Lilies And Smoke

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: One too Many

Anita sips at her glass of water, excited about the night ahead of her. Alex had silently slipped out earlier in the morning and Anita woke up alone. She didn't mind it, but she misses his scent and his presence already. He makes her feel safe and secure. Anita taps the counter, downing the remainder of her drink as she thinks about what to wear tonight. Janice should be here any minute, she distantly thinks to herself. Anita brushes the bottom of her lip with her fingertips and smiles at the memory of the night before. A car drives up her road, the song Pina colada blares out of the car. The noise grows louder, as the car pulls up on her drive. Anita makes her way towards her front door, feeling for the lock as she turns it and opens the door.

She purses her lips and crosses her arms, as Janice beeps her horn at Anita. Anita leans against her doorway as Janice swings open the driver's door, the music growing louder as she does so. "Quite fitting init?" she shouts over the music. Anita nods, trying not to laugh "you wanna turn that down before I get a complaint?". Janice turns up the volume in her car, "You what?" she shouts. Anita shakes her head, laughing at her friend as she opens her arms "well? Are you going to hug me or what?" she shouts. Janice turns off the engine to her car and slams the door shut. Anita hears her run up the path as Janice embraces her. "Missed you" she announces brightly.

"I missed you like a horse misses flies" Anita barely manages to breath out, as Janice hugs her tightly. Janice pushes away, holding Anita at arm's length "you know you've missed me". Anita taps her arms and replies softly, "I know, is everything alright? You don't normally miss me after a couple of days". Janice lets go of Anita and walks past her and enters the house, "yeah, well I've been bored". Anita scoffs, "well that explains a lot". Janice smacks her hands together, rubbing them vigorously; "so, we're dolling you up, are we?". Anita closes the door behind her, "oh yeah, however you like this time".

Janice pauses for a second and repeats, "however I like?". Anita nods slowly, "yeah" she stretches, "however you want". Janice chirps, "oh, you'll regret saying that". Janice grabs hold of Anita's hand and pulls her along as she heads for her bedroom. When entering the room Janice slams open Anita's wardrobe, "right! You'll have to give me a while to choose your outfit". Anita exhales loudly and struts towards her bed, falling back on it "alright" she replies quietly. She listens as Janice rummages through her wardrobe, she lies there for what felt like a long while until she hears Janice announce proudly, "I found a good one, put this on!". She rushes towards Anita and chucks the clothing at Anita. Anita grabs it slowly, cautiously and places it beside her. "What did you go for?". Janice smiles broadly, "oh it's a head turner, but don't worry it's classy, sassy and gives you all the curves". Anita feels the material, it was soft, silky and long. She looks to Janice confused, "we are going to a cocktail bar, isn't this a bit too much?". Janice shakes her head, "not at all, it's your fancy slit dress and they moved opening night as the owner miss printed on the dates. So, dress code is fancy for tonight, or so I hear anyway".

"Are you dressed up?" Anita quizzes, unsure if Janice is tricking her. "That I am" Janice replies loudly, Anita reaches out and touches her clothing. Janice wasn't lying, she was wearing a smooth dress and from its frilly ends Anita guesses it's a cock tail dress. "Cocktail?" she asks curiously. Janice nods, "my favourite one, yes. I went with a white one this time, so hopefully no drinks will spill on me. Now hurry up, your hair is looking nice I'll just straighten and curly the ends slightly and put a nice amount of make up on. Don't worry I won't overdo it" she assures. Anita exhales happily, smiling "I know that". Janice scoffs, "the look on your face didn't show that".

Anita chuckles, "well you can never be too careful, can you". Janice mutters to herself, "no, no you can't". Anita jumps up, "right, makeup first or getting dressed?". Janice rolls her eyes, her pearly teeth on show as she smiles, "now that's a silly question, makeup first I don't want to get any on your dress". Anita tilts her head side to side, "then by all means, pretty me up". Janice nips downstairs to retrieve her makeup bag and jogs back up the stairs with it. Anita sits there patiently as Janice sets to work; she wrinkles her nose as the brush tickles above her top lip. She smiles, excited for the night ahead of them. "Did you talk to Mark?" Anita asks curiously. Janice hums in reply, focusing on highlighting Anita's cheek bones. "Did he say what time he's meeting us? I would have contacted him, but I don't have my phone at the moment".