REMEMBER // Calum Hood

One // that night

"What is this place, Lis?"
I gape at my best friend when I see myself in front of the biggest house I've ever stepped foot in. Loud music is blasting through the walls, making the floor underneath us vibrate and the girl beside me squeal in excitement. We help ourselves in after stating that the front door is indeed unlocked - like Andy said it would be - but the lack of people in sight makes me question my actions.

Should we even be here?

Before I consider talking some sense into my slightly intoxicated friend, seeing as we weren't properly invited to this party nor do we know to whom this magnificent house belongs to, Lis has already left my side. I wander carefully around the living room, not daring to touch the obnoxiously expensive sculptures decorating the broad space. Whoever lives here has an exotic style, I think to myself as my eyes fall to the Persian carpet separating the two purple velvet sofas. The high ceiling and the glassy walls make me too self conscious about my choice of outfit for the night.

You should've dressed better for this party, Georgia. I scold myself.

"Lis" I call out for my best friend in a hushed tone "Where are you?"
I tiptoe around the place, afraid that any abrupt movement will denounce our intrusion.
"This place is amazing!" She exclaims, not nearly as concerned as I am
Lis walks out of a secluded area - that looks like a library - holding a lamp close to her chest.
"Put it down, Lis" I desperately reach for the object in her hands before she lets it fall to the floor, certain that it costs more than both our houses together
She lets go of the lamp easily, reminding me of how her inebriated state gives her the attention spam of a 3year-old.
"I'm gonna marry this floor, Georgia" Lis states, just as mesmerized by this place as I am
The floor is indeed breathtaking, a shiny black marble I can almost see my own reflection in. I follow my best friend further into the house, the loud music leading us to a corridor under the grand staircase. The elegant marble floor has turned into a glass catwalk and we can see the freaking pool beneath us. I exchange an incredulous look with my best friend, throwing both of us into a fit of laughter.

How did we end up here?

I can't help but pull out my phone and take pictures of the floor but the moment Lis spots the camera, she is already lying on the glass floor posing for me.
"This is the coolest thing I've ever seen" I say, laughing way too much before joining her on the ground
I send the picture on our group chat, purposely wanting to make Jason and Drew regret their decision of ditching this party to hang out at the pub near our college campus.
"I can't believe Jas and Drew are missing this"
My comment is readily ignored by my best friend, who is too entertained by the expensive paintings hanging on the wall to care about what I just said.
"This one was given by the Queen herself, as a gift" Lis says, faking a posh accent that makes me laugh
I copy her actions running further down the hallway, gesturing to the next painting.
"This one is a legit Da Vinci. He painted it with his feet"
We laugh until our stomachs hurt, our drunken state only making this absurd situation seem even more hilarious. Lis and I were hanging out with Jason and Drew at the campus pub, enjoying our fifth beer when Andy texted my best friend, inviting us to some wicked party.

I must say it is already wicked and I haven't even gotten to the party yet.

I've never been one to turn down a good night out, specially in the phase I find myself in - after having ended a relationship with my long term boyfriend just a few months ago. I don't really remember how I met Andy or how he and Lis started whatever it is that they have going on, but ironically, he was the one to introduce me to my ex-boyfriend, Ryan. It's funny to think how we used to double date all the time even though Lis and Andy were never really a couple.

"Holy shit" I blurt out, eyeing an old Rolling Stones vinyl signed by Mick Jagger "An original, autographed"
I look at my friend - who is still lying on the floor - watching the water run below her through the glass, and once again she ignores me. I take a picture of the framed record because Drew isn't going to believe me if I don't have enough proof. He was quick to refuse the invitation to the party since he isn't Andy's biggest fan - for a reason unknown to me - but I bet Drew would die to be here right now. That boy loves Rolling Stones with a passion.
"Let's sell it on eBay" Lis sits down, giving me full display of her lacy underwear thanks to her ridiculously short dress "We'll be millionaires"
"I will finally quit my job and we'll travel the world" I say, helping put her up on her feet
"I thought you liked your job, G"
"I do, but I'll like better being a millionaire"
For some reason I'm sure not even she knows, Lis throws her head back in laughter at my words, losing her balance after doing so.
"Shit" She slides down with her back pressed against the wall, still laughing "Alright, I'll stay here. I really like this place. Tell Andy I said hi"
I may be drunk but not that drunk to believe it would be a good idea. We came here together, we'll leave together.
"No way, no" I pull her up by her arms once again "You're coming with me. You remember what happened last time we parted ways at a party"
Lis places both her hands over her wide mouth, her expression filled with horror while I hold back a laugh.
"I lost my favorite shoe" She whines
I nod in agreement, pretending to be as upset as she is while lacing my arm on hers to ensure she won't trip over her 10 inches heels.