Just Friends

Chapter Thirty-Five

Three hours of strangers touching my face, hair and hands, we're finally finished. I have to admit; I needed a day of pampering more than I thought.

At first, I wasn't sure about having extensions in my hair, but it's nice to have the feeling of long hair again. They certainly did a great job at hiding my terrible attempt of a hair cut with the loose curls.

I slip the dress on, careful to avoid smudging my makeup and look in my bedroom mirror.

I don't look like myself. I run my hands down the smooth material, my green and gold flaked painted nails matching the dress perfectly.

"Jo!" Ellie shouts from behind my door. "Are you ready yet? I want to see!"

"You can come in!" I shout back, still keeping my eyes on person reflecting back at me.

The door swings open and I hear Ellie gasp. "You look amazing!" She squeals.

"Right back at you!" I say, turning to see her looking stunning as usual, wearing a black jumpsuit and revealing a lot of cleavage.

"Braden won't be able to resist when he sees you!" Ellie's smile beams at me, and I can't help but grin back.

Taking careful steps in the heels, I walk towards her and go to collect my things from the lounge. "What are we taking to drink?" I ask.

"Oh, there's no need. There's always a ton to drink at one of these parties." Ellie puts her phone in her clutch and swings it onto her shoulder. "American football players know how to throw a party."

"Okay..." I say hesitantly, making a mental note to go for sealed bottles or cans if possible.

"Come on. The taxi should be here any minute." Ellie squeals. "We are going to have a fantastic night!"

I pick up my bag, a petite golden one, Ellie had insisted I use. It barely fits my phone, keys and my purse, but it has a long strap so I can put it over my shoulder. At least I won't lose it that way, if I had a clutch like Ellie, I know It would go missing within the first ten minutes.

"It's here!" Ellie sings a moment later.

I walk towards the door and pull it open, stepping out in the cool night air.

"No jacket?" Ellie asks, looking at me with approval.

"What's the point?" I laugh. "You'll only yell at me if I did."

"True!"

We climb into the cab, and I look down at my phone. I haven't heard from Braden since I left yesterday, but then again, I haven't messaged him either. As I sat, waiting for the stylist to finish my at the salon, I was tempted to text him. Confront him for not mentioning the party tonight, but I quickly thought better of it.

"Put your phone away. We're almost there!" Ellie says from beside me.

We turn into a street and even from a distance I can see people spilling out of a house, littering the garden and roads.

The Uber pulls up, still quite a bit away from the party. "I'll drop you off here," he huffs grumpily, clearly not wanting to drive any closer to the crowd of drunken students.

"Thank you!" We both say in unison, giving each other an eye-rolled look before climbing out of the car.

As I step out, treading carefully, I'm grateful for the slight breeze in the air, seeming to caress the bare skin on my back.

The music thumps out onto the street, and I grab Ellie's hand, weaving through the crowds of people, hoping to god that they keep their drunken hands to themselves.