All The Odds

Nine

// Nothing's fine I'm torn, I'm all out of faith, this is how I feel...//-Natalie Imbruglia

Claire's birthday party was already in full swing by the time Bella made it there with Daniel and Cynthia. Judging by the numbers of cars parked as far as her eyes could see, it was clear as day that she and her friend had different understandings of 'couple of friends', unless of course Biggie was friends with half the population of Metropolitan College.

A shudder made it way down her spine as she surveyed the cars, knowing there was a probability that each bear more than one passenger, they were all in the building and each step she took across the threshold brought her closer to joining them.

She had half the mind to turn and run for the hills, she could call in sick and she wouldn't even be lying. That morning, her temperature had been well above normal. She still got only about two hours of sleep during the nights, her churning mind was worse than any nightmare and her migraine was getting bad.

She also want to be there, maybe because of the deal she made with the devil: he sings at karaoke, she attend the party. Maybe it was the presence of both Daniel and Cynthia behind her, though they have their own issue and wasn't exactly paying her any attention.

They spent the entire car ride arguing about Cynthia's choice of dress, as Claire had requested a white and pink theme from those close to her, Cynthia, not willing to indulge her ex boyfriend's girlfriend had gone for a little black dress and a red killer heels.

Though she looked as stunning as always, Daniel wasn't the least bit pleased.

Bella grimaced as Jenna and her green hair more or less stumbled out of the entrance, loud music wafting after her before she shut the door. She'd promised to wait outside for Bella and the latter had sent her arrival message a few minutes ago.

"I was hardly expecting you, so I'm not going to complain about your trouser. I'll just keep by eyes up." Jenna said on spotting Bella, her words a little slurred.

"Good to see you too drunkie." Bella smiled.

She had narrowly escaped their shopping the day before and lied about having a white fitting dress. There she was, unlike Jenna's knee length white off shouldered dress with the hot pink waist belt, Bella wore a dark blue penciled jeans, mid arm sleeves plain white shirt and even a pink ribbon on her wrist to placate them. With her biker's boot and bob hair, she thought she nailed the 'girl next door' party look.

After their argument and Claire's decision to mother hen Iverson at Jenna's place two days earlier and then with Bella's absence for the shopping the previous day, she was most certain they wouldn't be expecting her.

"How's the party going?"

"It's definitely going." Jenna said with rounds of giggling.

"I can see that." She couldn't help but join her friend's intoxicated laugh. "What's in the cup?"

Jenna stare thoughtfully into the red cup in her hand for a moment. "Some cocktail?"

"You are so wasted."

"Nearly." Jenna said grabbing her hand. "Let's go look for Claire, I'm sure she's in there somewhere."

Bella quickly looked back to wave at Daniel but realise he was far behind with Cynthia, seemingly arguing still.

She cringed back, hesitating a bit as Jenna opened the door again and practically dragged her into a room where Drake's 'hotline bling' boomed and people were wild.

"It's quieter upstairs." Jenna yell over the music and pull her through the throng of bodies with a firm grip and accurate steps Bella wouldn't manage even sober.