[UPDATED WEEKLY ON FRIDAYS]
When Lilah, an innocent eighteen year old, moves nearly eight hours from her rural town and rough past to have a fresh start at college in New York with her best friend and her older brother, the last thing she expected...
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An hour or so had to have passed before Natalie finally stopped dancing and wanted to take a break. Her baby hairs were sticking to her forehead with sweat and her makeup, somehow still flawless, had a shiny look to it. My whole body felt sticky with sweat and I'm sure my straight hair was probably all frizzy and knotted now after throwing my head around. The music was still playing and my feet were admittedly getting sore. Well, my whole body was getting sore but mostly my feet.
Since we had been there, Natalie had dragged me into the kitchen twice to refill her cup with her flavored rum and juice concoction. I had chugged my bottle of water and admittedly was wanting to try some of her drink, but a less strong version. Natalie dragging me behind this third time now with her ankles nearly buckling out from her heels was enough proof as to why I didn't want my drink to be as strong.
When we arrived, Nat slammed her cup onto the counter a little harder than I think she meant to. Holding onto the island, she reached out to grab the same bottles she had been using and after she was done making her drink, both bottles were nearly empty. I don't think she drank the whole bottles since there were over one hundred other people here to share with, but she definitely put some damage into them.
"Aw man, there's probably not going to be enough by the time I come back for another one." She pouted before taking a large gulp. I laughed at her current state. In a weird way, Natalie almost seemed drunk when she was sober and sober when she was drunk. Besides the tad bit of stumbling, everything else she did seemed normal and mellow.
"I don't think you need another one after that." I joked before reaching across her to grab my own cup. We had been here long enough for my anxiety to settle down a bit and I was wanting to have some fun. I had to keep reminding myself that this was a new chapter in my life and I wanted to enjoy it, not stress about my past.
When I reached for the same bottles Nat had used, I almost thought her eyes were about to pop out of her head. She continued to sip on her drink and watch me. I barely poured any of the first liquor into my cup and finally, Nat broke out into a huge laugh.
"Girl, I know you don't drink but even a baby could handle that. Add just a little more." She grabbed the bottle from me and before I could stop her, she filled the cup about an inch high before she grabbed the second one and did the same. The cup was filled a quarter of the way with these two liquors and compared to Nat's cups being filled almost halfway, I was fortunate she had some self control. I grabbed the pineapple and cranberry juice and filled the rest of my cup with both.
I had a stare down with the drink for a moment, contemplating my choices here. I could always enjoy the night without any drinking. But I also wanted to have new, positive experiences and stop being afraid of being rebellious every once in a while. Grabbing the cup, I quickly brought it up to my lips and took a swig before I changed my mind. The citrusy drink went down with ease surprisingly and I finally opened my eyes to see a smirk grow on Nat's face. Oh, this was dangerous.
