One Night Only

2 | the party & the afterparty

When we got to her house it was like clockwork, one thing right after the other. I've never seen such an efficient team in my life. The glam squad paused as they saw me but quickly adjusted and sprung into action. Luckily I ended up being the same size as whoever else was supposed to go with her and so the stylist was very happy with that.

A few last minute adjustments had to be made but it was nothing major that they couldn't troubleshoot. It all went by in a blur and suddenly we were back in the car, heading off to the event. I stare out the window as I think about how crazy this all is. A random lady called out to me in the street and I just hopped into her car.

Granted, the money was a big plus but honestly I think I would've went with her regardless. Something about her eyes is so comforting and I feel like I can trust her with anything. Blue eyes and green, they're beautiful and all; there's just a special quality to brown eyes though. I know they're the most common and so people think it's boring because it's ordinary but that couldn't be further from the truth.

There's comfort in the consistent, the expected. The way they glimmer when the sun hits them just right is like having a glimpse into the center of the universe. Maybe it's just because of the way her presence makes me feel too. "Shit. I didn't even ask your name" I hear her mumble and I think hard but no we really didn't exchange names.

"It's Kenzie" I say shyly, "I'm Billie" I turn to see her looking at me already. Our eyes meet and we cross through an intersection at the same time, the setting sun cast right on her face. She smiles softly which only adds to the moment but it's soon over. The sun is again blocked by the buildings and I glance down to see she's been waiting on me to take her hand.

I take it quickly and rather awkwardly shake her hand. I feel like this is weird somehow as though we should be hugging instead; I have to remind myself she is a stranger and it's normal to shake hands. I don't have a lot of time to dwell on it as I feel the car stop and look out the window again to see a big building beside me.

The door is opened and a hand is outstretched to me which I gratefully take as I'm a bit unsteady due to never really wearing heels. I would've preferred my sneakers but the dress required a bit of height since it's rather long. Billie gets out after me and we enter the building side by side.

We walk over a red carpet and I look around at all the decorations. This is the fanciest and prettiest thing I've ever been to. Apparently it's an annual gala and by the looks of it, it's like this every year. I see so many faces I've ever only seen on tv or magazines. If all of this wasn't overwhelming enough, Billie links her arm with mine as we get to the main room.

I turn to her and she smiles which reassures me. For the first hour or two she essentially carries me around on her arm. I just float around with her between different groups of people, smiling as she briefly introduces me. She presents me as her friend and I mean what else should she call me? I'm in a daze for most of it as she talks business that I don't really understand much of.

Just as we've made it to the bar as she's done the first half of her rounds and needs a break, a woman approaches us. "Well if it isn't the star of the night" the blonde says, "you act as though you didn't summon me" Billie replies politely but with a hint of annoyance in her voice. "As if you don't love these things as much as me" the blonde quips and I just furrow my eyebrows.

This whole interaction is weird and frankly makes me uncomfortable. I unconsciously reach for Billie, my grip a bit tight on her arm. The other blonde sees this motion which finally makes her aware of my presence. "And who might you be?" she asks with a smile but her tone is nice nasty. "This is Kenzie, a friend of mine" Billie answers before I can, "a friend, huh? Interesting I've never heard you talk about her" the blonde replies quickly.

Maybe you're too busy with your head up your ass to hear anything. I have many things I could and very much want to say to her but I keep my mouth shut. I don't want to embarrass Billie or cause problems for her and I can get a bit out of hand when I'm challenged. The blonde doesn't seem like the type to back down and neither am I.

"Hmm. Well, I have to take this beauty for a while but I'm sure you'll be fine" she says before taking Billie's hand and pulling her up. I just turn around and order a drink, more than ready to leave this place. I go through at least three drinks before the blonde returns and she's next to me. She doesn't say anything, ordering a scotch and turning her gaze to her nails.

I look back after a while because I feel eyes on me, only to realize it's the woman from before who frankly makes my ass itch. "Who is she?" I ask and Billie raises her head, furrowing her eyebrows inquisitively. "Who is who...?" she questions, "her" I state as I motion with my eyes and she turns to see the blonde staring at us.

"Oh... that's Xandra Terrell" she answers simply, taking a sip of her drink after. "Am I supposed to know her?" I counter and the blonde swallows her drink before pursuing her lips thoughtfully. "I guess not. She's... well this is her event. She pretty much owns half the places in town, she's a businesswoman" Billie says and I frown a bit as I try to remember if I've ever seen her but I can't recall a single instance.

"Mm ok" I reply, "why?" she questions and I shrug. "No reason" I answer flatly and look out the corner of my eye to see her eyeing me skeptically. "Come on, I just have to talk to a few more people and then we can leave. My driver will be here at 10" she states, throwing back her drink and allowing me to stand before taking my arm in hers.

Maybe it's just my imagination running away with me but I notice something different about it this time. She holds me much closer to her body, also opting to intertwine our fingers and play with my rings as she speaks. I just stare at her in awe, completely forgetting Xandra even exists. Then it dawns on me, as we're leaving; it's only for one night.