Cross the Line

Chapter 4. Saturday, October 27, 2007. 9 p.m. - Girls' night out.

Chapter 4

 

Saturday, October 27, 2007. 9 p.m. — Girls’ night out.

 

 

 

 

 

Grace entered Rumors bar and immediately headed for the stairs to the second floor. The second floor was divided into two parts. The first part housed a bar and was covered by a thin, tin roof. The second part was a patio with chairs and tables exposed directly to the night sky.

 

Grace spotted Annie ordering a drink at the bar. Annie was easy to find, seeing as the girl was almost a full head taller than most women. Skinny, perfect boobs and a short black bob that looked like she’d just come from the stylist — which she probably had. If Grace hadn’t been best friends with Annie, she would have hated her at first sight. Annie looked up and saw Grace, and a huge smile spread across her face.

 

Annie gave Grace a once-over look with her dark brown eyes. “About time, bitch. Kelly’s gonna be here any minute, and it’s not cool to be fashionably late. Especially since you were the one who called in the troops.”

 

Grace put her hands up in a submissive position. “I know, I know. But to my defense, when have I ever been on time?”

 

“Just about never.” Annie leaned in and gave Grace a kiss on the cheek. “What can I get ya?”

 

“Usual … vodka club soda. Let’s order Kelly her amaretto sour so it’s ready for her. Where’s the rest of the girls?” Grace turned and leaned her back against the bar. “I haven’t spotted them yet.”

 

“It’s nice out, so they’re on the patio.” Annie handed Grace her drink. “Sucks about Kelly. How’s she doing?”

 

“I don’t know. She hasn’t called since the breakup. I guess we’ll see tonight.” Grace sipped her drink. “By the way, is that a new nose ring?”

 

“Yeah, I changed out the diamond to this pink one. You must love it, seeing as pink is your favorite color.” Annie crinkled her nose at Grace. “Jealous?”

 

“You know I am. Remind me later to ask where you bought it. But right now, I guess we should join the others.”

 

Grace and Annie waded through the crowd to the group of girls who had come to support Kelly. 

 

“Look who I found at the bar,” Annie said to a chorus of delighted heys.

 

Most everyone was there. Kelly’s best friend, Sarah, had been Kelly’s roommate in college. Erika, Hope and Jenny were there, too. Grace had met the three girls when she joined a running club about a year ago, which was also how Grace met Kelly. Kelly and Grace had each joined with such enthusiasm, but that enthusiasm evaporated with the sudden realization that neither of them actually enjoyed running. Their negativity and utter hatred of running bonded them together. Grace and Kelly had remained friends, despite dropping out of the club only a few weeks into the session.