Tick Tock

Chapter Four

Chapter four

The man who can keep a secret may be wise, but he is not half as wise as the man with no secrets to keep.
~E. W. Howe

They say money can't buy happiness, but it sure can make you look good.

My normal, crazy, blonde curls fell gracefully at my mid back and my Goddess dress swished at my feet, revealing a slit at my mid thigh.

A golden vine plays in my hair as a head band.

I hope I did Athena justice.

I thought that the costume part of the invite was a prank when I first saw it, but I heard people discussing what they were going to be in the hallway.

Honestly it just makes me more suspicious that it wasn't a prank.

I feel my hand shaking. I haven't been to a party in three years.

Angeline comes behind me in the mirror and looks at me, "You are so beautiful. Your mother would be proud. You look just like her."

I smile.

"Well," she says, "you do have your father's smile."

I give her a quick hug, "Thanks for everything."

"Oh, Ms. You're welcome. Now go. Be a teenager. It's been too long."

I laugh and head to the chilly streets.

I slightly regret telling Andrew to take the day off as I call a cab.

When I get in, I see the taxi driver check me out.

"You going to Emma Cole's party?" His New York accent is strong.

I frown, "Yes. How do you know about it?"

"You're my fourth call of the night." He laughs and I can practically smell the alcohol on his breath on here.

Oh, lovely.

I'm never taking Andrew for grated again.

We pull up to Emma's condo building.

I haven't been here in so long.

I pay him and quickly get out.

Even in the lobby I see costumed people scattered about.

I'm stuck in the elevator with a vampire.

Music gets louder as we get higher.

And then the door opens and the zoo is in view.

I actually see some people dressed as animals.

Emma, dressed as a flapper girl, immediately locks eyes with mine and she gives me a smile, raising the glass in her hand.

"Everybody, everybody!" She announces.

People quiet.

Oh no... I knew it was coming.

She walks up to me and puts her arm around my shoulder, "The party queen is back!"

Okay, not what I was expecting.

There's silence for about a second and then they all cheer, raising their glasses with Emma.

"I thought you wouldn't come," she says to me, walking me over to her bar.

She looks at the bar tender, Mike, if I remember correctly, "Get this girl her usual."

He winks at me, "No problem."

I squirm out of her grasp, "Emma, I'm not thirsty."

She laughs, "Oh please. I think everybody remembers how thirsty you really are." She takes a big swig out of her drink.