RIVALS & ROMANCE

Kimberly stood in front of the mirror, pulling down her dress every now and then. It was a black body con dress bedazzled with diamonds that twinkled under the light "Emily, I don't know how to feel about this dress", she complained. "You could wear my mom's wedding gown", Emily chuckled "yeah that would be great", she rolled her eyes at her friends sarcastic remark,"what if I want to squat. "why would you want to do that", Emily asked. "Do.....you think Ellis will like it", Kim asked nervously "Relax you'll be fine, come on you looked hot", Emily said. "I do look hot" Kimberly said turning slightly. They both looked at each other and burst into laughter. When they got to the place the party the party was being held it was already in full swing. Sticky floor drunk teens making out everywhere. Emily pulled Kimberly to the kitchen. They sat on stools and downed three shots of tequila in one go, the spicy substance burning down their throat making their heads fell lighter. Now it was Kimberly's turn to do the pulling as she pulled her friend to the dance floor with a surge of energy that surprised even her. They twisted and turned their bodies to the beats that filled the entire house. Whilst dancing Kimberly felt familiar hands embrace her from behind. She turned around and hugged him. "You're here too", she questioned "Yes, you look fire", Ellis said his voice slurred a bit. Kim blushed from the compliment and looked down. Ellis leaned in to kiss her but she turned her head away. "Here too", Ellis asked his voice tinged with anger. "We're in public", Kimberly said. "So what look around, people are doing worse", Ellis reasoned. "I just, I can't.....", she said. "You always .... Kimberly kissed him to stop him from escalating things. He gently held the back of he head and softly bit her lower lip. A tear escaped Kim's eyes not out of physical pain but emotional. They pulled away and there was a wide grin on Ellis' face, they hugged and continued to dance. After a while, Kimberly could find neither Ellis nor Emily. She retired to a plush sofa in what looked like a living room but was packed with people trying to squeeze through. Shame scrolled mindlessly on her phone for a while the someone joined her on the couch. "So..... where's your boyfriend", he asked his was super chill like he hadn't drank anything, it was soo soothing and Kimberly felt somewhat drawn to it. "I'm sure he's around", she said. "Not far away actually", he said pointing to Ellis who was passionately kissing someone. "I'm sure he doesn't mean it, he's probably drunk", she fumbled for excuses whiles her heart shattered to pieces. "Are you a good actress or you're just very dumb", Calhoun asked. "Thanks but this is not your business", she said and left. "What are you doing Ellis", she asked trying to pull them apart. He shoved her away and buried his head in the crook of the other girl's neck. The girl clearly enjoying seeing Kimberly in distress smiled smugly and entangled her hands in his hair. Kimberly's turned around tears trickling down her face as she rushed to the exit. She passed Calhoun but not fast enough as she caught hi mimick he voice. "He's probably drunk", he said making air quotes with his hand. Kimberly dried her face and walked faster. She stood outside on the lawn the cool night breeze hitting her face and calming her troubled heart. She called Emily to come so they could go home. "So what did the jerk do..... again", she asked not hiding the anger in her voice as she pulled out of the driveway. "He was kissing another girl and didn't even bother to acknowledge me when I approached", Kimberly vented a fresh batch of tears forming. "Maybe it's about time you called it quits, he's done this one too many times", Emily voice soften seeing her friend helpless look. "but I can't blame him, he was and probably is still drunk", Kimberly defended him doubting her own words. Emily didn't push, she just nodded her head and continued driving. Kimberly got out of the car and shut the door. "Thanks Dolly", she said waving her friend. "Sure anytime, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite", she said and they both laughed. "I'm seeing you at school tomorrow right", Kimberly asked. "I'll be there even though I'd rather be anywhere else", Emily said. "What's the fun in school if you like it"Kimberly said. "Well jokes on you Kim, I don't entirely hate it", Emily said over the sound of her roaring engine. Kimberly got into the house and looked around at the dark place, she climbed quietly to her room get into the shower to have a quick bath. Once she came out of the shower, her phone screen lit up with a message, it was from Ellis. Ellis: Where are you babe I miss you. Kimberly ignored it, walking back to her closet to pick a pyjamas and fell on her bed. Her brain recounting the memories of the day as she drifted to Dreamland