One last time/Zauren

30.

"Look at you!" Dinah grinned as I finished applying plum lipstick in the vanity mirror. I did a twirl and let out a sigh. "So are you ready? It's usually Mani and I that take forever to get ready, but you've stolen that crown tonight." I nodded my head.
"I am, yeah. I had a straining work week, and I just feel like I just need to let loose, you know?"
"Absolutely," Normani said walking into Dinah's room.

"Is Blair meeting us there?" Dinah asked. Normani shook her head. "That he is not. He's having a guys night with Noah and some others." I looked over at the sound of Noah's name. "He was on the phone with Blair earlier today and I heard him mention you. He said he had a lot of fun with you, but he doesn't think you're actually that into him."
"I tried to be," I said. "I just couldn't connect fully."

I headed to the kitchen and they followed behind me. I downed a shot, and then immediately another after. "Slow down there. We're ready to head out. Are you ready to head out?" Normani asked looking up from her phone. "Yeah, let me just grab my lipstick quick."

When I came back to the living room Normani and Dinah were whispering to one another. "What are we talking about?" I asked.
"Oh, nothing." They said at the same time which instantly raised my suspicions. "Ready to party? Our rides here and I don't want them to leave. We've got one more minute." Normani smiled opening the door and shooing us out the door.

We passed a flask back and fourth during the fifteen minute ride to our location. The house wasn't familiar, and when I would ask Dinah who the friend was she'd say "just a friend."

I was tipsy by the time I passed the threshold into that big crowded house. The music was just loud enough. People were dancing with each other and just having a good time. The expression on everyones faces was just so carefree. I was ready to join them.

"Look who made it!" Arms were wrapped around us from behind. I was startled for a moment when I heard that accent. I broke from the hug quick and spun around. It was Liam standing there with a grin and a cup in his hand. "Liam, I didn't know you'd be you here." Dinah said. He raised an eyebrow. "How much have you had to drink so far? I'm the one that invited you." I glared at the girls.
"It must have slipped my mind," Dinah cleared her throat. "Well, that's alright. I am going to take some shots. Anyone care to join?" Normani raised her hand. The two tried to follow him but I grabbed them by their arms.

"Liam is the friend of the friend?" I questioned. I nodded my head. "Like I said to him it must have slipped my mind."
"Why would you not tell me that?"
"We thought maybe you'd not come."
"Why? I don't have a problem with Liam."
"Well, no but-"
"Where Liam is there's a possibility that Zayn's there too? We've been out twice where Liam's been and Zayn was not present, so third times the charm, right? I mean the one and only time I ran into Zayn was without Liam after two years. I think that was a rare event."
"Yeah, that's what we were worried about."
"It's okay. I'm okay," I reassured them.

We were laughing at a joke some guy was telling in the dining room when we heard someone demand everyones undivided attention from the living room. "Alright, Alright. I hope you're all enjoying yourselves!" It was the DJ. We squeezed through the crowd to see what the fuss was about. The crowd parted and a man walked through with a three tier pink cake on a cart. "It's time to bring Lacey up here and sing happy birthday to her!" The guy with the cake stopped in front of the makeshift stage, and led a blonde girl to the top. I instantly recognized her as the girl from the bathroom at Ami's. My heart dropped to my stomach. Everyone began singing. I started to look around for who I knew was nearby. Standing just left of the stage was Zayn with his arm around his blondes waist.

"He's here.." I muttered. Dinah turned to me over everyone singing happy birthday. "What was that?" I shook my head.
"I need some water and fresh air," I said. I squeezed through the crowd and out the sliding doors in the kitchen. I walked to the very end of the backyard and sat down by the pool. I kicked my heels off and slipped my feet inside, practicing some breathing exercises.