Love Thy Neighbor (Even if He's a Jerk)

Chapter 5: Night Out

Rawena stood in front of her bedroom mirror, adjusting the straps of her black dress nervously. It had been a hectic week at work, and Audrey had convinced her to join in on a girls' night out to blow off some steam. The idea of going to a club made Rawena uneasy—she wasn't exactly the club type, more like bar and talk type—but she needed a break from her routine.

Audrey, her best friend with vibrant purple hair and a knack for adventure, had insisted that Rawena needed to let loose. "You work too hard, Rawy," Audrey would say, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "Tonight, we're going to have some real fun!"

Rawena sighed, smoothing down the fabric of her dress. She wasn't entirely convinced that a club was the right place for her this week, but she trusted Audrey's judgment. Maybe this was exactly what she needed—a chance to prove to herself that she could have fun and let go of her inhibitions. Eben when she was pissed at Carter.

Audrey burst into Rawena's apartment with her usual exuberance, carrying a bottle of champagne. "Rawy, darling! You look fabulous!" she exclaimed, giving Rawena a quick once-over.

Rawena smiled weakly, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. "Thanks, Audrey. You look amazing too."

Audrey grinned, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "We're going to paint the town red tonight, Rawy. Just you wait and see!"

With a deep breath, Rawena followed Audrey out of the apartment and into the bustling city streets. They hailed a cab and headed downtown to one of the trendiest clubs in the city—Pulse. The pulsating beats of music could be heard from blocks away, and as they approached the entrance, Rawena felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach.

Inside, the club was a kaleidoscope of lights and sound. The dance floor was packed with people swaying and moving to the rhythm of the music, the air thick with energy and excitement. Audrey wasted no time in leading Rawena to the bar, where they ordered cocktails to start the night off.

"Here's to a night of unforgettable memories!" Audrey exclaimed, clinking her glass against Rawena's.

Rawena smiled, trying to match Audrey's enthusiasm. "To unforgettable memories."

They sipped their drinks and mingled with the crowd, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of the club. Audrey seemed to know everyone, flashing her infectious smile and striking up conversations effortlessly. Rawena found herself loosening up, carried along by Audrey's infectious energy.

As the night wore on, they hit the dance floor, moving to the pulsating beats of the music. Rawena surprised herself with how much she enjoyed the freedom of dancing without a care in the world. For a while, she forgot about work, about Carter, about everything except the music and the exhilaration of being surrounded by people having a good time.

But as the hours passed and the drinks kept coming, Rawena began to feel the effects of the alcohol. She wasn't used to drinking much, and the combination of excitement and champagne was starting to go to her head.

Audrey noticed Rawena's flushed cheeks and slightly unsteady movements. "Hey, you okay there, Rawy?" she asked, concern flickering in her eyes.

Rawena nodded, trying to appear more composed than she felt. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just enjoying the night."

Audrey studied her friend for a moment, then nodded knowingly. "Alright, but let me know if you need a break or anything, okay?"

Rawena managed a weak smile. "Thanks, Audrey. I appreciate it."

They danced some more, but Rawena's head was spinning now, and she found it increasingly difficult to keep up with the beat. She excused herself to the restroom, hoping that a moment alone would help clear her head.

In the dimly lit restroom, Rawena splashed cold water on her face, trying to shake off the dizziness. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, the loud music from the club muffled through the walls. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were slightly glassy.

"I can do this," she muttered to herself, taking a deep breath.

But when she returned to the dance floor, the room seemed to spin faster around her. The lights were too bright, the music too loud, and she suddenly felt nauseous. Panic bubbled up inside her as she realized she might not be able to hold it together much longer.

Audrey noticed Rawena's pale face as she stumbled back toward her. "Rawy, are you okay?" she asked, concern etched on her features.

"I... I think I need some air," Rawena managed to say, her voice shaky.

Audrey nodded quickly, taking Rawena's arm and leading her toward the exit. They pushed their way through the crowd, Rawena trying to focus on breathing deeply to stave off the rising nausea.

Outside the club, the cool night air was a welcome relief. Rawena leaned against the wall, closing her eyes and taking slow, deep breaths. Audrey stood beside her, rubbing her back soothingly.

"Take your time, Rawy. Just breathe," Audrey said softly.

After a few moments, Rawena's stomach lurched, and she doubled over, retching onto the pavement. Audrey held her hair back, murmuring words of comfort as Rawena emptied her stomach.

When she finally stopped, Rawena felt weak and embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Audrey," she managed to say, her voice hoarse.

Audrey shook her head, her expression gentle. "Hey, it happens to the best of us. Let's get you home, okay?"

Rawena nodded gratefully, leaning on Audrey for support as they hailed a cab. During the ride back to Rawena's apartment, Audrey made sure Rawena was comfortable, rubbing her back soothingly and assuring her that it was okay to let loose once in a while.

As they arrived at Rawena's apartment building, Rawena felt a wave of gratitude toward Audrey. Despite the night not going as planned, she had learned something valuable—that having fun didn't always mean pushing herself out of her comfort zone.

"Thank you, Audrey," Rawena said sincerely as they stood in front of her apartment door.

Audrey smiled warmly. "Anytime, Rawy. We'll have to plan another night out sometime—maybe with a bit less champagne next time. Or we can finally properly christen your apartment."

Rawena chuckled weakly, nodding in agreement. "Definitely. - Wait, wasn't your shit in my toilet enough?"

Auds just laughed and waved a hand. 

If Rawena wasn't feeling completely beaten, she would smile. So her.