I did forget that Valentine’s Day is coming up. Why would I remember that?
“Seriously?”
“Oh come on. It’ll be fun. You can’t change your mind now.” She pushes me toward my room as I laugh. “You already said you’d go, now let’s go. I’ll help.”
She finds a short black skirt and a black long-sleeved shirt, and shoves it at me.
“This will be fine. We will just put some red and pink makeup around your eyes to make you look dead.”
“Whatever,” I mutter as I change into the outfit. When I turn around, she’s standing with my boots in her hand.
“You obviously have to wear these. They’re hot!”
“They’re also uncomfortable.”
“After a few drinks, you won’t know the difference.”
“I don’t plan on drinking.”
“Uh huh…” She hands me the boots. “That’s what we all say.”
Begrudgingly, I put them on, then hold my arms out in ata-damotion. She squeals again.
“You look so hot, Sailor! Now come on, let me do your makeup quickly so we can go.”
“How are we getting there?”
“Uber,” she says quickly, hurrying into my bathroom.
I sit on the toilet lid and let her do my make up. When she’s done, I look in the mirror. I do look kind of dead, and it’s a little freaky.
“God, you look so good! Do you need anything else? The car will be here in two minutes.”
She’d ordered it in the middle of doing my makeup, this way it would be ready when we are. She wanted to be there already, so I didn’t argue since I’m holding her back.
“Just need to get my bag.”
I find a small purse that’s hanging on the inside of my closet, and make sure it’s empty. I only need it to hold my phone and keys. The app alerts Amelia that the driver is here, so we hurry outside, but not before I make sure my door is locked. Once we’re in the car, I put my stuff in my bag and chat with Amelia, who is giddy about me being with her and going to this party.
The streets are packed with cars. It’s a good thing we took a rideshare and didn’t drive in. I’d have nowhere to park. Amelia takes my hand as we get out of the car, and we head up the long, winding driveway to the house that’s sitting atop a hill. It’s the frat house, and it looks haunted as hell. Perfect place for a Death to Valentine’s Day Party, I guess.
The music from inside is so loud I hear it out here. Lights flash on the first floor from strobe lights, and the second floor is illuminated as well, flickering like a beacon. People in costumes stand around and chat. The third floor is dark, and I bet it’s off limits because it’s where all of the bedrooms are.
“I’m meeting some other girls here. They’re not as cool as you, but they’re okay.”
I laugh, shaking my head.
By the time we reach the front door, I’m out of breath.
When Amelia opens the door, the music gets ten times louder. We make our way inside through the crowd of people. It’s already hot in here, smelling of beer and sweat, but what would I expect from a college frat party?
“Let’s get a drink,” Amelia announces, tugging on my hand. She pulls me through crowds of people to the back of the house and into a large kitchen. It’s clear she’s been here before, since she knows where she’s going.
She grabs a bottle of vodka and pours some into a cup. “Are you having this?”
“I’ll have something from a can,” I say, looking around the kitchen.
“There are coolers on the back deck,” she says, gesturing to the sliding doors.
