I paced through the crowded streets following the clustered group of students that my friend had joined as they searched for where we would be partying next. Feeling the cool air against my face I tightened the straps of my sweater's collar as the cool October breeze brushed along my cheeks and through my long brunette hair. I looked around in vexation at all the glaring neon lights coming from the city bars while intoxicated pedestrians stumbled past us. Most of these students I'd never meet before and the only reason I was following them was to hang with my new roommate Lily. Lily was the random Sylvie and I was assigned with when we put out a request for an extra roommate for our apartment lease.
She an exuberant girl who seemed to spend all of her nights out on the town with her friends at some sort of bustling party or club. Even though it was only the first week of the month I was astonished that she had not already flunked out her first semester from all the time she spends drinking the night away. I'm actually envious of her adept social skills. She's only been her a month and already seems to have more friends than me and it's already my junior year. When I think about it though I really don't want any more friends since I already have a solid group; I just want someone special to spend my time with.
This might be embarrassing to admit but I've never really had a sustainable relationship. There have been plenty of dates I've been on with some pretty great guys but nothing that developed into a long lasting working bond. I would like to change that about myself. I'm sure most of my friends would describe me as bland if asked. Sure intelligent, healthy, pretty, and well-managed, but nothing that really deviates me from the norm. I've been convinced my whole young life that if I would be successful and presentable than I would be satisfied with myself. Well I am still far from satisfied, yet I know that I have the capabilities to improve myself to be a happier individual. All I needed is to jump outside of my comfort zone to put myself out there for more opportunities to meet someone. I've spent my whole life waiting and I'm tired of waiting for good things to come to me so I'm going to seek and get myself a guy and make myself the type of person that people find interesting.
Yet there I was questioning myself again, looking tensely at the entrance to the club that Lily and her friends began to enter. I could see a faint glow of colors and a light fog emitting from the otherwise dark entrance. My heart pounded as I grabbed my identification to present to the bouncer standing there with his impassive expression. I hesitated, but eventually showed him my id then proceeded to walk down the stairs. Almost immediately I could hear the defining music overwhelmingly pound against my head. A blanket of fog covered the bar dance floor as flickering lights whirled around the walls.
"Well you're not gonna just sit there are ya Shay? Come on over and join us girl!" Lily said to me as I sat there alone on one of the bar stools.
Her voice was barely audible over the horrendous trap tracks that were played by the part-time DJ.
"I'm good Lily, just not up for it right now."
"Oh don't be acting so antisocial Shay. You were telling me earlier today that you wanted to go out tonight to meet some suave, sexy gentleman and now I'm her helping you find some. The more you sit on that stool the more you'll look like a clueless girl hopelessly trying to pass the time. Now if you get out on the dance floor with us then you'll start looking like the lady one of these guys would want to get to know."
Lily grabbed my wrists and dragged me over to the dance floor. Her little posse was dancing in a huddle; some were grinding against other guys while others flailing around flamboyantly. Putting on a forced smile, I began to do what I would hardly call dancing. Oh god I knew I was trying to get out of my comfort zone and to meet guys but, was this really going to help me? Lily sent a snarky smirk my way noticing how awkward I must have looked attempting to keep up with the others. I mouthed her to 'shut up' and she giggled in return. Well this wasn't too terrible I suppose. I've gotten used to the hoard of people and the same glaring electronic songs after a couple minutes passed; maybe I was actually beginning to enjoy myself.
It had been two hours since we arrived and Lily bought the two of us an all you can drink Long Island glass. Before we knew it we were completely hammered and I was having the best night I've had all fall. I recall going over to the bar and having an entire conversation with some random guy I felt attracted to about the upcoming political primaries or some nonsense like that and what I thought about each of the candidates recent debates. After what I assumed him leaving in annoyance I rushed back onto the dance floor to find Lily and sure enough she was still there breaking a sweat. I sang along with the group to the music's lyrics while spilling my drink all over the floor. When my stomach felt like it had taken too much abuse I decided to go take a break by leaning against one of the walls and set my half-finished glass down on the adjacent railing. A wave of nausea rushed over my body as I temporarily sobered up, running to the restroom.
"Shay darling you okay in there?" Lily asked me outside the stall.
She could hear me vomiting my guts out and gasping while she waited patiently.
"I'm... I'm good Lily. Just, one moment please."
After a couple minutes I came out of the stall flushed and panting.
"Oh you poor thing, did my wittle Shay overdo herself tonight having too much fun hmm?"
"Oh shut your trap Lily." I said laughing back coyly.
She put her arm around my shoulder as I waddled out of the club with her and waving goodbye to my new friends. We soon arrived at Lily's car to drive back to our apartment.
"I think you had enough fun for one night Shay darling don't ya think?"
"One night? I've had enough fun for the rest of the month."
"Well I'm proud of you; you did well for someone who doesn't usually party as far as I'm aware."
"You're right; I don't get out a whole lot. Thanks for having me and taking care of me tonight Lily. It means a lot, especially from someone I've only known for about a month and never really hung out with yet."
"No problem sweetie, I love seeing my friends having a good time and it gives me a chance to get to know my new roommate more too." I looked at her feeling chagrined.
"Plus you need to get out more to better your chances of finding a new boy toy right?" Her voice was coy.
"Heh funny, but yeah you're right I suppose. I've never really gone out that much since I've been here I'm embarrassed to admit."
"It's all good Shay, I know it doesn't come as natural to some people as it does to others; it just takes practice and patience. Luckily for you I've been going out for a while now and I can usually find the best places to hang pretty quickly and am quite the socialite when I need to be."
"You do seem really experienced with all of this I've learned."
"Yeah I'm quite the popular girl around these parts, or so I'm told at least."
"You must have guys clamoring for you all the time I'd imagine." I said with a giggle.
"Actually as surprising as this might sound I'm still single."
"Still single huh? How can such an interesting person such as you still be single?"
"Well I... just haven't found the girl I want to be with yet."
"Girl? I... Oh! Well, I'm sure you'll find someone soon. It just takes some time."
