The Setup

6 - Fake Faces

Chapter 6 - Fake Faces
F. F. F (feat. G-Eazy) - Bebe Rexha

"Right," I reply slowly, trying not to sound offended.

Mason mutters something under his breath that I couldn't catch. "So, you're friends with Meg?" he asks me, waving over the bartender. "Hey, what's the holdup?"

The bartender goes back to making our concoctions while Mason looks at me for an answer to his question. "Yeah," I mumble, "I guess you could say that."

Mason hums but doesn't say anything. I read the bartender's name tag when he comes back to set our drinks down, Landon.

"Thanks, Landon," I chirp, eagerly grabbing the drink and sipping on it. Landon blushes and walks away to go help another customer.

"Thirsty?" Mason teases, tapping on my half empty glass. I take my lips off the straw, wiping the wetness with the back of my hand. I nod my head a little, waving Landon over and signaling for another one.

"I don't want to remember the rest of this night." I take another gulp.

"Why?" he asks, genuinely curious.

"I'm not fake," I admit to him. He narrows his eyes but just takes another sip of his drink.

"I'm not," I tell him again.

"I don't understand what you're trying to say," he answers.

"Look," I sigh as Landon comes over to give me another drink. I take a sip, licking my already wet lips. "She's getting paid to be friends with me. Who does that? I'm getting paid to be with the Harry Styles but I don't know why me. There's hundreds of other actresses that could take my place. It's stupid. My manager, Rhonda, is totally nuts sometimes. This," I gesture to the rest of the club, "Is actually just another job for me to complete. It's work. Me going clubbing is work." I laugh at how pathetic this has become.

I'm huffing by the end of my rant, feeling a little embarrassed by sharing all my personal feelings and problems with a total stranger. A pretty hot one, too.

"Wow, you've got issues," Mason breathes. I shoot him a look before downing the rest of my drink and standing up. I wobble dramatically, Mason standing up to help me steady myself. His hands grab both of my hips, making me blush.

I walk away from his grasp, shoving my way through the bodies of people. It's getting later, meaning people are not really alert of me and Talia's presence anymore. I hear Mason call out to me about me not paying for my drink but I keep on walking. I think I am looking for Talia, but I don't really remember what she looks like at the moment.

People's odors fill my nose as I spot Talia talking to another girl. Her features are perfect. She has dirty blond beach waves and perfect teeth. Beautiful is an understatement.

Talia reaches to grab this girl's waist, pulling her closer. My jaw drops, my eyelids fluttering closed for a second. I am so drunk, I must not be processing this right. The girl giggles, biting her lip as Talia whispers something in her ear.

I cannot even register what I'm witnessing so I just back into the crowd of people, being engulfed by all the sweaty bodies. The music starts to move through me, like it's making my own blood pump through my body. I start to let go, falling in love with every step to the music. My body moves as my mind sleeps. All the faces blur, hiding all identities from me. It comforts me knowing no paparazzi can take pictures of this night that belongs to myself.