
"One more thing." Ruffling through her bag, she pulls something out and applies it to my lips. The lipstick is creamy against them. When she's done, I rub them together to even out the stain.
"You can look now." She spins my chair around and I open my eyes not believing what I was seeing in the mirror. I look like a whole new person. Actually, not a whole new person because I look like myself, but I look full of life. There's a beautiful youthfulness about me that makes me seem dangerous with the dark smokey eye and red lipstick, but vulnerable with my expressive eyes and unsure smile.
I quickly twist myself out of my chair and thank her repeatedly. I never had anyone to do this for me and the overwhelming feelings of gratitude and happiness, plus the alcohol is making me clutch on to her in glee.
"You're welcome." Stepping out of my arms, she adds, "now let's find you a dress."
She goes into my closet and chooses the same black dress I wore to the party. I hesitate to put it on, the memories still relatively fresh in my mind. In the end, I slip it on and walk in front of the full-length mirror in my room. I gasp at the result. I look gorgeous. Dangerous. Confident.
Seeing the look on my face, "it is time to go girl! We both look drop dead, it's time we go flaunt what our mommas gave us!" Hooking her arm with mine, we step out of my door only to collide with the boys. Both are immaculately dressed.
"You girls look beautiful. Ready to go?"
Amelia looks at me, confusion in her eyes.
"These are my across-the-hall roommates. They heard I was going to a new club tonight and wanted to come. I didn't think they actually would join or I would have told you sooner. Do you mind if they come along?"
"Hell no! They're hot. Let's go!"