Masking Amaya Frazer

{5} DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love

"Well, I have to get to class," I said, checking the time on my phone.

"What time does it start?" Milo asked.

"Twenty minutes ago."

He sputtered into his hand, laughing. "Alright, I'll see you tonight," he said and stood up, offering me a hand.

Helping me to my feet, Milo held onto my hand for a second longer than was necessary and gave it a quick squeeze before he released it.

I nodded, saying, "Eight o'clock at the Student Center, right?"

"Yeah, we can start brainstorming some ideas."

"Mhm."

**********

Ditching class wasn't particularly new to me. Having skipped the remaining two classes of the day, I laid in my dorm room for the majority of the day as I stared up at the ceiling. I turned my phone off, refusing to answer if either of my parents tried to call me.

Thoughts of their divorce ran ramped through my head. It was just another deciding factor in choosing a college far from home. I didn't want to transfer to a college where I could attend living from home.

I couldn't stand listening to the two of them bicker day in and day out. They even had the nerve to ask my opinion on the matter, but after my input was ignored on several occasions, I learned it didn't actually make a difference what I thought.

Especially since the man my mother was having an affair with was the father of the boy who—

"Amaya, I'm going out tonight and I won't be coming back."

Peering over the edge of the top bunk, I met my roommate's brown eyes in the mirror as she applied a thick layer of makeup and eyeliner.

"Okay."

Jessi posed, assessing her revealing outfit as she pursed her full, bright red lips. Three years older than me, she was technically supposed to be a senior, but she rarely ever went to class and spent the majority of her time at bars and nightclubs hooking up with random guys.

"You should come. You seemed to enjoy yourself at the masquerade party the other night," she observed, running her hands through her bleach blonde hair.

"I'm good."

Jessi pouted. "Suit yourself."

Yeah, because I'd rather spend my time getting down with intoxicated strangers in a dark club than sitting alone in a dorm room all night, I thought bitterly.

The more I thought about it, the more pathetic I sounded.

"On second thought," I said, "I could use the distraction."

Jessi smiled knowingly. "I figured you'd say that."

Digging through her overflowing closet, she rifled through the contents, and pulled out a random assortment of items. She tossed the clothes onto her bed and laid them out, instructing me to come down and select an outfit.

I bit my lip and shrugged. "I have absolutely no fashion sense whatsoever. You seem to know what you're doing, though. That dress you picked out for me last time was great."

"You can't wear the same thing again," she scolded, handing me two pieces of clothing. "Try these on."

Doing as I was told, I stripped and wiggled into the tight clothing. Sucking in my stomach, I asked, "How do you breathe in this?"

Self conscious in the strapless crop top and skinny jeans, I started to doubt going along with Jessi.

She rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Beauty is pain. Now let me do your makeup."