Page 4 of Leather & Lace

“Wear whatever you like, ladies”. His cheeks blush as he turns to join Dane and leaves the room. I shut the door and turn back slowly to Jenny, who I can feel buzzing in excitement and annoyance behind me.

“The nerve of that man! It's like he has never seen a woman dressed down before. But OMG, can you believe that? Our first college party starts tonight!” She squeals in excitement. Jumping up, she runs and grabs her make-up and starts to go through her clothing. Ruffling through her suitcase she continues, “Girl, the way Chase was looking at you. I wouldn’t be surprised if you get it in!” She laughs loudly and spins to me.

“That Dane guy, oh he is definitely going to be eating his words once he sees me!” She spins to me with a wide smile on her face holding a red, low-cut dress to her body and looks at me quizzically.

I gave her a faint smile and turned towards my bed to unzip my suitcase. Noticing my mood change and placing the dress on her bed, she walks over to me slowly.

“Hey, you ok babe?” She starts searching my eyes with worry, “if you would rather us stay in tonight, we can just make some popcorn and put on some scary movies. You know I brought my TV.” She says while grabbing a strand of my inky, stringy hair, then sits on my bed.

“No, it will be fun.” I swallow hard and say nervously. “I’m just not sure how well I will fit in with all the other girls.” I say, as I pull at the seams of my suitcase, “I’m not like you. Not outgoing and the life of the party.”

She grabs my face gently and pulls my chin up to meet her baby blue eyes, “Stop it, Brooklyn. You are beautiful and smart. You are so much more than any of those other girls.” Rolling myeyes, she continues, “The one thing that always amazed me with you is your lack of self-awareness.”

She continues as I glance back down to my threading suitcase, “I don’t think you are aware at all how men stare and gawk at your beauty. You are such a little mystery!” She strokes my cheek with her thumb and hugs me tightly. I glance up to her again and smile softly. “Now let’s stop with the pity parade and get ready to blow some fucking minds tonight!”

Her vulgarity has me laughing. She was always the wild one. The one who you could not cage. That wild mustang that roamed the hills, chasing the thunder. The one you would notice walking into any room. That shining light that would blind you, but you kept staring into its brilliance no matter how much it stung. She is the sun.

Jenny jumps off my bed and grabs my black sweater out of the suitcase, “Maybe this will bring you a little luck tonight.” Smiling, she tosses it at me. I held the sweater out and remembered the stories. Remembering the passion that is thread into the onyx soft fabric.

Maybe, just maybe.

CHAPTER 3

BROOKLYN

By the time we got to the party, the driveway was already littered with cars. The directions led us to a massive, opened metal gate and a driveway that straight up into the night sky. A massive white mansion with black trim, marble pillars lining the outdoor hallways and large ceiling to floor windows stood at the top of the hill. Music and seductive lights cascaded from outside of the house, making this feel like the most expensive club I have ever been to.

I’m dressed in my black sweater, jean shorts, ripped fishnet stockings and knee-high black boots. My hair is curled, falling down my back and Jenny has done my makeup dark and smoky, giving me a tinted red lip.‘Sultry’as she calls it. She’s wearing her low-cut, cherry red mini dress, with black six-inch stilettos. Her blonde hair is curled, and a heavy winged liner dominates her eyelids making her blue eyes pop.

Looking over to me she says, “Just remember, don’t accept any drinks from random dudes. Also, if you’re ever feeling anxious or uncomfortable, tell me and we will leave right away!” she says, leaning towards me while yelling over the music.

We started to climb the heated marble driveway which had a black Yamaha Street Bike, a blacked-out McLaren P1, a lifted black Chevy truck with at least a seven inch lift on it and an all-black tinted Lamborghini. Whoever owns this place has a shit ton of money. As we make our way through the crystal glass French doors, the smell of weed and stale beer fills my nostrils.

It’s so crowded. There must be at least five hundred people here. Four large men wearing black security shirts stand posted at the entrance. Not even bothering to glance at Jenny or I as we pass by. Jenny and I held hands as we pushed through the drunk and stumbling guests. The hallway is wide and there is a massive opening to a large reception area where a flight of marble stairs hook around to the top floor. The immediate reaction is complete chaos. Rooms line all around the front entrance on either side of the mansion. Filled with drunken guests and clouds of smoke wafting out of the entrances.

The lights are so colorful and hypnotic. Vermilion, sapphire and Violet hues dance off the large crystal chandelier reflecting onto the white marble walls. It’s as if a celebrity or some crypto millionaire lives here. The mansion itself looks to be at least three stories high, with two separate wings.

Just gorgeous!

A DJ booth is set up in the massive main living room. White, long couches glowing in the black lights, line the two back walls where some people lay passed out or are currentlymakingout. The ceiling is vaulted with sweeping windows, it must be at least forty feet high. The area itself is larger than the clubs back home. Guests bump and grind to the music, letting go completely, taken away by the trance of the pulsing speakers.

A fully stocked bar with a bartender sits next to the DJ booth under a ruby glowing light.Hound Dogby Doja Cat, bumps from the large speakers as laser lights move and flash with the beat of the music. I mean seriously, who can afford this? I seriously cannot process where I am right now. This is the most expensive and breathtaking place I have ever been. As we make our way towards the large open kitchen, a familiar voice calls out to me.

“Hey! You made it!” I’m greeted with soft blue eyes and one of the brightest smiles I have ever seen. It’s Chase. “We werestarting to think you girls weren’t going to show up!” He yells over the music while stumbling into me. I can tell he’s had a few.

Smiling, I say, “Sorry! We had to get ready and unpack a bit.” Yelling back and leaning into him. Looking deeply at me and swaying a bit, he smiles and walks away. He returns with a drink in his hand, handing it to me.

“Vodka and cranberry. I hope you like that.” I give him an unsure look as he hands the drink in my direction, he understands my hesitation and takes a sip, then smiles and hands it out to me. “See, all good!” He yells while cracking a small smile. I can feel my cheeks turn bright pink as I take the cup out of his hand.

“Sorry” I said quickly. I took a small sip. The drink is strong. I can feel the burn of the vodka warm my lips. “Thanks!” I say as I smile sweetly at him while looking around for Jenny. I spot her right away, leaning on a counter and talking to Dane. She also has a beer in her hand and is currently pinning Dane to the counter he sits on.

As if Chase can sense my nervousness, he says, “Hey, we got a bonfire out back, do you want to head over there?” I gave him a quick nod and smiled. He grabs my hand, quickly leading me through the gyrating crowd. It’s so loud and packed in here that I can’t wait to get some fresh air.

Pretty sure I have a strong contact high going. My head feels like I have been stuck on a merry-go-round for too long, making me dizzy. His hand is warm in mine, sending little flutters swirling in my stomach from the contact. I feel special holding this man’s hand.

Jealous girls glance at him and I as we pass. I beam my smile right back at them. Makes me happy that they wish it was their hand in his.

Making it outside, we come to a large pool with a stone waterfall streaming into it. Directly in front of us, off in thedistance, is a massive bonfire in the middle of the sizable yard. Crowds of people are standing around the inferno, others to the left of us are jumping and swimming in the heated ‘s-shaped’ large pool.

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