Page 35 of In For a Penny
This city is so expensive it hurts.
The apartment is full of people I recognize from the program but am not necessarily close with. I look around for the host to say hi and see her in a corner with Josh. Grimacing, I make my way toward them and sit on the opposite end of the couch, putting as much room as possible between Josh and me. After I compliment Chloe for a great turnout, she leaves us alone in awkward silence. I’m planning an escape in my head, about to make an excuse to go for the bathroom when Jane and Oliver walk over to us.
THANK GOD.
These new random awkward surges going on between Josh and me are starting to exhaust me. I am going to need a lot of alcohol to get me through this if this is how it’s going to be all night.
Oliver shoots me a drunken grin, falls in the seat next to me, and pulls me into a tight embrace.
“Hello, darling.”
Okay, so he’s tipsy already.
Jane looks annoyed and frustrated as she takes a seat next to Josh. “How many people are even here? We can barely fit in this damn flat. I’m going to suffocate!” She says, fanning herself.
“I don’t know, but weneedto go soon because I am already tipsy, and I am not going to make it to the place tonight if we keep drinking.” Oliver scooches closer to me on the couch, absentmindedly wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
I push Oliver away with anugh.
“I hope Chloe doesn’t think I’m getting all her friends in without a cover. This is absolutely ridiculous,” Jane says, shaking her head.
I pound back a few vodka shots in a row as we wait for more people to arrive. I’m trying to catch up with everyone else, and they hit me fast—I haven’t eaten much all day. After a half-hour, I’m already feeling tipsy.
“Can we just go? I’m already feeling overwhelmed. Not sure I’m going to want to even go to this place if we don’t leave soon,” I say.
Josh eyes me skeptically. “You good, kid?”
Is that his damn catchphrase now? I don’t need anyone to take care of me.
“Let’s get you some water before we leave.”
I’m confused and irritated. I’m not nearly as far gone as most of the people here, but whatever, sure, water is always a good idea when drinking is concerned. I let him get me a glass while Eloise glares at me from the other end of Chloe's flat.
When didsheget here? And what is up with her always staring at me like that?
After I’m forced to down a whole glass of room temperature water—because God forbid there be cold water or ice cubes in this country—we rally the troops and push everyone out the door and into a train.
It has become painfully evident that everyone has had a little too much to drink at our pregame when Michael starts pole-dancing in the middle of the moving tube, and we are all hooting.
Oh boy.
Naturally, my friends invite me to make a fool out of myself, and I attempt to pole-dance on the train as well. And Jesus Christ, I must be drunk, because somehow I say yes.
Thanking the Lord that I had the decency to change into jeans before leaving the apartment, I wrap my arm around the pole, push myself off the ground, and attempt to swing around but slip and fall on my ass instead.
Mother Fu—Ow.
Mortified, I get to my feet quickly as I see everyone doubled over in laughter, and to be honest, so am I. I’m embarrassing myself and acting like an idiot, sure, but for the first time in a while, I feel...free. Deciding to make an effort to move forward is already doing wonders to my self-esteem and outlook. I want tonight to be a good night.
I take a seat next to Oliver, noticing a slight discomfort on my ass cheeks. I’m drunk enough that it doesn’t bother me that much, but sober enough to know that it willdefinitelyhurt more tomorrow.
“So, are you enjoying yourself?” Oliver asks as he sits next to me at the next stop.
“Meh,” I say, shrugging. “I am, but I need some music or something. Still need to get more in the mood, I think.”
“I can get you in the mood.” He smiles.
Frustrated, I say, “Jesus, Oliver! Don’t you ever quit? Don’t you ever get tired of this shit?” I say, raising my voice a little too much—enough to make Jane turn around. She frowns, concerned. I shake my head and give her a look as if to say,Don’t worry, I got this,and she turns back.
