Context: Your first wlw experience with your best friend's mother.
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"Happy birthday!" I exclaimed as I walked into my best friend's luxurious home, the marble floors dazzled beneath my feet and the walls were adorned with elegant artwork.
"Ahh!!!! Thank you so much for comingggg! I honestly didn't think anyone would show up but I can always count on my bestie to be there for me!!" My best friend, Amber, pulled me into a suffocating hug. I caught a whiff of her designer perfume which mingled with her excitement.
"I mean what are best friends for-," I said in between struggled breaths,"if they c-can't sh-show up-"
Amber, who is oblivious to how tightly she is hugging, starts talking again,"Bestie, did I tell you how amazing you are?"
"A-all the ti-time"
"Oh no! Am I hugging you too tight?!" Amber immediately took a step back, her perfectly styled hair slightly disheveled from the force of her embrace.
"You have to tell me when I'm hugging you too tight!!! You know I'm completely unaware of boundaries," Amber's face started to flush with embarrassment.
"Amber it's okay. It's your birthday. You can have as many hugs as you want," I reassured her with a gentle smile.
"Really?!" Amber shrieked, her joy contagious as she bounced on the balls of her feet. The sun filtered through the windows and casted a warm glow on our faces, adding to the happy atmosphere.
Amber's mom peeked her head from the top of the stairs, "Girls, come join the rest of us upstairs."
Excitedly, we followed Amber's mom upstairs, the staircase adorned with plush carpeting that felt like walking on clouds. As we reached the top, we were greeted by the rest of our friends, each holding brightly wrapped birthday gifts and wearing smiles that lit up the room.
The air was filled with laughter and chatter as we celebrated Amber's special day, the sound of clinking glasses and cheers resonating through the spacious hallway. Amber's mom stood at the forefront, a warm smile on her face as she watched us with fondness.
Though the sun was down, our fun went well into the night. Just as birthday wishes went around to Amber, Amber's mom cleared her throat to get our attention. "Alright, my darlings," she began, her tone playful yet firm. "I've set out some drinks for you all to enjoy from my spirits cabinet. Feel free to indulge in the cheap alcohol, but stay away from my coconut rum and vodka. Those are off-limits tonight."
We all nodded in agreement, knowing better than to cross Amber's mom when it came to her treasured alcohol collection. She continued, "I'll be heading to my bedroom for the night. You girls can pretty much do what ever you want, just please be mindful of your noise level. And if you need anything, my room is at the end of the hallway to the left."
With a wink and a smile, Amber's mom disappeared down the hallway, leaving us to have our own fun. As soon as she was out of sight, the group erupted into excited chatter and laughter and were already making plans to head to the hot tub out back.
"Come on, guys," Sarah, one of our friends, exclaimed enthusiastically. "Before we hit the hot tub, let's have a round of shots and play truth or dare!"
"I have a better idea," Danielle said with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Let's make Amber take 18 shots for her 18th birthday."
As the group erupted into laughter and nodded in agreement, I quietly slipped away to the kitchen. My nerves were already on edge from Sarah's high-pitched excitement, and I needed something to calm me down. Without hesitation, I grabbed the vodka from the spirits cabinet and took a long swig straight from the bottle. The clear liquid burned my throat as it went down, leaving a trail of warmth in its wake. It was exactly what I needed to take the edge off.
