Just One Night

Davina’s POV There were worse things than being fired by an egotistical chauvinist who only did so because I rebuffed his advances. I could be stuck in the middle of nowhere with no reception or I could be stuck in an elevator with that jerk. Yet, it sucked to lose a source of income when I could barely survive even with it. Think positive thoughts, I tried to caution myself, but it was too late. I was already heading down the rabbit hole. What am I going to do? If I don't get another part-time job soon, I won't be able to pay this month's bills. I groaned when I thought of the rent I hadn't yet paid. I mentally scrolled down the list of options I had. I could always apply for a job at that new burger place that just opened, but I doubted that I would be paid the same wage as the job I had just been fired from. I hated to admit it, but despite my boss's chauvinistic and disgusting behaviour, losing this job would be a huge blow to my finances. I sighed again and started walking. The bus rarely passed along the location where my workplace was situated, and I mostly walked to and fro the subway. Just then, it began to rain and I groaned. Staring up at the sky, I yelled, "Really? Now?!" I hurriedly ran back to the bus station. I didn't want to wait in the rain for so long, so I pulled up my best friend's contact in my phone and pressed the call button. Stella was a little bit of an absent-minded klutz so I could only hope she had her phone with her at that moment. One ring. Two. Three. Come on Stella, pick up. "Hello." "Oh, thank God. Stella, where are you? "Today's Saturday, and it's raining. Where else would I be? I'm under my covers at home, watching a movie. It's actually really funny. It's about a bunch of…" "Hold on a minute, I'm stuck at the bus station. Can you please come pick me up?" "Why? What's wrong?" "I'll explain later. Please just come pick me up. I'm freezing." "Alright, alright. I'm on my way, where exactly are you?" "At the bus station closest to the Italian restaurant I work at." "Okay, see you soon." She hung up. About twenty minutes later, I was staring into space, thinking about my dilemma when I heard a car horn. "Yo! Davina! Get in!" That was Stella, waving maniacally from the driver's seat. I rushed to the car and got in, placing my hands close to the blasts of warmth from the heater. "Thanks, Stell." She handed me a jacket before driving away from the curb. "You're welcome. So what happened?" I shrugged. "I got fired." "What?" Her head swung back and forth between me and the windscreen. "Eyes on the road, Stell," I warned her. "I was down with the flu and missed a shift, so he fired me even though I called to let them know I wouldn't be coming in. He's been itching to get rid of me ever since I turned down his advances." "What a jerk! You should sue." I laughed softly, "Yeah, right." Her tone softened, "Don't worry, you'll get something bigger and better. And you know I'm always here for you." "Thanks, Stell, I appreciate it." The conversation lulled and I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I knew, Stella was shaking me. We headed into my tiny apartment and Stella asked, "Where's Joe?" "He's spending the night at his friend's place." Joe was my sixteen-year-old brother, even if he acted like he was five sometimes. "Hmm…" She had a mischievous look on her face. "What?" "Oh, nothing." She sounded too innocent for me to believe her, but I said nothing. The only on my mind at that moment was having a hot shower. I headed off to my room to do just that. When I got out, Stella was sitting on my bed smiling like an evil witch. "So… feel better?" "Yeah…" "Any plans for tonight?" "Nope. Just food, study a little and look for jobs. Are you staying over?" "Letsgoclubbing!" "Keep your voice down, I have neighbours. And it's a no to the clubbing." "Come on, Dav. After what you've been through this past couple of days, you deserve to let your hair down for just one night." I said nothing. "Come on, let's go dance our hearts out and wash away our frustrations with sugary alcoholic drinks. Pleaseeeee, just for tonight." I mulled over it, biting my lip. "I have nothing to wear. Neither do you, at least not at my place." She squealed and jumped up, "Don't worry, Dav. I have everything under control." She grabbed her keys and rushed out of the room. I watched her go and laughed before lying down on my bed. What have I done, allowing Stella to talk me into this?" As if she could hear my thoughts, she raced back into my room lugging a duffel bag with her. She placed it on the floor and opened it, throwing out clothes and heels from it onto the bed. I could only stare wide-eyed. "Oh my God, Stella." She threw some clothes on the bed and more at me. "Here, change into this. I'll do your hair and makeup." I nodded and got changed mutely while she did the same. I turned to her after I finished getting changed, tugging the entirely too-short hem of the clingy black gown down. Stella eyed me and whistled. She looked amazing, dressed in a slouchy black top with a sparkly miniskirt. The heels on her feet were sharp enough to pierce through a man's chest down to his heart. "You look amazing, Stell." "So do you, Dav." At the reminder of the handkerchief-like gown I was wearing, I glared at her. "It's too short, tight… it's too much, Stell." She rolled her eyes as she came up to me, and placed her hands on my shoulders, bending down to look at me. "You look nothing but amazing, Davina. That dress does amazing things for your hot bod. And when I'm done with your hair and makeup, you look even more gorgeous." I sighed goodnaturedly, hiding my smile as I allowed her to walk me towards the dresser. Guess we're going clubbing.