My phone buzzed next to me on the desk, I jumped at the sudden noise fully engrossed with my laptop. Grabbing the phone, I couldn't stop the smile that split across my face. It was a text from Laura:
Hi. A distant friend is having a house party tonight. Up for it? Laura xoxox
I typed a speedy reply: Hey. Love to, what time and where? Xxx
8pm. Smart/formal. Bring friends, it's going to be a big one. She has spare rooms. See you then xoxox
It had been over a week since that night with Laura, and I hadn't stopped thinking about it. As soon as I got the address from her, I texted all my close friends and told them we were all going.
Sam was the first to phone me a few seconds after I pressed the send button, "I'm there. Shall I pick you up?"
"You're driving?"
"Might as well, it'll be easier to get there. If I can stay the night, I can sleep off the alcohol for the next morning."
"Then pick me up on the way. Thanks...' I paused, suddenly becoming a bit nervous. 'What are you wearing?" I asked.
"Shirt and trousers with a waistcoat I think. You?"
"Not sure, my pencil dress I wore to the club once."
"The black and turquoise one?"
"Yep."
"Hubba hubba. You want to get some? You and Laura gonna have sexy time again?"
I blushed even though no one could see me, "No, but maybe sexy time with a man this time. Laura and I were a one time thing."
"Mmm, whatever. See you later." Before I could say bye, he hung up.
"Whatever then."
It took me more than 2 hours to make myself perfect. Whenever I looked in the mirror I imagined Laura was looking back at me; it made me doubt myself.
A car horn echoed around the houses. Peeking outside through the curtains I saw Sam's small Peugeot stopped in the middle of the road. He waved frantically from the drivers seat.
Sam widened his eyes as I fell into the car. "Well hello there stranger. Who are you and what did you do with Elle?"
"Shut up Sam' I eyed him up, 'Nice waistcoat."
"Thanks. We'll look like a fine couple together." He began driving towards the party.
"Hi Elle" Other friends, Liam and Joe chorused from the back seats.
I turned to look at them, "Hey guys, excited?"
"Hells yeah' Liam said, 'I've brought a toothbrush and deodorant just in case I get lucky."
"I'm not looking to get lucky' Joe said, 'being a faithful boyfriend and all."
My phone beeped next to me.
Hey. Text me when you're outside and I'll come and meet you at the door. Xxxx
Sam caught my smile "Who's that? Laura?"
"How did you know?"
"I could tell by the way you looked at it. What'd she say?"
"None of your business."
"So... what's going on with you and her then? Are you officially a lesbian now?
"No. I'm not a lesbian; I don't think she is either. Please stop asking. We're just friends."
"With benefits."
"Okay stop talking now. Let me top up my makeup in peace." Fumbling around in my bag, I reapplied my lipstick and eyeliner.
It took just under an hour to get to the party. The closer we got to the house, the more nervous I became. The boys were talking loudly about some TV show or something and I didn't hear a word of it.
You could hear the party before you saw it. Thumping music and excited shouts led us to the front door of a huge, double fronted mansion. Cars were already parked across the immense driveway.
"Here we are." Sam parked near the road and stepped out of the car.
I texted Laura to say we were here as I watched a couple stumbling out of the front door towards us.
"Who's house is this?' Liam asked, looking up at the wrap around balcony on the second floor, the double garage and the grand fountain in the centre of the driveway.
"One of Laura's friends. She knows a lot of powerful people with too much money." I answered.
"Clearly."
Then I saw her. She was descending the steps from the front door and already waving at the group of us. Her hair was loose and slightly curled, flowing down her back in a glossy shimmer. She wore a chocolate satin dress that stopped just above the knee with bright red lips. The dress had a plunge neckline that only just concealed her breasts; her ample cleavage bulged out of and I couldn't help but stare.
"Hi Elle.' She said as she walked towards us, she hugged me with a slight peck on the cheek. Turning back to the guys she asked. 'And who are these fine gentlemen?'
I pointed to each one in turn. "This is Liam, Joe and you've already met Sam."
She winked at him. "Of course, how could I forget him?' she looked at me, 'It's good to see you again. Shall we go in?'
The five of us walked into the house. People were everywhere, dancing, drinking and making out. There was so much to look at I found it hard to take everything in. Laura led us to the kitchen.
"Help yourselves to a drink, anything you want.' She placed her hand on me shoulder, 'I'll be right back."
Being at a party where I hardly knew anyone made me uncomfortable. A party this big was enough to make me very nervous. I had finished my first drink in ten minutes and moved onto the next. A group of guys came to say hello and before I knew what was happening we were playing 'I have never'. I couldn't help but wonder where Laura had gone.
We were a few questions in, then Sam looked at me. "I have never licked out a girl." The boy's drunk, but I paused. The others didn't expect me to, but Sam knew more than they did and waited.
"Um...Elle. You haven't drunk."
"Sam, don't make me do this."
Liam and Joe looked at me. Liam gaped, "Wait what? You've licked out a girl! When?"
I blushed, boring my eyes into the carpet. "Never."
Sam normally wouldn't care but tonight he had had a few too many glasses. "She sure did. She got drunk, made out with a girl then went back to her place and got together."
"Who was it?" Joe asked.
"It was L-"
"Sam!' I glared at him, cutting him off mid word, 'It doesn't matter who it was. It was just a girl."
"Whatever. Just drink." One of the new boys said.
I took a two-finger sip of gin. Then saw Laura. She was standing on the bottom step of the sweeping staircase; a man's arm was dangled up over her shoulder and the other was around her waist. She had a champagne glass in one hand and her other hand was stroking his sandy hair. Next to me, Joe was saying his 'I have never' question but I didn't pay any attention. Laura laughed and it reached me, the boy was laughing too, he leaned forward and whispered something in her ear.
My stomach tightened and I felt like I wanted to cry. Laura was still stroking his hair and the way her body leant towards him made me feel very uncomfortable. Then he kissed her on the cheek and she didn't move away, a smile parted her lips.
"Excuse me. I have to go. " I grumbled and stumbled up, running passed the stairs where Laura was - I felt her watching me as I passed her - and ran into the garden. There were so many drunken people lying around the place, I eventually found sanctuary at the end of the garden and sat on a bench behind a huge oak tree. Blossom trailed along the fence.
I could feel tears on my cheeks.
Stop crying you idiot. Why ARE you crying? She was just being friendly, and you don't have feelings for her, you merely think she's pretty. Nothing more, get over it. You are not a lesbian
.
It didn't help. I could see him kissing her cheek and how she smiled. I rested my chin on my hands, listening to the distant thud of the music, the laughter and noise of excited partygoers.