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Thankfully, Ginger intervenes, quickly ending the call and informing the others we’re getting ready.
"Come on, no backing out now. Go get ready," Ginger urges, pulling my legs and dropping my feet to the floor. Reluctantly, I rise and make my way to the bathroom, Ginger's voice fading as she walks away. "Wear something sexy," she adds, her words echoing down the hall.
Getting ready is the easy part, but as I stand in my room, I can't help but get lost in reminiscing about Ryan. His belongings still linger, reminding me of everything we shared. I notice the blue hoodie from our first night together and his toothbrush sitting by the sink, along with the necklace.
I gently pick up the fox pendant, running the cold silver chain through my fingers. It holds memories of our relationship, tempting me to call him for the first time since the break up. It’s been a month since I last heard from him after I’d blocked him, making any contact impossible.
A shaky sigh escapes my lips. My friends would scold me for keeping the jewelry, but I can't bring myself to toss it away. It holds importance, for Ryan more than me but importance, regardless. Eventually, I’ll have to return it, but the thought of facing him again fills me with uncertainty.
Outside the bathroom, the air thrums with the sound of excited footsteps and chattering; my friends have arrived. I step into the shower, intent on focusing on anything but Ryan.
After a quick rinse, I begin searching through my wardrobe for something suitable to wear, but after disregarding anything with a semblance of after-five, I can’t find anything.
However, my friends have a different opinion. "This bitch, what is this supposed to be? A potato?" Annie scoffs, her brows furrowed as she pulls out a small black fabric from the pile of clothes I scattered in my search for an outfit.
To my surprise, it is a dress, one I forgot I had.
Ginger snatches it from Annie, stretching it out to check its size. "Isn't this the dress you bought for that party at Oaks that never happened?"
"It is?" I question, squinting at it, unsure of its origin.
"It is! Put it on," Ginger orders, tossing the fabric in my direction.
"I can’t believe I’m doing this," I mutter as I disappear into my closet.
After a minute of struggling, I manage to put on the black dress, which clings to my body like a second skin. A glance in the mirror catches me off guard. My arms appear thicker, and the dress feels tighter than I remember. I’ve gained some weight, looking less like Ryan's new company.
The thought of being alone and dwelling on my sadness briefly crosses my mind, but I push it aside. A little weight doesn't negate the fact that I am still attractive, right?
I step out of the closet and into my room where my friends stand casually by my scattered belongings. "So?" I ask, dragging out the question, then watching my friends' faces light up with excitement. Well, most of them. Annie looks uncomfortable.
"That's the dress!” Layla squeals, jumping lightly on her feet, her breasts bouncing in her maroon crop top. “We're going to Slade!"
Ginger and Annie join her in a show of enthusiasm, and I can't help but be infected by their excitement, bursting into laughter.
By the time we finally leave, the evening’s already descended. Annie had a sudden change of heart about her outfit, leaving Ginger to offer her wardrobe to the raven-haired girl. Layla, being the artist she is, took the opportunity to touch up everyone's makeup before we embarked on our night out. After a flurry of activity and some scrambling into Annie's convertible, we’re on our way.
The drive to the club is filled with off-key singing, hair flipping, and random bursts of laughter, a welcome distraction from my thoughts. I feel lighter in the company of my friends, I forgot what it’s like to let go because of a certain someone. I shake my head lightly, determined to push any thoughts of Ryan to the back of my mind.
"Bet you're kicking yourself for not doing this sooner." Ginger's breath grazes my ear, her soft pomegranate scent tickling my nostrils. She speaks over the screeching sound of tires on tar as Layla parks the car.
I chuckle. "You would undoubtedly win that bet." Stepping out of the car, I pull down my dress a little and brace myself for the night ahead.
"I'm so proud of you. Now all that's left is to get you some big D—" Ginger starts, but I quickly interrupt her.
"Please no. No male…ah, items."
Ginger gasps dramatically in response. "Danger! I was going to say danger. You know, I've heard that fear makes you realize the priorities in life."
"Ryan certainly didn’t have big D,” Layla chimes in, her nose flaring. "And I’m not even pretending to talk about danger. His 'male item,' as you so delicately put it, was clearly lacking. It was obvious, Amber never had that ‘glow.’"
"That's not true!” I gasp over Ginger and Annie’s giggles. “He's not small! And I was very fulfilled" I exclaim, perhaps a little too loudly, drawing perplexed stares from those around us. Ignoring the attention, I follow my friends as we head toward the club's entrance with the elongated line of people waiting to get inside.
"Sure you were," Ginger teases raising a tinted eyebrow.
"True words from the one who settled for the bare minimum," Annie adds, earning a quick elbow jab from Layla.
I also ignore them.
