"Sandra, are you not looking for love, or what here?"
I turned to see a figure in my doorway. She folded her arms and glared at me. The half-eaten spoonful of taco dip in my mouth starts to turn rotten. I sigh.
"What now, Riley?"
She rolled her eyes and walked into my room like an ungrateful child forced to apologize. Three months older than me, at twenty-two she still has a fast metabolism. She hates her skinny frame and hides it with black clothing. Tonight, however, that black clothing stuck to her body and showed off her petite body. Tonight she's not looking to melt into the darkness and pounce upon a man or woman she finds interesting like a hunter. No, tonight she is openly hunting.
And I'm supposed to be at her side. Helping her and helping myself.
Except...
"Put down the damn taco dip," Riley said, putting her hands on her hips.
I sighed and put the spoon back into the taco dip. "I was hungry."
"You were moping."
"I was not."
"Then, where did the taco dip come from?"
"I...bought it on the way home."
"And why do you buy taco dip?"
"To share?" I said, holding up the taco dip and flashing a cheeky smile.
"Because, when you are moping over heartbreak you buy taco dip. And eat it all. Without chips, which, eew, gross," Riley said with a disgusted look on her face.
"I didn't have enough money for chips," I said, breaking eye contact with Riley.
"Liar. Now. There is no way we are going to that dance tonight with you looking like you just woke up. Out of those pajamas, put the taco dip in the fridge, and let's get ready."
"I--"
"Don't even say it. I know you don't feel like going. You haven't felt like going since George dumped you for that other woman. That was months ago."
"It was Christmas, it hurt."
"It's Valentine's Day, it's time to get over it."
"I can't," I said, knowing full well I now showed off how deeply I moped and pouted before Riley barged into my place.
"Yes, you can. He was one man. A charming man, sure, but what did he have that is making my friend and roommate eat taco dip out without chips? Hmm? Exactly. I scored us two tickets to the Valentine's Rave, and we're not missing it. DJ Hyp is playing, a lot of cute guys and gals will be there, and we need this. I need this. And you promised."
"You're really throwing everything out there, aren't you?" I said with a slight smile.
"Hey, is any of it working? The guilt one, that's working, right?"
She accomplished her mission with that sentence. I laughed. I shook my head and handed over the taco dip. Another defeat. Riley took the taco dip and grinned.
"All right, wear something that will knock them dead. We're not going for just some good music."
I rolled my eyes and scooted off my bed. "Yes, Ma'am."
Riley started out of my room. I decided to get her back, even just a little.
"And it was his cock," I said as I got to my feet. "I miss his hard, throbbing cock. He had a good cock."
Riley choked as she laughed. She stumbled out of my room and nearly hit her head on the far wall. Tasting a bit of victory, I closed the door behind me.
Now I had to make myself look presentable.
***
Ever been to a rave? The wall of noise that hits you as you penetrate its perimeter. The mass of people, all jumping and heaving separately and yet looking like a great agitated ocean, waves and ripples sticking out of the great mass at every turn. Lights that only hint at the true scope of what you walked into, and even then only for a moment at a time.
The heat.
And the noise. Oh my, the noise.
Any other day I may have felt a little too overwhelmed. But, the music felt nice. And I looked even better.
"You're not supposed to look better than me!" Riley sarcastically whined as we entered.
If she looked a little closer, she would realize that men and women checked her out, as well.
Instead, she focused on the fact I wore the outfit. The one that barely contained my bust. The one with the skirt that looked illegal. The outfit I wore when I did not want to come home alone.