Episode 6: The party
763 Words
Ricky barely glanced up from her laptop when Mickey stormed into the room.
“Girls, did you hear about the house party this weekend?” Mickey’s voice was loud enough to rattle the windows.
“I heard about it from Khalil,” Lily answered, her cheeks tinged pink. “He invited me.”
Ricky, who had been trying to focus on her research paper, finally looked up. “I didn’t know about it.”
“Love, what rock do you live under?” Mickey teased, throwing herself onto the bed.
“You know I keep to myself most of the time,” Ricky replied, closing her laptop with a sigh.
“Well, it doesn’t matter,” Mickey said, waving dismissively. “We’re dragging you along with us.”
“I can’t,” Ricky protested. “I’ve got a ton of assignments to work on.”
“Girl, we know you like to stay ahead of schedule, but this time you’re not escaping,” Mickey declared. “Right, Lily?”
Lily grinned mischievously. “Right.”
“God, you two are exhausting,” Ricky muttered, already regretting the conversation.
By the time Saturday rolled around, Ricky was determined to stick to her decision, but her resolve didn’t stand a chance against her friends.
“Girl! Wake up! It’s time to party!” Lily’s voice pierced through Ricky’s groggy mind as she and Mickey barged into her room.
“What the hell?” Ricky groaned, pulling the covers over her head.
“We brought clothes!” Mickey announced, holding up a bundle of dresses. “Your wardrobe is tragic. We need to fix this.”
“Get out!” Ricky shouted, though the demand lacked conviction.
“Come on, it’s already 6 p.m.!” Mickey replied. “We’ve got hair, nails, and makeup to do. The party starts at eight.”
Resigned, Ricky got up and headed for the shower. When she returned, she found her friends laying out their chosen outfit for her.
An hour later, Ricky stared at herself in the mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back. Her dark brown hair was swept into a sleek ponytail, with a single strand framing her face. She wore a red silk dress that clung to her curves, paired with black wedges. Her maroon lipstick and faint blush gave her a sultry edge, and the eyeliner made her large eyes even more striking.
“What do you think?” Lily asked, twirling in her own tight pink dress. Her makeup was bold, with plush lipstick and purple eyeshadow that made her green eyes pop.
“I see we all went with the same hairstyle today,” Ricky observed, eyeing Mickey. Mickey’s maroon dress matched her dramatic makeup—thick eyeliner, voluminous lashes, and lipstick that bordered on gothic.
“We’re the chipmunks,” Mickey declared. “We’ve gotta coordinate!”
Ricky laughed. “Well, I love it. Thanks for keeping my makeup subtle.”
The party was already in full swing when they arrived. Ricky hesitated at the door, the pounding music and dim, chaotic atmosphere making her second-guess her decision.
“You’re coming in,” Mickey said, pulling her forward.
Inside, the house was a mess of bodies. People clutched drinks, couples made out in corners, and the air smelled of alcohol and sweat.
“Babe!” Lily shouted over the music, spotting Khalil. He grinned and pulled her into a kiss.
“So, your girlfriend finally brought her friends,” a voice said. Ricky turned to see Ronny, Khalil’s best friend, flashing her a mischievous grin.
“Hi, Ronny,” she said, keeping her tone polite.
Before she could say more, one of Mickey’s flings dragged her away. Lily was already lost in Khalil’s arms, leaving Ricky alone with Ronny.
“You look uptight,” Ronny said. “Come on, let’s get you a drink.”
“I’m fine, really,” she protested, but he was already leading her to the makeshift bar.
Ronny mixed a drink for her, his movements fluid and confident. Before she could take a sip, a girl named Maddy sidled up to him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
The crowd erupted then, chanting, “Game time!”
Ronny smirked, taking her hand. “You’ll love this”
Ricky found herself dragged into a circle where the partygoers explained the rules: a random number would determine who chose the next pairing for a makeout session. She immediately wanted out.
“I don’t play games like this,” she said, backing away.
“Afraid, little girl?” Ronny teased.
- Writer
