The Two Families

Chapter Seven

Four Months Later

"It's your birthday on Thursday?" Luka asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, sir. I was hoping I could get a day off," I smiled.

"Okay," he agreed.

I thanked him, making my way into my office. I got out my phone, telling my friends that I got a day off. I grabbed my bag, locking the door behind me and made my way down. Julian stood at the car, opening the door for me. I sat down, pulling out my laptop, reading through my emails. Halfway through reading, I heard a ping from my phone. I searched for it in my bag, opening it, seeing a message from Luka.

From: Boss.

Happy early birthday Aarina.

I smiled to myself, before quickly replying to him.

To: Boss.

Thank you, sir :)

My message was seen but he didn't bother answering it. I was used to being left on read by Luka. Julian parked in front of our apartment, opening the door for me.

"Good night, Julian!" I waved, running inside the building.

I threw the keys on the counter, announcing my presence if anyone was home. 

"Hey!" Jian responded from her room. 

She came in, holding a bowl of popcorn, "want to watch a movie with me?" 

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"Happy Birthday Aarina!" All three girls screamed into ears, startling me while I was asleep. I woke up, groaning. We all had taken the day off to celebrate.  Amélie grabbed my hand, pulling me from the bed and shoving me into the bathroom. 

After eating breakfast and lunch, we all went to get ready. Today we were going to get hammered and probably make out with random people, but it's okay because it's my birthday. That was a good enough excuse for me. I got out my favourite navy blue dress, putting it on, and began to do my make-up. 

After getting dressed, we all went down, getting into our uber. We got off at our local club, presenting our ID to the bouncer and going in. Music was blasting all around us, making my ears vibrate. People were dancing, pressed up against each other. It had been so long since we came to a club and heard the sounds of EDM music playing, with drunk people dancing all around. 

Payton pulled us to the bar, ordering drinks for all of us. She raised her glass in a toast, "to Aarina! Happy 24th!"

"Cheers!" We all squealed. I drowned my drink, feeling the burning sensation down my throat. I ordered more shots for us, drowning them one by one. I could already feel the alcohol kicking in. I drained another shot, before walking to the dance floor, throwing myself here and there, feeling carefree after so long. I heard Jian giggle next to me as we danced to Heroes by Tove Lo and Alesso.

The night past in a blur; I remembered grinding on a guy and having a girl grind on me. I saw Payton making out with a tall, dark stranger in the corner. Amélie and Jian were dancing with two guys while talking. I sat at the bar, trying to focus my eyes. 

"Hey," someone called,

"Wass..." I slurred, "whom?"

"I-I'm Zara," the girl introduced, "we danced together."

"Hmm, yeah, dance," I droned.

She giggled, "I have a question. Are you straight? I'd be disappointed if you are."

I inhaled, "no, I'm Pan."

She smiled, "pansexual, got it. Give me your phone."

I whipped around on the chair, getting dizzy, grabbing my phone and handing it to her. She typed something into it before giving it back to me. She had saved her number in my phone.

"Call me sometime; we'd have fun together," she winked, walking away.

I blinked, did this girl give me her number? I grinned, pushing myself off the chair, following her.

"Hey!" I called out.

She stopped and turned around to face me. I grabbed her wrist, pulling her towards me, while I muttered against her lips, "why wait till I call you?"

She smirked, pulling me into the toilets. I pushed her up against the door, kissing her lips roughly. Somebody pushed the door open, rudely interrupting our kiss. 

"I need to pee. I need to pee. I need to pee. I need to pee," Amélie chanted as she ran into a stall.

"Aarina was that you?" She called.

I looked over at Zara, whose bottom lip was bleeding. I pointed at it. The fear in her eyes as she saw the blood and bruises on her neck made me smile at my handy work.

"Yeah, it's me," I answered.

The door was pushed open again, nearly hitting me. Payton came running in, with Jian right behind her. Payton literally kicked the stall open and emptied her stomach into the toilet. Jian held her hair back while making a face. I tried apologising to Zara for the chaos, who was holding a tissue to her lip, but I didn't make a comprehensible sentence. Fortunately for me, she understood what I meant to say.

"It's alright. Call me though so we can continue where we left off," she replied, walking out the toilet.

Once everyone had calmed down, I got out my phone, calling an Uber to drop us back. The whole car ride, Payton flirted with the driver, who kept on telling her that he is a married man with two kids. Jian was snoring to my right, and I was trying to stop Amélie from texting her ex.

By the time we reached home, it was past midnight and I had work tomorrow. I threw myself onto the bed, not bothered to change out of my clothes. I was going to regret drinking tomorrow but at least I had fun.

"Happy birthday again," Payton mumbled in her sleep.

I wanted to reply to her but I fell into a deep, dreamless slumber.