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"A black dress is perfect for you if the drink-spilling culprit is coming tonight." Kirsty joked as she took a sip of her wine, which matched the colouring of her dress. Striking red for the birthday girl, nothing less. "God, I wish I knew who he is."
"It's weird. Like I can picture what he looks like in my mind but I have no clue who he is at all," Emi replied as she straightened the tight dress in the mirror. "Maybe he'll show and I'll ask him to pay the bill for my ruined dress."
"No, you won't do that. You're too forgiving." Kirsty filled both their wine glasses to the top again.
"I hope you know that I'm drinking all this for you. We're going to end up wasted before we even get there at the rate we're going." She fastened her necklace on, turning to face Kirsty as she spoke.
"I know, but it'll be fun." She was already beginning to slur her words slightly. For someone who drank as much as she did, Emi was surprised her friend didn't have a better alcohol tolerance. "Maybe I'll finally get lucky tonight."
"From the amount you talk about him, I hope so too so you can finally cross him off your mental list of guys you want to get with and move onto the next." Emi turned in the chair. "Unless, of course, you fall in love," She said with a wink.
Kirsty laughed, rocking back in her chair and almost spilling her wine. "If you think I'm going to fall in love, you're delusional or need to sober up. Besides, you're more the relationship sort. I'm more the type to kiss, tell and never see the fucker again."
"You say that, but you'll also be the kind to go all in when you even feel slightly attached to a guy," Emi told her, pointing her finger. "I know you well enough to say that now, don't deny it."
"Shut up and get over here so I can put more lipstick on you," Kirsty said, her ears tinged with rosy blush.
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The party was like no other party Emi had ever been too. Mainly for the fact that everything there was probably worth more than her entire existence. Drinks were already being passed around without a hint of hesitation. Impatient young adults gasping for alcohol, laughing as they watched their friend down an entire can of beer or lifting their arm to take a photograph, engraining memories.
Emi hooked her arm through Kirsty's, her chest tightening and her throat drying. She just needed a drink. After a few drinks, she would be settled and forget all about the anxious feeling bubbling inside of her like an active volcano ready to blow.
She felt awful for doing it, but Emi knew this was going to happen so she brought her own backup plan. Inside her bag was a book, the thinnest she could find, to use whilst she hid away in some place away from the hustle of the party.
She wouldn't leave unless she really needed to, but just knowing she had that option settled her a little as they weaved between people, who all said a smiley 'happy birthday' to Kirsty as they passed by.
Kirsty barely paused to thank them, dragging Emi through to the bar. She ordered them both a vodka lemonade. Emi was slower with hers while she downed it in one, slamming it down with a grin and ordering another.
The bartender looked at Emi and then back to Kirsty and nodded, pouring another one out.
It was then that Kirsty saw the rest of their friends: Lucy, Sarah, Freya, and more. She let out a squeal and grabbed a hold of Emi, pulling her through the crowd towards them. They engaged in greetings of 'happy birthday's and hugs, which were a little extra thanks to the alcohol in their systems.
And soon they were dancing, laughing and drinking the night away. Emi almost forgot all about the book in her bag, until it got packed. She was crushed up against Lucy, hot from the dancing and body heat. It was one of the few things she hated about parties: the feeling of being trapped in.
She didn't feel dizzy or sick to her stomach, but she knew she wanted to get out and have a break. There would be hours more of the party, an hour break wouldn't hurt anyone. In fact, it would do her a whole lot of good.
Kirsty wouldn't be mad. She would understand completely. Besides, she probably wouldn't notice from the way she was downing drinks.
Emi motioned to Lucy that she was going to get another drink and to get some air and, before she could be stopped, she pushed through the crowd. It was a task. People didn't really want to move from their prime spots dancing in front of the DJ, but Emi got through eventually.
She grabbed a bottle of water from the open bar and headed to the side of the room, hoping for a door into a smaller room.
She was in luck as she came across an unlocked door where old party supplies were kept. She almost sighed in relief as she flicked on the light to see the perfect setting for her to sit and read for a little while. Old beanbags, confetti strewn everywhere and a broken piñata, but the beanbags were comfy and the light was bright enough to see the words.
So, she sat and she read until the door flew open to reveal the culprit of her ruined dress.
