It All Started With A Pen

Damage Control

Shortly after Dean and Bex leave, I go into my room to do some... damage control, for lack of better words. I open the door hesitantly, scanning my room for anything mortifying, you know, besides the bra.

My eyes flit across the decent-sized room. Unmade bed, the grey comforter thrown messily over the edge, tangled peach sheets, and Chile, my favorite stuffed penguin, lying messily on the pillow.

I look around some more and see an oversized t-shirt, a towel, and a pair of jeans that are too dirty to hang but too clean to wash. Nothing else is out of the ordinary, besides a few socks and books scattered on the floor besides my bed.

Then, I slide my gaze towards the bra in question and groan loudly, bringing a hand up to slap my forehead. Because there lies the bra, the bra I bought because it was so comical it was cute, the worst article of clothing I own.

I stare at the light pink fabric, covered with... oh lord, I couldn't even think it without cringing, Disney princesses. My life was so over.

"Ashley?" I'm interrupted by my momentary spiral into hell by Zara's rough voice.

"Yeah?" I say, trying my hardest to sound normal. My voice sounds weak even to my ears, and I give up, knowing that Zara knows me almost as well as I do.

"So Bex invited us to this party and I thought it was a perfect opportunity since we're leaving for Thanksgiving break at the end of this week. We might as well enjoy ourselves, we haven't been to a party in forever and-" She stops suddenly, noticing my flushed face. "What's wrong?"

I gulp uncomfortably and open my mouth. "Dean... peeked into my room," I say, gesturing around.

"So?" she asks? "It's a bit messy, that's it."

I stare pointedly at the bra and she follows my gaze, a small gasp audible. Then, she starts laughing. Really hard.

I frown at her as her guffaws fill the air, watching as she falls onto my unmade bed in laughter.

"It's not that funny," I grumble and she responds with another chuckle.

"Okay, okay, sorry," she says, straightening herself and wiping away the tiny tears appearing in the corners of her eyes. "It'll be fine. Plus, the more you see Dean, the less he'll care. He just wanted to get a reaction, and clearly," she gestures towards me, "he did."

"Fine," I grouch. "What does the text say?"

She clears her throat and reads out Bex's text.

"Hey my beautiful girlfriend, I was wondering if you wanted to come to a party with me? The plan was originally just me, Dean, and Adam, but they're getting on my nerves and I want to be with you."

"Aww, that's kinda cute!" I exclaim. "Even though you guys just saw each other."

Zara reads aloud as she types, "Sounds like fun. The girls and I already have plans though. Soz :("

"It's always good to play a little bit of hard-to-get," she claims surely.

"You're dating him, for heaven's sake! You don't need to play hard to get!"

She rolls her eyes and opens her mouth to respond when she's cut off by a little bing!

"'Bring them. We won't mind.' Hmm, okay. He's still typing, though."

Another notification sounds and she reads over it quickly, her mouth dropping slightly.

"What?" I ask, walking over from where I was making the bed.

"Umm, it's nothing. Just, you know, the news."

I roll my eyes at her terrible lying and swipe the phone out of her hands.

"Especially Ashley. I'm sure she will be thrilled to see Adam again," I read out loud. Crap! Is it that obvious?

Another text pops up and I read it, despite my embarrassment. "Don't think that went unnoticed."

How do you know? I type and quickly hit send.

His reply takes not even 30 seconds.

"Was a hunch, but that just confirmed my suspicions." I groan and fall into my half-made bed, dropping my head into my hands.

Zara grabs her phone back from next to me and reads yet another message. "So, you all coming?"

Zara raises an eyebrow and I huff. "Well, I guess I have nothing left to lose. My dignity is already in shreds."

Zara smiles and fires off a quick message. "We're in."

***

"It's 5:15! We only have 45 minutes to get ready!" Casey exclaims and I roll my eyes.

"Girl, that is more than enough. You're already dressed! Plus, it's a college frat party. No one cares what time you show up," I say and Ava nods her head.

I glance over at Casey. She's wearing a white tank-top that hugs her figure nicely. It's cropped and shows a strip of her tanned, surfer skin. She's paired it with a mustard yellow leather skirt and tights, because "I'm all for showing skin, but hypothermia is a no-no." On the other side of the spectrum, Ava was wearing a pale purple sundress that hit right above the knee and a white jean jacket. The purple sets her clear skin off perfectly, making it look like she's glowing. She looked incredibly angelic. It wasn't typical party-wear, but she somehow managed to pull it off.

Zara had thrown out half of her closet, and finally decided on a black, frilly tube top and autumn-orange palazzo pants. That girl loved her palazzos. She was wearing strappy wedges and I told her to change, but she wouldn't listen. We all knew they'd be tossed off in less than 20 minutes once we reached.

Casey finishes off her eyeshadow and works on giving Ava even more of a natural gleam, spreading highlighter on her cheekbones. Meanwhile, I scour my closet, still searching for something to wear.

"I don't understand what's wrong with this," I say, looking down at my jeans and a flowy tank top I had recently changed into. "I mean, I'm all for looking cute, but it's a college party. Everyone will be too wasted to tell."

"True, but it's not any college party," Zara argues. "Adam will be at this one. Specifically with you. And I'm betting my palazzo pants that that boy won't even get tipsy."

I roll my eyes, but don't protest when Casey dives into my closet and pulls out something new. She hands me a black leather miniskirt and an army green shirt- if you could call it that. It was had a deep V-neck, with slits everywhere, and it only ended a little past my ribs.

"I don't want to look like a prostitute!" I exclaim and Zara rolls her eyes.

"Why do you even have this?" Ava asks and I shrug.

"Hell if I knew. Seems like some sort of gift that Zara would try and get me so I'd get more attention from guys." I give her a pointed glare and she shrugs innocently, a cheeky smile on her face.

I decide-very reluctantly, might I add- to keep the miniskirt, but I trade the top out for a tight, long sleeved magenta crop top that hits right at the skirt. The hem of the shirt goes up a bit by my belly button in a little cross, like a bandage top.

Perfect. I tie my chestnut hair in a knot at the top of my head and decide to keep my face bare, minus a swipe of lipstick in a matching shade.

Zara gives me a once over before nodding in approval. "LET'S GET WASTEDDDDD!" she announces, before tripping over her wedges.

***

okay so I'm splitting this chapter into 2 so it won't be too long so this is just a short one. BUT I WILL UPDATE THE SECOND PART LIKE NOW. I owe it to you guys. Please drop a comment, vote, share, motivate me?😁 plus, it's free.
I love you so much. even if there's none of you left lol. ps happy 25th anniversary of friends!
L💙ve,
sentimental_unicorn