A Chance at Life

Once upon a Christmas Eve

It was Christmas Eve and we were getting ready for a party Fatin's family were hosting and we were were already running late after cleaning up for Christmas Day.
"Toni! Do you have the drinks and gifts?"
"Yes Marty, I can't forget with you reminding me every 10 minutes"
"Okay put them on the counter and we'll pick them up on the way out"

I was in my room picking an outfit when Marty comes in with a beautiful blue dress, her hair was pinned up and she has a little make up on. "Marty...you look amazing"
"Awh thanks, have you decided on what you're wearing?"
"This?" I pull out a gold dress I wore to one of Marty's dads formal parties.
"It'll be perfect Toni! Now hurry up, we have 15 minutes to get there" she starts to do my hair as I fix my dress up.
"Ready?"
"Let's go"
We grab the drinks, the gift bag and head out the door.

Marty drives us to Fatin's house and we make it just in time for the starting speech.
Mr and Mrs Jadmani are by the bar and they look just as amazing as the rest of the family. Fatin is stood with Leah and her brothers are stood in their suits. The house is decorated like a Christmas wonderland with a tree in each room, a huge decorated tree by the staircase full of lights and fake snow.
"I would like to say on behalf of me and family that you all look absolutely amazing and we welcome you to our home to enjoy this Christmas Eve night. There's a bar here and there's one in the next room for you all to enjoy, food will be served in 15 minutes. Thank you for all coming and Merry Christmas!" She puts up her champagne glass and we all cheer and clap.

"Okay let's find Dot" Marty drags me to where she last seen Dot and we find her helping herself to a shot that was on the counter.
"You didn't see that" She hugs me and Marty puts the gift bag on a table full of other gifts. "Shelby's here" Dot points as she walks through the door with her family. I turn and make eye contact with her, she's wearing a beautiful white dress that sits just above her knees, her hair is down and a few pieces of hair make a crown plait and she's got more of a natural makeup look. I smile at her and she sadly smiles back knowing that we can't talk all evening.
She makes her way over to Fatin's parents with her family. "You okay T?"
"I'm good Dot, don't worry about me. Let's find Fatin, she'll know where all the strong stuff is"

We search for Fatin and find her with Rachel and Nora in a back room. "There you are!"
"Your house is beautiful Fatin"
"Thanks Marty, it's my pride and joy" she wipes a fake tear from her face.
"Fatin where's the strong stuff"
"She's here already?"
"You knew she was coming?"
"My dad and hers are in some business thing together. I don't care enough to listen, I just know they got invited" she pulls my arm over to a cabinet full of whiskey.
"So which will make me forget my name?"
"This one" she pulls out a bottle of some rich looking brand and pours me some in a fancy glass.
"You alright?" I down the glass and slam it onto the side.
"My girlfriend will be in the same house as me for the next few hours and I can't say a word to her because her dad will be watching like a hawk. Yeah I'm great"
"SHE'S YOUR GIRLFRIEND?"
"Shhhh...yeah I asked her to be my girlfriend on the Ferris wheel. We haven't told anyone because it's just something we wanted to have to ourselves"
"Because that went well the first time"
"Well this isn't the first time, give me some more"
She pours me a double and we head back to the girls.

I see Shelby sat with the others and her dad is nowhere to be seen. She stands up and grabs my hand. "Come on" I look back and all the girls are silently clapping whilst Rachel and Nora look incredibly confused.
She takes me into the bathroom and she sits on the toilet. "Did you need me for something other than watching you piss?" I down the whiskey and it slowly burns down my throat.
"I'm not doing anything. My family leave in an hour or two, we have to be up early tomorrow for some church thing. My daddy said I can stay behind because I told him you weren't here so you have to stay hidden"
"Oh great just avoid the devil at all costs"
"It's two hours maximum, he might even leave before then. It's a big house you'll be alright hmm?" She stands up and pulls me close. "May I add you look beautiful tonight" I lean in and kiss her.
"As do you, white is definitely your color Princess" We kiss and I hear the music turn into a slow song.
"May I have this dance?" I back away and hold out my hand. She grabs it and I pull her into my body and we dance slowly to the music.