I carefully smoothed my hair down and inspected myself in the mirror for about the twentieth time in the last half an hour. I had decided to dress in one my favorite outfits to compensate for the shitty way I was feeling. I was embarrassed to admit that it took me nearly an hour to decide on something, but alt east it kept my mind off Joel and Liz.
I had finally decided on my favorite pair of darker denim jeans---my only pair of jeans that I had spent more than $50 dollars, a black top that had this cool sheer lace stitching on the side, and my black chunky shoes that gave me a few much needed inches. I had actually also spent more than 10 minutes on make-up and even used my super expensive, but very smudge-proof black eyeliner. I figured that if I felt good that I’d have an even better time.
There was a knock at the door and I went to go answer it, but not before quickly checking my hair in the mirror one last time. I smiled when I saw a casually dressed and happy looking Benji.
“Hey. You’re right on time for once and not looking too bad.” I said smiling.
Benji laughed, “Why thank you. You’re looking pretty hot yourself.”
“Thanks.” I said blushing slightly.
“You’re not trying to impress a certain twin brother of mine, are you? Because it may definitely work.” Benji said with a small smirk.
“Shut uppp! No, I’m not,” I rolled my eyes. “Can’t a girl get dressed up?”
Ok so maybe I wanted to look good partly because of Joel, but mostly it was for me. Mostly.
“Alright, whatever you say. Let’s just go. Leigha and Paul are in the car waiting. Billy, his girlfriend Audrey, Joel, and Liz are going to meet us.”
“Lead the way.” I replied and we were out the door.
~*~
I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes for a second. I was bored. I was in one of my favorite clubs and I was bored. This definitely wasn’t right. We had entered the club and were immediately informed that the VIP room had been opened for us. VIP room? I wasn’t even aware that there was a VIP room at this place, but whatever, I just went with the flow. Everyone else seemed cool and maybe even a little excited about the idea of being in the VIP room so I decided to suck it up.
Now here I was in a small couch filled room with people who were apparently “very important”. The music was so close, but so far away. All I wanted to do was dance. That all I wanted. Would it be rude of me to leave the all important VIP room? Ha. Like I really cared.
I glanced around to see what everyone else was doing. Benji and Leigha were tucked away in what I guess they believed to be a discreet part of the room making out, Liz and Joel were sitting practically on top of each other laughing away with Billy, Audrey, Paul and a few other people I didn’t know. I watched Liz and Joel for a second. They looked so happy that it was practically vomit inducing. Yeah…I was definitely leaving.
I quickly exited the room without anyone noticing. I would have been offended by that, but I wanted to get out of there so badly that I was more relieved. I decided that I needed a drink. Now, I didn’t normally drink anything besides wussy fruity drinks, but tonight I definitely needed something. I made my way over to the bar and glanced at what everyone around was drinking. I had no idea what to order. This might be a problem. Suddenly I felt a person squeeze into the space next to me at the bar.
“Sorry,” the guy said smiling apologetically.
“It’s okay,” I responded smiling back.
The guy wasn’t my normal type, but he was still definitely cute. I looked away from him quickly before he found me staring at him like a psycho.
“Are you waiting for your drink?” he asked.
“Oh…no…I’m actually not really sure what to get,” I said slightly embarrassed.
“Well, then…why don’t you do some tequila shots with me?”
“I don’t know…I usually don’t do shots and—“
“Come on. I’m paying,” he said, making a puppy dog face, “Please?”
I bit my bottom lip trying to decide whether or not to take him up on his offer. I decided to just do it. I mean, come on, cute guy and free drinks? I saw nothing negative about the situation.
“Sure, why not?” I replied with a shrug.
Four tequila shots later I was feeling it a little bit. Alright, so, I was feeling it a lot and was more than a little drunk. I was very drunk, but having a good time nonetheless.
“So…wait…I don’t even think I know your name,” tequila guy said.
“Emilie and you are…” I respond.
“Graham,” He said, while extending his hand for me to shake.
“Well, Graham thank you ever so much for the drinks,” I said, trying and failing not to slur my words together.
“You’re welcome,” He responded and put one of his arms around my shoulder, “So, Emilie, do you have a boyfriend?”
I shook my head several times, “Nope. No boyfriend.”
“What? That’s a surprise for someone as beautiful as yourself.”
I let out a laugh, “What about you? Do you have a girlfriend?”
“No, girlfriend,” Graham responded with a frown.
“What? That’s a surprise for someone as good-looking as yourself.” I said in a slightly mocking tone.
Graham smiled and asked, “What do you say we go someplace a little less crowded?
I knew somewhere in the back of my head that it wasn’t such a bright idea to leave a bar drunk with a guy I just met, but Graham truly seemed harmless.
“Sounds good,” I replied and Graham starts leading me before the door, but not before someone taps me on the shoulder.
I turn around to see Joel standing there looking a mix between angry and confused.
“What do you want?” I asked not keeping the annoyance out of my voice.
“I noticed you were gone and came to look for you. Where the hell are you going?” Joel asks not keeping any hint of anger out of his voice either.
“I thought you said you didn’t have a boyfriend?” Graham asked slightly pissed off.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I said glaring at Joel, “Why don’t you just leave me alone now, okay?”
“Are you drunk and planning on leaving with this guy?!” Joel now exclaimed.
“And so what if I am? It’s none of your business. I’m a big girl and can take of myself.” I exclaimed angrily.
“Why don’t you just back off, dude.” Graham said, and drapes his arm around my shoulder.
“Emilie, come on. This is so unlike you. You don’t even know this guy.” Joel said trying to reason with me calmly.
“Maybe this is like me. It’s the new Emilie.”
“No, this isn’t like you, Em.” He responds and reaches out to grab my hand, but I quickly pull away, “Why don’t you just mind your own business and go back to your little VIP room with your looovely fiancé. Leave me the hell alone. I deserve to be happy and have some fun too. You have no say in who I can go out with!” I nearly shout at him.
That’s the last thing I remember saying before passing out.