"I still can't believe I'm doing this."

I paused, rolling my eyes. "Nabila, I'm taking you to a party, not to rob a bank!"

"Still! I can't even imagine what my parents will say."

"They live two hours away."

"My mum is coming to see me tomorrow!"

I shrugged. "So? She wouldn't know if you don't tell her. Now shut up and let me go on, or I'm sticking this brush in your mouth."

She groaned but complied. I went back to beating her face.

A few minutes, I finished. Wheeling the chair around, I faced her at the mirror. "You can open your eyes now. Ta-da!"

Opening her eyes, Nabila gently touched her gleaming face. "Wow, I- I look great!"

"Of course, I did your makeup after all. Now, time for the main event." I gestured at the dress I'd placed on her bed.

Nabila walked to it, picking it up. Her eyes widened. "Oh my god!"

I grinned sheepishly. "I hope that means you like it."

"Aimee, there's no way I'm wearing this!"

"Oh, come on, you said I could pick your outfit."

"No, you said you would pick my outfit."

"Ok, maybe, but that's only because you don't have anything appropriate for the occasion."

"Why can't I just wear a t-shirt and pair of jeans?"

"Oh yeah, and while you're at it, maybe mess up your hair and take off your makeup as well. Really show your lack of effort." I scoffed. "No, Bila, you're going there to 'wow', okay?"

Nabila groaned, looking at the dress again. A few seconds later, her shoulders sagged. "Fine, I'll wear it."

Grinning, I clapped. "That's the spirit!"

. . .

"Aimee, I feel naked. I'm taking this-"

"Don't you even dare say that! You look great!"

She tugged at the little black dress which accentuated her curvy figure. "Are you sure it's not too small? I feel like it's going to rip."

"Well we're the same height, and it fits me, so you're fine." After a pause, I added, "Though you are thicker than me, so I can see why you may feel-"

"Aimee!"

"What? It's true!"

"Anyways, why do you get to wear just a top and jeans, but I don't?"

I shrugged. "Well, I'm not looking for a man."

"Neither am-" Nabila's eyes widened. She began unhooking the dress. "Oh, I'm definitely not wearing this!"

I burst out laughing, grabbing her hand. "Chill, it's okay! You don't have to even so much as dance with a guy there."

"Promise?"

"Of course. You're free to hang out with me-"

A knock on Nabila's door interrupted me.

I called, "Who is it?"

Precious replied, "Me."

"One sec." I walked to the door, opening it.

She walked in, followed by Ava. Ava was Precious's roommate. She had pale skin, blonde hair, and dark gray eyes. She and Precious's outfits that night matched up more with Nabila's than mine.

"Okay!" Precious exclaimed, looking at Nabila. "Someone is not playing tonight!"

Ava agreed. "Right, you look... wow!"

I grinned at Nabila. She smiled, shuffling. "Um, thanks."

Precious said, "Come on girl, give us a twirl!"

Sheepishly, Nabila did as she asked, eliciting cheers from all of us.

Precious gushed. "That dress is doing wonders for that booty! Also okay, I see the open back!"

Nabila replied, "Actually, I'm wearing a jacket over it."

"Bila-"

Nabila shot me a death glare.

I shut up. Better not push it!

Precious looked at me, crinkling her nose. "You haven't changed yet?"

My face warmed. Well, fuck you!

"Stop it," Ava hit her arm, then looked at my bralette. "That's a really cute top."

I smiled at her. "Thanks."

Precious said, "I'm not saying her outfit is bad, just that next to Naila's it's... underwhelming."

I forced out a laugh. "Yeah well, I'm not looking to overwhelm anyone."

"Well, you-"

I cut Precious off, gesturing at the bottle she held. "Pregame?"

"Hm?" She looked at the bottle, then grinned. "Oh, of course!"

"Ugh, thank god! By the way, do we have to buy our own drinks?"

"Nah, I hear that drinks are going to be free there. Still, doesn't hurt to get a headstart."

Nabila said, "Well, you all have fun."

Precious furrowed her brow, chuckling. "Why are you talking like you aren't joining us?"

"Oh, I don't drink."

"You mean you haven't drunk before," I corrected.

"No, I mean I don't drink."

"Oh, come on!" I groaned, rolling my eyes. "At least just try it for tonight. How do you know you really don't like it otherwise."

"I'm pretty sure I won't enjoy getting wasted."

"We're not getting wasted, we're just getting a bit..." I looked at Ava and Precious.

"Turnt up!" Ava completed.

Nabila crossed her arms. "I don't know..."

"Come on," Precious said, "Do you want us to cheer you on?"

"No-"

"Nabila! Nabila! Nabila!"

Grinning, Ava and I joined in.

After a while, Nabila caved. "Ugh, alright!"

The rest of us cheered. I ran forward and hugged her.

After I let her go, she asked, "What about Angelo though? Is he going to join us?"

I shook my head. "He doesn't drink - he's not a fan of the taste."

Ava asked, "Who's Angelo?"

"He's my... friend. He'll be joining us."

"Ah, alright. How far away is he?"

"Well... he's in my room."

"In your room? Interesting." Precious waggled her eyebrows. "And how long has your 'friend' been in there?"

"Oh, just-"

Nabila interjected. "'Just'? He's been there since last night!"

I hissed, "Nabila!"

"Hey, no judgment! I've also had... friends who've stayed overnight." Precious grinned at Ava. "I'm sure you can relate."

Ava grinned back. "Oh, definitely! There's nothing wrong with being a Good Samaritan and sharing your-"

"Okay, okay, I get your points." Smiling, I rolled my eyes. "But it's not like we spent the entire day together."

Nabila said, "Well, if you count the time when he left to shower and get a change of clothes, then that's true."

"Thanks, Nabila." Smiling tightly, I looked at her. I am going to strangle you!

Precious asked, "Ah. Is your 'friend' spending the night?"

"Who knows." I shrugged, even though I knew Angelo had brought an overnight bag back with him.

Ava asked, "Does he go here?"

I shook my head. "He goes to Milesford."

"And he drove all the way from there to spend the night with you?" Precious smirked. "That's some 'friend'."

"Okayyy," I stressed, "How about we start paying more attention to the bottle than me?"

. . .

The party was held in what looked like a house. Even though we'd arrived much later than the starting time, there were still people piling through the gate when we got there. Precious led us in but left soon after. Ava followed, saying she was going to look for her boyfriend.

Music boomed from inside the building. Some people were hanging out on the lawn smoking, chatting, or playing games on the different tables set up.

Suddenly, Nabila grabbed my hand. "Aimee...I'm buzzing."

I furrowed my brow. "Buzzing?"

"Like a buzzard." She began giggling.

"What?"

Beside me, Angelo said, "I'm guessing that's her way of saying she's drunk."

I laughed. "Oh. Already?"

She gasped. "Is that bad?"

I smiled. "No! So, how do you feel?"

"Pretty alright, just...buzzed." She giggled. "Can I hold onto your hand for goo- good measure?"

"Of course." Grabbing her hand, I exclaimed, "You have no idea how proud I am of you, Bila!"

Angelo said, "Why? She's just drunk, not like she cured cancer."

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks for your contribution, Negative Nancy-"

"Excuse me?"

"-now, let's go dance."

"You and Nabila have fun!"

"You say that like you're not coming with us."

"Need I remind you what happened the last time we went to a party together and you forced me to dance?"

My lips twitched as the image of his head in a punch bowl flashed in my mind. "Oh come on, this time will be different!"

He crossed his arms. "Oh yeah? Why?"

"Because...you get to dance with me tonight."

"We danced together last time."

"Not the same thing."

"What do you mean?"

Winking, I grabbed his hand. "You'll see."

I dragged him and Nabila into the building, onto the dance floor. The room was dimly lit and filled with people, who were either grinding and dancing or hugging the wall. Despite the large number of people inside, the room was reasonably warm. There were coolers holding drinks at various points.

To my pleasant surprise, Nabila was moving along to the beat by the time we walked in. I let go of her and Angelo, facing her as I grinned. "Yasss, that's it!" It was so loud in there that I doubt she heard me, though.

Laughing, she grabbed my hand, and we began to dance together.

. . .

What did you think of this chapter? I love reading comments from y'all, so let me know your thoughts! Also, please support me by voting on the chapter if you enjoyed it, and follow me if you wanna keep up to date with any important announcements.

Till next time!