last night in da' cruise

CHAPTER ONE – The Last Night

“Emma, hurry up! We’re going to be late for the party!”

Lena’s voice echoed through the room, sharp and impatient.

“I’m almost done… just a minute! Or do you want to leave your bestie behind?” I called back, struggling to clasp the last piece of jewelry. I could hear Lena giggling on her end her usual hurry-up-but-I-love-you laugh.

Taking one last breath, I stepped out of the dressing room.

“So… how do I look?” I asked, grinning mischievously.

The V-neckline mini dress hugged my curves in all the right ways, the crimson shade glowing against my caramel skin. The open-back design felt daring almost rebellious. My black curly hair was styled in soft bangs, scooped into a messy bun that somehow looked effortlessly cute. The rose-pink gloss on my lips shimmered under the soft light, matching my makeup perfectly. And yes… I had “borrowed” Mum’s expensive gold jewelry for the night.

Tonight mattered. More than anyone knew.

“In case you’re wondering what this whole party is about,” I said, admiring the girl in the mirror who barely looked like me, “it’s our last Senior High party. The grand ‘goodbye’ before everyone scatters to different cities, different countries… different lives.”

Some of my classmates would be starting over; some reinventing themselves; some disappearing entirely.

And me? I needed this night. Not just for fun… but to prove a point.

Especially to girls like Claire and her clique the ones who believed beauty was their personal inheritance while everyone else was just background noise. They’d made people like me “the nerds” feel invisible for years.

Not tonight.

“Ummmh…” Lena blinked dramatically. “You look like a hot chicken fresh out of the grill.”

“What?!” I burst into laughter. “Is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult?”

“It’s a compliment, babe. You look stunning. But don’t you think your outfit is… I don’t know… a bit too much? You look completely different.”

“Good,” I smirked. “That’s exactly the point. Tonight, I’m doing the things I never had the courage to do. No more Emma the shy girl. Tonight, I’m Bold Emma.”

Lena raised a brow, her lips curling. “Oh? Does this bold version also apply to your Sammy?”

I froze for half a second.

“Lena…”

“Oh, come on. You’ve had a crush on that boy since junior high! You’re really going to graduate without telling him how you feel?”

I sighed deeply.

“What if he rejects me?”

“What if he thinks I’m cheap?”

“He’s the guy he’s supposed to make the first move.”

“Emma, please.” Lena rolled her eyes. “Once he sees you tonight, he’ll have no choice but to approach. Even I’m stunned, and I see you every day.”

I chuckled. “Thank you. You don’t look bad yourself. This silver shimmering one-hand dress? Babe. The boys won’t even know what hit them. Your hair looks unreal too those deep waves? You look like a movie star.”

Lena smirked. “Good. Maybe someone will finally take me off the single market.”

We laughed loud and carefree before screaming together,

“LET’S GO PARTY!!!”

A dozen selfies later (#SeniorHighParty #LastDayInSchool), we booked a ride to the venue.

Hotel Da’ Cruise.

A new place… almost too new.

Built on the outskirts of town far from the noise, far from watchful eyes. Everyone said it was fun: a pool, a game arcade, a mini theatre… the whole package. But something about the sudden popularity always felt strange to me. Almost like the place was trying too hard to stay hidden while still being noticed.

One hour later, the cab slowed to a stop.

“We’re here, ladies. Hotel Da’ Cruise. 404 Vincent Lane,” the driver announced.

“That matches the address,” Lena said, fishing out cash. We paid him, and he gave us a long, unsettling look.

“Be safe,” he said quietly before driving off.

Lena frowned. “Be safe? Are we in quarantine?”

I didn’t answer.

I was staring at the building.

It was massive… more massive than the pictures online. The lights shimmered a little too brightly, and the air around the entrance felt oddly cold despite the warm night.

Something inside my chest fluttered not excitement.

Something else.

“Whoa,” Lena whispered. “This place is… wow.”

We stepped into the hallway.

And that was when everything began.