Chapter 12
I let out a small sigh as I sit down on my vanity and stare at myself in the mirror, fresh out of the shower. I’m already regretting agreeing to this. After ignoring Rya for a couple of days, she asked Zayn if he wanted to go. All three of them agreed to go, so I finally said, screw it, I’ll go.
Rya messaged us in a group chat about this new club that opened up in the city that she wanted to go to. I didn’t bother to look it up.
After curling my hair, I let them sit while I do my makeup, so the curls hold up longer.
Usually, I do some type of eyeshadow when I go to the club, but I decide against it and keep my makeup light.
I run my fingers through my hair, breaking up the curls after I complete my makeup.
I tease it a little and then spray hairspray all over.
Heading into my closet, where all my going-out dresses are, I stand there staring at them, figuring out what to wear.
“Oh Viiii,” Rya says, entering my room.
I shift my body around and see her in a skintight red dress and black heels.
The excitement in her eyes that we are going out makes me roll my eyes.
She grabs my hands. “Oh, come on,” she says with a frown.
“It will be fun.” She releases my hands and looks through all my dresses. “Have you pregamed it yet?”
“No,” I say, standing there watching her go through my dresses. “I don’t plan on drinking a lot.”
“You could at least have one shot to loosen you up a bit,” she says over her shoulder. “This one.” She grabs a black halter dress off the hanger. She puts it up against my body. “Wear this one.”
I drop my robe, not caring that I’m naked, truth be told, she’s seen it all.
I slide the dress up my body, situating it while I look at myself in the mirror.
When’s the last time I wore this dress? I say to myself.
Since I hardly ever dress up, I sometimes forget how good I look in clothes other than leggings and a sports bra.
I slip on my strappy black heels and spritz that new Valentino perfume I bought in Vegas all over myself. I walk out of my closet and see Rya sitting on my vanity, touching up her lipstick.
This vanity was another selling point on this house. The lady’s husband put it in for her since she loved to do her makeup. I thought that was so sweet. I sometimes wish I met the couple.
“Are you ready?” I ask, putting deodorant on.
Rya stands up and looks over herself in the mirror. “Yup. The boys are waiting for us.” We both carefully walk downstairs in our heels, holding onto the railing.
“Are you guys ready for a shot?” Zay yells out as we enter the kitchen.
Ez catches my gaze with a small smile on his face right as I sigh. “You don’t have to take one,” he says.
Rya looks over at me. “Yes, she does. She needs to loosen up.”
Has Rya always been this bossy? Or am I noticing it more now that I’m not on her level of wanting to go out?
I grab the shot from Zay’s hand and choke it down. The burning runs down my throat to my chest, making my eyes water.
We arrive at the club, the strong bass slamming through the speakers, sending shakes through my body. The four of us make our way further inside, walking through the crowded room, brushing past bodies as we look for a less crowded area.
Rya grabs my hand and starts swaying her hips against mine. I do a little sway with my hips and then stop. I’m just not feeling it.
“Should we find a table?” I say with a raised voice to Rya, so she hears me over the music.
She nods and gazes around the club. Everywhere I turn, it’s jam-packed with people.
“What do you want to drink?” Zay whispers into my ear.
“Vodka soda.”
He nods, and he and Ez head for the bar.
Just as they’re leaving, I see a group of people leaving a couch sitting against the wall.
I grab Ry’s hand and tug her along with me.
I sit down and pull her down with me, so no one takes it.
Rya moves her shoulders with the beat of the music the second she sits down.
Ez comes with two drinks in hand, followed by Zay. Ez hands me my drink and hands the other to Rya as he sits down next to her. I look up at Zay and he is only holding on to one drink. He sits down next to me, and I lean into him. “Is Ez not drinking?”
Zay shakes his head.
Ezra had a couple of shots at home, but I’m guessing he’s like me and only took them to take the edge off. Plus, he’s our DD.
The club is alive with so much energy. The lights are pulsing with the music. Many couples are dancing together. Groups of girls are dancing around each other, laughing. Everyone else is deep in conversation with a drink in hand.
My shoulders loosen up a little as the liquor hits harder.
Rya grabs my hand, but I stay seated. “Let’s go dance,” she says, swaying her hips and shoulders.
I shake my head, not really in the mood to dance. Zay bumps my shoulder. “Babe, go dance.”
One side of my lip curls up; I shake my head again. “You go.”
Rya rolls her eyes and Zay grabs her hand. She leads them onto the dance floor.
Many friends have asked me if we four ever get jealous of each other because we’re so close.
Rya has never given me a reason to not trust her with Zay.
Zay hasn’t either. I watch as Rya dances in front of Zay and he moves his hips along with the rhythm of the music.
They keep their dance moves respectful, not grinding up against each other.
I scoot closer to Ez and lean my back against the couch. “Are you having fun?”
His ankle rests on his knee, and he bounces his other foot on the floor. “Sure,” he says over the music.
I take a sip of my drink. “You didn’t want to come here, huh?”
He takes his gaze off Rya and Zayn and catches my eyes. His green eyes glimmer under the strobe lights. “Not really. You?”
I shake my head.
He shifts his body and tilts his head. “What? I thought you did?”
My brows knit together in confusion. “No.”
He shakes his head, crossing his arms. “Rya told me you wanted to come, but Zay wouldn’t if I didn’t go.”
I glance over at the two of them, still dancing with space between them. I lean back further onto the couch. Why would she lie? It’s a petty lie, but still, what the hell?
Ez leans in. “Let’s get out of here, then.”
“What about them?”
He shifts his gaze back over to the dance floor. “They’re having fun without us. They won’t miss us.”
I raise my drink. “Let me finish this.” I take a big sip. The song ends and Rya and Zay come walking back over. Rya sits down on the couch with a deep breath from dancing. Zay sits on the other side of Ez.
“Hey, we’re going to head out,” Ez says, glancing between all three of us.
“What?” Rya says, leaning over and looking at Ez.
I tilt my head toward her. “Ez and I are going to leave. We both don’t want to be here. We can pick you up when the club closes,” I say, finishing the last sip of my drink.
Zay shoves Ez’s shoulder playfully. “Come on, man. Lighten up.”
He’s sounding like Rya. Why are both of them so adamant about clubbing again?
They’re both clinging to the past while Ez and I are trying to move forward.
I used to love nights like this, dancing until my feet hurt.
Singing the lyrics to every song, moving my body to the rhythm of the music.
But now I have my business to worry about.
I can’t wake up hung over on the weekends anymore and I don’t recover as fast as I used to.
Plus, these crowds make me feel so suffocated now.
Ez doesn’t flinch and stands up. “We’ll be back to pick you guys up.”
I set my cup onto the table, scoot closer to Zay and kiss him.
Rya throws her hands up and scoffs. “Why come if you’re going to bail?” she says in a sharp tone.
I glance between her and Zay. “Why are you guys wanting to club a lot? We’ve been through this phase.”
Zay smirks. “Because it’s fun, babe. You used to like it.”
I let out a sigh and stand. “You guys have fun. Text me when you’re ready to leave.” Rya’s face is tight with annoyance. Ez leans in for a kiss and she backs away with a frown.
“Babe. Come on,” Ez says. “Go have fun with Zay.”
She rolls her eyes and kisses him back.
We both walk out faster than we did to walk in, like we’re counting the seconds until we hit the outside.