McDonald's. That's where we went to eat. In our fancy looking clothes, we went to get the greasiest burger and the saltiest fries in the world.
"Okay, look," Jessica said as she wiped her hands and mouth on her napkin. "We didn't drag you out here looking fine as hell," she winked, "just for some fast food. Obviously, you haven't figured it out, so we are just gonna surprise you."
We were in Lauren's vehicle sitting in the parking lot of McDonald's. We just finished eating and I took a big sip of my now warm pop, thinking of how I never ate as much as I did today in the longest time.
"Okay, I guess?" I wasn't sure how to respond.
Lauren chuckled and backed out of the parking space and went to the exit. "We are gonna get you a really hot man tonight. Then, we promise you, we are gonna make sure you two make out. Want some lipstick?" She told me while looking at me through her car mirror, completely serious.
I looked at her like she had grown three heads. Why isn't she focusing on driving? But also, could I kiss someone who isn't Edward? Could I even look at other men who aren't Edward? I panicked and started shaking my head from side to side.
"No. No, no. I don't think so. I don't know if I'm ready-"
"Bella, it's been almost four months. Four. Months. You're ready. I can tell. You're laughing and talking with us. You just ate a meal that's full of fat, yet at school, you can't even finish a small salad. Either you're ready from the two of us," she gestured to her and Lauren, who was stopping at a red light nodding her head, "or because you're finally coming to your senses. Either way, you're ready. Stop being in denial, Bella. It's not healthy."
She's right. I thought back to how in the last day and a half I was happy when I was around them. I let part of my guard down, whether it was because of drinking, or because I knew I could trust them. Well, I could trust them somewhat. They really are helping me. Sam, too.
I took a deep breath and blinked back tears. Why am I so emotional today? "Look, you're right. I'm sorry." I sent them both a smile although Lauren was looking straight ahead because she was driving. Jessica blew me a kiss after she turned in her seat to look at me in the back. She knew it was a touchy subject and she let drop. Lauren continued to drive for at least 10 more minutes at the car went silent after the conversation; a comfortable silence, only broken when Jessica squealed.
"We're almost there!" She half yelled. I still had no idea where we were going. Somewhere for me to make out with a guy? The movies? A restaurant?
When Lauren parked quickly, I turned my head from my window in the back to the windshield. My eyes widened before I unbuckled myself and jumped out of the car just after Jessica and Lauren did.
"No way!" I yelled, pointing to the club in front of us. "No fucking way."
This club seemed to be very popular. There was a gigantic neon sign that said: "The Release" in red. It also had a cowgirl in red, as well. The line outside of the club went almost down the entire block. It was only 7:30! The building was covered in lights, and you could hear the bass of a song from inside when the bouncer opened the door for people to go in.
"Bella, please. Relax. Just trust us and have fun!" Lauren said sweetly. Jessica looped her arm with mine and started to drag me toward the building.
"We got you, Bella," Jess started. "We won't let anything bad happen to you this time."
I stilled and unlooped my arm from around hers.
"This is insane, you guys! This is highly illegal!" I whisper shouted the last part as a couple walked by us. "I don't even have a fake id either."
"See, that's where you are wrong," Lauren said. She dug into her purse and whipped out a card. She handed it to me. "You have one now. Besides, you don't look 18 anymore. You look more like 25 being all dressed up and wearing makeup."
I looked down to the card she handed to me as she talked. The photo was of me from a few nights ago, when I went to Laurens. Although I don't remember taking it, I recognize the shirt I was wearing. My face was neutral, and my eyes were wide with amusement, probably from trying not to smile. I shook my head, attempting to erase the many thoughts swarming through my head. Should I do this? Do I really have the guts to do something like this?
"Bella. This is what normal teenagers do. Plus we came all the way out here for you, don't back down now!" Jessica whined.
"Fine, okay," I said before I could change my mind. "Let's go."
As we all walked together to the entrance, I became aware of how I felt physically. I had no pain in my chest. I realized that I felt no guilt or nerves. I felt calm and relaxed, loved, and happy. I looked over to the girls on my left and smiled, realizing I don't need an Edward Cullen to make me happy. The bouncer who was at the door was a big and buff man. When we got close enough, he greeted us.
"Hey, gorgeous ladies. How are you tonight?" His handsome mouth pulled at the corners into a smile. Although he was the one incredibly gorgeous, I for some reason felt no physical attraction like I knew I should feel. Of course, he was good looking, but there wasn't any "wow, so hot, I want to make out with him" feeling. Jessica and Lauren obviously felt the opposite.
"Oh, we are doing just fine," Jessica answered for us. "You think you could let us in?" She stepped closer and touched his left arm. The bouncer licked his lips before putting his hand on the door.
"Can I see your id's?" He asked patiently. I went to grab mine from my pocket, but he stopped me. "Oh, not you, beautiful. Just these two." He winked and I left my hand in my pocket.
Why don't I want him? He was flirting with me. Shouldn't my body feel something for him? I gave him a smile that probably wasn't too seductive and watched as his eyes quickly darted at Lauren's and Jessica's id. The two of them looked at me at similar times with a large smile on each of their faces before looking back at the bouncer. I could tell Lauren was smug that she was right about me looking older than I was. When the guy was done, he handed the cards back and opened the door. Lauren went first, Jessica second, and me last. The bouncer put his hand on my back, which was pretty close to my butt, and let me walk in. Before I was in fully, he stopped me by gently grabbing my arm.
"If there aren't any guys you like in there," he said fast, "I'm off work at eleven and can hang out with you afterward if you know what I mean." He winked again.
I looked at him in shocked and tried to hide it by giving him a nod and a smile. I quickly fast walked inside and his hand fell off my arm as I went.
If I thought that the line of people outside was big, the mass inside was unimaginably gigantic. There were bodies everywhere. Loud music pounded into my ears and everyone on the dance floor was jumping together at the same time. Lights flickered on and off and the DJ at the front of the huge crowd was dancing too. There weren't too many people at the stools on the side of the bar, and the tables near it weren't occupied, either. Everyone seemed to be dancing. In front of me, I saw that Lauren grabbed Jessica's hand, and Jessica grabbed mine. Lauren pulled us to three empty stools at the bar. I couldn't hear what Lauren was yelling to the bartender, but I could tell that she ordered the three of us something. I turned my back and looked into the big crowd of people again. It smelled a lot like body odor but somehow like perfume and cologne, too. The big mass of people was either laughing or had big smiles on their faces. Girls danced with girls, boys danced with boys, everyone was happy and seemed to be dancing as one.
I turned my attention back to Lauren when she nudged me with shots in her hands. I hesitated before grabbing one of the three she was holding and held it to my mouth. She smiled, almost most as if she was trying to reassure me, before drinking it. I quickly drank mine after I saw her swallow. The liquid burned as I swallowed, and tried not to taste it. I felt it slowly go down my throat and into my torso like it was leaving a trail of fire all the way down.
"What was that?" I tried to yell over the music to Lauren. She pointed to her ear and moved closer.
"What?' She yelled back.
"What did we just drink?" I tried again.
"Oh," she shouted, "It was just some tequila. Want some more?' I shook my head but smiled despite the fire that was still erupting in my chest. Instead, I spoke something different over the music.
"Let's go dance!" I grabbed Jessica's arm, who heard, and Lauren's, too. I pulled them to the dance floor and pushed against the many people. I kept dragging them until all we could see around us were just bodies and we disappeared within them.