CHAPTER 8

"What about this?" Amy asked me, raising the hem of a purple dress. I was sitting opposite the changing room in the dress section and that was the fifth dress she had tried on.

"Noo. Too revealing."

"Isn't it sexy?" She pouted.

"Nope," I answered. She sighed and went back to change. I was already getting bored. My mind was back home. I had been feeling so lazy since I woke up that morning and I didn't feel like doing anything.

If only I was living alone, I know I would still be in bed. But here I was with an obsessed Amy, I thought firmly.

I really couldn't tell if her obsession for Blake surpasses her obsession for material things.

"What about this?" She came out again and stood in front of me as I scrutinized her carefully like a judge.

It was a blue dress with silky white petal-like designs around the neck. I believe it would look great with her diamond earrings.

"This is the best so far", I grinned in satisfaction. I was also happy that we've forgotten a dress and we could go home.

"Really?" She flashed me a smile as her face light in excitement.

"Really", I said again. "I love the dress. It's perfect but I'm sure it would cost a fortune."

"I don't care about how much it cost", she retorted. "Since you said it's perfect, I'm taking it and the first one I tried on."

"Alright", I stood up from where I was seated, expecting to see her going to the counter to make the payment so we could go home, after having spent an hour searching for a perfect dress for her.

"It's your turn", she announced, going over to my seat.

"My what?" I frowned in confusion.

"Pick a dress too", she told me sternly.

"No! Don't bother. I'm sure I would get a nice dress when we get home", I waved my hand at her in disagreement.

"Zara, you came to Boston with 8 pairs of clothes, remember?" She uttered, looking at me with wide eyes

I was speechless. I sighed. As much as I wanted to shop, I didn't want to be a burden on her.

"The shopping is actually for you, not me", she said again. " You also need to get clothes for work, a few casual wears, and a dress for tonight, so go on and be fast about it. It's almost 2 pm." She instructed, taking her eyes off me and relaxing her back as she began to play a game on her phone.

****

It was 7 pm already and we were getting ready for the party. I didn't bother to ask Amy whose party it was since she said Blake would be there.

"Is it a college party or birthday party?" I asked Amy after pondering over it for a few minutes.

"Amy, is it a school party?" I inquired again as she applied some mascara to my eyelid, a lip gloss to my lips, and freed my hair which was tied into a ponytail since I arrived, except for the outing with Mason the night before.

I remembered his compliments and smiled. He called me in the morning to ask if I'd be coming to work the next day and I replied with a loud yes.

He was having doubts because I was too happy and shocked to give him a positive reply the night before.

"Of course not", Amy laughed. "It's a club."

"Oh!" I muttered as a shiver ran down my spine. I didn't know why I was beginning to feel uneasy about going to the club. But I know Amy wouldn't take no for an answer.

"Yeah baby", she smiled at me and stood upright with arms akimbo. "You're good to go."

"Really?" I looked in the mirror and gasped. I was a beauty to behold.

"So sad Mason wouldn't be there. Because if he was going to be there, I'm sure he'd kiss you right in front of everyone", I laughed at Amy's comment.

"I wish", I muttered with a smile.

"Get your ass out of that seat. We are running late. I need to make myself up."

I stood up gently and moved to her bed. Her bed was bigger than mine in shape. I was filled with the thought of laying down on the bed, but I waved the thoughts away.

I remembered all the clothes Amy bought for me and I smiled. I was glad she did, even though I was against it at first. I totally forgot about the fact that I was no longer in New York and I was with just 8 pairs of clothes.

How was I going to cope with that? I ask myself.

"How do I look?" Amy jerked me out of my thoughts, spreading her arms out and turning slightly so I could inspect her, after putting on the diamond necklace and earrings I asked her to make use of them.

"You look breathtaking", I replied with a smile.

"Good. Let's go party", she took her purse from the stand and swung her hips on her way out in a dramatic way. I couldn't help but laugh as I ran after her.

When we got outside the apartment, we flagged down a cab to take us to the club.

*****

The music was loud and I couldn't help but get irritated at first. I'd say it would be my second time of going to a party. First was in New York with Amy and I really enjoyed the party.

Why am I having a bad feeling about this party? I asked no one In particular.

"Babe let's dance", Amy requested, coming back from the washroom, stretching her hand towards me.

"Ok", I took her hands as she pulled me up from my seat. We got to the dance floor and began to dance to the loud music. Amy shook her hips and I did also. We both laughed at our actions.

I guessed Amy had taken a few cups of alcohol on her way back from the washroom. She wouldn't stop swinging her hips seductively, attracting the attention of some group of people. I became embarrassed when I saw them looking at me. Then, I slipped away quietly and went back to my seat.

There was a bottle of alcohol on the table before me and I quickly poured a little in the glass cup. I sipped it hoping it will help dissolve my uneasiness and anxiety. I found the taste sweeter than the alcoholic wine I took in New York so I poured more in the cup and gulped it down my throat.

After a few minutes of drinking, I stood up to go call Amy, when I saw a guy beckoning to me. After a second thought, I went towards him.

"Hi."

"Hello", I replied and took the seat opposite him.

"I like you", he said. "Can we go out to my car and eat each other out?" He requested bluntly.

"What the hell!" I stood up abruptly. I found his bluntness insulting.

"I'm not a prostitute", I shouted so he could hear me.

He smirked. "Obviously. It's just for fun. You are a beauty", he tried to touch me.

"Get lost", I hit his hand away and strolled back to my seat.

"What the hell!" I couldn't believe what he said.

"Typical Americans", I muttered to myself. I heard a sound beside me and I turned to see a guy sucking the girl's face. I found the action irritating and I said to their hearing, before looking away. "Gross!"

Then, I continued with my drinking, hoping Amy would appear soon so we could leave. Before I knew it, I was done with the first bottle and I opened another one. I was really enjoying the taste and I didn't want to stop because it was keeping me company. I was almost done with the second bottle when Amy appeared.

"Amy, we need to go home now."

"Now? I just came to inform you that I've succeeded in getting Blake's attention. I just want a kiss from him and after that, we can go home."

"Whatever", I waved her away. That was the reason we came to the party anyway, I thought. I know she would be sad if she didn't get to do what she intended and has been dreaming of doing.

She grinned and ran back the way she came. I was left with my thoughts as I downed the last content of the second bottle. I felt tipsy and sleepy all of a sudden. I told myself it was enough as I relaxed my back on the seat, searching for my phone.

"Hello beautiful", I looked up to see a pair of blue eyes, staring at me. He was smiling down at me.

"Hello handsome", I replied with a wide smile.

"What is a pretty girl like you doing here all alone?", he moved closer to the seat beside me.

Before I could reply, the light went off and some girls shrieked in excitement.

"What the hell?" I stood up and discovered I was staggering. I felt a hand on my butt and hit the hand away, trying to search for my phone so I could get the torch on.

I heard a groan and a crash followed. I guessed some guys were fighting each other over a girl.

I became scared. My heart was pounding.

As I tried to find my way out, I almost fell but was caught by someone. I told myself it was the handsome prince from earlier.

"Love", he called again, but with a different tone. I hugged him to myself, inhaling his familiar scent and closing my eyes. I felt safe around him, without knowing who he was.

When he released me from the hug without a word from me, I wished I could see his face. I was filled with a strange desire to kiss him.

Without getting to know of the fact that the light went off for a purpose, I took his lips.