As I look around my living room, all I can see are coasters going unused. That's not true. I also see my dear friend, Meg. Just 3 hours ago I picked her up from O'Hare and now she's here and we're having sort of a mini reunion plus several of my friends that Meg doesn't know. She's regaling the crowd with tales of our past.
Meg and I have known each other since we were in diapers. Our mothers are best friends. It's really something. She's the only person that gets me. I mean GETS me.
Elle is in the kitchen cooking up something that smells amazing, and I can't wait to eat whatever it is. I don't know how I always manage to drink like a rookie, but I started without a bread base. My eyelids are already heavy and I'm tempted to down some coffee to stave off a heavy head.
Some cute guy Ellie works with has been hitting on her all night and for some odd reason it's annoying me. Where does he think he's gonna get with that $80 haircut and fancy suit? He's too high maintenance for her. She's like me. My needs are simple.
Meg's arm swings around my waist and I put mine around hers. While I've put on a little weight, Meg has gotten thinner since college. And the bitch of it is that she eats whatever she wants and doesn't even know what a gym is.
"I miss you," she whispers in my ear.
"I miss you, too," I lean into her and glance over to see Elle and her coworker walking out onto the balcony, "He's not her type," I nod in their direction.
"Alison... are you jealous?" she raises an eyebrow.
I laugh and my tummy feels warm, "Not jealous. Just looking out for her."
"Uh huh. Well, she is very pretty. How did you two meet again?"
I smile, remembering, "She hit me while she was riding her bike on the lake path."
Meg laughs loudly, "I really wish I could've been there to see it."
"We've been friends ever since," I raise my glass in Elle's direction and she raises hers in kind.
"Well, I'm just glad you're so happy. I've worried about you the past few years. You've been so out of touch," Meg tucks a chunk of bangs behind my ear.
"I... listen, would you be offended if I went to lie down?"
"What? It's only 11!"
"You're here all week. I don't know what my problem is, but I can barely keep my eyes open all of the sudden,"
"Here, I'll tuck you in," she smiles and leads me to my bedroom.
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I wake up just after 3am. I must've passed out before everyone else. My mouth tastes like wine and guacamole. I pad into the kitchen to get a glass of water, and that's when I hear something unfamiliar. At first it's just a soft gasp. Then another. As my ears hone in on the sounds, I can hear kissing noises.