Hours laters a slight ringing in my ears shifted my body around. I was in and out for a while, but the ring was constant, like it was trying to tell me something. A child's laugh and the ring becoming louder than my breathing, caused me to flinch awake. My heart was beating out of my chest, as I sat up quickly, Emily gripped my shoulder.
"Whoa, bad dream?"
I swallowed slowly, feeling my lower back with now no pain. Once my heartbeat stilled back to normal, I nodded and said.
"Sort of, whats up?"
"Getting the last of your family in the house."
"Ugh..."
I groaned, scratching my head, hearing the bumping music from my living room through the bedroom door.
"You know it can actually be fun this year."
"They always have something to say, never want to listen..."
The ringing was very low, almost silent, but still there. As I held my forehead with my hand.
"Tell them I'll be out in a minute, I have to at least shower."
"Copy that."
Emily walked out and closed the door, doing as I asked. I pulled off the patch before showering, changing into a burgundy slit dress, rubbing on some bold red lipstick. Stroking on a bit of blush. I used eyeshadow, mixing red and purple to make it stick out. Brushing my hair surprisingly slow, the ring had most of my attention, it's the first time it's ever done something like that. But some small part of me, wanted to just throw my walls in their face.
"You alright in there?"
"Yeah, I'm coming."
I stepped out of the bathroom, slipping into some black flats. Twirling my hair into a braid, Emily pinned it up with some bobby pins, noticing my scattered attention.
"Did you sleep okay?"
"Yeah, thanks Em."
She was surprised at me being so forthcoming on the thank you's, but I have a bit of a rule when it comes to it. If you help me in some important way, I have to thank you. Plus me and Emily have been getting closer the more we grew up, even though I never admit it.
"Then come on, ready to loosen up today?"
"There's no way I'm drinking-"
"You are 28 and have a boy toy, loosen up."
I groaned as Emily gently took my hand as we reached my bedroom door. As I cleared my throat.
"You know it didn't end well the last time I did."
"Maybe this year you can surprise them, you're entitled to your own opinion."
"Ooh look who's growing up."
Emily scoffed but we shared a chuckle, fist bumping, then she opened the door for me. I got many cheers and applause as I walked out to my family, from just about everywhere, as I waved my hands.
"Stop it, stop it."
For reference I have three sisters, and two brothers. The rest is extended, oh did I forget my parents? Well they don't count, I had to raise myself. And here comes one now, "Mom".
"You look beautiful as always Tris, but why have you never thought about plastic surgery?"
See that? A subtle nod to me not being enough. Making a tight smile, I said.
"It's way to expensive-"
"Just ask us for money, we'll provide it for you."
So called "Dad" hugged me by the elbow, my family is half-rich mostly from the extended side, but I've never really indulged in it.
"I'm okay, I like the money I make."
"Champagne?"
Emily said gliding in, passing up crystal clear glasses to hold while she screwed off the cork.
"Drinking tonight?"
My Uncle said, trickling his fingers over my shoulder, rum on his breath. He was actually happy the last the time I drank, or blew up on my family, he probably had popcorn.
"I am, but nothing too crazy."
"Yes of course, everything in moderation."
At the same time, he burped which made me chuckle. Once he stepped away, Dad and Mom formed the circle back to three. As Emily returned pouring champagne into our glasses. By both of their glares, here comes the gossip.
"He's back on alcohol again? I told you he's nothing but a drunk."
"Oh please Russians are always the same, second rate."
They continued to talk, as Emily filled my glass with the most champagne, winking at me before helping refill others. I sipped the glass slowly, loosely drinking the liquid down my throat, occasionally flexing my eyeballs like I was listening.
"Tris?"
"Yes?"
"Midnight is almost here."
I almost rolled my eyes, Emily was back, filling my glass medium this time, before placing the bottle on the table next to me.
"We want to do something spontaneous this year."
That's always a bad sign, as Mom patted my shoulder. A woman came up, and by the look Emily was giving her, it wasn't good.
