24. Ava
“Ava! Ava! Ava!”
The girls chant my name as I throw back a rather sweet cocktail. It’s been years since I’ve drunk alcohol, but tonight is the first night I’ve wanted to let my hair down and have some fun. It’s Lucy’s night, and I’m not going to let anything ruin it.
I wipe at my mouth when I finish the fruity drink, and the girls cheer. Lucy wraps an arm around me with the world’s biggest grin. “Ah, Ava. That was the slowest chug I’ve ever seen.”
“I haven’t had alcohol in a really long time,” I shout over the loud music.
She releases a laugh. “I know. I’m only teasing. Are you having fun? How are you feeling?”
My eyes pulse from the wave of that cocktail. “Yeah.” I nod. “So much. It’s good to get out of the house and spend time with you girls.”
“I’m so glad you can be here.” She gives my shoulder a squeeze. “How are you with karaoke?”
“Awful!”
We both laugh. “Me, too,” she agrees. “But we leave no woman behind. Come on!”
She latches onto my hand and drags me away from the booth we’ve been perching in for the last hour. I step onto my heel and sway a little. I don’t remember being this much of a lightweight.
“I’m not sure if I remember any of the songs,” I admit with a slur.
Lucy shakes her head. “Doesn’t matter. They have a screen with lyrics!”
Phia bounces towards us with bloodshot eyes and smudged lipstick. “Who the hell have you been kissing?” Lucy quirks an impressed brow.
“The bartender.” She throws her thumb over her shoulder. “He’s pretty sexy.”
I grin. “Good kisser?”
“Oh, he was divine. He did this crazy thing with his tongue. I’ll be going back for seconds later.”
Lucy presses a hand to her forehead but cannot fight a smile. “Wow, I already know this night is going to end up in pure chaos.”
Phia shrugs. “If you’re getting married, then I’m allowed to have a cheeky fling with the hot guy at the bar. It’s only fair.”
“I guess so.” Lucy chuckles. “Right, we’ve got to decide what song we want to sing. All of us on stage together!”
“Shot, shots, shots!” Grace’s voice booms over ours as she walks towards us with a tray in hand.
The alcohol sitting in my stomach does a sudden flip. I know this shot will tip me over the edge, but another part of me wants to have a “screw it” moment. I know I’m in safe hands. All I want is to have fun, and I’m having tonnes of it.
“Ava,” Grace beckons to the tray. “Take one.”
I take a tiny plastic shot glass and analyse the neon-green liquid. Oh, boy.
“Speech!” Phia screams.
Then all the girls erupt into a loud chant which makes Lucy beam with a smile until she waves a hand to quiet them all down. “Okay, okay,” she shouts. “I just want to say thank you for coming tonight to celebrate. I love you all. But here’s to falling in love, having the best friends ever, and getting shitfaced!”
Our arms extend to clink our glasses, and I push back the funny-coloured liquid. The taste of sour apple rolls down my throat, and I pull a face, swallowing and sticking out my tongue. Lucy’s expression morphs the same before we both laugh.
“Lucy’s Bride Tribe,” the guy on stage calls into a microphone. “It’s your turn to hit the stage.”
My stomach warms from the shot I took. I follow the girls with a huge smile. I don’t want this night to end. If this is life…I want to continue living it.