Going Up | ✓

A Night Out - (8)

A Night Out.

Friday rolls around fairly quickly, something I'm actually surprised about. In the movies, when the guy goes away, or vice versa, time seems to drag by for the person left at home. However, that isn't the case for me. Yes, I do miss him to an extent, but it's nice to know that I don't actually rely on him.

He hasn't actually called me back and I've not really thought about it all that much. I guess he was just another guy I was sleeping with. Yet, I can't feel like he's so much more than that.

Either way, I'm going out clubbing with the girls tonight and I'm determined to have fun, regardless of the meaning. I deserve it.

I drop Oliver off at my parents' house for dinner. 'Thank you so much for taking him tonight,' I smile gratefully at my mom. 'You're an incredible help.'

She shrugs, smiling as Oliver trots inside, clearly searching for food. 'Who are you going out with tonight? That billionaire?'

Ivan's dropped so casually into the conversation, but I know that she's done it because she'd love for me to keep seeing the same person. I might not live with her, or tell her everything, but it was hard to miss what went on in the days I worked in the club and slept around partially because I liked it, but often just an attempt to find something regular in my life.

'No,' I deny, shaking my head. 'He's actually away at the moment, although I think he's due back soon. I don't remember.'

'You don't remember?' she frowns, crossing her arms over her chest, leaning against the door frame. 'What do you mean, you don't remember?'

I shrug as casually as possible. 'I spoke to him a few days ago, mom, calm down. I think it might be tomorrow. Hey, at least I'm not properly hung up over him, surely that's something, right?'

She rolls her eyes, smiling at me affectionately. 'Go out and have fun, Poppy, just not too much fun, okay?'

I can hear the clear warning in her voice but I wave it off. Ivan and I aren't even official. It's not a big deal at all. 'I'll see you tomorrow morning. You're the best for having him over, thank you so much.'

Mom waves me off. 'It's fine,' she responds. 'Have a good time.'

'I will!' I call over my shoulder as I leave. I get in the car and head back to my house, unable to supress my grin. I'm really looking forward to tonight, I feel like I haven't properly been out in ages.

When I arrive back home, I cut the engine and jog up the steps to my apartment. I quickly take a shower, before looking in my closet and picking out an aqua blue body con.

By the time I get a text from Maddie telling me that she's ready to be picked up, I've curled my hair and am halfway through applying my make-up.

I finish up and grab my bag, sending a text to Em and Ky, to double check they're ready to get picked up as well.

I make sure to lock the apartment behind me as I leave, hurrying down the steps to my car. It's cold out tonight, so I blast the heating once I get into my car. The drive to Maddie's doesn't take long and by the time I've got there, I've received confirmation from the two other girls that they're ready to be picked up.

The plan is for me to drive us to the club and if we all get a bit too drunk to drive home, we'll get a taxi back. I'll pick it up tomorrow if that's the case.

I pull up outside Maddie's apartment and send her a quick text to let her know I'm waiting outside. It's too cold to go up and get her.

Once I've picked up the three girls from their various houses, we head towards the club.