"Seriously, you cannot say no! You just got your first book published; at 21 years old! That's amazing and definitely worthy of a night out to celebrate!" Mia's best friend shouted through the phone. She rolled her eyes at her but truly did appreciate her enthusiasm. She smiled to herself as she agreed they could go out for a few drinks tonight.
"I'll pick you up at 9!"
Mia hung up the phone and headed off to shower and shave. She found herself actually looking forward to a night out, something she typically did not enjoy. Mia was more of a cuddle up on the couch with a good book and a bowl of ice cream, kind of girl but she had not seen her best friend in months. They had been college roommates all 4 years during which they were glued at the hip. Since graduation last summer, they had both been busy with their own lives and although they remained close as ever, the opportunities to see each other were much less often.
2 hours later there was a brief knock on the door before Haley barreled through, not bothering for her to wait to answer. Mia was not fazed by her friend's actions, she was simply a force of nature that Mia had grown used to years ago. Haley wandered into her room just as Mia finished pulling on a pair of old jeans to go with her tee-shirt.
"Oh hell no. Please tell me that is NOT what your wearing!" Mia glanced down at her outfit and shrugged. It was sort of plain and maybe a little boring in comparison to Haley who had on a skin-tight pair of skinny jeans and a black tank that swooped down exposing her bareback. She had that paired with a pair of knee-high black boots and was blinged out with matching jewelry.
"Um, I guess not." Mia headed back towards her closet to try and find something that would measure up to Haley. She felt a little defeated knowing that no matter how she tried, she couldn't compare. Her best friend was a bombshell. She was tall, skinny but with a big butt. Vibrant red curls framed her face highlighting her bright green eyes. Mia was no ugly duckling but she fell into the background next to her friend. Her few past boyfriends never failed to mention how hot they thought her friend was.
Mia found herself being shoved aside as Haley started ripping through her closet like a madwoman. Somehow she managed to find a little black dress that Mia didn't even know she had. Haley thrust the dress as Mia giving her a look that made sure Mia knew she wasn't allowed to say no to at least trying it on. Stripping out of her jeans and tee-shirt, she tugged and pulled the tight dress over her boobs. This was no small task as she was certainly blessed in that department. She was about to tell Haley a huge hell no but was shushed before she got the chance.
"I know what your thinking, but you seriously look HOT in that dress. You are wearing it out tonight and that's final. I'm not allowing objections!" Mia knew better to argue with Haley even though she felt extremely exposed and self-conscious. She tugged the hem of her dress down in an attempt at even a little modesty but still felt like her entire ass was on display. The dress hugged every curve of her body and left little to the imagination. Haley tossed a pair of bright red heels at Mia before dragging her to the bathroom for some touch-up on her hair and makeup.
Mia finally did a quick check in the mirror before they headed out. Although the dress was a bit much, she had to admit, though never to Haley, she actually felt kinda sexy. The outfit was totally not her usual style but she decided to just let it go and live a little. Tonight was supposed to be about her, having fun, and celebrating. She downed the shot being poured for her, "pre-gaming" as they called it, and headed out for a great night.
It took several shots and a long island ice tea before Mia finally relaxed and started to let loose. She joined her friend on the dance floor and fell into the music. Her body moved and swayed to the beat, hardly noticing the people she was dancing with. Her mind was numb to anything but the flow of the music until Haley snapped her out of her zone.
"That guy over there has been staring at you for at least the last hour!" Haley was less than subtle as she pointed directly at the man sitting at the bar. His gaze never left them.
"Oh, bullshit."
"Whoever he is, he is clearly staring at you." Mia was too far away to make out the man's face. From what she could tell, he was attractive but then again, in her current state of mind, and considering the crowd of sweaty bodies blocking her view, he could have just as easily looked like a snail. She felt Haley tugging her arm pulling her towards the bar.
"Come on, I need another drink... and so do you!" She didn't give her any time to protest. As they got closer, the man at the bar became more and more familiar and his gaze never left her. The nearing proximity made it apparent that it was in fact, her that he was staring at, not Haley. Holy Shit. Her brain had finally managed to push through the fuzz from her half-drunken state. Mia jerked her arm free from Haley's grip, stopping her in her tracks. Mia quickly made her way to the bathroom, knowing her friend would be on her heels.
"What the hell Mia? What happened back there? Who was that guy?" Haley was getting concerned seeing her friend's pale face.
"Haley it's him."
"Him who!? Mia, you're freaking me out. Who is him!?" She was starting to get frustrated.
"That's Noel." Haley stared back at her blankly, not connecting the dots as Mia had hoped. " Mr. Bennett! My former English teacher. You know the one my entire book is based on!"
Haley looked shocked at first but the shock quickly turned to excitement and a look that Mia did not trust.
"Haley..."
"Oh don't 'Haley' me like you know what I am thinking!" Mia sighed.
"Ok fine, what are you thinking?"
"That you need to get your hot ass back out there and talk to him! He has been drooling over you all night! Maybe all those years of crushing on him, he had been crushing on you too!" Haley began fluffing Mia's hair. She handed her, her lip gloss demanding she freshen up.
"Haley, I can't go out there and flirt with him! I would look like a fool. Oh my god, what if he read my book!?" Panic washed over her. She needed to get out of here!