Margo
Lilian!I thought you would agree with me on the sanctuary of pajama time!
Technically I’m not in my pajamas yet.:P
Margo
That book shop has changed you.I don’t even know who you are anymore.
Lilian smiled as she pocketed her phone.Neither do I.
Forty minutes later, staring at a cute blue house off one of Manhattan’s student residential areas, Lilian regretted her decision.Not because it was late.Or because she'd decided to go still dressed in her joggers and cropped hoodie.
She realized she was out of her depth.
All the parties she’d attended in college were quiet affairs, meetings at the houses of other English majors where they drank box wine and pontificated about the deeper meaning of American literature— if such a thing existed.
Now, Lilian realized those weren’t really parties.Those had been study dates.This, however…
The music from the speakers could be heard from outside.A softthump thumpthat hummed in the fall air.Shadows of guests could be seen from outside, while others crowded the wrap-around porch.The place looked packed.
She swallowed hard.You’re an adult.It’s a party.Worst-case scenario is you go in, have one drink, and go home.Plus, your friends are there.
God, when had she become such a shut-in?
It wasn’t really a question.She knew exactly when.The moment when everything else started falling around her.When the cancer diagnosis hit their family.When she’d moved back in with her parents.When she’d agreed to take over an underselling bookstore that wasn’t hers.
But that wasn’t entirely fair either.She’d withdrawn after college, when the job market proved difficult.When a frustration simmered under her that she wasn’t doing anything with her degree.Or doing anything, period.
Do something for yourself.Have fun.That was what everyone was telling her these days.
“Don’t miss an opportunity,”Hawk had said.She hated that his voice kept replaying in her mind, but that one piece of advice stuck with her.It didn’t just apply to business.She needed to take opportunities here,now.Taking a deep breath, she marched up the crooked sidewalk and let herself in.
The humming exploded into a cacophony of chattering voices, music, and cheers of “Huzzah!”as she entered the room.
But more surprising were the cries of “Ms.Bodice!”that welcomed her from twenty different voices.
She blinked, eyes adjusting to the illuminating brightness of Alex’s house.It had the typical college set-up.Old couch, large-screen television, a thrifted coffee table covered in drinks.As soon as her sneakered feet hit the wood floors, something sticky attached themselves to the bottoms.
A wave of nostalgia hit Lilian at the sight of it.But even more overwhelming was the sense that she belonged.
Alex pushed through the crowd.“You made it!”Her eyes were dark with makeup, and a comically large pirate hat sat on her head.It was a strange combination with a lacy red and black dress.“I can’t believe you made it!”
“Thanks for inviting me.You were right.I needed to get out.”
Alex’s eyes sparkled.“Come here,” she said, yanking Lilian deeper into the crowd.“We need a drink to celebrate!”
They made it to the back of the house, where a small kitchen acted as the party’s watering hole.David was there, with Margo perched on the counter.For someone who had been in her pajamas only forty minutes ago, her friend looked good in a long black skirt and a green knit sweater.Tonight, she sported a pair of black, cat-eye glasses that gave her the appearance of a stylish 1960s model.
“Hey, look who made it!”David hailed, raising a bottle of beer in salutation.
Margo nudged the knight’s ribs.“You’re one to talk.Shouldn’t you be studying how to save cows or something?”
He clutched his chest in mock hurt.“I am an equine veterinarian.I only deal with horses.Plus, I never miss a faire party.They are pretty rad.”
Margo made a face.“Who says rad anymore?”
“I’m bringing it back.”
