Perfect Strangers

Knock! Knock! Knock!

I woke up to the pounding of someone’s fist on my apartment door. I grabbed my metal baseball bat prepared to protect myself just in case it was my crazy ex boyfriend Jackson. Who might I add decided to cheat on me twice. Not once but twice. Anyway, I quietly made my ways down the stairs and to the front door.

I opened it slowly not unlocking the door, I wasn’t that stupid. I held my bat up for protection as I opened the door just enough to see who was on the other side. When I saw who it was I let out a loud sigh of both relief and annoyance. It was my best and only friend Michelle. We have been friends since we were in diapers and she is honestly the only person I have since both my parents died in a car accident 2 years ago.

“Nicole are you going to let me in or what?” Michelle asked bringing me back from my thoughts.

I nodded and closed the door to unlock it before opening it fully to let her in. She was dressed up like she was going to go clubbing in a Sunday night. I know people were off for Christmas and everything but they should wait for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to party any other day they should just stay home.

“Michelle what do you want at 9:55 at night?” I asked closing the door being her as she walked over to my couch and leaned against it.

“Well I was going to go clubbing and I need a partner.” She said holding up her make up bag in one hand and a bag with some clothes in the other .

“Oh no I am not going with you. You know that I’m not a big party animal. So most definitely not. Why not ask that dude you found at the other club you forced me to go to.” I said folding my arms.

“Me and that guy broke up, he was too clingy and wanted to know where I was every 2 minutes. Plus you need to get out of this house and do something other than eat, sleep, and work.” Michelle said as I just looked at her.

“What’s wrong with that? I love to sleep and eat, plus work allows me to do both. I even go to the library and rent movies. My life is great.” I said folding my arms.

“Lame. You’re coming with me end of discussion. Now let’s go doll you up.” Michelle said excitedly as she grabbed my hand and took me to my room.

Goodbye sleep. I thought to myself.

1 hour later

I looked in the mirror admiring Michelle’s work not surprised as to why she was hired to do make up for famous movie stars, singers, or even for senior girls for their prom. She always loved to practice her make up on me first even when we went to school together.

Michelle looked at me satisfied with her work and handed me a black over the shoulder bag that went with the outfit. I gave her a look since I wasn’t even a party type person. I never partied when I was in college I only went to make sure Michelle didn’t do anything stupid to ruin her life.

“Nicole you look absolutely stunning. Why haven’t you tried to become a model yet?” She asked as she handed me my phone, apartment key, and wallet.

“Cause I’m not going to give up the food I want to eat and the sleep I need to have people edit how I look. I’m perfectly fine working at NYC clothing company helping people find clothes that suit them and their personality.” I replied putting my stuff in my new purse.

“You are so lame, but I love you. Now let’s go party and meet guys.” Michelle said as she grabbed her stuff.

I went to protest at that last part of her sentence as she dragged me out of my room, down the stairs, and out of my apartment but I was too lazy to I wanted to sleep. Sometimes I forget how stubborn she can be when her mind is set on something.

We got into her car and headed to the club she just had to go to at 10:15 pm instead of sleeping.

********

I swear the drive lasted for a good 50 minutes before we finally reached the club. New York was filled with so many and Michelle was the VIP to all of them since she has done the makeup for someone famous. She parked in one of the VIP parking spots which in this case I was greatful for since I was going to end up leaving in less than an hour max.

I reluctantly got out the car and sighed. Michelle grabbed my arm and dragged me to the front of the club building. We got in with ease and Michelle told me to go mingle as she headed over to a group of guys to the right of the dance floor. One of them glanced over at me and I just looked away before struggling to make my way through the crowd of people on the dance floor.

When I finally made it to the bar I noticed that there weren’t that many people over here surprisingly. There were two girls in the shortest outfits possible ordering drinks that god knew they didn’t need. To the right was some couple who were having the most heated make out season of all time.

I went to the center of the bar since no one was there and ordered a root beer since I was underage by a year. I was only 20, but I was not about to get drunk and end up in some other country. I took out my phone and started scrolling through my social media since there honestly wasn’t any point to me being here what so ever.

The things I do for the people I care about. I thought as I sat there I felt someone tap my shoulder causing me to turn around. It was Michelle and she had a grin plastered onto her face.

“Isn’t he hot?” Sh asked as as I looked at the guy behind her to see who she was talking about.

“Sure I guess. Are you about to do what I think your about to do?” I asked already holding my hand out.

“You know it Nicole, and don’t worry I’ll do my sex disease test to make sure he’s good.” Michelle said handing me her keys as she patted her purse.

“Well I’m going to leave okay. Be safe and make sure to lock the door. I don’t want to pick you up from the police station because you tried to drive someone else’s car.” I said shaking my head at the memory.

“Calm down Nicole, I maybe bad but I’m not that wild anymore.” She said before leaving me to go grab the dudes hand.

She took him upstairs to the “have sex to your hearts content” level. Once she was gone I paid for my drink and went towards the exit. When I made it out I went to find the car. I say find because as a VIP they have the right to park your car in another area if a celeb or someone more important than you comes to the club.

I guess someone did because when I went to where Michelle had parked I’d course cause life loves to just bite me in the ass the car wasn’t there. I sighed and stated to sound the beeping to find it. The car sound ended up leading me to the side of the building and I had to go down the bad lit sidewalk.

Great, I’m in some typical rape scene. Someone help. I started to tiptoe down the sidewalk since my heel was starting to hurt my feet. I didn’t wear heels often, only for special occasions, which, I didn’t go to at all.

As I walked also making sure to watch my surroundings something randomly grabbed my wrist. I screamed in surprise and yanked my had away and stepped away from the ally I was now standing in front of. I looked down and saw a badly beaten up guy who seemed to be on the brink of death.

“Dude are you alright?” I asked slowly walking towards him.

He didn’t say anything and got a second I was going to just back away slowly and act like I saw nothing, but my conscience wouldn’t let that happen. I picked the badly injured guy up and headed to Michelle’s car that happened to be a foot away.

Once I got the guy in the car and buckled us both up I headed back to my apartment. Wondering just what I got myself into.