Chapter 7: Last night faded
1082 Words
POV: May
***
Knock, knock.
"Get up, sleeping beauty." I call out.
The coffee is almost burning through the flimsy cardboard sleeve. Kat takes hers black with enough sugar to rot your teeth and I've gone for tea instead.
I don't need any more caffeine. My impromptu coffee date (not a date) has got my heart pounding enough.
The door to her studio cracks open and Kat sticks her head around. Her blonde hair is a mess, her chestnut eyes are tired and barely open, and she's changed into black pajamas - shorts and a strappy top.
"Please don't laugh." She orders before opening the door fully.
I let out a gasp at the sight before me.
Kat huffs at me. "Shut up."
"I'm sorry, it's just. Wow."
It looks like a glitter bomb has gone off. Pink sparkles cover every available surface. Mixed in with it appears to be differ streaks of makeup.
I spot bronzer on her pillows, blush smeared across the carpet and a green shimmer all across the kitchen counter.
Gingerly, I perch on the corner of her sofa, setting the cups on the chair coffee table.
Kat's usual decor is bright and gaudy but this is a new level of crazy, even for her.
"Redecorating?" I offer unhelpfully.
She glares at me from her seat opposite.
"I'm going to murder Thomas."
"And Thomas is...?"
"The guy I brought back last night. He was complimenting my makeup and I thought it would be hilarious to try and do his."
"Oh no." I suspect I can see where the story is going.
"Oh yes. I spent half an hour chasing him around with different brushes. We were laughing so much we had to stop. I guess that's where the stains came from."
"But what about the glitter?"
She takes a long sip of her coffee and mumbles something under her breath.
"What? Kat, I didn't hear."
"I said I was being a princess!"
I look at her, stifling a giggle. She drops her head into her hands and groans.
"Some friend you are. I was completely hammered, okay? I barely even remember doing it."
"You're ridiculous. Did you at least have a good evening before that?"
Kat peeks through her fingers and pulls a face.
"That bad?"
"He was fine. A bit over eager. Funny though."
"Do I sense a second date in your future?"
Kat is well known for rarely having long-lasting relationships. She preferrs picking up and dropping men when it suits her. Sometimes I admire her confidence but on days like this, I'm glad I don't do hookups.
"Oh, you bet I'm inviting him back. Back to clean." She grumbles. "But enough about me. What's going on in your love life?"
I guess she must have seen something change in my face because she perks up.
"Ooh, what are you not telling me? You can't hide this from your bestest friend in the world."
She bats her eyelashes. I roll my eyes.
"There's nothing to hide. We have a new girl in class, not that you'd know," I throw her a pointed stare, "And I took her to Zap since she's never been here before."
"Is that why you were late? Having a bit of a flirt?"
"It was nothing like that, Kat. I'm just being friendly."
She hummed, taking a drink.
"I mean it! Yes, she's really cute but she's not going to be interested in me for anything serious. In a year, she's probably moving back to her farm anyway."
"That's your problem, May. Why does it need to be serious? Get laid and get out. You were practically the only person who went home alone last night, even with a dozen women at that party."
I'm ashamed at how accurate she is. It's been months since I've had any sort of hook up, let alone a relationship.
I can't help it. I fall way too hard, too quickly and I always get burned. It's better to just have friends.
"I only went to that party because you dragged me."
"And didn't you have fun? Which game was it that you won?"
Finished with my drink, I rip the cardboard sleeve off and scrunch it up as best as I can. Then, I stand up, aim at the bin and throw it.
It lands inside with a satisfying thud.
Grinning at Kat, I declare. "Beer pong's reigning champiom. Although, being the most sober one at the table helps."
"You're such a cheat. No wonder no one wants to talk to you."
"Huh? I definitely had a conversation with someone other than you."
Kat raises an eyebrow at me.
"I don't think so. You left pretty early. Remember?"
As I'm thinking about it, a feeling slithers in the back of my mind.
I feel compelled to ask, "Kat, what happened last night?"
"Don't tell me you were really that drunk. You're not exactly a black out drinker."
"Just humour me." I plead.
"We went together, had a couple of drinks. There was a game of darts, I think. That's when I met Thomas. You were just hanging out in the kitchen then half an hour later, you told me you were going home."
I sit for a second, trying to match that with my own fuzzy memories.
"Who was I talking to?"
"How should I know, May? I was busy. I didn't think you were talking."
Annoyances creeps into her tone at my questioning. I try to sympathise but I can't help feeling like there's an obvious flaw staring me in the face.
"I just don't remember who I was talking to. Or going home. It's all broken up."
"May, you're just hungover. You've probably fried your brains going to class as well. And we both know there wasn't much to damage in the first place."
"Rude." I stick my tongue out at her.
Maybe she's right. I've been tired lately anyway with exams, so the alcohol is probably just messing with me.
It's not worth getting stressed about. We've only got a couple of weeks left before the summer break. Kat and I are planning a road trip so I need to focus on that more importantly.
"I've got nothing on for the rest of the day so I'll help you clean up."
"You're a lifesaver."
"Yeah, yeah. You owe me one."
I wait for her to finish her drink, racking my brain.
I could have sworn I was talking to someone last night.
- Writer
