7. Adeline
1762 Words
ADELINE
“Real name or fake?” Kris asked with her eyes still plastered on the screen.
“Fake. He can always get the real one if he proves not to be some creep looking for his next victim.”
“For someone who’s been Cinderella for the past five years, you seem to know an awful lot about the dark sides of dating sites.”
“Live with the Archer’s, you learn a thing or two about protecting yourself.” I shrugged and took a seat beside her on her queen-sized bed. She tapped away silently at the keypads of her laptop while I munched away lazily on popcorn.
I knew I had been the one to suggest the profile thing but the longer it took and the more questions she asked, the more I began to doubt my reasons for agreeing to it in the first place.
“Okay…” she made three final taps on the keypad, “Done.” She beamed at me like she just won a freaking award, and it wasn’t just a profile she set up, a dating profile.
“Okay… what’s next?” I asked, throwing a heap of popcorn into my mouth, some of it spilling on the bed sheets.
She leaned back over the headboard, cracking her knuckles like she had just finished cracking some difficult codes, “Now, we wait. Sometimes it takes a day or two to get a match, but I’m certain you would at least find one.” She said with so much confidence behind every word that I started to believe it. I mean it wasn’t like I was the ugliest out there, but I wasn’t the prettiest either, I honestly wouldn’t blame them if I didn’t get any matches, but what’s the harm right?
“Anyways, enough of all of that” She waved a single hand in the air. “I was thinking, how about we do something different tonight,”
I hated the idea of it before I even opened my mouth to ask, “What do you have in mind?”
“Her lips stretched in a wide smirk. Wiggling her eyebrows she said, “What screams fun, sweaty, free and most importantly, hot men?”
I knew running was the best option, but it was already too late so I might as well re-strategize
“I’m not really in the mood to go to a party this evening.” I said before she could get excited.
“More reason you need to get your sexy behind out of this house and on a cute guy’s lap” She burst into laughter, like the thought of it was the funniest thing. My cheeks warmed. Since the contract with Grayson, I had never been between more than a mile and then some from a man. Even before the contract that never happened even on nights like these where Kris would cajole me into going with her.
“If your plan was to make me more comfortable with this idea, I’m sorry to tell you this, but you’re doing the opposite.” I pushed off the bed and headed to the kitchen with the empty bowl. She followed me. What have I gotten myself into?
“When was the last time you really let loose Addie?” She said immediately she stepped into the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe. “You’ve been trapped in that house with that asshole for what? Five years? Don’t you think it’s only fair to treat yourself to one night of freedom?”
“I feel pretty free right now.” I shrugged and left the kitchen for the living room, again, to escape her and the conversation. She followed me.
I almost ran to kiss him when I saw Jay was back from work. Instead, I hugged him. The sweet, sugary scent of vanilla, cinnamon and only heavens knew what snacks they sold at their bakery hit me, and it was all I could do not to lean in more. Instead of smiling with glee like every other normal person would. He frowned and narrowed his eyes at me, “What do you want?”
Kris pinned me with a glare, already knowing where I was going. Well, she could kill me in my sleep later, but that would be better than being grope by random strangers just because I want to have fun.
“Kris is trying to force me to go with her to a party with boys.” I whined like a freaking three-year-old. The things I would do to stay home. Kris rushed to clam a hand over my mouth, but she was too slow.
The room fell silent for a moment, and I smiled at her. I win. There was no way Jay would ever let his younger sister go to a party when there was barely any light out anymore, much less myself, who ran to him for comfort and protection.
“I think it’s a great idea!” He clapped his hands together. I was pretty sure I destroyed my neck control with how quick I turned from Kris to him. What?! It was Kris’s turn to smile triumphantly.
“Well, that’s settled then.” I could taste the smugness in her voice before I even looked at her face.
“Jay, it’s a party. A big one. At night.” I tried as Kris clawed my arm in hers and began pulling me away.
“Exactly, can’t be that bad. Go have some fun. clear your head.”
“I might not have a head to clear after tonight!” I yelled one last time before Kris all but dragged me down the hallway and back into the guest room, where I had settled into.
“Now let’s sexy you up some more.”
“I swear if you don’t stop tugging on that, I will rip it off.” She warned. That was enough for me. I snatched my hands from the sweetheart neckline of the dress that would better pass for a shirt.
“But it's just so…” I let my eyes trail down, I could see more than half my boobs, it was just a moment away from jumping out, “revealing.” The dress was fine really, it wasn’t the clingy material that just clung to your skin in a ‘suck your soul’ kind of way and best part, it was black. The only downside was the neckline and the length, but it was the best we could get from Kris’s party collection as she called it.
“Girl, I have seen worse, plus it’s really not all that revealing if you ask me. I’d say you look sexy as f**k, and that’s on period.” She pulled on my wrist gently, “Now, come on, let’s get some alcohol in you!” Her voice dripped with excitement as she giggled, weaving us through the massive crowd. It was a Friday night, of course the most popular club in town would be packed full.
The deeper we got into the crowd, the hotter it became. Sweat trickled down my neck, and we weren’t even dancing yet. I expected more from a club so popular, at least better ventilation? But who was I to judge, I let myself be trapped for five years.
“Two simpsons, please.” Kris called to the bartender, her voice loud despite the deafening music playing through the speakers.
He handed the drink to her in a matter of seconds and she shoved one my way with a smile playing on her face, “I never really congratulated your escape so here.” She handed the shot glass to me. “Congratulations.”
The glass felt icy cold between my fingers. Oh, what the hell! I downed its contents in one go. I was already there, might as well make the most of it. Screw Grayson Archer.
“Yes!” Kris cheered. She turned to the bartender, “Keep them coming!”
I giggled as we grabbed two glasses each and made our way to the dance floor. I kept my eyes on the purse dangling from my shoulders the entire time, I won’t be losing it to some party thief tonight. As soon as we got to the dancefloor, Kris was snatched up by some guy with a pants atleast two sizes smaller.
Feeling the buzz from the first shot easing off, I downed one of the glasses in one go. The cool liquid was harsh against my throat, but it had a sweet aftertaste that made me take the second.
The music were actually good, scratch that, they were great. I freed myself from Kris and let the music in. A voice I knew all too well played over the speaker, I was sure which of his songs exactly, but I knew it was Chris Brown and it was doing something to me. It was either that or the alcohol, but who cared?
I let my hips sway in time with the music, loving the feel of every moment. No one knew me so I could let go, and I did.
My purse vibrated suddenly, successfully pulling me out of whatever trance I had been stuck in.
“Please don’t be Grayson.” I pleaded to whoever was incharge of my life.
I pulled out the phone and instant relief washed over me when I saw it was just a match from the dating site, Flirty.
It was probably the wrong time to, but I was too curious so I checked. I froze. Staring back at me was a face I knew all too well. I had stalked its owner for at least a year in college. Aaron. Of all the billion people on earth, I matched with Aaron, my crush from college! Maybe it was a sign, maybe I shouldn’t have come to the party. I mean, if the universe brought us back together, it could only mean one thing right?
How did I let my anger towards Grayson bring me here? To a party?! Crazy how he wasn’t even around me and still controlled what I did. I hated it. I hated the direction my thoughts were going.
No! I was already here and I was going to enjoy every moment of it, not just for me, but for Kris.
I slid the phone back into the purse with determination and went to the bar for another shot. Tomorrow would take care of her own problems.
- Writer
