LOSING IT ALL //HAYLEY PARKER

07

~LOSING IT ALL~

•
07| TRUTH OR DRINK  pt.1
•

A MILKY GLOW OF TWILIGHT falls outside Jennifer's window. The evening sounds of the neighborhood fills her quiet room. Cars passing, dog barking, a muffled music from the pub down the street, and below her window, gusts of wind rustling through the trees.

"That shade suits you perfectly, Milley." Jennifer comments, applying a touch of mascara to her fake lashes. Her dark hair is in a single braid down to her spine. Her brown skin glows with glitters, and a low cut slip dress clings to her long, slender body.

"You think?" Camille pouts her glossy red lips in front of Jennifer's full length mirror, where my arse is glued to her precious Bukhara rug, winding strands of my hair around a warm curling iron.

"Actually, it does." I concede, then lower my gaze to admire the black simmering off-the-shoulder top she wears over a cream leather pants. Her bleached blonde hair is pulled into a high ponytail.

Just then, Newt dramatically flings the door open, and waltz into the room holding a snifter of whiskey. He looks aloof in a ribbed knit polo, Zara shorts with a pair of Air Jordan. "What's up, ladies. What's taking y'all so long?" He muses, plopping down on the high, barbie-pink bed beside Jennifer.

"You're right. We're ladies, and we take our bloody time." Jennifer scowls, giving him a narrow glare, and he returns her glare with a lascivious smirk.

Uhm, okaayyy.

I spring up from my position in front of the mirror, and snatch the snifter out from Newt's grip. "If you don't mind." I say with a sloppy wink, and quickly drown the rest of his liquor before he retaliates. Whiskey slips hot, and strong down my throat. I repress a shudder.

"You could've gone downstairs to fix yourself a glass if you were that thirsty." Newt says dryly, monotonously looking at me.

"I know, right?" I answer with a shrug.

"Who's driving?" Camille probes, gathering her makeup items into her purse. Newt now ogling at Jennifer mutters absentmindedly. "Dale."

Heat crawls up my neck in embarrassment at the thought of the event that transpired earlier. I self consciously bend to whiff at my armpit. It's just my cologne. Perfect.

"For fucksake, Newt, snap out of it." Jennifer hisses agitatedly at Newt, and springs up from her bed. Whispering something into Camille's ear, they both leave the room snickering.

Listening to their heavy, clicking footfalls and dulcet voices fade down the hallway, I tilt my suspicious, shrewd eyes to Newt. "You like her, don't you?"

Newt peaks up, and looks evasively at me."You're full of shit." He says, then comes to link his arm through mine. "And effortlessly cute in that red dress. Jayden will be knocked off his feet."

I scoff. "Now you're the one that's full of shit."

Downstairs, in the kitchen, Camille and Jennifer are gulping down shots of vodka and giggling at each other. Jayden and Dale are no where to be seen. "It's time to get into the party spirit, baby!" Jennifer chirps, handing me a shot of vodka.

With a radiant smile, I take the proffered glass and swiftly drain it, grimacing as it slides warmly down my throat.

Balancing precariously on my T-strap heels, I wobble down the wooden steps to the Mercedes that has her headlights flashing on the front porch. The sudden onslaught of cold wind seeps through me and I tug the lapels of my leather jacket across my throat.

"It's so bloody cold out here." Newt grumbles beside me, and I stifle a chuckle.

"Get out of the way!" Jennifer crows, jogging past us towards the car with Camille at her heels. Steam of exhales swooshes over their shoulders.

"The fuck's wrong with them. What if they get hurt on those heels." Newt grumbles again, and I shoot a glare his way.

"Them, or her?' I quip, flatly.

"Fuck off, Hayley." He says firmly, darting sheepishly away from me. Jeez, it's very evident that you're in love, man.

I climb into the car beside Camille, and a sudden warmth filled my freezing toes. The waft of air freshener, leather and sandalwood fills my nostrils, and encapsulates me like a coverlet. I sigh, content.

The ride is smooth. R&B music blasts from the stereo. Hennessy keeps passing round, except to Dale, of course, he glides the gleaming car briskly beneath the glaring sodium lights of the highway. Traffic clogs the streets, and the smell of exhaust tickles my nostrils.

My gaze is outside, soaking up the constant glimpse of the streets. Mr. Friedman's Hamburger-and-hot-dog, when last did I stop by, weeks, months?

The ice-cream parlor, Jennifer's loves the ice cream there, and no one can convince her otherwise. I giggle tipsily against my breathe at the thought of arguing about it with her. She'll never accept defeat.

Mrs. Smith's dress shop, plastered with advert flyers and a 'close' sign. I got my newest pair of jeans from there. Which one was it again, the white one, or the blue?

I scoff, and turn away from the window. My hazel eyes falling directly to the rear view mirror, and my heart leaps into my throat when my gaze meets dark, piercing eyes.

•
Thank you for reading"LOSING IT ALL". Please don't forget to vote, comment below and to follow me for more updates.

The next chapter will be published exactly on Wednesday, so, please stay tuned to read more. Thank you for your understanding and forbearance.
XOXO ;)