Celebrations are in Order

Zoey’s POV

The second hand tattered couch hiss underneath my weight as I shuffle around on it trying to find a more comfortable position to lay in.

I should already be fast asleep, preparing for what will probably be a hectic day tomorrow but, somehow, three whole hours later, I’m up watching Young and Hungry and eating pizza.

Speaking of pizza.

I lean in closer to the coffee table to grab a cheesy slice from the small plastic dish. Devouring half of it, I sink back on the couch with the other piece nestling between my crumpy fingers. 

Yum.

“Zee, did you borrow the curling iron again?” The light from the television illuminates the slim figure of my housemate, who is frantically scouring the cluttered surfaces on her way over to the couch. “I can’t find it anywhere.”

Now that she’s standing fully in the kitchen light, I can make out the detailed bodycon dress she has on. That’s not the kind of pyjama you wear to bed if you ask me, if it is, then I seriously need to upgrade my wardrobe.

“Have fun wherever you are going, gorgeous,” I bite into the last mouthful of pizza, shaking the dry lingering crumbs from my fingertips.

“Wherever we are going,” she emphasizes, running her polished nails up and down the rough wall. Moments later the overhead light switched on immediately causing my eyes to water profusely.

I guess this is what I get for sitting in the dark.

Squinting my eyes I try to block out the burning sensation in the back of my eye socket. Random purple dots float around, in my otherwise, clear vision.

Is that normal?

“I am glad Brian has finally been fired. I intend to celebrate this joyful occasion, plus it certainly help that my new boss is so fucking sexy,” she lets out a short dramatic sigh. “You already know that proper celebrations are in order; there is no getting out of this one. Club Ace's here we come!”

“I have work tomorrow, remember?!” I open my eyes, forcing them to adjust to the harsh light. “Katherine, you know that CJ’s is understaffed as it is. I might not be able to wake up in time for the early shift if I go to a club this late.”

“Oh, and that’s why you’re watching a movie?” She flashes me a sardonic grin. “Please, okay? I need this. We’ll be back before twelve, I promise. Plus your workplace is literally like a three minute walk from here.”

Yep, she is right. The diner is a block or two away from our apartment but her point is still not valid. 

Even if I agreed to go to Club Ace's with her, it would be impossible to get in that place before midnight. It’s not like we can waltz in the front door anyway. Dylan is extremely friendly and uncooperative.

The last time we tried to bribe him into letting us skip the line, he simply kicked both of us out on our asses. Lesson learnt. You can’t just walk in like you own the place, especially at such an exclusive club. You must have connections--- true, legitimate ties ---on the inside.

“Sure. I’ll go with you,” I rub my forehead in thought. Kat squeals, jumping on the couch to wrestle me into a tight hug. “But first, I need to know how we’re gonna get in.”

“Yes,” Kat squeezes me tightly. For a petite woman her grip is deadly secure.

“You can let go,” I plead in short dramatic breaths. “Any day now.”

“Sorry.” She sighs contentedly as she releases me from her grip. “I thought I would have to put off the whole thing. So, do you remember the last time we tried to bribe the bouncer?”

“Yes, plain as day.”

How can I forget that night, it was downright humiliating. The shouting and stares are still so vivid and fresh in my mind four whole weeks later.

“Well that bouncer got fired last week, Mike is now the new bouncer.”

“Mike?” I voice the thought running through my mind. “How does that relate to what I asked?”

“It’s a long story, but he took a certain liking to me. I’ll just flirt with him to get us in...”

Great, we just might actually get arrested this time. I’ve always wanted to see the inside of a freaking jail cell!

“Oh, there’s the curling iron.” She hops off the couch to fetch the heating tool hiding beside the television. “We don’t have the whole night, let’s go!”

“I’m gonna take a quick shower first, my deodorant is wearing off.” Switching off the television, I close the empty box. “Can you please throw that away? I’ll be back in five.”

Getting up from the couch I sprint off to my room to freshen up.

The sooner I’m out that door, the sooner I’ll be back.

××××××××

Katherine finally turned off the heating wand an hour later, pushing me to the full-length mirror propped up on a sheet of mismatched artistic wallpaper.

I stare at my reflection in total awe; the last time I ever allowed someone this close to my face was three years ago when I had to get dolled up for a high-class masquerade ball.

What a different world that was.

I drink in every tiny detail of my own reflection. A messy ponytail sits on top of my head, a few curly tendrils here and there accentuate my nude eyes and accentuated cheekbones. The red dress Kat chose looks very exquisite but it reveals way too much. Kinda effy on that but alas I won’t be staying long. I accessorize the outfit with black strappy stilettos and a dark matte lipstick.

The style combo looks very expensive even though I got both for less than fifty dollars at our local thrift store.

“Ready?” Kat passes my black leather clutch I packed earlier.

“Yeah,” I accept the bag, trying not to think about my sweaty palms clinging to it. Taking one last glance at myself I walk out of the boxy bedroom behind Kat.

Here goes nothing.

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Thanks for reading.