new year's day [h.s.]

Eleven

"If you have a shorty that you don't show love

Oh, yes son, I'm talkin' to you"

SONG: "No Scrubs" // TLC

CONTENT WARNING: alcohol... a marginally entertaining but mostly unfortunate amount of alcohol

((A/N: this is the second part of a triple update!! make sure you pop over and read chapter 10 first hehehe))

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Mattie had what would usually be a good idea after I finished making dinner, if my life weren't feeling like a literal dumpster fire: karaoke night.

We haven't gone since the summer. When school is back in session, we usually reserve it for the occasional weekend, renting a room with our friends and a few tolerable coworkers. However, a bar a couple blocks away from The Twisted Tit does karaoke on Mondays. After my workday and knowing what's ahead this week, I'll regret this, but Mattie wanted to get me back out into civilian life. Maybe it was the extra tequila shots I'd consumed on a then-empty stomach, but I happily agreed.

That probably should've been everyone else's first inkling that tonight might end in disaster.

Mattie opted to drive, being much more responsible about drinking on a weeknight than the rest of us. I suppose having to be up at 5 AM to work with little preteen devils all day would discourage anyone from doing that, but I still think her a saint for it. Not to mention, she has a tendency to hog the microphone when she's off her ass, so this frees it up for the rest of us and the other bar-goers.

I finally changed out of my work clothes after we ate. My maroon and gray patterned cardigan was exchanged for a simple cropped white tank top, and my pleated black skirt was swapped out for a pair of low-rise dusty green cargo pants. A colorful striped belt keeps them from sliding off my hips, and I put in my contacts so I could grab a pair of sunglasses that I'll probably - definitely - lose at the bar.

We picked up Graham, Sierra unable to join us since she's covering someone's shift. She texted to make sure Mattie would take videos throughout the night, which had both of us laughing. We know she secretly hopes my brother makes a documented fool of himself, that way she'll have some new material to hang over his head when he starts teasing her too much at home.

Their engagement story has kind of run its course. Graham's not so much embarrassed by it as he is proud anymore. Remind me to tell you about it later – it's a good one.

Marcus beat me to the punch and asked Graham if Harry was joining us. He hadn't thought to check, claiming Harry said it was a longer day on set, but he didn't know exactly how long. I knew about this already from when I'd texted him pre-Janice meeting, but it didn't stop my tipsy ass from sending a flurry of texts while Mattie drove.