Alright, Screw It
Laughing, they both walked to the door together, stepping out into the cool night air. Outside, the Uber they’d ordered was waiting, its headlights casting long shadows across the pavement. The driver, an older man with a kind face, greeted them warmly as they approached.
“Evening, ladies,” he said with a smile. “You headed to the big party?”
Mary nodded, sliding into the backseat. “You bet,” she said, her excitement still bubbling over. Sophia followed, offering a polite smile as she settled in next to her.
As the car pulled away from the dorm, the two girls exchanged a glance, one filled with a mixture of excitement and nerves. The campus lights blurred by as they made their way toward the staff quarters, and in the distance, the glass penthouse awaited them. Tonight, they were stepping into a world that had always felt out of reach— a world of the elite, the popular, the untouchable.
For Sophia, it still felt like a dream, but as the car drove into the night, one thing was clear: there was no turning back now.
AT THE PARTY...
Sophia and Mary stepped out of the Uber onto the dimly lit road, the scent of damp earth and crisp air filling their lungs. A few feet ahead, the faint glow of the penthouse loomed in the distance, hidden among the trees like a glass fortress. The estate was nestled deep in the woods, away from the campus lights, creating a secluded, almost otherworldly atmosphere. As they began their walk down the road leading to the estate, the cool breeze whispered through the trees, making the leaves tremble and fall, dancing lightly across the ground in front of them.
The rhythmic rustling of the woods was interrupted by the faint pulse of music— a low bass thump that seemed to grow louder with each step. Sophia’s heart raced in time with it, her earlier nerves creeping back to the surface. She exchanged a glance with Mary, who seemed more relaxed, her shoulders swaying slightly to the distant beat. The contrast between them was stark— Mary exuding confidence, her blue dress catching the flicker of moonlight, while Sophia, in her borrowed peach gown, couldn’t shake the growing feeling that she was out of her element.
As they approached the grand estate, the music became a full-blown roar. The once-muted beats now pounded through the air, blending with laughter and the chaotic sounds of students partying. The scene before them was something out of a wild dream: students scattered everywhere, some dancing to the relentless DJ remixes blaring through the speakers, others lounging lazily by the pool with bottles of liquor in hand. A few darted between trees and bushes, playing what seemed like a frantic game of hide-and-seek, their shrieks of laughter piercing through the night. The smell of weed and spilled liquor hung heavy in the air, mingling with the earthy scent of the woods.
Sophia felt the overwhelming energy hit her like a wave. This wasn’t just a party— it was an alternate world, far removed from the pressures of classes and assignments. The students here weren’t the same people who sat beside them in lectures; they were like creatures of the night, lost in their own worlds, living out their fantasies without a care in the world.
Mary took it all in with a wide grin, nudging Sophia with her elbow. “Crazy, right?” she shouted over the music, her eyes twinkling with excitement. Sophia nodded, her lips pressed into a tight line. She could feel the thrum of the music vibrating in her chest, but it did little to loosen the knot of anxiety tightening inside her.
“I don’t know if we should be out here,” Sophia muttered under her breath, her eyes darting from the dancers to the wild antics around the pool.
Mary waved her off with a flick of her hand. “It’s fine, trust me. This is the fun part of college. We’ve been working hard all week— tonight, we let loose.”
But as another student ran past them, spilling his drink and laughing maniacally, Sophia wasn’t convinced. She swallowed hard, and without another word, they made their way inside the penthouse, hoping to find a quieter space.
The moment they stepped through the large double doors, the noise of the party outside dulled, replaced by a calmer, more subdued atmosphere. The penthouse itself was a marvel— exactly as people on campus had described it. Walls of glass framed by sleek metal supports, ceilings high and expansive, everything meticulously designed to exude wealth. The furniture was a tasteful mix of modern and classic styles, and sculptures and paintings adorned the walls in strategic places, giving the space the feel of an art gallery more than a party house.
The lighting was dim, a cool blue glow casting faint shadows across the room. Fewer people were inside compared to the chaos outside, and most of them were gathered in small groups, engaged in hushed conversations or sipping drinks as they lounged on plush couches. The music inside was softer, a low hum that provided background noise without overwhelming the senses.
Sophia and Mary exchanged glances, relieved by the contrast. The room felt less like a party zone and more like a chic lounge— somewhere they could catch their breath and blend into the background. Across the room, a long, sleek couch sat invitingly empty.
“Let’s sit over there,” Mary suggested, pointing to the couch. Sophia nodded, eager to distance herself from the remnants of her anxiety. They made their way over and sank into the couch, its cushions soft and luxurious beneath them.
In front of them was a tempered glass stool, and on it sat an extravagant wine bottle with a sleek label, beside a stack of recyclable cups. Mary immediately reached for the bottle, her fingers dancing over the smooth surface.
“Well, if we’re going to survive this night, we might as well get in the mood,” she joked, pouring herself a glass without hesitation. She filled another cup and handed it to Sophia, who hesitated, staring down at the dark liquid swirling in the cup.
“I don’t know, Mary. I’m not really a drinker,” Sophia said, her voice uncertain as she accepted the cup but held it in her lap, making no move to drink.
Mary waved her off. “Soph, it’s one night. It’s just wine. We’re here to have fun, remember?”
Sophia bit her lip, her mind racing with all the what-ifs. What if the alcohol was stronger than she expected? What if she ended up making a fool of herself? But then, looking around the room, at the calm, almost serene atmosphere, she realized something: everyone here was lost in their own world. No one would care what she did or didn’t do. They weren’t watching her.
She exhaled slowly, her grip tightening around the cup. “Alright, screw it,” she whispered under her breath, and took a tentative sip.