Accepting You

Chapter 5 - A Sober Drunk

In the car ride to Lily's friend's house, Liz tries to pry some information from Lily's past.

"Who is this friend? How do you know them?" Liz asks.

"She's a friend from college," Lily answers. "I studied abroad for a semester and she was my roommate. Her name is Vanessa. She used to throw these themed parties and she was known for them. It's actually really fun."

"Oh? What other themes?"

"We did a medieval one, a Game of Thrones – before I got a minor part in that by the way – and a Marvel/DC superheroes theme," Lily answers. "Again, that was before I even thought I would ever get a part in Marvel."

"You're a great Jessica Jones," Liz compliments. "What do you think a high school theme will be like?"

"Probably a lot of drinking games," Lily ponders. "Maybe beer pong, pyramid, and flip cup?"

"Oh god. I haven't done that in forever," Liz says with nostalgia. "That definitely brings me back."

"You are making yourself sound so old," Lily teases.

"It's literally been a decade since then," Liz frowns. "I am old."

"Well, you're looking good for an old lady," Lily compliments in return.

Liz flushes at the compliment but Lily doesn't notice as the car pulls up to the side and the uber driver announces that they've arrived at their destination. They thank him and hop out and up the front stairs where two people are chatting on the porch.

Lily doesn't knock before entering and is welcomed with a blast of music and people chatting and cheering. Their entrance brings onlookers and in a moment, Vanessa, a short girl with a bob cut runs to the entrance, pulling Lily in a big hug.

"Ro-Ro!" Vanessa squeals, a nickname she gave Lily from her last name – Rowan. "I'm so glad you made it!!"

"Hey Vanessa," Lily laughs, hugging the shorter girl. "It's been so long!"

"Yes! I watched Endgame just last night and girlllll," Vanessa fangirls. "You are so fine! When you stomped those aliens, I wished it was me."

"Okay – you're being a little too weird," Lily laughs. She isn't fazed by Vanessa's blatant and flirtatious responses since she literally does it to all her friends, but to a stranger, it can definitely be overwhelming. "This is Elizabeth."

Liz puts her hand up in greeting, which earns another loud squeal from the shorter girl.

"O.M.G. You're Elizabeth Olsen. You are so great in the movie too!" Vanessa says, jumping up and down, nearly spilling the contents in her red cup. "When you were fighting Thanos, you were so badass!"

"Okay – spoiler alert," Lily says, calming her down.

"Thank you," Liz says with a smile. "I'm glad you liked the movie."

"Oh 100%!" Vanessa grins.

"How did you know I was in London?" Lily asks. "You don't normally just text me and invite me to a party."

"I saw you on Twitter," Vanessa laughs. "At the airport."

Lily sighs. Of course they got their photo taken. It would have been a miracle if she got out of the airport without one being snapped and posted online.

"Oh, before I forget, all phones in the basket. Then come to the kitchen and I'll make you guys some drinks," Vanessa says.

Both Lily and Liz drop their phones in a basket at the entrance. Liz has a fleeting concern that their phones are piled among so many others but if Lily trusts these people, then so will she.