by Liz Lovelock
My mouth drops at the sight before me. I actually look beautiful. The dress sits above my knees, like Elsie’s. Of course the dress hugs her body more. It suits her, but it suits my body style too. It has a V-neck which comes low and exposes some cleavage. The other difference to Elsie’s is mine has a lower back, with straps that crisscross down to about the middle of my back. I feel sexy, and ready to step out and have some fun.
“Look at you,” Elsie exclaims from the doorway.
I jump, not expecting her to be there. “You gave me a heart attack, Elsie.”
She comes and stands beside me, assessing my outfit. “I knew it would be a flawless fit on you. I have a talent for picking the perfect outfit. Now, let’s do your makeup and hair.”
“What’s wrong with how I look now? I don’t want to look too out there. I love the dress, and maybe it’s enough for now.” The extent of my makeup is usually foundation, eyeliner, and some light pink lip gloss when I go out. I don’t even wear makeup during the day.
Elsie takes my hand, dragging me out of our room and to a chair which sits beside our little secondhand dining table. The table is covered in a heap of different shades of eye shadows, blushes, lipsticks, and things I don’t recognize. Elsie forces my butt onto the waiting seat, races off, and comes back with my food and drink.
“Now, make sure you eat. I don’t need you to be an easy drunk tonight. I’ll start with your eyes. Shut them.”
I do as she says. “Gee, bossy much? Is this what you’re like in the bedroom?” I giggle.
“You’ll never know.”
Shoving a large piece of pizza in my mouth, I take a bite of its cheesy goodness. I wonder if Parker has messaged me back.
Elsie gets busy applying some foundation and blush, then begins on my eyes.
“Don’t go too crazy, girl,” I warn her.
“Oh, let loose tonight, Addy. Who cares what people think? Just have fun.”
Easy for her to say. I haven’t been to a proper party for twelve months.
“I’ll try.” And I will. I need to rediscover who I am and find my happy medium again. I’ve been stuck in this unhappy rut for far too long.
The little brushes tickle my eyelids, and I already know I’m going to look the complete opposite of what I did thirty minutes ago.
“Have you heard from Parker?” she whispers, so none of the other girls overhear. They were still marching around in their underwear when Elsie brought me out here. I love that we can be so comfortable with each other. These girls are more like sisters than my own flesh and blood.
“No.”
“Really? Nothing?” she questions, as if I should have heard something.
“Nothing. Remember, guy-free for a while, I think.”
She scoffs at my words. “Come on, Addison. Don’t do this to me.”
“Do what?”
“Block out the male species because your ex-boyfriend was a dickhead.”
“I need a break for a little bit.” I sigh. She doesn’t understand. She’s never been serious with anyone who I’ve noticed, or who she’s told me about. I know Elsie likes to keep her options open, and if something tickles her fancy, she’ll grab the opportunity with both hands.
“Have you heard from your bitch of a sister?”
I don’t want to hear from her. “No, and that’s fine with me. I’ll most likely see her at family dinner on Sunday. Might need a few drinks before I go face her.”
Elsie grips my bare shoulders. “I’ve got your back.”
Those four words hold promise. She’ll always have my back. I couldn’t get through all of this without Elsie.
She applies the final touches to my lips. “Open your eyes.”
I nervously do what she says. When I do, Elsie is holding a mirror in front of me and I come face-to-face with a new Addison I’ve never met before.
“Wow,” I breathe. The look she’s given me is smoky with gold on the inner part of my eyes, and bright red lips which say, ‘kiss me.’ I’ve never had this much makeup on my face. Ever. “Wow,” I repeat.
“Girls, come look at our supermodel, Addison.”
Screams greet me when they see me.
“You look stunning, Addy,” Jane says excitedly, with a hint of awe. “Elsie, please do me next.”
I stand, giving her the seat. She sits, closing her eyes, and awaits her turn.
“Wowsers! Addy will be picking up tonight,” cries Willow. She makes me do a twirl, then races off, yelling, “I have the perfect shoes for you!”
She comes back with a pair of shimmery gold strappy heels.
“They’re great. They’ll kill my feet though. They look like they’re five inches high.”
Willow gives me a whatever eye roll.
I’m most likely exaggerating about the height.
“Addy, put them on.” She thrusts them at me, and I go sit on the couch and slip the first one on my foot. It fits perfectly. The shoe’s got a pointy toe with straps which tie up around the ankle, like how the Ancient Romans tied their sandals. Now, if these were flat, they would appeal to me so much more. Comfort all the way. As I tie them up, the straps come halfway up my leg. Once I finish, I make my way back to the full-length mirror in my room.
I’m blown away. It’s not me; it’s a new Addison.
I like her. I feel more confident already in this outfit and the makeup. Elsie is so good with this stuff. A small part of me wants to run into either Ella or Hayden just to smear it in their faces, to show them they can’t bring me down. I’m stronger than either of them realize.
I pick a clutch purse out of the collection Elsie has stored in her cupboard. I collect my cell from my bedside table, and when I pick it up, there’s a message. Tingles flitter within me when I see it’s from Parker.
Parker: I should be asking who this is.
I grin stupidly at my phone. What can I say back? My fingers hover.
Addison: That’s for me to know and for you to find out.
We finally arrive at the frat house around eleven p.m. after tossing down some shots of tequila. I’m feeling pretty loose and ready to have fun tonight. I want to dance and enjoy being free.
We walk in like we own the place. All heads turn to us for a moment, then people go back to their conversations.
It’s a large house; the furniture’s been pushed back against the walls. A DJ is set up in one corner of the living room, and the bass is vibrating through every inch of me. I scan the room, taking in who’s here, and who I know.
“Wow! This place is packed,” Elsie yells into my ear over the music. “Wanna get a drink?”
I nod, and we all head toward the kitchen.
“Looking good, Addy.”
I turn at the mention of my name. Jase stands there, his blond hair slicked nicely, and his navy shirt clinging to his bulging body. Muscles on muscles.
“Hey, Jase! How are you?” I’m super thankful I’ve had those drinks now.
Elsie grabs my elbow, and says, “I’ll go get us a drink and come find you.”
I smile, nodding as Jase steps closer.
“He’s not here, just so you know,” Jase says.
I know who he’s referring to. I move closer to Jase, and he puts his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his side. It feels nice. He guides me out the back door, and onto the large green lawn where scattered groups are all standing around, chatting amongst each other.
Mouths fall open at the sight of me. I’m even gifted with some wolf whistles, which makes my heart sing. I’m not sure who from. Damn, I feel like I’m floating on cloud nine. Finally, I’m part of the crowd. I’m no longer Hayden Masters’s girlfriend. I’m the new and improved Addison James.
“Jase, he’s not going to get to me tonight. I’m so done with his drama.” The bitterness toward Hayden rolls off my tongue.
“I love this look on you, Addy.” His warm hand rubs my upper arm. I immediately want to pull my arm away. Jase has never been like this with me. I don’t look at him
like someone I’d date.
I smile up at him. “Thanks. It’s very new.” I laugh.
Jase guides me to some empty seats, we sit and fall into a comfortable silence.
“Jase, I just want to say thanks for looking out for me the other night.”
He takes my hand and says, “Addy, I’d do it again. I wish I would have done something sooner.” His fingers tighten around my own, gently I pull my hand out of his and pretend to swipe away a hair in my face.
“I bet you were in some serious trouble with your team, especially Hayden.”
Jase relaxes back in his chair, releasing my hand. “I don’t care about him. He’s a dick who doesn’t deserve you. You’re too good for him.”
I wonder where all the niceties are coming from. I’ve spoken to Jase a number of times before, only he’s never ever talked to me the way he is now. And all the touchy-feely moves from him make me want to go find Elsie. I only see him as a friend.
At that moment, Elsie waltzes through the back door. She spots us easily enough, makes her way over, and takes a spot on another empty seat. She hands me a cup of beer along with another shot. I eye her skeptically.
“What? It’s what you had earlier, back at the dorm.” She giggles before throwing down her own shot. I follow suit, a low hiss comes from me as the burn follows through.
“Hi, I’m Elsie.” Elsie extends her hand toward Jase, who takes it.
“I’m Jase.”
“Nice to meet you. I’ve seen you around, but never actually spoken to you,” Elsie says with such confidence. That’s her—she doesn’t need alcohol to get her chatting, but add alcohol and you get mega chatty Elsie.
“Yeah, you, too,” Jase says before his gaze darts behind me.
His demeanor immediately changes. He bolts upright as though he’s been shocked by an electric current.
I turn to see what’s caused this change. Of course, only two people could do that.
Hayden and Ella have graced us with their presence. Perfect!
Jase curses under his breath, as does Elsie. She’s out of her chair as fast as Jase and by my side. She grips my arm, pulling me to my feet. Slowly, I manage to get to my feet. This is a massive blow. Of course, I told Hayden to date my sister. I just never really expected him to do so.
“Wait right here,” Jase says, his tone hard and unreadable. He stalks toward Ella and Hayden. He greets them happily enough, shaking hands and giving them a one-armed hug.
“Let’s leave. We can find another party to go to.” Elsie attempts to pull me along.
I’m rooted to the spot. I stare at the gracious pair of cheaters as they walk around the yard as if they’re the king and queen. Ella laughs at something Hayden says, while I swallow the lump that’s formed in my throat.
This shouldn’t get to me. Neither of them deserve my tears.
I storm off inside to retrieve another drink. After grabbing an unopened bottle of tequila, I crack the lid. Finding two clean, empty shot glasses, I turn toward Elsie. “Are you all in?”
An evil smirk slides across her beautiful face, and I know she’s with me. “Of course.”
“Count us in as well.” Willow and Jane come from nowhere and hold out their glasses.
I pour us all one. “To freedom.” I salute my glass up high, and they follow. “To freedom.”
“And tequila,” Elsie says.
We all burst out laughing, then down our shots. I refill the glasses.
About fifteen or maybe twenty minutes later, Jase struts into the kitchen eyeing all of us. His gaze is wild, angry even. I’m so wasted. I pick up the bottle ready to pour another, and realize it’s got enough for one more round. May as well finish off the contents.
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough, girls?” Jase asks as he takes the empty bottle from my grasp. I couldn’t care less about what he thinks. He abandoned me the moment Hayden and Miss Slut waltzed in.
“What do you care?” I slur, followed by more laughter. “Let’s go dance, girls!” I shout, and they cheer.
“Addy, don’t do this. You’re allowing him to get the better of you.”
“You do realize that’s my sister he came with. I don’t care how I appear to anyone, especially him or her. They deserve each other. And as for me, I’m better off with no one. Guys are dickheads.”
I’m yanked away from him and shoved on the dance floor by Elsie. We dance and roll our bodies against each other, trying out new moves. We don’t care how silly we look. It’s all about the fun.
“I gotta go pee,” I shout in Elsie’s ear.
“I’m coming.”
We tell the other two, and make our way off the dance floor through the living room. Sweat trickles down my back. I’ve never felt as limitless as I do right in this moment. If I’m sweaty and gross, at least it’ll keep guys at bay. Jase hasn’t come near me again.
“Have you seen them again?” Elsie asks as we walk to the bathroom.
I shake my head and pull my cell from the clutch I have dangling off my shoulder. I haven’t checked it since arriving at the party, and it’s now one thirty a.m. I have three messages from Parker. He deserves an earful as well.
I hit his name and put the phone to my ear while Elsie gives me a puzzled look. “Who are you calling this late?”
“Parker Kent.”
Elsie dives at me. “No, hang up!” she screeches, and attempts to rip the phone away from my grasp. I twist in the opposite direction to her attacks. I may be drunk, although I’m not wholly and incoherently wasted. I know exactly what I’m doing. At least, I think I do.
“Get lost.” I bat her hand away once again.
Parker answers on the fourth ring. “Hello…”
I stop, then Elsie stops, and her eyes are wide.
His voice is like sweet honey. “Who is this?”
I need to respond. Answer, you loser.
Elsie waves her hands in front of my face. “Did he answer?” she whispers.
I clear my parched throat and finally respond, “Parker,” I breathe.
“Addison? Is that you?” I hear the cockiness behind his questions, and it grates on my very last nerve.
“Of course it is. You gave me your number twice. Did you think I’d never use it?” I say, finding my voice.
I hear his laughter and sounds from people around him. Is he out at another party?
A girl’s giggle comes through the phone, and I cringe. “I’ll leave you be.” I don’t allow him to respond and hang up.
What the ever-loving hell was I thinking? I need another drink.
“What happened?” Elsie pounces on me like a tiger on its prey.
“Nothing. He was busy,” I state. I’m unable to shake the unnerving feeling brewing deep in my stomach. I’m not sure if it’s a good or bad feeling. I can’t even explain it to my brain in this moment. “I need another drink. Now!”
When we finish our business, I go to the kitchen to grab another beer. Elsie’s in shock about the phone call and continues to tell me how stupid I am.
Not looking where I’m going, I stride straight into a hard body.
“Oh, sorry,” I say, then look up, and I’m suddenly face-to-face with Hayden. He smiles, and it’s not a charming one. It’s a slimeball one. “Oh, it’s you. I retract my apology. I hope it hurt.” Even though I know it wouldn’t have, I can hope.
“Adddiiisssooonnn,” he slurs.
And here I thought I was drunk. Apparently, not as bad as him.
I wrinkle my nose up and step around him to the fridge. Elsie flanks me.
“You look sexy, Addy. We could have a quickie, for old time’s sake.”
I almost choke on the first mouthful of my drink. Wiping the dribbles away that escape when choking, I respond, “Yeah, of course. I’ll just go tell my sister, and maybe she can give me a few pointers on how to please you since apparently, I didn’t do it right the first time.”
Hayden slides onto the bench, gazing at me. “You want to know what you
r problem is, Addy?”
“Please enlighten me.” I casually lean against the fridge, as does Elsie.
“You were boring. Plain and simple. Just boring. I need some excitement.”
I cock an eyebrow. “Hmm… okay… maybe I’ll work on that for the next guy I get with.”
I’m suddenly feeling too sober for this conversation. I go to where the drinks are located and make myself the strongest concoction and add some ice. I’m not sure what exactly I pour into the glass, yet every mouthful I take burns my throat. It’s glorious.
Turning around, I see Hayden’s still there. Hate stares back at me. He’s angry about something.
“Something wrong?” I gift him a threatening smile.
“Are you dating Parker Kent?”
“What?” I choke.
“Are. You. Dating. Parker. Kent?” he repeats it very slowly, as though I’m stupid or something.
“Yeah, I think you’re messed in the head. Really, though, it’s none of your concern who I see.” I take another gulp of the chilled drink, and I can already feel my head starting to swim with fogginess. “This conversation is over. Tell Ella I said hey. I hope you’re happy.” I raise my glass to him. “Here’s to you and your pathetic life.” I chug the remaining half of my glass, placing the empty cup on the counter. Yeah, that in itself was a terrible idea. I cough thanks to the burning sensation which has now settled in my chest.
I reach out and grip Elsie’s wrist. “Let’s go.”
She puts a caring arm around my shoulders and leads me out the back door, right into the back of the yard where no one’s around.
“Sit,” she says.
I collapse in a mess on the neatly trimmed green grass. “I hate my life, Elsie.”
“Oh, come on now. Don’t let him affect you like that. Where’s the sassy, sexy bitch who came here with me?” She comes down beside me, throwing her arms around me and squeezing me tight before releasing her hold. We rest against the white picket fence, staring back at the house which is still buzzing with excitement. I spot my sister and Hayden slipping around the side of the house holding hands. Ella snickers like a silly girl.