1:
“Who wants Starbucks? Does Shadow want Starbucks? I bet you do!” I spoke to my dog in a baby voice.
He jumped up and down, not knowing anything whatsoever that I happened to be saying. He was just excited because he knew that we’d be leavingour apartment for the first time today. Damn, I loved saying that… our apartment.
Things in my life were finally starting to turn around for the better. My parents allowed me to move here to NYC after about a year of begging. It was my 17th birthday present from the both of them, along with my new puppy, and I wasn’t complaining. Shadow was a mutt, and when I say that, I seriously mean it. He looked like a bunch of different things mixed together but he wasn’t very big at all. Shadow was just starting to get used to things after about a month. And on top of that, I actually made a friend. She lived in the apartment complex directly across from mine. I don’t know why we didn’t share one by now; we were always at each other’s houses literally 24/7. And I’d only known her for about two weeks now.
I slipped a coat over my shoulders and grabbed my purse and keys and headed out the door, locking it behind me. I lived in an apartment building right along the East River where Shadow and I took our daily walks anywhere we wandered too, which to me meant Starbucks. We went there very often, before and sometimes after school, and on weekends. It wasn’t healthy for me, but I didn’t care. I walked like half of the calories off anyways.
I held Shadow in my arms, avoiding the people walking by us. He was a very obedient and protective dog, just as I had trained him, but I didn’t like him to walk when it was crowded like this.
We arrived at Starbucks and stood in line, setting him on the floor beside me to sniff around. There were barely any people here today but the ones who were gave me weird looks for bringing in my dog, but I was a regular, they allowed it.
“(YN)! You’re here early today!” Jan said. She was a worker, and honestly one of my favorite. She was an older lady but we got along very well. “Oh and don’t think I forgot about you Shadow!”
She handed him a treat and he ate it with excitement as I ordered my drink. I just smiled down at him before turning my attention back to Jan and the menu.
“The usual?” Jan asked.
“Um, nah, let’s try something different today.How about a Grande peppermint mocha coffee?”
She turned around and ordered it and I handed her my Starbucks gift card. She scanned it and then handed it back to me. While I waited, I conversed with her and someone took over her position.
“Is there a special occasion? You never order anything but the usual!” Jan said as she sat down with me.
“No, I’m just feeling- what would you call it…” I paused as I looked up and searched for a word. “Spontaneous!”
She laughed and shook her head. Jan was like my grandma, she was always there supporting my decisions and stuffing me with food. “Well today will be a great day for you then!”
She stood up and went to help the next people while I sat in a window seat and waited for my name to be called. After some time I did receive my drink and I sat people watching and sipping on my coffee. Shadow laid by my side and gnawed on the bone he got earlier.
“Hey there girlie!”
I smiled as Brianna sat down across from me with a coffee in her hands. She always got a coffee and I usually did too but something about today was different.
“Um excuse me bitch, what’s that?” Bri said in all seriousness as she pointed down at my Frappuccino. She knew that I never got one of these so she seemed confused.
I laughed and shook my head, “I thought I’d try something different for once today!”
“Oh, trying new things I see? Good, because tonight we are going to the hottest club in NYC.”
“You know I don’t go clubbing Bri.” I laughed at her attempt.
“I thought you were trying new things tonight?”
She did have a point. Bri was one of my only friends here in NYC. She happened to be 21 years old with everything every girl wanted. She had the perfect long blonde hair, the prettiest blue eyes, let’s not forget the curves, and the perfect body in general. Her long legs just complimented her body; I was envious of everything about her. Next to her I looked like I just got out of bed after partying. I was a mess compared to her. Of course, the guys were always around her and not me, but I was used to it. I completely understood.
Me on the other hand; I was a low-down small city girl. I wasn’t born here in New York, so I wasn’t exactly equip for the big city lights and this whole lifestyle. I wore mainly t-shirts and jeans and/or sweatpants. I wasn’t the girly-girl type, but I had to admit I loved looking like I was. It was fun to be honest.
“(YN)? Are you even listening?” Bri snapped me out of my thoughts.
“Yeah, what?”
“Let’s go back to your place and search through your clothes for something tonight!”
I barely took a sip of my frap before I was dragged by my wrist out of Starbucks and forced into her car. Damn, she was seriously crazy, but I loved her so…
We arrived at my apartment and stepped inside. Bri immediately kicked off her boots and ran to my room. I followed after her and caught her digging through my drawers. She turned around and held up a pair of my jeans with a disgusted look on her face.
“This,” she dropped the jeans on the floor, “has to go.”
I cleared my throat in an angry way and picked up the clothes she’d continued to rip out of my drawers and throw on the floor. I ended up having an enormous pile in my arms all because she’d cleared my drawers.
“We need to get you a new wardrobe. Come on honey, let’s go shopping!” she said as she grabbed her keys and walked out of the room, leaving me with every pair of jeans and t-shirt I owned in my arms. I dropped it all and ran after her.
“BRI! You know I have no money right?”
She smirked and shook her head, “My cousin manages Saks Fifth Ave in LA, remember silly? I have her employee card and I can totally pass as her. Now let’s go before it gets too late! We’re on a schedule!”
“Schedule?”
“Okay so first we’ll get your dress, I haven’t decided on heels yet.” Bri sat brainstorming ideas of what I could wear. That little head of hers contained so many thoughts I thought it would burst.
“What about you?” I asked, trying to stop her from talking about me the whole time.
“(YN) I’m always prepared. I was born prepared for fashion.” She gave me an evil smile.
I sighed and prepared for the long day I had ahead of me. Before I could say anymore she had her jacket on and was halfway out of the door. I ranafter her leaving shadow to watch after our house while I was gone. I barely slipped into the elevator before it closed. This was going to be a long night.
On the way to the store, Bri could not shut up about the most random things I’d ever heard. She talked about plenty of things but I wasn’t listening, just watching.
“Bri calm down, we have all day for this.” I laughed at her.
“I hope you brought snacks like I told you. We aren’t stopping for lunch.”
“Wait, you weren’t joking? You were being serious about that?” I stopped in my tracks.
“I don’t joke around when it comes to clubbing, (YN).”
And that’s when I found out that she really wasn’t kidding. I was in for some serious shit with this girl.
We arrived at Saks Fifth Ave and Bri dragged me inside and I barely got to even catch my breath. She walked inside like she owned the place with me stumbling in behind her. We stood at the counter while she rambled off question after question. She talked and talked about random things at first before she got down to business.
“We are headed to 1 OAK tonight so she needs to look hot, what do you got for us?”
“Oh, 1 OAK, come with me.”
Bri squealed and took my wrist and dragged me to a changing room. She waited outside while I changed into each dress.
I tried on so many dresses that I seriously thought my skin was going to peel off. I itched at the sight of Bri coming back with another dress. None of them were appealing to me and even Bri always found something wrong with one of them.
“This. Is. THE DRESS.” Bri said as I slipped my jeans back on and walked out of the fitting room.
She held a small tight dress in her hands. It looked very beautiful; it was just a matter of pulling it off. And I wasn’t sure if I could do that. I just had to mature a little bit and go ahead with whatever Bri had in mind.
“Shouldn’t I try it on?” I asked as Bri paid for it with her card.
“Nope, this is the dress you’re wearing tonight. No objections now come on! We need to accessorize! Oh! And let’s not forget make-up!”
“Bri,” I said grabbing her wrist and stopping her energetic little body from running on, “I don’t want to stand out.”
“Girl, that’s the point of this! Now come on! Tight schedule, remember?”
She pulled me along to the next store where she bought a bunch of things and then the next where she bought some more things. I was more of a bystander, you could say.
“Now let’s get home and get ready, we have dinner reservations.” She said as we drove home.
“Dinner reservations?” I asked dumbly as I cocked my head.
“Yeah silly, I thought we’d pamper ourselves tonight, make some memories.”
I laughed. She was one-of-a-kind herself.
We got back to the apartment building and headed up to the 28th floor where we lived. It was already 7 and getting late. I could tell that she was rushing. I was into the shower and out faster than before and I came out with a towel wrapped around my body. She dragged my office chair that was on wheels, into the bathroom and sat me down in it still in my towel. She tugged and pulled at my hair, combing through it and probably ripping some out in the process.
“Damn girl, when’s the last time you did your hair?” she said.
“I do it every day?”
“I mean actually do it, not put it in a bun or ponytail.”
I shied away from the question and she laughed and shook her head, continuing to do my hair. Instead of going out to a fancy restaurant, weordered pizza instead. She cancelled our reservations which was completely fine with me. Pizza was the way to go.
She started brushing all kinds of things across my face and had me close my eyes while she put on mascara and eyeliner and eye shadow and all of the good stuff.
“There’s seven ways to assure you get into 1 OAK,” Bri said as she dusted my face some more, “One… wear too much makeup.” She continued to put even more makeup on me. “Two, avoid eye contact.”
When she finished up I finally got to stretch my legs and stand up. My hair fell halfway down my back but I didn’t get the full effect without my dress on. She ushered me into my room where she dug through more of my drawers and pulled out a thong, throwing it at me. I stared at her like she was crazy while I took another bite of pizza.
“Put that on. Third way, reveal the body.”
I slipped the panties up my legs and under my towel. I didn’t mind wearing thongs but I just didn’t do it very often.
“So how am I getting into this club? I’m not 21, I’m 17. And I can’t even drink.”
“I can get you in and as for drinking, it’s called lure in them boys for you. Or just flirt with bartenders, either way. Rule 4, dance with your hands in the air, don’t forget that one.”
“Fine. I need a bra.”
“No you don’t.”
“Strapless?”
“How about none? Trust me, you won’t get in wearing a bra, your girls are perky anyways it won’t matter.”
I was praying that I’d get some drinks to calm myself down. I knew for sure that I was going to need something to de-stress me and get rid of my nerves.
I felt the towel ripped from my body and immediately covered my chest. Bri held the towel in her tiny hands with a grin on her face.
“Stop being so shy! How do you expect to get laid if you act like that? Are you a virgin?” her eyes widened.
“No! Now give me my dress!” I lied. I was a virgin but I was not going to tell her that; that was for sure.
“Just making sure. I don’t want your first time to be to a guy who doesn’t know your name.”
“I’m not having sex tonight.” I pulled the dress out myself because Bri was too busy talking.
I slipped it over my hips and over my boobs while she stood back and stared. “I did so damn well, you look sexy. I’m gonna go get ready in my apartment but when I get back I expect you to have those heels on and to be ready to go by 1, okay?”
“Fine.” I mumbled.
I was so not ready for tonight. It was already 11 and the club was just opening. I had to wait 2 hours before we could even leave.
I felt like the dress only covered my boobs. My ass was barely covered, the dress stopped at the top of my thighs and right below my ass. If I bent over you would definitely see everything. I couldn’t get coverage up top by pulling it down and I couldn’t if I pulled it up. I decided to let my boobs hang out more. Rule number 5; keep your boobs somewhat away. I repeated Bri’s words in my head. And rule 6, don’t fall in your heels.
I looked at the heels I slid onto my feet in the floor-length mirror. They made me barely taller and they were 5-inch heels! At least they made my legs look way longer. I finished my outfit with some accessories and right when I finished Bri came running in ready to go. I put on a trench coat to block out the outside coldness and we were off to the club.
We arrived at 1 OAK and stepped out of the taxi that we took there. I saw the line of people and shook my head, “I better get really freaking wasted for all of this.”
“Come on! Finally some fun.” Bri dragged me to the front of the line.
“What are you doing Bri?!” I yelled at her, saying sorry to all of the hundreds of people in the line. I felt bad for cutting.
“Hi, I’m Brianna Grace and this is my friend (YN).” She said with a smile to the bouncer. He didn’t look too friendly at all.
She curled her finger and he bent down to her level to listen to her. She whispered something in his ear and without any words he nodded to the other bouncers and they parted for us. Bri grinned at me and dragged me through the tall entrance.
“Oh, and one last rule, just be hot.”
Once we were inside, I could really feel the beat of the music coursing through my veins. It was sort of an adrenaline rush if you ask me. Everyone was either sitting with groups looking professional or dancing or at bars. Lots of men dressed up to the nines and everyone was so classy. This was all so crazy.
Bri pulled me through the crowds to a table placed in a far corner. People had just left so it was perfect. She literally pushed people out of the way to get here, so luckily we were first. The glances the men gave us as we passed were complimenting, I liked it.
1 OAK had a few floors; I actually wasn’t too sure myself. I hadn’t been listening very well to Bri at the time. Anyways, every spot was glistening with some type of sparkly object. This club was definitely exclusive and I had no idea how we got in, of all people.
“Isn’t this nice?” Brianna said confidently, believing that I loved it here already as she moved around on the plush booth seat.
“It’s pretty cool.” I said adjusting my posture to make myself look better, hotter.
“Do you want something to drink?” Bri yelled over the loud music.
I nodded, “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
She scooted out of the booth and headed over to the bar. I sat alone, searching around for someone that I might actually dance with.
My gaze happened to fall upon some guy looking directly at me. The wicked smirk placed on his face sent chills down my spine. Who was this mysterious guy?
He pushed himself off of the bar he was leaning against and made his way towards me, like he owned the place. He had dark brown, almost black hair that was cut very precisely. His dark eyes pierced through me harshly, the lighting in the room wasn’t even helping. I could tell that he was used to getting girls by the way he looked at me. He was nicely built; he had a very nice body and frame. I couldn’t help but stare back; that was all I could do.
“I noticed that you were sitting alone. I’m Chris, can I sit here?”
I didn’t question him and I let him sit down. He seemed charming with his classy smile. I could tell that he wasn’t though. He was a mixed shorter boy, still taller than me, and he had something else about him that told me that he was someone, not just anyone but someone.
“Hi, Chris, I’m (YN).” I said automatically. He took my hand and firmly shook it; his skin was hot compared to my freezing cold hand.
“Call me Twist. Chris is my real name but not many people know that. You must not be from around here, are you (YN)?” he asked while rubbing his chin.
“No, I’m not from New York. I moved here a few years ago with my parents.”
“And how old are you?”
“Twenty-one.” I didn’t hesitate to say. Maybe I even answered almost too fast? Hopefully he couldn’t tell that I was lying.
I looked around for Bri; I was a nervous wreck without her. She could have probably helped me in this situation but she of course was flirting it up with some guy at the bar as I saw.
“Well I think it’s time for a drink.” He snapped his fingers and within minutes two drinks appeared in front of us.
He gladly handed me one and I could already smell the vodka. I cringed and he chuckled at me.
“This is a special drink.” He said as he downed his. He didn’t seem drunk but I felt as if he was.
“What does it have in it?” I said smelling it. It actually didn’t smell that bad at all. It had a smoke coming off of it, it was very alluring.
“Are you scared?”
“N-No.” I said, bravely take a swig.
“Don’t ask questions beautiful, just drink it.” he said, ordering yet another round. I wasn’t sure if I could handle it but I definitely tried. The parties I went to prepared me for drinking but not this much liquor.
“So what brings a pretty little thing like you here to 1 OAK?” Chris- I mean Twist, asked.
“My friend dragged me here. I’m not usually so-“
“Sexy?” he interrupted me.
“I guess you could say that.” I blushed.
I sipped on my second glass of this mystery drink and continued talking to him. I guess I was tipsier than I thought because I went to set the glass down and I knocked another down.
“Oh shit.” Twist said.
He went to clean it up with a rag and I shook my head in disappointment. I was always messing up. Damn. I went to pick up the glass pieces and quickly retracted my hand.
“Ouch!” I screamed in pain.
“You don’t have to clean this; I’ll get someone over here.” Twist said.
I looked at my finger and saw blood coming out. It wasn’t just a prick either, it was an actually cut that was gushing blood. I felt woozy; the sight of blood made me feel sick to my stomach. My head was spinning and I could feel the darkness coming before I even shut my eyes.
“Are you okay?” Twist said as he scooted closer to me. I felt one of his warm hands resting on my thigh and the other resting under my hand.
“I-I’m sorry I’m just clumsy sometimes.” My words slurred.
“Don’t worry about it. (YN), you don’t look so hot, are you alright?”
I felt myself slipping in and out of consciousness.My eyesight turned blurry and the thumping music blended all together in a clouded mess.Before I knew it, I hit the cushion and my body gave up.
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