Dive Bars
I loved the company of my friends but I will be the first to admit, I was a homebody through and through. “Please, just come with us, Harp! I promise I will make sure you have the absolute time of your life,” Lauren exclaimed while playfully yanking on my arm. I gave her a pleading, please don’t make me do this look. “Puhhhhleasssse HARP,” she hollered louder as if she was a toddler throwing a tantrum. I sighed excessively with a half smile on my face, “Fine, but just this one time I will make the exception for you and your antics L.” Lauren jumped up and down as if she won a big prize. When it came to the friend department Lauren was a huge jackpot. I’m pretty certain there is a minimum of having two doozy friends and then we’re granted with our ride or die. I could tell her absolutely any high or low, boy problem, family problem, promotion and anything in between but there was never judgement or jealousy from her, she just cheered me on or let me cry on her shoulder. She wasn’t that friend that gave you the half hearted shit on people answer but really heard you speak. I could feel tears welling in my eyes so I quickly began blinking to hide them, but it was too late she grabbed my chin to face her, ” Harp, what’s wrong?! If you’re quite literally going to cry about having to go out you know you don’t have to.” I blinked away my tears and sported a huge smile, “It’s actually not that at all, I’m just so lucky to have you as a friend, forcing me to do all the things, to live a little more ya know.” She chuckled out loud, “Oh Harp, you are such a softie, but I am grateful for you too. Now!” She exclaimed, “we have got to get our asses in gear or we are going to be late because I know good and well you’re gonna need at minimum 2 full hours to get your glam on. You know I might have to even pull out a special dress to make sure the girls are out on display because we need to get you a man. Actually you know what, this is operation get Harper a hot boyfriend to bend her over the damn counter.” I gasped, “LAUREN! You are so so bad! Firstly, you know I am totally against one night stands and secondly if I’m going out with you, I just want to hang out and have fun, not sit and worry about flirting with these dumbass boys who are just going to break my heart anyways.” Lauren rolled her eyes and chuckled, “Fine, no hookup, but in search of a husband who can ben” I interjected by slamming the door in her face before she could even finish her sentence. I headed towards my closet to rummage through my dresses. I sighed pushing one after another to the side.Gross. Too formal. Too pink. UGH. I mumbled under my breath. My hand grazed over a deep plunging black mini dress that I hadn’t worn in ages.Perfect. I smirked ripping it off the hanger as I walked up to my mirror to check the vibe. I quickly removed my lounge clothes and slid my black number over my head. My fingertips swept along the sides of the dress to ensure the skirt portion was kissing my curvy waist properly. I inhaled as I slowly shifted my gaze back to the mirror to observe myself. “There you are again Harp, you’re only 27 it’s not too late,” I quietly said aloud. I lightly adjusted the thin straps of the dress on my shoulders and tugged at the sides but this time to reveal a bit more of my cleavage before heading off to do my makeup.
As I slowly began blending in my foundation a million thoughts were running through my head. I was 27 years old. I was supposed to have my life together by now, I was supposed to be married and have littles running around the yard. Instead my boyfriend of three years decided he was bored, needed a new flavor of the week so I got my stuff and never looked back. That was already two years ago and I hadn’t remotely tried to dive into the shit pool of men. I was convinced that men wanted to use you for their pleasure and when they were done with you they threw you and their morals out the window. They wanted easy, quick and convenient not to continue to build something with you. At least that’s what I thought after my ex broke me. If it hadn’t been for Lauren I really don’t know how I would have gotten through it. It physically pained me to feel that kind of betrayal. It was time though. Time that I put myself out there and be vulnerable. Time that I had a little fun and be a little careless. Seeing myself come together in my black dress that hadn’t seen the light of day in ages was the turning point. I might be 27, but I was still hot, hell I was still only in season one of friends.
I added the finishing touches to my makeup then quickly spritzed my perfume on my neckline before gathering a few minor things to add to my purse. I darted towards the door reaching for the handle but stopped abruptly remembering I hadn’t put on any shoes.Shit. I tossed my purse onto my bed and rummaged through the mountain of shoes in my closet.No heels, no wedges, AH! Perfect.I said in my head. A pair of simple yet dainty cowgirl boots, a classic addition to my dress. Besides, we are going to a bar so dancing may be involved, I thought to myself. I aggressively dug them out of the heaping pile and slid each of them on. I grabbed my purse and again headed to the door, this time stopping before reaching for the handle to take a deep breath.
