My name is Kristine Berg and I have the worst friend of my life. I am exaggerating, however when someone forgets they exist at a Christmas party I kind of wish I wasn't.
It all started when I got a call from Brianna, my outgoing and somewhat popular friend. It was late about a few days ago and I had just gotten into my pajamas when I heard my phone ring. Before picking it up, I didn't look at the caller ID and just bring it to my ear. "Hello?"
I heard Brianna on the other line. "Girl you've GOT to come with me to this Christmas party in a few days. You've been cooped up in that sad little apartment of yours for too long. " I heard a whoop on the other end, possibly meaning she was out drinking.
"Hey, you know my apartment isn't sad; it's just home." I pause for a second and look around. My apartment is pretty bare despite the fact that I live here, but that's only because I hardly live at the place. My work begs me to go while I want to stay and just be here, swaddled in a large fluffy blanket. Another whoop from the other end with lots of chatter break me from my thoughts. "Are you out drinking?"
"Hells Eah," Brianna said enthusiastically. "That's how I got invited with a plus one. This now means you are going and no takebacksies, ok? Ok. Love you babe byeeeeee." She hung up before I could get a word in.
A few days later, as promised, Brianna showed up to my door and was shocked to see that I hadn't changed.
"Come ONNNN, what're you doing???? Get changed were going in 10 minutes!!" Brianna whisked us away to my closet, where a bunch of athletic and lounge clothing where sprawled out to say "Look at me Brianna, I don't go to places". This was immediately forgotten as Brianna continued to search for a dress for me to wear.
"Brianna, I don't have any dresses. I don't go anywhere anyways." Brianna continued to search until she reached an old dress that I had completely forgotten about. It was black with little skulls along the pattern that looks like flowers from a far distance. The dress hasn't been worn in a while, so long that I forgot the last time I had tried.
I started to shake my head. "We can't use that one."
Brianna turned her head at me, or more like snapped. "Why not? It's pretty and it works."
"Yeah but I haven't worn it in a while and my body.."
"Is fine." Brianna interjected. "Plus since it's not sleeved or anything you should be fine. Your muscles won't get in the way." Brianna handed the dress to me with a gentle smile. "If it doesn't fit, we can find an alternative."
The dress still fits my 5'1'' body, despite all the training I had done. Honestly, it still surprised me; but against my dirty blonde shoulder length hair it worked. I was quickly ushered into my jacket and Brianna sped us off to the party in god knows where. The smoke of the city doesn't make the view of the sky any more appealing in the back of an Uber.
So I'm standing against the wall holding a drink I haven't even sipped and watching Brianna flaunt around in her usual fashion. She chose to sport a red crop top with green and red striped festive leggings with her brown hair in a festive braid. Brianna looks so in her element that it's almost criminal, however that's ok. It's not like I have much say in the matter anyways.
As I stare at my red solo cup, wondering if I should get rid of it, a man about twice my height comes up beside me and tries strikes a conversation. He looked like what H&M fabricated with a grunged rough face to slap on top of it.
"Lame party," we made eye contact. "What brings ya here?"
I just stayed silent. I wasn't interested in a man half my height, so I figured just to shake my head softly "no". The man didn't take the hint, but when I didn't speak he just left for the next broad hanging around alone. I follow him with my eyes as I see him wind up next to a fairly tall woman at the bar, almost taller than him. The woman also barred no reaction, but he took longer to leave than when he left me. It must've been because of my muscles, but that's still no excuse.
I walk my way over there and sit next to her, making sure to dump the drink on the way. The minute the man saw me he said a goodbye and left, going back to a group. I turn to the person I just saved and her black lipstick turned upwards.
"Thanks," she says. "I'm Alicia."
"Kristine," I say, brushing my hair behind my ear as my lips moved in a similar curve. Alicia has beautiful sepia skin that complemented the black spaghetti dress she's wearing. The piercings on her ear show with a glow against her short curly hair. Alicia's style looked very alternative, possibly goth. "I like your style."
Alicia's gaze fixated on my dress. "I like yours too. The skulls are cute."
Heat consumed my face as I stared with a smile. "Thank you."
Alicia orders a drink and turns to me. "You want one?" I shake my head and after she's done she turns to me. "So tell me Kristine," my name rolls off her tongue. "How'd you wind up here on Christmas Eve?"
I began to tell Alicia about Brianna, and the wild person she is to get me into this mess. Alicia looked at me with such curiosity, such interest, it felt as if she would burn holes through me. The way her bottomless ocean eyes stared had my butterflies doing flips. God I wish I could dive in.
When I finish explaining, Alicia nods. "Well that'll do it. See, I'm here because of my friend too, only they left early and I'm bored." My face gave a "why don't you leave?" look, which earned a laugh from Alicia."I stayed for the booze. Though it's not doing much."
I nod in condolence. "I can't drink personally, but I get what you mean."
"Can't drink?" Alicia asked with a swig. "Are you a lightweight? Doesn't look like it with those muscles."
"Actually I'm a bodybuilder," I say. My voice starts getting elated. "It's my job to enter competitions and stuff, and I don't want to damage my body. I just carry cups and stuff so people don't ask me to drink."
"Smart," Alicia smiles brightly; brighter than all the lights in the room. "Well I think you look lovely by the way." I start to blush some more as Alicia continues with a laugh. "You could probably lift me up too."
I chuckle alongside Alicia. "Maybe."