“Haven’t you ever been to one?”
“Well yeah I have, but those were different. Usually we took over the house of whoever’s parents were out of town that weekend. We’d throw a huge party and get hammered. You know how I like my alcohol,” Chyna said with a wink.
“I’ll admit alcohol is involved,” Lexi told her diving into the freezer of her mini fridge. She pulled out a tray of what looked like frozen gummi bears. “For those of us who had to sneak alcohol past our parents, we made these.”
“You made gummi bears?” she asked incredulously.
“No, they’re vodka gummi bears. You soak them in vodka for close to three days, then they are as potent as the real stuff, but it looks like you’re just eating gummi bears. Not to mention they’re delicious,” Lexi informed her popping two red gummis into her mouth and letting them slide down her throat.
“Oh, exciting,” Chyna said grabbing a handful. “You’re right,” she said between bites, “these are delicious. I can’t taste the alcohol at all.”
“It’ll hit you later,” Lexi told her giggling as she swallowed a white gummi.
“So what do we do after we’re drunk from these things?”
“Usually manicures, facials, late night chick flicks, junk food, the works…”
Chyna sucked her bottom lip in between her teeth as she looked at her perfectly done fingernails and imagined the killer work out she would have to endure to process said junk food. “You know…I don’t think I was missing anything.”
Lexi smacked her arm. “Hey, don’t diss on my childhood alchy!”
“I can’t help it if your childhood activities don’t appeal to a twenty year old,” she said playfully. “Let’s finish off these gummis and then go party.”
Lexi had actually planned for this. Chyna partied nearly every night, and though Lexi couldn’t join her most nights since she was in school, they did end up out together at least one night every weekend. “Fine, but we’re still staying here tonight without bringing a guy home,” she added hastily.
Chyna stuck out her bottom lip adjusting her features into a perfect little pout. “Alexaaa,” she whined.
“No buts about it, missy.”
“But, but, but, but…”
“No!” she cried tossing a gummi at her.
“Don’t waste them!” she squealed ducking the assault and reaching for another gummi.
The girls changed as quickly as Chyna would allow, all the time complaining about the ramifications of four girls sharing one bathroom. Lexi laughed along as she pulled a straightener through her hair which she had let grow near to her waist. She knew it was a poor choice. Even though the evening air was close to freezing compared to the Georgia atmosphere she was accustomed to, the club was sure to be suffocating, and she would be in need of a ponytail upon entrance.
As they exited the building, Lexi recognized an onyx town car which immediately drove up to meet them. Lexi slid against the black leather interior with Chyna following behind her. Apparently, the driver already knew where they were headed, because instead of offering a destination, Chyna popped open a chilled bottle of Cristal resting in a bucket.
“I know it’s not vodka gummis,” she said filling two flutes full of champagne, “but I suppose it will have to do.”
“I suppose,” Lexi stated sarcastically.
Lexi took one glass out of Chyna’s hand and raised it in the air for a toast. “I toast you, my dear. To being young, fun, and free.”
“Not to mention beautiful,” Chyna added clinking their glasses together and lifting it to her lips.
The bottle was nearly empty by the time they reached their destination. The driver exited the car and moved to the other side to open the door for them. Chyna floated out of the town car and leaned against the side to steady her already uneasy balance. Lexi stumbled from the car door and nearly collided with the driver. Her alcohol tolerance was practically nonexistent, and the combination of vodka gummis and champagne were really making her head spin. Chyna laced her fingers with Lexi’s and plopped a kiss on her cheek. Lexi giggled uncontrollably as she allowed Chyna to pull her towards the bouncer who was openly ogling their display. The rope disappeared as Chyna moved to step across the threshold. Lexi glanced at the long line of waiting customers who, she knew first-hand, were cursing her tiny ass as she walked into the nightclub.
Lexi blinked as her eyes adjusted to the flashes of lights ricocheting off of the mirrored walls. The night was young, and Chyna and Lexi’s hotspot was crammed with couples grinding on the dance floor.
Still holding tight to Chyna’s hand, Lexi followed her up a winding set of stairs marked for VIP clientele only. Without even batting an eye, the bouncer pulled back the rope and allowed them into the exclusive upstairs bar. Lexi felt that she would never be able to get used to this life with Chyna. Only a month earlier she had been waiting in endless lines hoping for just a peek inside the most illustrious clubs, and now she was drinking for free in the VIP areas with an array of hot celebrities. She couldn’t believe this had happened to her. A young NYU Law student didn’t get to live this life.
Chyna shimmied to an available couch and gingerly sat down on the red leather pulling Lexi down next to her. “This was such a good idea,” she cooed into Lexi’s ear.
“It was your idea.”
“Alright. This was a perfect idea!”
Lexi smacked her playfully. “My idea would have been perfect if you weren’t such a snob.”
“Me? A snob?” she asked sticking her nose up in the air, her voice thick with sarcasm. “If I’m such a snob, you can pay for your own drinks today, skank.”
“Did you just call me a skank?” Lexi asked placing her hand over her heart as if wounded.
“I call ‘em like I see ‘em, honey.”
Lexi gasped. “How dare you!”
“You’re so silly,” Chyna said through giggles. “Like you’d pay for a drink yourself looking so smoking hot.”
“It’s only due to your brilliance,” Lexi commended her.
“Yes. I know. It’s amazing what designer jeans can do to your ass. You should really let me take you shopping so I don’t have to keep forcing you into my clothes when we go out.”
Lexi just shook her head. “I’m not getting myself into any more debt.”
“You wouldn’t have to pay for anything. Te amo mi amor. That’s all the payment I request,” she replied, affectionately sweeping Lexi’s hair behind her ear.
“Oh, please,” Lexi said brushing aside her hand.
“Fine. You’ll come around. But for tonight, let’s find a gorgeous someone who wants to pamper us senseless,” she said allowing her eyes to crawl across the room.
Lexi sighed happily and turned to play her friend’s favorite game. Under normal circumstances, the game went as follows. Whoever found a hot guy that met Chyna’s standards and got offered a dance and a drink first would be able to choose who the other person had hook up with.
“Oh, what about him?” Chyna suggested pointing out a tall blonde in a sleek business suit.
Lexi assessed his features from behind enjoying the view. “We need a look at his face before a final decision can be made.” Just then Blonde turned around and brought his beer to his mouth. Lexi nearly gagged as she got a look at his face. “I’ve never seen a nose like that before. It looks like it’s been broken in three places.”
“That’s because he’s a professional hockey player,” Chyna said quickly, but Lexi could see the disgust written on her face.
“I don’t care what he does for a living. That nose is atrocious.”
“Okay, so Hockey Guy isn’t for me. Moving on.”
They pointed out a few other good looking men, neither of them really satisfied with the selection. Chyna spoke up again, “Oh, him!”
Lexi looked to where her finger pointed out a man wearing dark jeans and a bright blue button-up. Her heart froze as her eyes traveled farther upwards to the shaggy dark brown hair. She couldn’t see his face, but her body couldn’t resist allowing the butterflies loose in her stomach at the possibility. She could feel the blood draining from her face, and her jaw going slack with fear and anticipation that he might be here. Short puffs escaped her mouth, her chest expanding and contracting with each movement. She tilted her head in hopes of catching a glimpse of Mr. Blue Shirt’s face.