Chapter 13

I got ready for what would be another drinking binge of Amanda, Sarah following her, and me being left out as the designated driver. I wore black jeans and a black lace top with my hair left out and a few accessories. I applied mascara, some lipstick, and blush. That's it! It would have to do. I can't do better than that. Who is going to notice me anyway when Amanda is there? I packed my wallet with essentials- some change, cards, keys. I debated whether to put lipstick inside or not. And decided to put it. Just in case. I started thinking of the dent this outing will do to my savings as I drove my car to the club.

Once parked, I messaged them to know where they are. As always, Amanda is running late and asked me to wait for her before entering. Sarah is with Amanda. Why am I not surprised? I played angry birds to kill time in the meanwhile.

After 30 minutes of murdering pigs relentlessly, Amanda messaged me they are at the entrance. Any longer, and I would be known as 'The Slaughterer of Pigs' in the realms.

I joined them in the line amidst the protesters who were shouting for cutting the line. Thank you, guys, I love you too.

'Where were you? We have been waiting here for ages Bella!', Amanda whistled. Right! I was the one who was waiting for 30 minutes in the parking lot and she accused me. Paint me surprised.

Amanda is wearing a red halter dress that is totally backless and so short, I would be hard-pressed to bend in that thing. Whereas Sarah is wearing a pink short dress that cinches her waist and flares at her hips. She looks good. But she doesn't like pink color that much. It must be Amanda's choice. I raised my eyebrows and glanced at her dress deliberately to let her know. She gave me a sheepish smile in return. Hmm.

'I was in the parking lot. I thought you wanted me to wait there', I clarified as a sort of explanation.

'I asked you to wait here silly', Amanda replied, finding it funny.

'Oh, my bad', I said at the end of the discussion. We entered the club after 5 more minutes of waiting in line.

One of the trendiest nightclubs in Atlanta, Havana Club, is more upscale with dark wood and swanky sofas with a bar on one side and a cozy lounge area on the other. The dance floor, located on the lower level, streams the latest house and industrial beats. Other rooms have their own unique ambiance that plays a wide range of musical genres like the '80s or hip-hop. Most of the club-goers are rich. The people can linger by the bar and sip on house cocktails while looking at the dance floor.

We made a beeline to the seats that are thankfully free as they are secluded aside. Once we had a drink in hand, courtesy of Amanda, I questioned her, 'are you by any chance trying in a singing talent show? Or some voice over in a porn movie?' with all the seriousness in the world.

Sarah spewed the drink she was drinking. I quickly grabbed some tissues and helped to clear the evidence of us sullying the premises. All the while, Amanda was looking at us like a goldfish opening and closing her mouth.

'Well?', I questioned again once Sarah settled down.

'What? Why would you ask that?' Amanda probes, scrunching her eyebrows in a frown.

'It must be obvious from your speech. Though yours is more like donkey’s screech', I shed the light on.

'Oh! That! I'm doing for my boyfriend'.

I looked at Sarah who shook her head not understanding a thing.

'Since when do you have a boyfriend? And how is that related to your wheezing?' I quizzed her completely confused now.

'He is into sounds. So, I've been practicing them since morning for the correct pitch to do at the right time', Amanda said as if we were discussing the weather.

It took one...two minutes for Sarah, who is also a virgin to understand Amanda.

'What pitch? What time?', I said with a frown while Sarah hit her forehead playfully for my dumbness. And then a bulb switches-on inside my brain.

'God! Jesus! Amanda! Why is everyone oversharing their love life with me? First mom, then nana, and now you. Believe me, I have zero interest in learning your Boudoir bounce interlude', I said, hiding my face behind my hands, frustrated with the mental visuals.

'Oh ya... how about yours then? Any new news you want to share with us?', Amanda smirked.

I like her better when she is focused on herself.

'You know, I didn't meet anyone', I replied lamely, not liking the direction of her thoughts.

'Don't you think it's about time we rectify that?'

'No. Absolutely not’. Amanda bulldozes my pathetic excuse by saying, 'Pshh. I think you are just being silly. Let's rehearse over here. Why don't you go meet and talk to...say', she searched the vicinity of the club and rested on someone at the bar counter. 'Mamma-Mia, how about him?' Amanda said pointing to someone behind my back while licking her lips.

I turned to look at the man she was pointing to, but couldn't see his face from my angle. His back is however enormous. And his hair is looking so good, I want to run my fingers through it. There is only an itty-bitty problem, I can be a little maladroit in social situations. I would stumble or blubber some nonsense before men. Years of bullying and insecurities do that to you.

I stutter to Amanda, 'Is it necessary now? We are here for drinks, right?'

'Oh no, you are not slithering away from this one. Look at him, he is so gorgeous. I would dump my boyfriend right now if he is here for him. You got one life, Bella. Live for once. You can do it, come on'. Amanda pushed me from my seat, literally. I stumbled and balanced after taking a step. Well, it seems I would get to use that lipstick after all.

I started walking towards the bar counter with sang-froid. I'm cool...I'm calm, nothing is going to happen. Smile, relax. I'm an oasis of serenity. No one can pop my bubble. I can do this. I almost approached the bar area. One step...two steps...shoot it! I took a left and went straight into the lady’s room.