Bound by survival

Chapter5

“Hey, you should try this on. I think it’ll really look good on you,” Macy said, pulling a red dress from the rack.

I raised an eyebrow. “No Macy. You know red isn’t usually my color. And it looks way too short.”

Macy laughed, waving the dress in front of me anyway. “Yeah, yeah I know. I thought you might want to try something different for once.”

“You’ll never change this girl,” she added dramatically.

“Well, I am me,” I said with a shrug and we both laughed.

After hours of moving from rack to rack and trying on different outfits, we were finally done. Macy picked a sleek white dress that hugged her figure perfectly while I settled for a simple black dress with an open back that felt much like me.

“You always choose black,” Macy complained as we walked towards the cashier. “One day I’m going to force you to wear something else.”

“Good luck with that,” I replied.

Macy paid for everything just like she said she would. A few minutes later, we stepped outside the store.

“I’m starving,” Macy suddenly said, turning to me. “Let’s grab something before we go home.”

I nodded in agreement. I was already starving also. “Yeah that actually sounds good.”

We stopped at a nearby fast-food spot, placed our order and a few minutes later we got our food and found a small table.

“This is actually really good,” I said after a bite.

“Yeah, I really didn’t expect it to be this nice” Macy replied with food stuffed in her mouth.

After we were done eating, we stepped back outside, hailed a cab and headed straight home.

By the time we got home, we were both exhausted.

It was already 7pm. I quickly took a shower and changed into something comfortable before crashing into my bed.

Macy on the other hand, couldn’t stop talking about how tomorrow’s clubbing was going to be and I just had to listen

“I’m telling you, it’s going to be so much fun,” she said, pacing around the room. “Trust me, you’ll enjoy it so much.”

I let out a small laugh, staring at the ceiling. “We’ll see about that.”

Macy was still talking, her voice slowly fading into the background as my thoughts took over.

Tomorrow was Friday. And somehow, I had agreed to go to a club.

Ashley is still lying in the hospital and I haven’t figured out a way to raise the money.

Too many thoughts ran through my mind at once.

Before I knew it, my eyes started to close and sleep quietly pulled me in.

The next morning came faster than I expected.

Friday.

I quickly checked my time and it was already 8am.

Macy was still asleep like a little princess.

I sighed and glanced at the time again.

“s**t”

I got up quickly.

“Macy,wake up,” I said, tapping her hurriedly.

“We have just one hour to prepare for class”

“Uhhhh, five minutes more,” she groaned,turning to the other side.

“No, we are already late,” I said, pulling the blanket off her.

Her eyes snapped open immediately. “Wait, what time is it?”

“8 a.m.”

She sat up instantly. “Why didn’t you wake me up earlier?”

I raised an eyebrow. “I just woke up too.”

“We have a 9 a.m. class,” she said, jumping out of the bed.

The room suddenly became chaotic.

Within minutes, we were both done taking our bath, moving around, grabbing clothes, brushing our hair and trying to look presentable.

“Do I look okay?” Macy asked, turning to me.

“You look fine,” I replied, slipping on my shoes. “Let’s just go before we actually miss it.”

We barely made it to class on time.

Classes went by slowly. It only felt like I was bodily present. I tried to focus on what the lecturer was saying but it was pointless. Nothing was sticking.

After class, we didn’t go home.

“We are going to see Ashley,” I said, already picking up my bag.

Macy nodded. “Yeah, I was about to say that.”

We got to the hospital and headed straight to Ashley’s room.

“Hey baby sis,” I said with a smile. “How are you doing?”

“I’m doing fine.” She responded with a weak smile.

We talked for a while before Macy and I went back home.

Macy didn’t let me breathe the moment we got home.

“Get up,” she said, clapping her hands. “We have exactly two hours to get ready.”

I groaned, dropping my bag on the floor. “I’m tired, Macy.”

“No, no, no, you can't be tired. We’re just getting started,” she replied.

Macy didn’t give me the room to complain before dragging me toward the wardrobe.

“Up. We’re already late.”

The next hour was rushed and messy. Quick showers, clothes being tossed around, makeup half-done, Macy moving like she had something to prove.

“Wear the black dress,” she said at some point. “The one you bought today.”

“I was already going to,” I replied.

“Good.”

By the time we were done, the room looked like chaos.

Macy looked at me with a smile. “Okay… you actually look good.”

I raised a brow. “Actually?”

“Don’t push it,” she said, grabbing her bag. “I made you look this good.”

I laughed, slipping on my shoes before following her out.

Macy looked perfect also. The white dresser hugged her perfectly, her hair falling over her shoulders. Good was an understatement. She looked gorgeous.

We arrived at the club.

Loud music. People everywhere, everyone moving to the beat

“This looks fun,” I said, turning to Macy.

“Yeah, it sure does.” She replied with a grin. “ What are you waiting for? Let’s go in.”

The moment we stepped inside, the bass hit me hard.

It was loud, so loud it felt like it was vibrating through my chest.

We went straight to the bar.

“I need a drink,” I said, leaning slightly against the counter.

Macy let out a small laugh. “You? Saying that? Wow, I’m impressed.”

Macy placed an order for both of us.

A few moments later, the bartender slid two glasses across the bar.

She picked them up and handed one to me.

I hesitated for a second before taking a sip.

It wasn’t bad.

Actually, it was kind of nice.

Without thinking too much about it, I finished the whole cup.

Then I looked at her. “Another one.”

Macy blinked. “Whoa, calm down. Don’t drink too much.”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly. “It’s just a drink.”

She studied me for a second before sighing. “Alright, but take it slow.”

I nodded, already turning back to the bar.

The second drink came, and this time I didn’t hesitate at all.

Everything around me started to feel lighter.

“Okay,” Macy said, grabbing my hand. “Now you’re definitely dancing.”

I laughed, actually laughed and let her pull me into the crowd.

“See?” Macy shouted over the music. “You are having fun.”

“I hate that you’re right about that,” I yelled back, laughing.

We kept dancing, the music taking over while everything else faded into the background.

“I need to use the restroom,” Macy yelled over the music.

“ Ohh, okay. I’ll wait at the bar then, don’t take too long,” I replied.

“I won’t, mummy,” she said with a chuckle. Then she left.

I turned back to the bar.

“One more,” I said.

The bartender nodded and slid a glass towards me a few seconds later.

I took a sip, leaning against the counter as my eyes wandered around the room.

Now, this was already my fourth drink and there wasn’t any sign of Macy. I tried looking while sitting but it wasn’t working.

“Where did she even go?” I muttered under my breath.

With a small sigh, I pushed myself off the counter.

Still holding my drink, I stepped into the crowd, my eyes moving face to face, trying to find her.

“Macy?” I called out, even though I knew she wouldn’t hear me.

I kept moving, slightly distracted, not really paying attention to where I was going.

And then I bumped into someone.

My hands jerked, and the drink spilled all over him.

“ Oh my God !” I gasped. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t even see you… I…didn’t mean to”

I looked up.

I froze.