Beautiful Lives and Tragic Endings

chapter ten

"You better be ready," Grayson shouts outside my bedroom door. "We need to get there before midnight, you know."

I roll my eyes, even though I know he can't see it. "Grayson, it's literally not even nine yet. Chill out," I say with slight irritation. I look in the body mirror adjacent to my wooden bed covered in white sheets. I'm in no mood to celebrate New Year. This year has been quite shocking. Finally, graduating from one of the most stressful courses should have improved my life. However, it is quite the contrary. Getting a job, I can't apparently do at a relatively small hospital and failing at keeping a position on the labour ward. I am making enemies with Doctors, suffering from insomnia, and oh, let's not forget my dad suffering from a heart attack—what a year. I can only hope next year isn't as half bad as this one.

I stare at the black body con dress attached to my body—a square line neck with straps that lavishly show off my collarbones and small chest. The dress is quite short. It shows off my long legs brilliantly. I mess with my ginger hair, trying to get it into the best position. I curled it, but I think I should have just left it straight at this point. I sit down on the bed to add the heeled calved boots Grayson kindly gifted me for Christmas. They are absolutely stunning. Despite how much I don't want to go out tonight, I'm glad I'm getting to wear them. Grayson has started to knock on the door repeatedly impatiently.

"Gray, just come in," I shout. He instantly barges in before dramatically stopping. He inhales sharply.

"Roz! You. Look. Like. A. Model." His hands come up to his face to add to the shocked look. I blush in return.

"Stop it. You're exaggerating", I laugh, not knowing how to take the compliment.

"I forgive you for making us late," he says jokingly, "just because you look so good."

Dodging the compliments, I change the subject away from me. "What time is everyone else getting to the party?"

He shrugs his shoulders. "I don't know, about now?"

"It's a bit early, don't you think?"

"Noo, it's perfect." I give up. I know I'm only trying to stall the inevitable.

"I don't know Grayson, and I think I should drive back home, make sure everyone is okay."

Grayson walks over to me, sits on the bed and gives me a lecture. "You need to let your hair down and have fun. Let's remember the fact that your dad practically begged you to leave because you've become insufferable trying to help every five minutes." I nod, knowing he's right. "He's okay, and the nurses are looking after him. Hazel and Max have each other. They'll be okay for a night. You'll see them tomorrow." He nudges me with his elbow. "Lighten up, and let's have fun." I huff before giving up completely.

"Fine. I guess you're right... you'll be okay getting home, though? I'm going to leave after midnight so that I can drive home."

"Yes, yes," Grayson faffs about, " don't worry about me, let's just party." He stands up and drags me off the bed with him. I grab my oversized leather jacket and place it over my dress. I'm going in all black, just to represent my mood. We grab the last of our things, make our way to my dirty white Ford and drive to the New Year's party.

I park outside, a couple of meters from the apartment. Grayson gets out first and shows me the way. I notice my breath in the cold, bitter air. We're immediately greeted with very enthusiastic people who seem to have been drinking for hours already. It's only half nine. I have to keep telling myself that I'll get through this. Grayson makes his way around the room, tugging me with him. I meet all of his colleagues from work. I recognise some familiar faces that wander the hospital corridors; other than that, I am alone.