Chapter 1
"What on earth are you wearing." my sister Laura stands inside my bedroom door, her body leaning on the frame.
"You look like you're going to the library." I look down at myself, my long black skirt stopping above my knees. my white blouse tucked in. black small, wedged heels on my feet.
"I'm comfortable." I reply and she smirks bringing a red Lolley pop to her mouth.
"you're going to a club, the least you could do is look like you actually want to be there." she scoffs, and I sniff.
"Why do I have to dress to impress others, I'm happy with what I'm wearing." I state looking at my reflection in the mirror.
she huffs. "you're going to die a virgin at this rate. your 21 Mol. let loose and have some actual fun. and for god's sake, take down that tight ponytail. let your hair flow wild and free."
I love my sister, I really do. but sometimes she can be so mean. her words are Sharpe and honest, only Two years apart, she's wild and outgoing. I'm more reserved and quieter. but I love her dearly.
looks wise, we are the same. both with long blonde hair. at 5 feet 3. Laura is athletically fit, whereas I'm softer but more toned. we both have grey eyes, the same as our mom.
we share a wing in the mega mansion we live. high up in Beverly hills. this part of California, this gated community is full of celebrities. our own parents both, are movie stars, both currently out of state working on a new movie.
"Leave me alone. I like the way I look." she huffs one last time and then disappears, calling back to have fun.
honking comes from outside. that will be Della and Mika. Two of my best friends, both just as wild as Laura. how we are friends still mind boggles me. but I love them both.
tonight, we are celebrating my 21st birthday. the actual day was yesterday, but Della said we couldn't go out on a Wednesday night, it's just not done anymore.
I walk out to the red Lotus. Mika was given the flashy car on her own 21st birthday Two weeks ago. "let's go bitch, I need alcohol." Della screams as I approach the car.
"you're driving, you can't drink." I reply climbing into the back of the ridiculously small car.
"Please. like I plan on driving home, that's what uber is for." Della rolls her eyes and then we are off.
we drive down the hill and out of the gate. "Happy birthday babe." Della hands me a small box and I give her a soft smile.
"it's from us both." Mika yells over the music playing.
"I didn't expect anything. thanks guys." I grin ripping the paper and opening the box.
"Wow. this is... wow, you guys, its beautiful." I hold up the delicate gold chain that has Three charms hanging from it.
I put it on and hold it up to the light. the three charms dangle and sparkle in the lights outside the car.
"You never wear jewelry, and we wanted something that was personal. the charms are all of us." I look at each one.
there's a cocktail glass with a straw. "I guess this is Mika." I smile holding the charm.
Mika laughs and turns the car onto the highway. "I'm guessing the shoes is you, Della." I laugh and she grins.
"a girl can never have too many shoes." she wiggles her eyebrows.
the last one is an ice-cream cone. because in life, ice-cream is everything. "I love it, thank you."
we pull up to a new a trendy nightclub. Demure was recently opened by a man who is claimed to be part of the mafia. Ivan Delores, well known in these parts, known for his violent tendencies, plus other things.
"Will we even get in." I ask as Mika parks the car near the front door.
"of course we will. who can resist these puppies." she wiggles her chest, her large double ds bouncing in her low-cut top.
we all laugh as we walk to the front of the line. the bouncer looks us up and down, almost bored, like women don't do this all the time. his eyes linger on me longer than I'm comfortable with.
"ID." he asks, and we all show him our driving licenses.
"Your Jonny and Katerina's kid." he asks me, and I nod.
I'm not well known, not like Laura. she loves the spotlight, me, not so much. I don't go out of my way to be seen. I don't do anything that brings attention to myself.
"Have fun ladies." he hands us our cards back and we walk inside.
the music is loud and thumping. bodies move and grind on the dancefloor. my eyes scan the room, men and women dance, laugh, sing and drink. its wild.
we head for the bar, men and women lingering, taking drinks from the bartender. I feel so overdressed. I can hear Laura in my ear. can hear her comments about how I look like a librarian. now I feel exactly that.
the bartender comes over to us and flashes us with a big smile. "what'll it be." he yells over the base of the music.
"Three Alabama slammers please." Della looks at me because trust Mika to order something so potent.
he nods and grabs the shot glasses before filling them with amaretto, gin and southern comfort. I can feel my guts already tightening from the disgusting drink.
"Come get em girls. let's drink to a fucking awesome night. happy birthday bitch." Miks hands me a shot and we all clink glasses.
I down the shot and fight to not cough at how strong it is. "Jesus' fuck. that shit just stripped my liver." I laugh at Dellas comment.
"let's dance." Mika grabs our hands and leads us to the dancefloor.
I was never one for dancing. I could honestly tell you how my coordination is all out of sync. but with the confidence of my two best friends, I brush off my awkwardness and sway my hips to the beat of the music.
we dance for a few songs until Mika tells us she needs to use the bathroom. she doesn't wait for a reply before stumbling off the dance floor towards the dark hall.
Della looks like she's lost in her own world. her upper lip is sweaty, her body swaying with the beat of the music. my own body seems to be moving to the base of the song.
my heart is beating hard in my chest. my head feels fuzzy and unclear, but I keep on dancing. Della throws her hands up in the air, my own arms doing the same.
it's been ages since Mika left, but my mind doesn't comprehend that there's anything to be concerned about. I dance like no one is watching. I sway my hips side to side. I fight to keep my eyes open in a crowded room.
"I need air." Della grabs my hand and drags me to the main door
my feet are heavy, my breathing feels wrong. my eyes are heavy and watering. Della pulls me outside, the night air making my skin tingle. we walk just to the side of the club and that's when I'm grabbed.
