Chapter Song: Lush Life - Zara Larsson

"Mother freaking fucker!" I hissed sharply, stomping my foot like a child.

The light pressure of someone's hand on my shoulder made me snap my head to the side to glare at them.

"Calm down, Adalyn, you have no patience." Kat teased me lightly, grinning from ear to ear.

"I didn't know it would take such a ridiculously long time just to return the rental car!"

The four of us were currently in a very large, over the top rental car shop called Hertz in Brooklyn, New York. Too bad their service wasn't as ritzy as the building itself.

I made it clear to everyone that we wouldn't be bringing the newer Suburban model into New York City. Part of this trip was to experience typical New Yorkish things--like taking the Metro or hailing cabs.

What I didn't know was that it'd take longer than necessary to drop the damn car off. We had been here for the past forty-five minutes waiting for one of the staff members to give us paperwork and receipts.

"Dude, it's been like fifteen minutes," Torez pipes in casually, looking at me like I was dumb or something.

Sending him a death glare, I shake my head rather forcefully. "Has not, douchebag!"

His next actions surprise me so much, I can't help but gape at him.

He leans against the granite reception desk behind him and smiles at me. He doesn't say anything.

"Babe look, he's coming." Nic's deep voice from behind me makes me snap out of it and look in the direction the man had walked away to forty-five minutes ago.

"Alright, it looks like you guys are all set. Just make sure you give one of your parents this paper, okay? It's important," he emphasizes, making eye contact with all of us before handing the papers over to Nicholas.

Of course.

"Thank you, sir." Nic answered respectfully, quickly stepping back and wrapping an arm around my waist.

"Let's go guys. Our parents are waiting for us back at the hotel." Kat lies quietly, making it a mission to keep her gaze on her feet.

She has never been good at lying. It's quite funny in situations like these. 

After saying goodbye to the short chubby man, we race out of the building, eager to get out of the situation--but mostly to get to New York City.

It took Kat no time to hail down a cab, something she practiced on the drive up.

The four of us climbed into the cab, some of our luggage sitting on our laps due to limited space in the trunk.

"Where to?" The young woman asked, a warm smile on her lips.

"New York City," I answer quickly, the excitement seeping through my words.

"Let me guess; tourists?" The smug smirk she sent me through the rear view mirror made me roll my eyes.

"Is it that obvious?" Katrina asks from the front seat, not taking her eyes off the scenery outside.

"Your friend back that confirmed my suspicions when she answered like a child would in a candy store."

I didn't mind her teasing, it just made me wonder. Did New Yorkers always poke fun at the tourists? Who am I kidding--who wouldn't?

* * * *

We didn't get to our five star hotel until a little after 7:30. The suite was spacious and modern with it's marble laminated countertops and polished clean cupboards in the kitchen, which opened out into the living room with large bay windows looking out over the city and a soft cushioned love seat with two matching plush chairs on either side, all opposite the large flat screen mounted above the Cambridge fireplace. To the left of the living room was a hallway leading to the four similar in style bedrooms.

We all agreed that it was getting too late to go sightseeing now, so we settled on the next best option--clubbing.

Anyone who thought we'd come to New York without fake I.D.'s was fucking crazy, simple as that. Hell, even good boy Nicholas had a fake I.D. Although, he rarely uses it.

After we each called dibs on a room in our massive four bedroom suite, Kat and I had to persuade the boys to wait up for us.

We told them we'd be quick, but we all knew that wasn't the case when it involved clubbing.

Two hours later, we were finally heading down to the lobby.

"I don't know how long I'll last with these things," Kat griped, looking down at her black pumps.

Kat had decided to slip on a royal blue body-con dress that defined her curves perfectly. She topped her outfit off with her said black pumps and a pair of dangling silver earrings that peaked out from her half-up half-down hairstyle.

I settled on a two piece loose fitting black dress. The top ended just above my belly button, exposing my navel piercing. The matching flowing skirt ended about mid thigh. I had decided on letting my hair cascade down my shoulders, curling the ends to make it seem like I cared enough to put in some effort.

The stud earrings that seemed to be permanent in my ears were left untouched, so I decided on a black pair of bandage boots, the silver straps matching my earrings.

"Don't worry. If you get drunk enough, you won't feel like their slicing through your feet." I sent her a sly wink, knowing she would not take my sense of humor that well.

I was proven correct when she flipped me off, a small frown taking over her gloss covered lips.

Before we exited the building, I sidled up next to Nicholas, giving him a once over.

He had changed into a decent dress shirt, the cuffs of his shirt rolled up to his elbows. He had matched his shirt with a pair of his usual dark washed jeans and his signature converse.

I gripped onto his forearm as we exited the building, a gust of cool air suffocating us for a split second.

The sound of the never ending city bustle made me smile brighter.

We're here. In New York fucking city baby!

Kat once again took the responsibility of hailing us a cab while the rest of us lingered a few feet behind her.

Even though it was nearing 10:00 PM, there was still quite a few New Yorkers promenading around the streets.

Three girls that looked to be around our age eye up Preston and Nicholas as they passed, a trail of giggles following.

Scrunching my eyebrows together, I squeeze tighter onto Nic's arm. 

When he realized what had caused my possessive action, he chuckled lowly, planting a sweet kiss on my forehead.

That was all the reassurance I needed.

Soon enough, we were all piled into a cab for the second time that day and the faint grin was back on my lips.

Preston finally had to opportunity to sit in the passenger seat which he took wholeheartedly while Nic, Kat and I took the back.

This time, a man that looked to be in his late thirties sent us a warm smile before asking where our destination was.

Nicholas and Kat made it a point not to answer. "The Firewater," Preston answered carelessly.

When the words reached the man's ears, he offered a small laugh, shaking his head slightly without a word.

He definitely knew where we were headed and he most likely knew we were underage but he didn't bring it up.

I was squished in the middle between my best friend and boyfriend, a layer of sweat forming on my skin due to the proximity.

"You're going to drink tonight, right?" I leaned over to whisper in Nic's ear, not wanting the taxi driver to overhear.

Nic's blue eyes still managed to stand out even in the darkness of the car as he looked over at me.

A line creased across his forehead as he bit his lip.

"Nicholas," I all but whined, already knowing his answer.

"Please? For me?" I batted my mascara covered lashes, jutting my lower lip out.

He avoided my gaze for a few seconds before he rubbing his forehead.

"I don't know Ada..."

Irritation was bubbling in my stomach. What's the point of going out if he's not going to drink with the rest of us?

Before I could offer him a sassy remark, he spoke up again.

"I'm going to have to be in my right state of mind so I can take care of you," he decided.

"What? No, you don't!" I said incredelusly.

He rolled his eyes, a dramatic scoff leaving his lips. "As your boyfriend, it's my job to take care of you, Adalyn. Especially when I know you'll be intoxicated after a drink or two."

Ignoring the fluttering in the pit of my stomach, I shake my head, my hair bouncing around me. "Nuh-uh," I retorted, determined to change his mind. "That's not true."

With one look over at Kat, I knew that she was on Nic's side.

"Shut up," I seethed, hating that I was the target now. It's supposed to be Nicholas!

"Fine, what if I take it slow? Will you drink then?"

A fiery glare from Preston told me to quiet the hell down.

Oh right. We were in a cab.

With a reluctant sigh, Nic nods. "I guess..." he answers erratically, chewing down on his bottom lip.

I smirked to myself. I knew he wouldn't refuse.

Mentally crossing my fingers, I secretly hope a few memories will be forgotten by the morning.

Oh, yeah. This is going to be one hell of a night.