“What's wrong with how I look?” I asked as I pulled on a baggy sweater.
“Well, let's start with the fact that you look like you just came from the gym. Or that I would guess under that sweater you're wearing a sports bra. But my biggest concern is the hot mess on top of your head,” she motioned to my thick bun of blonde hair.
“Ugh, now you want me to get all done up? Too much work. Let’s just watch a movie instead.”
“No, we are going out. I need to release some exam stress,” She stated firmly adding some eyeliner and lip gloss to her finished look.
“Just say you want to go out and meet a guy for some random sex, we both know that's what you mean,” I retorted.
“It’s true,” Emma agreed with a shrug of her shoulders. “And it’s not going to happen if I’m standing next to someone that looks like a bag lady.”
Thirty minutes later we were walking out the dorm room and to my car. My hair was curled, my ass squeezed into a mini and my face was caked with makeup, thanks to Emma’s handy work.
It was only May but the days were already starting to feel humid. Luckily the windy city of Chicago always had a nice breeze to move the air. In the winter, with subzero temperatures, it was hell, but with spring in full swing it was a relief to feel the air moving around my bare legs.
“I’m driving,” I said before Emma could say otherwise. “I don’t want to be left at the club again.”
“I hate your car,” Emma sniffed. She also knew there was a good chance she would be going home with someone tonight leaving me to fend for myself, so she didn’t put much of a fight up about it.
“Nobody hates Jeeps,” I shot back.
“They do when they are all old and falling apart.”
“Be kind. Bertha may have some years on her but she still runs fine.”
Emma rolled her eyes before sliding into the well worn passenger seat. I got Bertha from my parents on my sixteenth birthday. It was old and well used then. Five years later, I was pretty sure she was on her last leg. That didn’t stop me from loving her, though.
We got to the club just after dark. It was still a little early for the main crowd but already the place seemed busy enough.
When we slipped inside I had to admit it looked pretty nice. Everything was new and modern. Bodies were already pressed on the dance floor while the first DJ of the night kept the energy up.
Emma and I made our way over to the bar first to get some drinks. I was nursing my beer when Emma insisted we start the night out with something a little harder. Three shots of vodka later I was pretty sure I didn’t give two fucks about how I did on my final exams.
“Maybe if I get you drunk enough, you’ll finally give up that v-card,” Emma said over the roar of the music.
“I’m not that drunk,” I retorted though I did feel a good buzz already.
I noticed that Emma was sipping a drink through a little red straw that had appeared out of nowhere. One was passed in front of me from the bartender.
“From the guys over there,” he said nudging his head toward two guys down the bar.
“They’re cute,” Em said as she smiled shyly back at them.
“Eh,” I responded.
“Oh come on, Lilly, there are two of them, that’s perfect for us. I’d even let you have the cuter one who looks like his shirt is about to rip under all those muscles. I bet he would love to pop your cherry.”
“Yeah, no thanks. But you have at it,
” I told her.
“Are you sure?” Emma said before adding, “Your loss,” and made her way over to the two guys.
I rolled my eyes and rotated back around in my seat to nurse my own drink. The club was hot enough with all the bodies pressing together, but I was still feeling chilled in my little skirt and low cut backless shirt.
I cut a few glances Emma’s way. She was shamelessly flirting with both guys. I wondered if maybe that was the kind of steam I needed to let off.
It was true I was still a virgin. It wasn’t for any religious reasons, I just had never found the one I felt was worthy of giving myself to. But now I was 21 and it was probably becoming more of a shame than a badge of honor.