Lydia
THE LOUD RATTLING draws attention from those around me, but I pretend I don’t see them staring and judging. Why wouldn’t they put down smooth floors in this place? The square tiles make the shopping cart vibrate and rattle uncontrollably no matter how slow I walk up and down the aisles. I place one hand on top of as many bottles as my spread-out fingers will reach while steering with the other hand to minimize the clinking noise. Unfortunately, I’m only able to touch four of the nine liquor bottles, so the stares continue as I make my way up to the cashier.
Yes, I need a cart in a liquor store.
This is what my life has come to.
But it’s not all for me. We were all assigned tasks for this weekend, and mine happened to be the liquor store run. Now I know why. As I pass a little old lady, she takes one glance at my cart and looks back up at me with a raised brow. She doesn’t have to say a word because her thoughts are written all over her pruned-up face.
Lush.
I resist rolling my eyes and give her a tight smile instead. At twenty-five years old, I like to have a little fun. So sue me. Although, looking at my yoga pants, ratty T-shirt, and messy bun, maybe she’s entitled to make her assumptions.
“Did you find everything okay?” the cashier asks as I place each bottle on the counter.
“God, I hope so. I’m not sure my liver can take more than this,” I joke. She doesn’t laugh. I keep quiet until she puts my bottles in a box, since a bag won’t work apparently, and tell her to have a nice day.
Once everything is loaded into the car, I send the girls a group text.
Me: Well, now everyone thinks I’m the town drunk.
It’s not long before they all chime in.
Charlotte: hahaha
Scarlett: It’s for a good cause!
Paige: In 24 hours you won’t care what those people were thinking of you!
Me: Yeah, yeah.
After sarting the car, I put it in drive and head home.
With my sunglasses on and the top down, I bathe in the warm sun as I cruise along the street. A small smile pulls at my lips thinking about this weekend. It’s been too long since I’ve gotten out of town and had some fun. With the way my work schedule has been, I’ve had little time to breathe, let alone relax.
Pulling through the gate of the apartment complex, I make a pit stop at the mailboxes to see if I have anything important waiting for me. It’s doubtful, but you never know. I thumb through the envelopes of bills and junk before stopping on one.
Seth Lee is typed across the middle, taunting me. My cheeks heat in anger and my heart beats a little faster as my nostrils flare with each draw of air in through my nose. I know it’s just one of those dumb, generic credit card applications, but it still pisses me off. I rip it in half angrily before throwing it in the trash can nearby. You’d think enough time has passed that the mere sight of his name would have little to no effect on me, but I’m not there yet.
Balancing the box of booze on my hip, I manage to unlock the door to my apartment before entering. A loud meow sounds at my feet.
“Hey, Spartacus,” I greet. He responds with another meow.
I set the box down before bending over to pick up my huge, orange tabby. When I say he’s huge, I mean it. I swear this cat was bred with a saber tooth tiger. When the vet is impressed with the size of his head and teeth, you know he’s big. His purr meets my ears as he nudges my chin with his head. It’s the only affection I get nowadays. “I missed you too, buddy.”
With Spartacus in my arms, I walk us to my bedroom so I can start packing. I set him on my bed, despite his protest, and retrieve my suitcase from the closet. A long sigh escapes my mouth as I look around my room like a magical elf is going to materialize and pack for me.
“Alright, we’ll start with the easy stuff first,” I mutter under my breath. Walking over to my drawers, I open the top one and pull out a handful of underwear and throw it in my bag. After I’ve got my pajamas in there, I’m back to square one with not knowing what the hell to bring. Bars and clubs aren’t my scene, so this is a little foreign to me.
My hands are on my hips while I stare at the row of clothes hanging in my closet, hoping something will jump out at me. I hear my phone ding from where I left it on the bed, so I walk over to check it and see another group message.
Scarlett: Make sure everyone is drinking plenty of water tonight. Hydration is key for tomorrow!!
I love Scarlett dearly. We’ve only known each other for about eight months, but we clicked instantly. She’s hilarious and has this drinking thing down to a science.
Me: Yes, mother.
Scarlett: You’ll thank me later. <3
Heeding her advice, I go to the kitchen and grab a bottle of water. This weekend is going to be a complete shit-show.
And I can’t wait.