Free Fall (Harry Styles)

Chapter Seven

Finally, after whatever that was, I was back in my apartment, curled up on the couch, eating leftovers from the night before. Although working at the bookstore isn't as taxing as other jobs, by the end of the week, I do find myself in desperate need of some alone time to wind down. I heard the door open as I ate my food and let myself get lost in one of the new books that had just been delivered to the store. Without looking up, I know who it is and sing a soft 'hello' as I hear Marley's footsteps approach me. I feel the weight shift on the other side of the couch and look up to see my best friend, whom I missed dearly despite seeing her this morning. "Hello, Missus, how was your day?" I ask, to which Marley rolls her eyes, never a good sign. "Uh oh..."

"You're gonna hate me..." Marley draws out the last word, to which I raise my eyebrows. "So, you know how the contract is signed, right?" I nod my head, waiting for her to continue, "Well...that also means more events, which means I have to go...which means..." Marley looks at me expectantly. "Which means I have to go," I finish her sentence. "Please, please, please come with me tonight," Marley begs as she takes both my hands in hers, "I simply cannot go alone, and it will be so much more fun if we go together! We can make a work event into a best-friends-take-advantage-of-the-open-bar-and-get-shit-faced thing!" I can see the desperation in her eyes and that stupid smile, which she knows I can never say no to.

I shake my head and close my book, "fine!" I relent, "on one condition, though," I hold up my finger, "you are babysitting me tonight. God knows I need to get absolutely shitfaced."

Marley squeals and grabs into a hug so tight I can barely breathe, "thank you, thank you, thank, you, thank you," she exclaims as she peppers my head with kisses. "You are the best, have I ever told you that?"

"Not enough..." I grumble.

"Well, according to my clock," she lets go and looks down at her imaginary watch on her wrist, "it is 7:30, and we need to be ready and pregaming by 10, so let's get going, yeah?" Marley stands up from the couch and reaches out her hands to lift me up.

"Okay, fine, but one more chapter," I protest.

"Fine."

— 10:00 p.m. —

It's finally 10 o'clock, and after two hours of priming and preening, I finally feel ready to go out. I rarely go out, but due to my shopping problem or hobby, as I like to call it, my closet is more than stocked with various outfits for occasions like this, as rare as they are. I'm wearing a simple black strapless dress that stops at my upper thigh, just short enough to leave very little to the imagination, accompanied by black pump Mary Janes. I hate heels, but these are comfortable and make me feel tall and powerful; I hate going to clubs and my eyesight only reaching people's chests. I usually never do my hair or make-up as I'm always in the bookstore, but Marley did what she calls "full glam," which I now know means a black smokey eye, dark red lipstick, and fully curled hair. The pick-me girl in me wants to hate it, but I feel good. As I enter the living room, I see Marley already pouring us shots. I make my entrance and opt to go and sit on the couch where Fenway is curled up and giving Marley a nasty look for the loud music.

"Oh no, you don't," Marley tuts as she walks towards me, "you are not allowed to be a catlady tonight," she exclaims as she reaches for my hands, "Fenway," she looks at him, "I love you and hate to deprive you of Topanga's world-class cuddles, but tonight, we are hoping that she cuddles with someone who isn't a four-legged furry friend." Fenway scowls at Marley as I relent and take her hands to help me up.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny," I say as I smooth out my dress, "the only person I'm going home with tonight is my designated babysitter."

"But Topeeee," she draws out my nickname, "it's been so long, and if we don't count Oliver, which we shouldn't based on his size, it's been centuries!" She retorts.

I try to hold in my laugh but fail as I walk to the kitchen to take the shot she had laid out for me. "Fine, I will consider, but absolutely no promises. I just need a girl's night out where I can get absolutely hammered," I lift up my shot glass, and she comes running to the kitchen, grabbing her glass and holding it up to mine.

"Fine! Here's to a girl's night out and, hopefully, a little detour for my dear friend," she shouts. We clink our glasses, and I let the hard liquor race down my throat, burning it as it goes down. Marley turns up the speaker, blasting one of my go-to pregame songs, Sit Next to Me by Foster the People, and we continue to take shots and drink our mixed drinks until Marley decides it's time to call the Uber.

By the time the Uber is here, I already feel a decent buzz and have finished off a few shots and two mixed drinks, and I feel ready to take on the night. As we're waiting for the elevator to go downstairs, I realize I have no idea where the fuck we're even going.

"Marley," I whisper for some reason, even though we're entirely alone in the hallway, "Yes, silly girl?" She giggles back, making me realize we're both at the point of tipsy where everything is funny. "I forgot to ask, where are we even going tonight?"

"Oh, shit! Did I not tell you?" I shake my head no, "one of Mr. Marino's biggest clients is having a small concert for his upcoming debut album," she says as the elevator arrives and we enter it.

"Wait, that sounds so fun!" I respond, actually pleased with her answer, "Do you have any idea who the artist is?"

"Oh, I have no idea," she states as our short ride in the elevator concludes, "some British guy, he's supposed to be super famous. Mr. Marino says he's going to be one of the biggest guys in the music industry soon," Marley boasts as we leave the building and flag down our Uber. I'm so proud of her and all she has accomplished at her job. It fills me with so much pride that she is going to be working alongside some of the biggest names in the music industry. We confirm that the car is for us and sit in the backseat.

"Well, whoever it is, if they have you working with them, they are destined for greatness," I say as I squeeze her arm, "now let's go have ourselves night!"

A/N: sorry sorry its another short one but once the ball gets rolling the chapters will be longer and more eventful. I wonder whose concert they're going to!! I have no idea!