Ex Best Friend Benefits

Chapter 10: The Fairy Tale Party

All along on the way to the party, I felt disconcerted by that text and the audacity actually. The fact the number had been etched into my memory to recognize it at first glance scared me the more.

"Hey, cheer up. You're not heading to your execution." Rosie nudged me and I blinked, back in the present noticing the bus motion. She probably thought I was in this mood because of the party and while it came close enough, it wasn't the root.

I tried my best at a smile. "I'm fine. Remember I'm just staying to give Tara her gift and then leaving."

"Giving Tara her gift and staying for a few drinks and a dance." Rosie tried her hand at negotiating again but I didn't reply, getting distracted again. She probably took that as my yes because of her satisfied shift in her seat.

"By the way, Aaron agreed to pick us up after the party." Rosie informed. "The best I could get after trying to get him to come."

"I wish I were Aaron; at home right now." I sighed, really wishing I was back in my bed sketching something and seeking my mum's approval.

Soon enough, we arrived at what I think was the venue for the party; a very luxurious looking hotel that looked like I had to sell all my body organs before affording a night here.

"Tara's holding her birthday party here?" I gaped in disbelief as me and Rosie walked in the big gate. She was scanning her card to know the exact place in the hotel for the party.

"Uh-huh. I think this is one of the hotels her dad owns."

"Her dad owns!?" I was in disbelief. If Tara's family was rich, she certainly did not act like it. Not the girl who smiles at me so politely every time she sees me.

Rosie laughed. "On a scale of 1 to 100, how in shock are you?"

"A hundred and twenty seven." I replied.

Security was tight. We had to go through at least 3 of them at each entrance who asked to see either a guest card or Tara's birthday card but finally, we got to the open field were decorations were already set up and music was playing on an appropriate level.

It looked like a scene out a fairy tale. With the fairy lights and white swan statues. Each table had 4 chairs around and every one of them had cute little snacks and drinks on it. Not to mention the food buffet to the side.

The time set for this was perfect, because at 6pm, the sun was about to set and it would definitely cast a beautiful glow on everything.

Tara really went all out for this.

Even though not a lot of people were in fancy dresses or suits, I still felt underdressed for this in my mesh top and jeans. It was a cute outfit, but I felt underdressed.

"Glad you came to the party?" Rosie asked as we looked around for Tara. She greeted a few people along the way and I recognized some of my classmates.

"Kinda." I replied, only because I couldn't imagine myself in this type of party ever. I'd expected an indoor party smelling of vomit and filled with reckless, underaged drinking. Not something as classy and extravagant as this. There was still underaged drinking from some wines and cocktails I saw at a set up stand I saw at a side that I was sure contained some alcohol, but at least it was classy.

I still didn't want to stay too long though, but I may stay for some drinks and a little dance like Rosie bargained.

"Sarah! Rosie!" Tara called out from a fluffy, white, open shade she was sitting in with Doris and Kimberly, her close friends and other people. I felt awkward going to meet her as Rosie dragged me along, feeling judged under the cool aura everyone there radiated. A pair of eyes particularly disconcerted me.

Tara looked beautiful. Her hair was styled so prettily and she had some gold ornaments decorating her head. Don't get me started on her dress, it was beautiful.

"Happy Birthday, Tara." I smiled at her while giving her the bag containing my gift for her. I felt a little guilty because it wasn't really my gift but at least Rosie was thoughtful with it.

Hers was a cute purse (with a brand name) combined with a set of pretty hair clips. Mine was a decent sized stuffed panda combined with a brand lip kit. Just because I felt bad, I put in a chain necklace I'd made last minute.

Also I honestly don't know how Rosie could afford gifts with brand names but there was a lot I didn't know.

"Oh thank you so much. Your hair's beautiful." Tara complimented and honestly, I felt like I didn't deserve it with how glamorous she looked. It took a bit of a struggle but Rosie bad managed to style my coily hair into something manageable, placing colorful butterfly clips strategically around. Some had fallen off, by the way.

"Thank you, you look gorgeous." I complimented back and maybe it was just the lightening but I swear I saw her cheeks color. Yep, just the lighting.

My eyes briefly met Nate's as I wondered what to do with myself as Rosie interacted with Tara. I looked away quickly but not without realizing I took in his attire. A simple suit jacket with skinny jeans, which looked good on him. Also he had a new hairstyle. Long gone was the curly mess due for a haircut. His hairstyle was much shorter now and he also had an undercut that made him look painfully cooler than I thought I'd know him in the recent weeks.

When Rosie was done fawning over Tara, Tara looked at me, like she wanted to say something. Kimberly nudged her and she looked away.

What was that?

I was so thankful when Rosie managed to get us both away from that tent, I was so scared we would be asked to stay. Not that I was special to her or anything but maybe out of politeness, she would ask.

"The party isn't in full swing yet but the pop up bar's serving." Rosie informed. "Want to get some fancy drinks?"

I considered. "Sure, if you actually the names of what you want to drink."

Turns out Rosie did know the names of a lot of drinks and my only job was to drink whatever new she ordered at the different bars. I enjoyed all the drinks, some tasted like fruity, some tasted milky but I loved all and welcomed the light, pleasurable buzz I felt few minutes later.

Soon enough, a band was playing. And while I didn't know exactly who they were, but with the way people screamed when they came on the set up stage to perform, I knew they had to be some sort of sensation. The music was good, and I found myself moving along to the beat. Even though the field was a distance away from the main lodging in the hotel, I felt bad for the guests. Only had to hope that the rooms were sound proof.

I drank more and more of cocktails, sticking to a particularly citrus tasting one. I forgot what Rosie called it but I liked it and had more.

The consequences of my actions caught up with me when my bladder protested against all those drinks. Tara was on stage now and I wasn't sure what was happening, probably a birthday speech or something but she won't miss me.

"I need to peeee." I giggled into Rosie's, not exactly sure why but I just felt good.

Rosie glanced at me, her good mood matching mine. "Oh boy, you're tipsy."

"I'm not." I dismissed it with a silly wave of my hand. Okay, maybe I was a little tipsy. "But I really need to pee now."

Rosie looked around, as if searching for somewhere I could hide in and pee but it was an open field filled with people.

"I think we would have to go back in the hotel." She suggested, about to escort me when someone draped their arm on my shoulder. I looked up at them.

It was Nate.