In a different light

         Today was my eighteenth birthday. A start of a really important year in my life. Honestly this year in my head is more about discovery and self evaluation rather than freedom and parties. I had just finished a perfect day spent with my father, grabbing lunch together and enjoying some quality time with each other. It's always just been easy to have a good day with him. Of course, it being my birthday and all, my father just had to surprise me with a gift nearing the end of our perfect evening. 

"D I've gotten you a gift..." i happily sighed and detached my eyes from the television "hmm i was just wondering  when i'd be hearing that". He smiled and rolled his eyes, "Now, you have been working really hard in your studies and work, i believe you deserve to have space of your own, I wanted to ask for your input before i picked it out but it just seemed like the write fit-" i emerged from my sitting position and interrupted, "Dad! i told you, i love my car i don't want a new one." his reaction to my comment was throwing me off as he shook his head and began again, "No, I was thinking for a while that you need a place to call your own so I got around to it and furnished and paid the deposit and 3 months rent to a flat in the city." 

My mouth was open, i was in shock i had no clue what i was going to do at that moment i just teared up. i couldn't believe it.  After a good half hour of me blubbering and thanking my father, going over the details and move in dates, i pulled myself together and immediately contacted my friends, Mia, Kai and jen. They were ecstatic for me i was the first friend have my own apartment. I was immediately being coaxed into coming out to celebrate within 5 minutes i had my best friend Mia at my door. "now lets get going we've got a lot to celebrate today" she implored as she lead me lead me into my room and shut the door leaving me inside. " you've got 10 minutes to be ready" she said through the door. i inhaled quick and began. After the 10 minutes were up and i was successfully in an outfit, a black mid length figure dress , i looked to Mia for help with my face.  she went pretty easy on me and applied the basics (primer foundation eyebrow makeup, and mascara). I was set and on my way out saying goodnight to my father and meeting up with the rest of my friends, I was stocked to begin the night.

When we reached the door of the club I was about to retreat to the line that formed a half block away "ah Kai come on in!" I was surprised as the big man gestured we come in "Kai how the hell do you know him!?" I asked still a little surprised "oh he knows a few of my cousins from Evesham!" I nodded then smiled, She really knows everyone! I thought to myself. I noticed the stench of sweat an liquor, as I began to feel very warm we got to a round booth and i took my phone and put in the denim jacket i brought along for later . "I'll be back me and Jen are going to bring a round of drinks!" I looked at the excited Kai an shook my head "please don't bring anything too strong!" I shouted over the music but Kai seemed to ignore me and continued on. I was sitting with Mia as she looked lost in a trance on the verge of Eye raping a guy in slip on vans and cuff rolled jeans. "Whoa man be careful I'm pretty sure if you stare long enough your eyes will fall out!" She looked at me breaking her small eye rape as she began to blush I was about to turn my head to see if he'd noticed because it was that obvious. "wait don't look he's walking over!" Mia said a little over whelmed "he's coming with a friend" She said while nudging me playfully, suggesting the friend would be for me, I laughed.  People at clubs can be quite interesting or total freaks. I felt someone behind me as I turned around to find the toms wearing victim of Mia's eye rape with a slightly tipsy tall curly haired pal. We exchanged pleasantries, well everyone except for louis' (mia's little crush) friend said anything. Mia was swept off  to the dance floor as I was left with this mute and drunk stranger. "Hello beautiful i'm harry!" I didn't feel like chatting it up with someone I bet could barely pass a sobriety test so i guess in a way i was coming off defensive. "I bet you are!" I said  over the noise "i'm back with the drinks!" Kai said as Jen followed and took a seat at the other end of the booth while kai placed the drinks down and jumped on my lap. I could tell she had a few on the way here. "Who's this?" She said as she looked up at me and got off my lap "i'm harry! And I was about to ask if she wanted to dance?" He said slightly sounding confused near his  last words. Kai and Jen looked at me there face's lit up with joy "she'd love that!" Jen said In a very dramatic tone. Kai pulled me up "please dance with him! It's your birthday enjoy yourself!" I saw Harry smile from the corner of my eye. Kari and Jen looked at me very eager for me to say yes. I grabbed two shots downed them and nodded my head yes. As Harry and I were off to the middle of the dance floor I saw Mia and Her eye rape victim dancing a little more intimate then needed in a public place (joking) "they're getting along well!" I looked up at the tall framed curly haired male "so I heard its your birthday!" I nodded in agreement "Is there something you want in particular tonight birthday girl?" He cheekily asked while pulling me close. "My names Dakota and I could really use a drink!" He nodded slightly as he left me to fetch my drink. I was gonna have to milk the birthday card for liquor sooner or later. "you like him!?" I turned to find Mia and her new crush "he's something!" I say a tad sarcastically. "have you had your first drink!?" Mia asked while trying not to smile as Louis kissed her cheek "yeah and I'm about to be on my third once curly comes back!" I said which made Mia start laughing "okay i'll see you later!" she said and they were off I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see Harry holding my drink "here you go love!" I took the drink and gulped down about half of it "whoa now someone's thirsty!" I nodded and agreed to his statement the drink was hitting me but it was nothing i couldn't handle. i felt a rush coming over me. Harry continued his attempts to get me to dance more with him and i signed and caved in, i'm not sure if it was me finishing my drink or the music but i wanted to let loose.  I pulled Harry closer by his shirt as we began to dance.  We split a few more drinks and At first our pace was slow and timid but then built into a more comfortable and close situation. Harry's hand traveled up and down my back as I gripped his shoulder and the back of his neck. I had lost myself for a moment due to the liquor but quickly my conscience  came back to realize I was all over Harry, a guy I just met! I pulled away and noticed his aroused smirk wipe off. "What's wrong I thought we were having fun love?" I couldn't believe how comfortable he was in this situation i didn't know what to say or do so i just shook my head. I walked away a little upset at myself and uncomfortable, but he followed. "where are you going?" I Tried my best to ignore him as I continued to find my way to the table. He must've lost me because when I reached my table I turned and didn't see him. I see a very mellow Kai being helped to sit up by Jen "are you going to drive her home?" I asked Jen as she patted Kari on the head and said yes. Since we all knew that there was a chance some of us would either want to take someone home or go home early we drove separate cars. I grabbed my pouch and jacket noticing Harry was coming! I told Jen and kai i'd see them tomorrow and hurried out the exit!

The next day I woke up with  a head ache "I will never drink again!" I mumbled to my self my phone started ringing but i was really not in the mood to answer i without looking at caller ID pressed declined. But just after that another call was made, It was Mia, so i answered.(phone call)

Dakota:hey

Mia:someone sounds tired!

Dakota: yeah! I kinda had  too much to drink.

Mia: ha ha at least you had fun last night you met Louis' friend Harry right!?

Dakota: oh gosh don't remind me!

Mia: why? You guys were dancing you looked happy!

Dakota: I was drunk and I didn't really feel comfortable towards the end I don't think i really liked all that much he seemed to comfortable in that kind of situation.

Mia: hmm well any way! The girls and I are meeting in an hour at the Starbucks a few blocks away from your flat! I kind of need to talk to you so come early.

Dakota:alright!

Once I got dressed in my over sized  vans junk food jumper, black skinny jeans, and black classic slip on leather vans, I was on my way to Starbucks. I locked my car door and slipped the keys in my purse as I herd a deep laugh that sounded no too far away I shrugged it off and continued walking into Starbucks "there you are I ordered you a tall vanilla bean if that's okay!" I looked at Mia who seemed a tad suspicious and took a seat "it's fine thanks! So what did you want to talk about?" She looked at me and noticed how curious I was. She sighed "okay before you interrupt me i need you to know that Louis from last night is so sweet and he asked me out!" I was a little confused but smiled "that's great you guys would be so cute together!" She smiled "there's kind of a catch he's bringing his friend harry and wants it to be a double date!" I wasn't sure where she was going with this. Mia sighed and tried to smile "well about that I said you'd be his date!" She said while flashing me a weak smile. "What the hell mia!" She furrowed her eyebrows and began whining "please please i really like him be a pal and go out with his pal!" Everyone in Starbucks was staring at us It came to the point where I thought Mia was going to explode "fine!" She stopped widening her eyes "fine fine i'll go!" I whispered. This date was going on my list of bad situations Mia has put me thru.

It was a few days after the Starbucks incident and I was having a lazy day on my duvet when my phone rang I looked and it was a text from Mia.

Hey so Harry's picking you up in an hour we're all meeting at a restaurant about twenty minutes away from my house! Wear something sexy! do this for me your best friend i love you! and be nice! XX~M

I groaned and realized i was going to have to try and get through this uncomfortable long night.