It was just me now, floating there like an ice cube in a forgotten drink. The pressure grew stronger as the force pulled harder, working to get me free. It felt like a giant had wrapped its hand around me and was growing irritated that I wouldn’t let go.
I had to hold on. The guys were counting on me!
Of course, they weren’t really. I had no idea where they went or what they were doing. But the mission became the goal. Achieving it became the only thing that mattered.
The force shifted, banging me against the ceiling and then forcing me down. My head thudded against the steering wheel. And still, I kept my finger cocked, holding the seatbelt in place.
But it was slipping. One inch, and then another…
The force swung me left to right and then twisted me around.
And that’s when I lost my grip.
No!
The instant I left the safe confines of the minivan, it immediately dropped and exploded, and the yellow flames chased me up, licking my boots, almost as fast as I was traveling, a million miles an hour, into the sky.
The light grew brighter and more intense until it burned my vision and I couldn’t see anything but white.
Just three hours earlier, we clinked our glasses and together bellowed, “To your last night of freedom!”
We downed yet another cocktail—at least, my friends did. I was the designated driver and had to put up with passion fruit juice. The girls chugged back their drinks and hissed with delight.
Today was our second day of celebrations. We took a day off work so we could leave our New York offices Thursday night as early as possible. I picked up the hired minivan from the dealer, who couldn’t help but notice: “How well you drive a stick. You must have a lot of practice with sticks.”
Victoria would have given him the finger but I was too polite and shrugged my shoulders before taking off. Why did every loser think he could hit on me? I swore I was cursed.
The partying began in the minivan approximately ten seconds after I picked everyone up from Hazel’s apartment building. Despite the ample trunk space, there was barely enough room for all of Sirena’s things.
“I like to be prepared for any situation,” she said.
Although why she thought it necessary to bring a maid’s cosplay uniform, I had no idea.
“So, where are we heading?” Victoria said.
Maddy rolled her eyes. “Alice only sent us the memo, like, a dozen times.”
“I don’t read memos,” Victoria said.
“I doubt you read anything,” Maddy said.
“Hey! That’s uncalled for!” Victoria said. “I read sometimes… While I’m on the crapper. By the way, I heard a joke the other day. Do you want to hear it?”
“No!” everyone screamed.
Victoria lifted a leg and broke wind. It was so strong everyone wound their windows down and started coughing.
“Heard that one before, huh?” Victoria said.
“Only about a hundred times,” I said. “And it was just as funny the other ninety-nine times.”
Victoria shrugged. “I live in hope one of you will develop a proper sense of humor one of these days.”
Victoria and Maddy were as different from each other as it was possible to get without being arch enemies. Where Victoria loved nothing more than confrontation, Maddy ignored it. Where Maddy was organized and methodical, Victoria was messy and acted on impulse.
They were a modern take on The Odd Couple.
“So, where are we headed?” Victoria said.
“You’ll love it,” I said. “It’s a party town. I found it online. It looks amazing. The kind of place people can go and party without worrying if they’re annoying others.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Bianca said, the original party girl. “I like to party specifically to annoy people.”
“It’s called Party Central and it caters to our every whim. There are bars, clubs, Irish pubs—”
“Male strip clubs?” Bianca said.
“Three of them,” I said, knowing it would be her first question. “All themed by how dirty you want to be.”
“Not dirty!” Hazel voted, raising her hand.
“You’re the gal getting married,” Sirena said. “You don’t get a vote.”
“Since when?” Hazel said. “The bride should get a vote worth two of yours.”
“Except you’re not a bride yet,” Sirena said.
“Hey, girls,” Bianca said. “How about a little warm-up before we get there?”
She pulled a bottle of absinthe from her backpack. The party began then, and it hadn’t eased up for two whole days. We stopped only to sleep.
Party Central didn’t disappoint. It was safe and secure with its own police station. It had every type of restaurant and bar known to man. Far too much to try everything out on one visit. There were even large corporate franchises in case you missed the great American diet.
This evening was the final hurrah and I was on tee-total duty. I wouldn’t take a single drop. I needed to be as clear-headed as possible for the journey home. I was the maid of honor and it was my job to make sure we arrived back in New York in time for the wedding tomorrow morning. Hazel would marry her long-term boyfriend, Tom.
“Let’s go dance!” Bianca said.
“What an excellent idea!” Sirena said.
“How about you guys?” Bianca said. “Want to join us?”
“I’m going to the little girl’s room,” Maddy said.
“Same here,” Victoria said. “I’ll join you.”
Hazel waved a hand. “Maybe later.”
“Your loss,” Bianca said, grabbing Sirena by the hand. “Let’s see if we can pull the hottest guys in here!”
The table felt very empty without the others there. It left me alone with Hazel. It made me happy. I was never happier than when I spent time with Hazel.
For the past five years, we’d lived together. It was strange to think my friend had grown up and would soon be moving on to the next stage of her life. A husband, her own house, then kids, a dog…
Responsibilities.
I would live in our shared apartment until the lease ran out in three months. Then I would
