It was always you

Chapter 7

We ended up going to my place to get ready. Turns out Rhea was being completely honest when she said she liked my style.

Actually maybe a step more than that, because she had decided she wanted to 'outfit shop' from my wardrobe.

And so we spent the evening giggling over harmless gossip, discussing the blatant flaws of Gilmore Girls and how Lorelai deserved better and making our way slowly through the bottle Lexie had left in my gift hamper when she had welcomed me as her new room mate.

There is no truer joy than getting ready for a party with your friend and the fun only doubled when Lexie, for once lounging at the apartment rather than working through another paper at the library, was persuaded to join us.

I still was not sure if it was our words that had persuaded her or the drinks that had been offered, either ways I was glad with the end result.

"We look fabulous," Rhea giggled as she went through the pictures we had just finished taking.

I handed Lexie the pack of mints I had fished out from my bag, "Ready to go?"

"One final check," Lexie replied heading to the full mirror in her room, me and Rhea close behind. "We do look ah-mazing!"

I took the reflection of us three in, and couldn't help but agree. Lexie, in her red minidress that highlighted her perfectly blown out blonde hair, Rhea in her sequinned mini skirt and backless white top that gleamed against her golden skin and me in my black halter neck jumpsuit with make up that for once had come out flawlessly without a crash out...we made a good looking trio.

"I love your hair cut, Rhea," Lexie continued, "I wish I was brave enough to go that short."

"Honestly, me too." I agreed, turning to eye Rhea's dark brown hair. "But I fear the pixie cut was not made for my face."

Rhea, just finishing reapplying her gloss turned to eye my hair critically and for a second old insecurities tried to claw their way up. Too red, too bright.

"I think you could pull off any hair cut, to be honest. You have the facial cut that would pull off most lengths, as long as you avoid bangs."

"Really," I asked, touching my shoulder length hair that I had spent an hour putting soft waves into.

"Sure, but I think the length right now is perfect for you."

"I agree with Rhea," Lexie added, "You would look cute with a bob but this length makes you look sexy."

"Mysterious," Rhea nodded, before grinning, "Like a Bond girl on a mission."

I sent her a glare, glad that Lexie was too busy looking for her bag to notice the exchange. Cut it out, I mouthed to her.

I might have agreed to Rhea's plan to scope out a potential man for me tonight, but I didn't want everyone to know said plan. And while Rhea was always one to collect all the info on the going ons of our college, Lexie was the kind to tell all she knew to everyone else.

I would rather my plans not be broadcasted to the student body tonight, thank you very much.

Rhea threw up her hands in mock surrender and I only sighed.

"Lets go?" Lexie came up to us, tiny red bag slung on her shoulder.

Me and Rhea exchanged one last look.
You ready? It seemed to ask and I could only grin back, the pre party liquid courage already emboldening me. "Yes, let's go!"

........

The Creek, where the party was being held, was a local view spot the college students had claimed their own for years now.

It was far enough away from the college and student quarters to not disturb anyone yet not so far out that it would be inaccessible to the students.

Most nights it was just a clearing in the trees overlooking the narrow Ferrow Creek with a few sparsely placed lights, but tonight it looked completely transformed under the glow of innumerable string lights and the excitement of slightly (well, very) intoxicated college kids dancing to the rhythm of a Dj set up on one end of the clearing.

The beat of the latest song thrummed through me as I followed Lexie and Rhea to the make shift bar, busy yet not over crowded which as I drew closer I realised it was because it was not left unmanned.

There were two people behind it, taking orders and making drinks with a speed that said this was more than just a one-night gig for them.

Honestly, I was impressed.

I had come expecting something haphazard. Some cheap alcohol bottles, some Drake and maybe a bit of Kanye with nary a clean space to stand in. Something maybe a step up from my high school parties.

But this was way too well managed-and much better smelling-for me to even draw the comparison.

As we approached the bar, I commented how clean everything smelled, making Lexie laugh, "I would love to tell you that all college parties are this way, but they aren't. Creek parties," here Lexie paused to gesture at the one around us, "Are a running competition between sororities. Every month, a different one hosts, and each month they try to upstage the last one."

Rhea leaned forward, "What's the prize for winning."

Lexie shrugged, "Bragging rights."

The line we had queued up in for the drinks moved and as Lexie and Rhea discussed what they wanted, I turned to look around at the party again. And now with the new information I could see it. The fingers of a sorority on this. The duo guarding the line to the port-a-potty, the girl that had been standing bored at the 'entrance' (a sign at the end of the trail leading up here that announced we were at at the Ferrow Creek view point), even the girl handling the the DJ set up-it was all a lot more apparent now.

" Long lengths to go to for bragging rights," Rhea whispered to me.

" You would have to do similar stuff if you pledged."

Rhea gave a full body shiver, "If I ever end up pledging know I have been possessed by the devil."

" Don't worry, I will have you exorcised."

"You are a true friend."

"After you have become one of them," I continued.

"I take back every nice thing I have ever said to you."

Before I could answer, Lexie was turning to us from the front of the line, asking our preferences.

"Er, anything non alcoholic? I am driving us back after all," I told her while Rhea stepped forward and asked the bartender the offerings.

The girl at the bar, a brunette in a muscle tee that showed off her tattooed arms, gave her a rapid fire list.

"A Coors light then," Rhea responded.

"A soda for me," I added before elbowing Rhea, "Such a beer girl!"

"Hey, do not judge me for who I am."

"And I love that for you," I responded, stepping forward to grab my drink from Lexie.

"Ok, girls, you know the code," Lexie began as we started moving towards the makeshift stage, "Watch your drinks like a hawk and if you put your cup down anywhere, don't pick it up."

Rhea rolled her eyes, "We know!"

Lexie paused, turning around, something in her eyes making us both straighten. "These things are usually safer than most college parties but...that doesn't mean there haven't been...incidents," her eyes almost grew pained with the last word, as if it carried a whole story in it, "So, be careful!"

"We will be, Lex," I soothed, knitting my arm through hers, "But we can dance while being careful, come."

Lexie though only let me pull her along once Rhea had assented to her request too. As soon as she did, Lexie loosened up, turning to me with a grin.

"Shall we show them how it's done?"

I grinned back, thinking to out impromptu dance parties in the months we had been living together, "We shall!"

..........................