The Way It Ends

04

Staring into the mirror, I notice a figure in the doorway. I look to see Opum assessing me as I get myself ready for the party. For the tenth time, she asks to do my makeup and I decide to give in. She drags me to the clothes closet and pulls out one of those movie director chairs motioning for me to sit in it. She then opens the draw to reveal a shit ton of couture makeup. Is my cousin secretly Edna Mode?

"So, what sort of look are we going for sultry 'I'm amazing at beer pong effortlessly' or 'Yes I seem shy but I'll take you on the thrill of your life?"

"Well neither I'd rather-"

"Sultry it is!" I roll my eyes but let her proceed because I'd be lying to myself if I wasn't excited to let Opum make me over. She then begins to rant about the situation with Andria...

"... That's what I said! It's just so difficult because obviously I'm out but she isn't. Like I totally respect that don't get me wrong, but it's been 3 years. I'm tired of going over and having to act like her friend because I really love her. However, with her religion she feels like she can't tell her parents, but her parents know I'm gay and they don't treat me any different! So obviously-"

"O I'm sorry to interrupt but you've been using a spoolie instead of mascara for the past minute."

"Oh sorry, anyways what was I saying..." Opum continues to explain that she doesn't know what to do at this point because it's also stressful for her. I just nod and let her rant as I don't have experience in that department. Then before I know it, she's done her final brush stroke and taps me on the shoulder to let me know she's reached completion. I waddle my way to the bathroom, since my legs are practically numb from sitting cross legged, and my eyes twinkle in awe at the sight in front of me. I look so different but at the same time I don't.

O used a skin tint that actually complemented my darker complexion and enhanced the dewiness of my skin. There's a slight presence of a burnt orange blush at the edges of my cheekbones creeping slightly up. Concealer is placed on the irregular spot and only very slightly on the more pronounced features on my face. She decided to go with the classic brown lip liner and gloss combo that never disappoints. Finally on the eyes there's a slight smoky reverse cat eye paired with wispy lashes. It's obvious I'm wearing makeup but not in a cake-y type of way and I love it.

I turn and pull Opum in for a hug making sure not to smudge any of the makeup because I'm pretty sure she'd defenestrate me and that'd be a long fall. I glance up to see the dress I'm to be wearing hung on the door. Luckily, it's nothing to over the top because there's a very high chance of it getting ruined. It's a deep navy-blue silk dress. The cowl neckline makes sure a little bit of cleavage but not too much that my boobs are at risk of spilling out. I decided against a coat since it's one of the sunnier autumn evenings. So, I've simply accessorised with gold croissant knot earings and a black clutch with a dainty gold chain strap. I decided to only go with two-inch heels since I really don't need the height nor my feet losing all feeling by the end of the night.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice my phone flash and a text from Alex pops up notifying me she's waiting outside. Originally, O was going to drop me off, but she has a few pieces to finish up the sketches for, so Alex volunteered. Well technically Devaj did (or Dev as he goes by) since he lost a bet and is the designated driver. I quickly get changed and Opum gives me a short lecture about being safe and not drinking too much since it's my first night out in London. I leave the apartment and ride the elevator to the ground floor before hopping into Dev's slate Porsche (I later found out his dad is an MP, figures).

Alex was seated beside me, and Dev's girlfriend Ela occupied the passenger seat. As we made our way Dev's 2000s throwback playlist belting out 'Scrubs' then 'I Want It That Way' continued by other classic hits as us girls pre-drank. Ela and Alex devised a plan to get me a guy since I'm the only single one but I'm not really sure if I want to talk to a likely pretentious Uni boy- considering that the party is being thrown at Notting Hill. We finally arrive and I notice supercars everyone making my head whip around like a dog in a treat store. Scratch a guy I want to get myself a sugar daddy.

Work smarter not harder.

Dev pulled to a stop, and we got out of the car. He pulled his girlfriend in by the waist before planting a delicate, lingering kiss. Ew couples. I scoff and wait for their lips to part again before we enter the party. Alex and Ela go off to talk with some Uni mates I presume, and Dev escorted me to the kitchen to grab drinks: along the way he decides to give me the rundown.

"Basically, Uni guys are animals whether they're single or not, rich or poor they're all the same and all they want to do is get in your pants. Presuming they like what's in your pants of course," he adds with a cheeky wink, "He may be necking you today saying he's single, then making out with another girl tomorrow; all the while he has a lady back home waiting for him. Not me of course, I was raised right."

With that we arrive at the marbled stone slab of a kitchen island. There were so many bottles of alcohol, the counter wasn't even visible. People were littered around talking, playing games, some basically having sex in broad daylight. I decided a drink was definitely needed. I watch as Dev makes me a vodka and coke for me as well as pouring 2 shots for the girls. He nudges me to let me know the drinks done and he goes to take the shots to the girls. Looking over his shoulder, he gestures with his head for me to follow and I mouth that I'm fine by myself.

So, with that, he shrugs and walks away before adding that his phone will stay on vibrate then goes. As his head of black hair goes through a doorway, I realise I don't have Dev's number. I'll find him some how I guess. I sip on my drink and decide to follow the music towards the makeshift dance floor, watching as people gyrate against one another in a fluid motion like a horny sea almost. I chug the rest of the brown liquid and decide to become a fish in said sea.

I start to move my hips to the rhythm of Slide by Chase Atlantic letting my hands do their own thing before feeling someone else's hands on my hips. I turn to face the mystery person resting my hands on their neck with my hips still making their motion. I study the man's features. He looks of East Asian descent and stands at a panty-dropping, I mean eye-opening 6"2. A cotton stone blue shirt loosely sits on his torso, a few buttons undone at the top revealing a tattoo peeking through. The long sleeves are folded up to the crease of his elbow revealing his forearms. The hands that were clinging to the curvature of my hips had slight veins peeking through. Not so much that with one paper cut the man was gone but just enough that I could feel a slight commotion in my stomach. The apex of his middle finger was at least a centimetre higher than my own.

And his face.... It was delicate yet rough at the same time. His jawline had slight stubble that made my fingertips yearn to graze. The crook of his mouth upturned as he saw me blatantly admiring his features. His eyes were almost like obsidian bearing no soul behind them, it was only the creases caused from his smirk that showed emotion. I stared and I stared until they were gone. He was gone. I snap out of my trance and dart my head around trying to pinpoint where he went in vain. I sigh and decide to grab another drink.

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By the end on the evening: I've played beer pong a few times overall ending up the champion, danced with the others, snogged a few guys but it was a little lack lustre and gotten shit faced. A good night out I'll deem that, I managed to meet up with the others and we unanimously decided to start heading back. Before doing so they made sure I sobered up, so I didn't have too much of a migraine in the morning. We found ourselves back in Dev's Porsche, but I was now in the passenger seat as the other two were fast asleep in the Porsche.

As we drove, we just left Radio One to fill the background noise as Dev and I chatted some more about our lives, I also made sure to get his and Ela's numbers. I learnt that his Mum is a leading games developer, he has an irrational fear of chickpeas (a very long story) and he studies PPE at King's. We neared the apartment complex and after giving me warning to cover my ears he turns the volume all the way up to wakeup the girls. To his avail, they only mumble to turn it down and nestle back to leaning on their respective windows. I tell Dev goodbye (as well as thanks for the ride) and to the girls, to which they both happen to hear and wish me a good night.

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AUTHORS NOTE:
guess who's back... back again! i may or may not have forgotten abt uploading but im only 10 mins late so it can slide. ugh i love Dev sm! also Nia looked vv much hot in the chapter 😏 -sage<3
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