CHAPTER 8 – A NIGHT OUT
613 Words
The room looked like a storm had passed through it.
Clothes on the bed. Clothes on the chair. Clothes half hanging out of the wardrobe.
Abbey stood in the middle of it, staring at two outfits in her hands like they had personally offended her.
“This is ridiculous,” she muttered, tossing one onto the bed. “It’s just one drink.”
The front door opened.
“Abbey, I swear if you’re not ready...”
Maya stopped mid-sentence when she stepped into the room.
Then she blinked.
Then she laughed.
“Oh, this is bad.”
Abbey turned sharply. “I don’t know what to wear.”
Maya dropped her bag slowly, looking around like she had just walked into a crime scene. “You’ve been home for how long?”
“Thirty minutes.”
“And you’ve made zero progress.”
Abbey threw her hands up. “Because nothing works!”
Maya walked forward, picking up a dress from the bed and holding it up. “What’s wrong with this?”
“It’s too much.”
She grabbed another. “And this?”
“Too simple.”
Maya paused.
Then looked at her.
Slowly.
“Abbey.”
“What?”
“You’re going out for a drink. Not a red carpet event.”
Abbey groaned, dropping onto the edge of the bed. “I just don’t want to look out of place.”
Maya crossed her arms. “Out of place where? With me?”
Abbey hesitated.
Maya sighed, softer now, and walked over. “Stand up.”
Abbey didn’t argue this time.
Maya pushed her gently toward the wardrobe, already scanning options like a professional on a mission.
“Okay,” she said, pulling out a fitted black dress. “This.”
Abbey looked at it. “Isn’t that too—”
“No,” Maya cut in. “It’s perfect.”
“It’s short.”
“It’s classy.”
“It’s tight.”
“It’s flattering.”
Abbey narrowed her eyes slightly.
Maya stepped closer, holding it against her. “Trust me.”
A beat.
Abbey sighed. “Fine.”
“Good,” Maya said, already moving. “Shoes.”
Abbey pointed weakly. “There.”
Maya grabbed a pair of heels, glanced at them, then nodded. “These will work.”
Within minutes, she had taken over completely.
Hair down.
Light makeup.....
The dress fit exactly how Maya said it would.
Abbey stood in front of the mirror, adjusting it slightly.
Maya stood behind her, arms folded, satisfied.
“See?” she said. “You clean up very nicely.”
Abbey turned slightly, looking at herself properly.
It wasn’t overdone.....
“Well?” Maya pressed.
Abbey nodded slowly. “Okay… this works.”
Maya grinned. “Of course it does. I did it.”
Abbey rolled her eyes, grabbing her bag. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”
The night air was warmer now.
The city alive in a different way.
Lights brighter.
Music louder.
Energy everywhere.
The club wasn’t far, but it didn’t feel like the same world Abbey had left hours ago.
Inside,
Music pulsed through the space.
People moved, laughed, danced.
Voices layered over each other.
Glasses clinked.
It was alive.
- Writer
