Slow It Down

Part 2 •REWRITTEN•

I swallow. Then, before I can talk myself out of it, I exhale and nod in agreement.

Natalie beams, already grabbing another cup. "You won't regret this." She reaches for the same clear liquor bottles and juices she used and begins making the same drink for me. 

The alcohol barely burns as it slides down my throat, which surprises me considering the liquor bottle it came out of smelled like nail polish remover. The fruity drink just tastes like juice, but knowing there's alcohol in it makes me hesitant to drink it. I push past it, determined to let go.

By the time we make it back to the dance floor, Natalie dragging me behind her, the drink is working.

The nervous energy buzzing inside me has dulled, the tension in my shoulders easing. The music doesn't feel overwhelming anymore—instead, it pulses through me, the bass syncing with my heartbeat.

Natalie grins as I start moving more freely, my hips swaying in time with hers.

"See?" she shouts. "This is what I'm talking about!"

I laugh, spinning under her arm, feeling the warmth of the alcohol spread through my limbs.

For the first time tonight, I don't care about who's watching. I don't care if I look stupid or awkward. I just feel light. The music swells, the room blurring around me as I let the moment take over and the alcohol flow through me.

And for the first time in a long time—

I feel good.

Time blurs together, the minutes melting away under the hazy glow of flashing lights and pulsing music. My skin is sticky with sweat, my hair probably a frizzy mess, but for once, I don't care. My feet ache, my body is exhausted, but I feel light, almost floaty, like nothing outside of this moment matters.

Natalie is laughing, breathless, her makeup glistening under the dim lighting, but she still looks perfect—as if she wasn't just throwing herself around the dance floor for the last hour. Meanwhile, I probably look like a hot mess, but I'm too buzzed to care.

The music is still pounding, but my body feels too warm, my legs unsteady beneath me, and my balance isn't quite right. My first drink hit faster than I expected, and even though I told myself I'd stop there, the rush of the night makes me crave more.

Natalie grabs my wrist, her steps a little wobbly as she pulls me toward the kitchen again. She giggles when she gains her balance. "One more drink," she declares. "Then back to dancing."

We stumble into the kitchen, squeezing past a few people standing around, talking loudly over the music. The counter is still covered in half-empty bottles and red solo cups, and Natalie doesn't hesitate to reach for her usual mix.

She glances at me as she pours. "You want more?"

I hesitate for half a second before nodding. I can't fight the smile that spreads on my face. "Yeah, but make it like yours."

Her eyes light up. "Look at you! So proud."

I laugh, leaning against the counter as she fills my cup with her usual mix of flavored rum and juice. I notice her pour more of the liquor in my cup, the same amount she's been drinking, instead of the little amount she gave me earlier. Within a few moments, she's finished and hands it to me. It's sweeter than I expect, barely tasting like alcohol, and I sip it easily as we head back to the dance floor.

By the time we make it back to the dance floor, I've already kicked off my heels, the straps now looped around my wrist. My feet ache less, and the relief of not feeling them pinch anymore is almost euphoric.