>Mallory
"Go… go… do your thing!" Mara encouraged, pushing my back a few times—one push hard enough to make me stumble slightly and hit my back in the car door.
"Wait! Don't rush me!" I argued, not angry but panicky. But she just pouted.
Mara had been my best friend since high school and she knows my situation more than anyone. She was a delinquent who often skipped classes, while I was a book nerd who constantly searched for the quietest corners of the school. That's how we met.
On the rooftop. During one of her smoking sessions.
Our attitude couldn't be more different, she's a real party-goer even until college and I was a shut-in. Who often locks herself inside her room. I didn't even know how I got sweeped up in this friendship, but I've been here since then even after she turned a new leaf and became a proper adult who only drinks now and then.
You know what? Our friendship, it just sort of happened.
I took a long and deep breath clutching my dress so hard my knuckles turned white. I know if my plan worked there will he no turning back. And that the possible repercussions that awaits me could be grave.
But I couldn't care less what's bound to happen to me. Everything aside from my current situation is a better choice.
My life is a shit show anyway.
It was all my plan and Mara fully supported me. It might not be the best but my decision was final, I had to do it if I didn't wanna get married to a perverted old man at his death door who just wanted fresh flesh as a wife.
Even just the thought of marrying him made my stomach churn. He had been watching me since I was fourteen or even younger everytime he visited our house for his business meeting. Even though I had lived as a shut-in most of my life, I wasn't blind and naive. I know exactly what those creepy stares meant.
I found them disgusting. I'll rather die that let it happen.
And what's worse, his wife just died a year ago too, because of cancer and he's already looking for a new wife.
No way! Over my dead sexy body.
But while I tried to act brave, my hands had been shaking since our car arrived at the lobby of the bar. Just looking at the colorful neon lights displayed at the entrance, the bouncers—everything made anxiety crawl up my spine. My feet felt frozen, my body cold.
I can't help it. I was a virgin.
"Are you sure about this?" Mara's voice trembled slightly with worry. I couldn't blame her. I hadn't even left her car, and I was already terrified.
I forced an anxious smile, placing my freezing hands over hers on the steering wheel. "Don't worry. I can do this!" I tried to cheer myself up, but she only stared at me skeptically.
To avoid making her more worried, I decided to leave the car. If I lingered any longer, all the courage I had gathered to get this far would evaporate.
No! That can't happen! Absolutely not.
I gave her one last look before stepping out.
"Take care. Update me, okay?" she gestured with her fingers to signal 'call me,' and I gave her a nod of approval.
I started walking toward the club's entrance, one deliberate step at a time. My black stilettos clicked sharply against the concrete, announcing every movement.
The black sequin dress clung perfectly to my body. Mara had chosen it for me. I wasn't sure if it was the right choice, but she had picked something daring—something that left very little to the imagination.
I looked back at Mara one last time. She waved cheerfully from her car before closing the door and driving away. Alone, I felt the weight of my anxiety surge.
Mara had taught me everything I needed to know about surviving a night in a bar, but being on my own for the first time was a different kind of terrifying.
Thankfully, She picked one of the most expensive bars in the area; otherwise, I wouldn't have had the confidence to go in alone after all the warnings I had read online and heard from Mara.
And also, I've never been to any social event without her. So, even this was the first for me.
I'm committed in this plan. I even wore a special laced lingerie just for tonight –Mara bought it for me of course, a red one. That was her area of expertise.
She told me that men go crazy about sexy lingerie and that I have to act like a total slut from in and out if I want to bed a man tonight. It was a fool-proof plan she said, if I make the man crazy enough he'll ram it enough to get me pregnant.
Even thinking about it made my cheeks burn. I tried to read as many book as I can but it's still different when it's the real deal.
Finally, I reached the club's door. The line wasn't long, unlike what I'd imagined from books. Two towering security guards stood in front, hands clasped behind their backs, faces serious. Their muscular frames flexed slightly as they shifted weight from one foot to another. They looked intimidating, and I felt my stomach tighten.
I pulled my ID from my silver purse and handed it to one of the guards. He glanced at it, then at me, and finally waved me through.
I timidly walked inside and as soon as I walked pass them, I was finally able to breath. Why was I—twenty-two—so nervous about bar security? It's not like I was doing something wrong. I silently scolded myself.
Upbeat music rang across the room as soon as I stepped in, the flickering lights were dancing in different colors, dancing between violet and red. The room dim enough that you can't almost recognize the people inside if you don't get closer. A DJ was playing at the second floor, and every time he hits the beat the people would cheer.
The number of people inside the club partying and having fun made me a little bit overwhelmed. I wasn't use at all the noise. Why would people find these kind of place enjoyable?
I should've just brought Mara with me. She would know what to do if she were here.
I scanned the room until I found a bar with only a few people seated at the stools. Relief flooded me. I made my way to the counter and climbed onto a stool, wiggling until I felt secure. The stool was tall—taller than I expected—and I had to stretch to reach the counter.
"Tequila on the rocks," I ordered at the young bartender wearing a white long sleeve and an apron. He smiled at me and promptly made his way to make my drinks.
Mara told me that. If I'm not sure what to order, I should just say 'tequila on the rocks'. I'm not sure if I trust her about this kind of thing, knowing how legendary her alcohol tolerance is but I've got no choice.
I rested my hands on the cool bar surface, trying to calm the tight, squeaky feeling in my chest.