"Please, please come with me. I don't want to stand around by myself. We can pretend like we are mingling, but in reality just eat the fine ass food they are going to have and talk shit about everyone there."
I couldn't help but suppress a giggle as she begged. As usual, I would get guilted into going, but I could at least have a good laugh in the mean time.
"Aren't these your friends? Why don't you want to be there? Sounds like a grand time." I teased, before tossing my hair behind my shoulder.
"Vivian please?" Her puppy dog eyes swelling with tears almost pushed me into hysterics.
She was purposely drawing out the 'e' to make it sound that much more dramatic. If she wasn't my best friend I would have told her to go take a hike, but I have always had a soft spot for her. Ever since we were in grade school we found ourselves always drawn to each other, like we were meant to be friends in some weird way.
"Just this once," I agreed. "You know you shouldn't even be going to a party."
She squealed loudly in my ears, throwing her arms around me in excitement, my statement seemingly falling on deaf ears. For a twenty-five year old woman, she sure acted like a giddy teenager, bouncing about for the shear fact I have agreed to her request.
"Now what to wear?" She asked, tapping her finger on her lips before sauntering away and trailing off with her own thoughts.
I envied her sometimes. Her ability to draw people to her was one of her best qualities. But, it was also her biggest downfall.
Making my way up stairs and into my room, I threw myself onto my bed and stretched out. My mind whirled with all the things I had to try and accomplish today in the same time frame I had before Hannah decided it would be time to play dress up.
I liked getting gussied up just as much as the next girl, but when it came to Hannah, we had to look perfect. Nails, hair, make up, the whole works. I guess there were perks to being roommates with one of the best make up artists in the county, but I preferred to keep it natural, plain Jane.
I closed my eyes, trying to imagine what this party would be like. Would I end up having to drag Hannah’s drunken body back to the car or would she stand her ground, not willing to give into the demons of the bottle. Only time would tell. I just hope she has enough self determination and control to make it though this unscathed.
—————
"So, where exactly is this place?" I questioned as the car slowed to a stop in front of a black iron-clad gate. Gingerly peering out the passenger side window, I could faintly make out the remaining road ahead, as well as the stone and steel fencing that stretched well beyond my line of sight. I was normally all for exploring new places, trying new things. In this case however, the outside alone reminded me of venturing towards Dracula's castle. A gateway to hell where there was no telling what would be seen.
"Chill out! Why are you always so sketchy of places you've never been to? Live a little." Hanna joked, stretching across the center console just to poke my arm a few times with her elbow.
What she said and what she meant were two very different things. She knew I didn't live life on the wild side. I preferred to have everything out in the open. Know exactly where we were going with a map of all the landmarks, leaving a trail behind in case I was to get kidnapped and needed someone to send out the swat team.
"Vivian, please just act normal, or as normal as you possibly can."
I smiled coyly at her. "Oh, I'll try, believe me. I just can't make any promises."
The road beyond the gate was longer than I had expected. It seemed to have stretched for a good mile before we saw any inkling of life. Through the thick trees, vibrant blues, reds, and white danced on the leaves leaving the trucks to stand unfazed by the colors.
The persistent pounding of the loud music vibrated the windows, creating a zinging sound throughout the car, threatening to break the glass at any given moment.
I looked around surprised by the lines of cars along both sides of the narrow road. The sheer number of vehicles spoke volumes of the number of people that were attending this gathering.
Even though we were pretty far from the party itself, I could see a mansion set off in the distance. It was simply mesmerizing. I was a Jersey girl from a small town where the houses were modestly built. We weren't necessarily the lowest on the totem pole, but we weren't rich either. So, this house looked like a celebrity was living the luxurious life in it.
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A small black car retreated from a space toward the middle of the line as we made our way up. I gestured to her with a lift of my head for her to park there. It would at least get us somewhat closer to the party.
Neither of us said anything as we looked out the windows and gawked at the size of the perfectly manicured lawn. I grazed my fingers over the silver handle of the door and slightly pushed it. When the door finally gave, the stench of alcohol that seeped through these poor souls pores hit my nose before we even stepped out of the car. The mess of people on the front lawn clearly indicated how the night was going to progress. Slow, with a slight chance of drunkenness.
"Well, ready to go have some fun?" Hannah squeaked. I could tell the excitement was starting to pull at her. The want and need to be mingled among the group seemed to be calling out to her, seducing her like a murderer does to his prey.
Pulling me by my arm out of the car, I hesitated for a minute. It was taking everything in my power to keep from climbing back inside and locking the doors. This was not my scene. I didn't enjoy watching people getting piss ass drunk and dry humping furniture and dainty looking garden gnomes.
Even back in high school I was the one that would forgo the parties. I thought my time was better spent locked up in my room, listening to music, and admiring the many posters that decorated my walls.
"You owe me, big time!" I scowled. "Like rub my feet for a year owe me."
Hannah tightened her lips together, doing everything she could to keep from laughing before interlocking her boney elbow with mine. After basically dragging me up the hill, I internally beat myself up for not thinking to take my shoes off for the walk. 5-inch heels, a black mini dress and a hill did not work well mixed together.
By the time we reached the mansion's steps, I was already breathing heavily and cursing Hannah under my breath for talking me into this. I forgave her quickly as I reminded myself I was here as her support team, like her walking, talking subconsciously.
My thighs and feet were groaning from the foreign activity I had just put them through. I was not the type that enjoyed working out muscles I didn’t know existed.
"See we made it." She breathed out just as heavy. "Remind me to roll down the hill on the way out, I'm not going to try and steady myself down this bad boy."
I rolled my eyes and stared up at the massive columns that helped frame this beautiful home. It was rustic, but at the same time modernized. The floodlights that lined the brick curbing shone directly on the massive beast. I was no realtor, so the true beauty of this home wasn't of much interest to me. All I knew is that, It. Was. Huge.
"Remind me again who's party this is." I yelled into her ear as we walked through the glass double doors and into a cloud of smoke. Waving my hands in front of my face, I coughed slightly attempting to expel the now fading fog that made its way into my respiratory system. The music was blaring, deafening almost. How could these people even hear themselves think, it was a madhouse. It reminded me of one of my trips to the local Walmart during Black Friday one year.
Lights were pulsating through the room as men screamed back and forth at each other while making manly gestures with their muscles. Sometimes men could be very interesting characters when watched in their natural habitat.
"Tyler Jones," she yelled back as we both nonchalantly stepped over a man who was passed out in the middle of the hall. My first impression was that he was passed out drunk, but for all we knew, he could have been dead. Not one soul stopped to check on him, making my uneasiness 100% rectified.
"And who is that?"
Shaking her head and pointing to her ear I got the gist that she couldn't hear me so, I gave up. There was no point in trying to talk over the music and the mess of people that were inside.
I followed closely at her heels, allowing her to take my hand tightly into hers. I watched as couples slammed each other up against the walls and continued to make out like they were playing a role in a movie, only stopping to look when someone of importance walked by. The women appeared to have had no shame as they allowed their partner to hike their dresses up and proceed to grind on them.
The floor was littered with red and blue solo cups with spilled liquors and beer of every kind surrounding them. The fermenting alcohol left the scent of fruit punch in the air causing my stomach to churn with nausea.
These people were absolute savages. Whoever this "Tyler" was, he was someone I knew I didn't want Hannah to get messed up with. She already had her demons and didn't need someone else's added on top of hers.
Jerking my hand closer to her body, she yanked me with her into the kitchen where thankfully some of the noise had calmed down. On top of a large granite countertop laid a silver tray of red cups, filled to the brims with liquid. Swiping two, she motioned with her head toward the sliding glass door. I agreed with enthusiasm as I snatched the cup from her hand and led the way. I wanted out!
"What in the hell was all that?" I asked while bringing the cup up to my lips. She smiled hesitantly before taking a swig of her own. I was starting to think she had no idea what she had gotten us in to, but knowing Hannah, she probably left out the parts she know I wouldn't approve of. This honestly looked like a young teenager's idea of a party while their parents were out of town.
"So, how do you know this guy?" I asked again, this time knowing she clearly heard what I asked her.
"Ok, so don't be mad," she shifted nervously. "I met him the other day when I was out with Sky and I thought it would be so much fun to come to a party with obviously rich people." Her voice trailed off. "Listen, I just want to fit in again. Just for one night, Viv."
"I knew it. Damnit Hannah." I growled. "You're not a child anymore. You can't afford to fall back on the bandwagon."
I was disappointed in her. She had always tried so hard to fit in that she hurt the people closest to her along the way. Just being Hannah and having a few close friends was never enough for her, and that hurt.
I opened my mouth to scold her some more before a tall, built, Greek God walked up the cherry wood patio steps toward us. He was gorgeous. For a second, I forgot all about Hannah and her childish need for attention.
I snapped my eyes back to meet hers as she smiled in agreement. Maybe this party wouldn't be that bad, especially if there were more men like that to look at. I didn’t get out much, so this was a treat.
"You still want to leave?" She smirked, knowing for a fact that I had liked what I saw.
Doing a double-take at the sexiness as he walked past us, I decided, for the sake of argument, I could stay a little while longer.