How About Now?

“Akarrraayyyyyy”, screamed someone from the hall. “That’s not my naaaaame”, she screamed back. “You’re going to make us late for the dinner reservation. We have to be downstairs in ten minutes!” “I’m going, I’m going.” Akari was trying to fix her liner. She was trying to get her full lips just right. She already messed up three times because her lips looked crazy. The fourth time’s the charm, maybe? “We will leave you here and have them block you at the door if we are late getting to the club after.” A brown-headed fiery sprite popped in. She was annoyed that her friend was spending so much time on her makeup when she was already beautiful. Long kinky hair pulled up high, almond skin glowing in the dim light, and a dress that cut down her back so low it was dangerous. The plum color she was trying to put on would be a sin if she got it correct. “I’m trying to fix my lips. They keep coming out wonky.” The hotel bathroom lights didn’t illuminate Akari’s face properly. It was probably why she kept messing up her makeup in the past twenty minutes. She pulled the wipes out again to erase her error. “Mika, I’m the only one who is single going to this bachelorette party. Do you know what that means?” Akari continued to reapply her lip liner. She will be damned if she doesn’t get it this time. Mika shook her head violently, but not a single strand moved. The fashionista looked like she had stepped out of the shower in her emerald halter bodysuit and thigh-high latex boots. She was curious to see what her friend would say. Her mind was always stuck in the gutter. Akari looked over her shoulder deviously at her friend. Her eyes began to twinkle. “It means I’m going to have to suck enough d**k for the five of us!” Mika’s eyes went wide and then they both squealed. Akari was excited. She has been looking forward to this night since her last breakup two years ago. Her ex said she would be the perfect wife if she wasn’t a baby machine. In other words, omega. It stung to hear. She can’t help her genetics. It isn’t like it made her a different person, especially since she has never had a full heat. She had pain, a fever, and abhorred eating. The s*x craving just wasn’t written in her stars, thankfully. That i***t didn’t understand. I wish I could smack some sense into his beta head. If it wasn’t for her friends, she wasn’t sure how she would have handled her heartbreak. Every breakup ended similarly because of her second gender, and they were always there to pick up the pieces. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she jumped when she heard the singing. “Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots!” Sarah came in with a tray of colorful shots with the three other girls. “Damn Mika, how much gel do you need?” Lauren looked at Mika’s glossy pixie cut. Akari held back her laughter from her bald friend commenting on her hairiest friend. She opened her mouth just as Sarah began to speak. “A toast to the wife,” she sang. Several hands came in for a glass. Avery stepped closer just as something cold prickled Akari’s neck as a warning. She didn’t know what it was, but fear crept into her stomach. Peeking at her ecstatic friend, she saw Avery was every bit of a goddess in the white floral midi-bodycon that wrapped her body and the diamond ring gracing her pale left hand. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. She rolled her shoulders back to ease the tension and prayed no one noticed. This was not a night she was going to ruin because of a silly hunch. Sarah began the speech everyone worked hard on. They stood still, waiting. “I speak for us all when I say we are so proud and happy to see Avery get married in two weeks! There are several instances where your unconditional love and faith that we would make it out on top pushed us to keep going.” Sarah started to choke a little. Lauren moved to her side to stroke her braids. After Sarah calmed down a bit, Lauren finished. “We wanted this party to happen on the weekend of your vows, but we took an oath and decided to wait. After Monday, you will be pampered with love, understanding, and patience as the finishing touches are finalized for your wedding.” “It is exciting and scary to see a friend make such a big commitment, but we couldn’t be even excited for you. There is no better place to be than by your side as you take your first steps down the aisle towards a new life.” Lauren paused to catch her breath. “We love you, Ave.” The girls silently nodded in agreement as Lauren wrapped up the toast. The circle of faces beamed as they looked at Avery with tears in their eyes. Mika spoke first, “Let’s get this party started! Cheers!” Akari Eating was a blur at the dinner theater. Everyone was ready to get on the dance floor, but they didn’t stay long. I can’t remember if I even ate. The feeling of the heat and humidity in the nightclub was wicked. Even the boom from the bass felt like it was sticking to my insides. I stood at the bar with my head in my hands. I pulled my curls to the side to keep them from sticking to my face. I was trying to remember how many drinks I had and where. A shot at the hotel to start the weekend. A glass of wine at dinner. Or was it two? s**t. I think I had some mac and cheese to eat. I know I scarfed down the entire loaf of garlic bread. I sipped on water towards the end of the show. I stole a shot from Avery that some tool sent her from the bar. Then I had a rainbow cocktail as soon as we walked in, but I drank it slowly since it was pricey. I picked myself up to walk back to our table. When I turned, I saw Lauren and Mika talking to some girls across from me. It looked like they were complimenting each other’s outfits under the strobe. The bartender tapped me on the shoulder and slid my forgotten ginger ale to me. I took one sip, and my stomach rolled. What the hell is going on? I turned again to see my friends still there. Walking quickly in my platform heels, I moved to the table. I grabbed Mika’s elbow and pulled her to the side, so I could squeeze in between them. “Hey, can one of you come to the toilet with me?” The sweat was starting to form beneath my makeup and on my nape. “What’s wrong”, Lauren yelled over the music, the horns blaring. “I’m not feeling good. I think I might be sick,” I yelled back. Lauren nodded. “I will let the girls know so we can leave when you two return.” I didn’t even realize Mika had left as I stared into space. I could feel Lauren looking at me. She took my hand and led me to the back where the restrooms were. It was past the DJ booth and to the right. I almost fell onto Lauren, who stopped pausing around the corner. There was a line coming out of the door. “Akari, are you sure you want to wait here?” Lauren looked back; black brows furrowed with worry. She knows I don’t get sick often, so when I say I’m feeling shitty, it’s real. Looking into her eyes, I honestly debated telling her I was suffocating from the heat. Somehow it was getting worse standing here, yet I held it in. “I think it’s going away a bit. The ginger ale must be helping. Let’s just tell Avery we don’t have to leave just yet.” Holy s**t, even speaking was a task. She looked at me in disbelief. I know I must look like trash because she continued to stare at me for what felt like forever. “Just call her.” I whined, “I don’t want to ruin her night.” She looked at the line and then at me one last time before turning her head to find her phone in that monstrous bag. As she pulled out the phone, an arm grabbed me. Cieran I looked down at the crowd in the street. This security job was easy, but it was s**t when it came to cleanup. The clients always had to have one last drink. I guess my face was sour because I got slapped on the back. I turned to glare at Luke. “The bachelorette paid extra to restrict the headcount.” He knew that fewer people meant less cleanup for me. “Princess? Did she bring stacks to spend? Cute?” I was curious to know who was making part of my job easier. Luke scoffed. He already knew. “Easy, I am still cleaning the mess from your last breakup.” He didn’t have to remind me. Betas and omegas change the tune of their song when they find out I’m a “loser” alpha. I wasn’t normal in their eyes. I’m not ambitious or commanding. I liked living a life of simple pleasures. A wife, a kid or two, a little house near the beach, maybe a dog. That was my dream. I refused to be the stereotypical alpha nowadays with four or five partners. I can’t help to think of the alphas running this place that have several omegas and betas at their feet. The more I think about their exploitation, the hotter my head feels. No one should be treated that way. I checked my watch to see it was close to three. I turned and started walking towards the door. I stopped with my hand on the handle and inhaled slowly. I need a cool head or else I will scare them. I felt Luke’s eyes studying me. “I’m going to make a round and check the main level VIP rooms. I don’t want to see any blood tonight.” I was still fighting to keep my emotions in check. “Take a walk-through up here.” I tried to keep my tone even. “Dude -” I didn’t wait to hear his response. I had a gut feeling tonight was going to be long. I sprinted down the walkway and stairs. Moving swiftly through the sway of bodies, I slipped into the hidden door. I moved slowly down the hallway, trying to listen for loud noises or abnormal silence. The club warehouse has a few secrets. There are hidden rooms on the main level and top level. Some look out onto the floor and others are used for private entertainment. The main level has several hallways and rooms for the latter. My job is to make sure the clients aren’t beating the servers or pumping them with drugs. The betas were a bit luckier in choosing and refusing certain clients. Omegas were not granted that same luxury. I couldn’t give two f***s about knocking someone out if it meant saving a life. Most of them were there for the same reason I was – debt. Hearing a scream from the other end of the hall, snapped me out of brooding for much longer.