"How do I look?" Lily asked, coming out of her bathroom after changing her clothes for the fourth time for Danish's party. 

Me and Zinnia were in Lily's room as she dragged us to hers to assess her dressing style. Zinnia was sitting on Lily's study table while I was on her bed. 

"Is this enough? Or should I change?" Lily asked again.

"Nooo..." I groaned and rolled my eyes before slumping down on her bed.

Zinnia chuckled at my reaction while Lily looked at me blankly with her hands on both sides of her hip. 

"You look nice, Lily," Zinnia said.

"Really?"

Zinnia nodded her head, smiling. 

"Lily, you know you pull off every outfit. And Andrew has seen you in your messiest. Now stop wasting our time," I said, looking at her as I propped myself on elbows.

Lily simpered before saying, "Thanks, Elka. Guess I got some confidence!"

I smirked as I got up and said, "Ok, ladies. Come on. It's already 8:15."

"Woah, hold on,  girl. You're wearing this?" Lily asked me, pointing at my clothes and eyeing me up and down. 

"Yeah," I shrugged. 

"What?" scoffed Lily. "I thought you were going to change your clothes."

"Why would I? I'm wearing this. What's wrong?" I asked. 

"No way, baby. You're not going to Danish's party wearing your usual sweatshirt, jeans and sneakers. This is a party, Elka, not some fudging rally!" Lily exclaimed. 

I sighed. 

"Unfortunately, my closet is full of hoodies and sweatshirts and jeans and sweatpants and not to mention the two pairs of sneakers. All that perfectly suits some fucking rally."

Lily shook her head slightly and looked at Zinnia who was on her phone. Sensing the silence, she lifted her eyes from the phone to us and raised her brows. 

"What?" she asked.

"Don't you think she needs a change?" Lily asked, looking at her while pointing at me.

Zinnia switched off her phone before looking at me with a finger under her chin. I was looking at her with both my eyebrows raised as I knew that she was going to support me.

"As she's going for a party, and that too Danish's, well, yup! She needs a damn change."

I was taken aback hearing Zinnia. "Wh-what? Zin!" I cried.

"Come on, Elka, it's just for today."

"I'm not gonna doll up for anyone!" I exclaimed.

"You don't have to doll up for anyone but for yourself, right? Be a hot ass bitch tonight, girl!" Zinnia said, hyping me. 

I looked back and forth between the two girls who were resolved in dressing me up. 

"I don't have any dress other than my usual."

"Well then, baby, take a look at my closet," Lily said, moving to the side and allowing her vast closet to be visible to me. 

It took me as a surprise that I didn't notice how lavish her closet was all these days.

"Nothing's gonna suit me, Lily. I'm not skinny like you," I said with a sly smile.

"You aren't skinny but you're curvy. There will be something that's going to suit you," Lily said. "Now..." She walked towards her closet and took a burgundy sheer shirt with a deep V neck. Holding up the shirt, she said, "You're going to wear this."

I scoffed. "Yeah, sure."

Lily narrowed her eyes for a second before saying, "You're going to wear this with your black high waist skinny ripped jeans that you haven't touched ever since you bought it two months before."

"It wasn't me who bought it. You bought it for me, remember?"

"Whatever! Nothing's going to change my decision to dress you up, Elka."

"But Lil-"

"Shut up. Now follow me," she said, taking my hands in hers and the shirt in the other hand and heading towards my room.

»»---------------------►

I parked my car in the parking space of Danish's apartment. I looked at myself in the mirror for the sixth time ever since we entered the car and adjusted my hair which was let loose and the deep V neck of the shirt that showed a bit of my cleavage. I was self conscious and unsure about my dressing. This was the first time ever I was wearing such an exposing outfit. 

"Elka, come on," Lily said through the passenger seat window. 

I gave her a pleading look.

"You look fucking beautiful, Elka. You've got nothing to be insecured about," Zinnia said. 

I chewed my bottom lip out of nervousness. 

"You were the one who gave me confidence back at home and it's bad that you don't have any," Lily said, making me understand that there was nothing to be insecure about. If I could uplift her spirits then why couldn't I do it for myself? 

"And stop biting your lip, your lipstick will get smudged," she warned me.

I gripped on the steering wheel and took a deep breath before getting out of the car. 

Danish lived at the topmost floor, that is, the 22nd floor. As the elevator doors opened, the loud music blasted its way towards our ears which made us go deaf for a split second and showed a throng of people with cups of booze in their hands and some making out here and there on the hallway of the floor. And almost everyone looked familiar. Danish lived in a penthouse, which gave people the freedom to do whatever shit they want, as it was just them on that floor.

"He said it was a small party right?" Zinnia asked, looking at the crowd. 

"Yeah but this isn't anything close to small. And how does Danish know these many people within a week?" Lily asked.

My confidence flew away along with my spirits and I was back to square one, all nervous and conscious about the dressing. 

"Let it be anything, come on. It looks fun," Zinnia said, getting out of the elevator and dragging me and Lily along with her.

God, please watch out for me.

We made our way through the throng, squeezing and elbowing each other. My nostrils were filled with the stench of sweat and alcohol and cigarettes and hookahs and whatnot.

"Hey, isn't that Elka?"

"It's that journalism girl that turned down Grayson."

"Holy fuck! She's hot."

"She looks like a whore."

"Woah, I think I'm having a boner right now. Just look at her ass, dude!"

I decided to turn a deaf ear to those fuckers and their bad mouth and horny comments. I expected whispers and rumors to spread like fire whenever I do something unusual but I didn't give a fuck as they were nothing but a bunch of jealous asses. These comments couldn't do anything to me so they could shove it up their jealous ass.

We entered the apartment that was filled with music, smoke and ultramarine blue and violet LED lights flashing, synchronizing with the beats of the music played by the DJ. The huge apartment was filled with people, whom half of them were familiar to me. I couldn't figure out the interior of the apartment as there were way too many people who were trancing in their own world.

"Wow! This is super cool," Zinnia said, awing at the big luxurious apartment that was set just like a nightclub. 

There was even a dance floor where many were swaying and twerking and grinding on each other. 

"Hey, my girls," Andrew said, popping out of nowhere and giving us hugs. 

He looked at me up and down before saying, "Wow, Elka. You look..." his words caught in his throat as he looked at my face.

I let out a small chuckle and said, "It's fine. Spit it out."

"Hot! You look hot," Andrew said.

"Yeah, thanks to your girlfriend," I said.

"Yeah, credits to me," Lily said, pointing at herself. 

"Welcome!" 

We turned towards the familiar sound and saw Danish holding two red plastic cups in his hands. We smiled at him and he handed over the drinks to Zinnia and Lily. 

I raised a brow at him to which he asked, "You don't drink, right?"

"Who said so?" I asked.

Danish pointed at Andrew and Andrew pointed at Lily when I looked at him.

"What? You don't drink, right?" she said after taking a sip of drink from the cup. 

I turned my head towards Danish and said, "Well is there anything here without alcohol?" I asked even though I expected a 'sorry'.

"Yeah. There is," Danish said.

"Really?"

"Yeah, come on," he said, intervening my hands with his and leading the way.

His grip on my hand became firm as it got congested more and more as we made our way to wherever he was taking me.

We entered his kitchen where there was another set of crowd, cheering and howling 'shots'. I looked to the side to see a girl lying on the counter and doing body shots with some guys, her chortle filling up the whole kitchen. There were beers, whiskeys and rums scattered around. It was chaotic as hell. 

"Wait here," Danish said, making me stand at a corner and heading towards the refrigerator. 

I stood there cluelessly, looking around and smiling and waving at a few people I recognized and then, my eyes met him. 

Grayson.

He's staring at me with what? Lust or livid in his eyes? 

Well, I couldn't care less about making it out so I just averted my gaze and looked at Danish who was walking towards me with a red cup in his hand.

"Here you go," he said, holding it out to me.

"What's this?" I took the cup from him. My eyes instantly lit up as I took a sip of the drink. "Chocolate milk?" I muttered after a chuckle. 

"Yeah. This is the only non-alcoholic drink I have in my fridge right now. Also I don't have any wine."

"I don't drink wine that often. Only at times. And that too one glass."

"Yeah, ok. You like it?" he asked, pointing at the cup.

I nodded and smiled before saying, "I love it."

"So, how's the party?"

"Cool. It gives off a nightclub vibe. I like it. But I'm sure the neighbors are gonna complain tomorrow."

"Yeah, I know but it's fine. My brother will take care of it." He shrugged. 

"Wait, where's your brother? I want to meet him," I said as my eyes went wide with the realization that Danish's brother, Daniel lives here with him.

"Uhmm..he's at his friend's. He's not a party person."

"So you kicked him out?"

He chuckled before saying, "Yeah, kinda."

I smiled and took a long sip of the chocolate milk before looking at Danish.

"Do I always have to do this for you?" he asked, making me nonplussed. 

"What?"

He shook his head slightly with a small smile on his lips and brought his thumb towards my upper lip and wiped the brown residue of the chocolate milk slightly. This time, there was no tissue but his bare hands brushing my upper lip slowly. This time, his eyes were hooked with mine and his smile turned into a smirk. 

"But you know what? I don't care. I can do this until hell freezes over."

Woah, dude. Calm down! You are giving me some panic and anxiety attacks these days. 

My heart was beating uncontrollably fast as I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out. I licked my now dry lips and cleared my throat. 

"So, how do you know these people?" I asked, obviously trying to ease up my heart that was pounding inside and my skin that was steaming.

"I told Katie about the party and..." he trailed off, directing his head towards the frenzied boys and girls who were howling and creating a total fuss. "This proves that Katie has a pretty big mouth." He shrugged. 

I frowned a bit and asked, "Who's Katie?"

"That one." He pointed at the girl who was lying down with a piece of lime in her mouth and letting the boys lick the salt off her exposed stomach after they shot tequilas. 

"Oh, I know her," I said as her face was now clear. "We are for French together."

"Yeah, we became friends after a few days when I came to college. I accidentally told her about the party and she's the one who invited half of the college. I swear, I don't have any idea who these people are."

I laughed and turned my head to take a look at Katie but I felt a stare from the side. I looked to the side and saw Grayson, again. 

Was he looking at me this whole time? Did he even blink? 

"But it's fun," I turned my gaze to Danish and said to which he just nodded his head. 

"Hey, Elka," Jake, a friend of mine, came and stood next to me.

"Hey, Jake. How are you?" I asked.

"Good. By the way, you look hot today," he said, taking a sip of his drink. 

I smiled and said, "Yeah, I know. Credits to Lily."

He chuckled. "Great party, man!" he said to Danish. 

"Thanks. There's more if you want," he replied, pointing to the beers, whiskeys and rums. 

Jake nodded his head and took another sip.
"K then. I'll take my leave. You guys continue," Jake said before walking away from us. 

I looked at Danish who was smiling at me. I raised my brows to which he shook his head slightly.

"So, how do I look?" I asked him as everyone complimented me except him. 

Not that I'm desperate for his comment but still...

"Not bad," he said. 

To be honest, I was taken aback. 

"Really? That's it?" I asked again. 

"Yeah... You know, I like the usual Elka. The one with either a hoodie or a shirt or a sweatshirt and jeans or a sweatpants along with sneakers and a messy bun. That is you," he said, leaning against the wall with hands tucked inside his jeans pockets. 

I looked at him for a few seconds before cracking a smile. This compliment was by far the honest one I got today. I was touched by his remark. 

"Thank you," I said.

He smiled at me.

"Did you finish it?" he asked, pointing at the cup.

"Yeah," I said, handing him the cup which he disposed of in a small trash can near him. 

"Ok then." He rubbed his palms together. "Time to dance," he said and dragged me out of the kitchen. 

I saw Andrew and Lily swaying together on the dance floor, her back pressed on his member and grinding on him. I looked around and spotted Zinnia, who was sitting on a large couch at the side of the living room, her head hung low with a bottle of beer in her hands. 

I turned towards Danish and tugged at the black button down shirt he was wearing. He bent down right away to my level with his ears facing me.

"Wait a sec, I'll come now," I had to scream a bit as the music was deafening to which he nodded his head. 

I went towards Zinnia and put a hand on her shoulder to which she raised her head and smiled widely. Of course, she was drunk.

"I miss Amy!" she shouted.

That was when I realized that Amy was also invited to this party by Danish as per my order. I instantly looked all around to find no glimpse of her. I was relieved that she didn't come because I knew that she wouldn't survive a party like this. 

Zinnia moved to the side and looked past me. I followed her eye line which led to Danish standing in the middle of the dance floor, looking at me. 

"Looks like that guy can't keeps him hands off you for a fucking sec. You go, girl. Go get laid and have some fun," she said and laughed like a loony to her own joke before flumping back on the couch. 

I sighed and went towards Danish who was smiling at me. 

"Is she ok?" he asked me through the blaring music. 

I nodded my head and pointed at Zinnia and gestured a drunkard to which he laughed. Just then 'Kissing Strangers' started to play, making our faces glow with excitement. 

"Come on, Elka. We can't miss this song," he said and began to dance some really awkward and funny steps. 

I laughed at him for a few seconds before joining him. We started to dance like some lunatics that needed shackles, gaining frowns and laughs and cheers from everyone around us. Andrew and Lily stopped their grinding and were now cheering for us. I laughed a lot till my tummy hurt, seeing Danish dancing like that. 

A hot guy like him doing the most awkward steps was way too funny. We kept on dancing like that till the song reached Nicki Minaj's rap. I stopped as I had to catch my breath but Danish was still dancing. 

"Why did you stop?" he yelled as he saw me standing and just watching him. He pushed his sweaty hair that fell over his eyes backwards. 

"I need to breathe. Or else you can dance with my corpse," I yelled back.

He laughed and nodded his head before bowing towards everyone and leading me to the couch where Zinnia was sleeping with her head hung back on the headrest.

I sat down and Danish sat next to me, trying to catch our breath. I took off the high heels that could torpefy my legs and massaged my feet.

"You know what?" I asked, making Danish look at me. "You should just quit physics and join dance," I said with a poker face.

Danish looked at me for a few good seconds before we erupted into laughter together. 

"Well then, quit journalism and join me. You can be my partner," he said.

"I'm seriously thinking about it. I'm done with journalism."

"Let's kiss our courses goodbye and join dance." He fisted his pump.

"Yeah." I followed him.

"So, salsa?" he asked.

"No, I prefer samba. Or we could join what we danced just now."

"I don't think it has a name." He shook his head. "What the hell did we just dance, Elka?" he asked with a surprised expression which made me laugh. 

"We can name it as 'The Nutty Dance!'" I said, my  head held high with a sly smile playing on my lips.

"Oh, Elka. Do I have to remind you to add 'Sexy' to it? A girl with a peachy ass and a boy who's literally the hottest danced it. So it's 'The Sexy Nutty Dance!'" Danish said, winking at me and laughing.

"Roger that, partner!"

The rest of the party went with me and Danish sitting together and talking about random stuff. And whenever a guy approached me, Danish interrupted them saying 'We are talking', 'Come back later' or 'She's busy'. 

He said to a guy, "Bro, trust me. You don't wanna date this girl. She's a world-class bitch."

I pinched his thigh playfully to which he winced and said sorry. It was like he was protecting me which made me feel good. We were now closer than before. 

The party ended soon as we had classes the next day. Well, I was sure that half of the college would be absent tomorrow.

Danish helped me and Lily with Zinnia. He carried her all the way from his 22nd apartment to the parking lot on his back and buckled the seat belt after putting her on the passenger seat. Lily was also a bit drunk but sober enough to help me with carrying Zinnia to her room. She better be!

"Thanks," I said as he turned towards me. 

"No prob." He flashed me a smile.

"Bye, Danish." Lily hugged him and hopped into the backseat, her high heels dangling in her hand.

"I had a lot of fun today," I said.

"Me too. Thanks for coming," he said, pushing back his greasy raven black hair.

I took two steps forward and hugged him. 

My hands wrapped around his torso and my head against his chest. I closed my eyes and listened to the song of his heart beat. I inhaled the extremely familiar cologne blended with sweat. He slowly wrapped his hands around my petite figure with his head resting above my head. I felt him inhaling my floral and musk scent and gliding his fingers through my curly locks. It felt so warm and safe with him that I stood hugging him for a few minutes. I opened my eyes and pulled back slowly. My eyes flicked to his and this time, neither of us looked away for some time. 

"Bye, see you tomorrow," I said.

"Yeah. Drive safe. Bye."

I got into my car and started the engine. I looked at Danish once again and we waved at each other. And with that, I drove to my home, a smile plastered on my face.

Open heart, open mind
Never know who you'll find
Open heart, close your eyes
Kissing strangers