One

“You’re in a new city, honey.” My mother’s voice on the phone was breathy and reeked of worry. “We haven’t been so apart in your whole life.”

I smiled. She just missed me.

Moving had been difficult for me, too. I was the lone child of my parents, who were worriers more than anything else. I had finished my under-graduation at home, living with family. It had been nice in the beginning. No hassle of planning my meals. A warm bed at home. No sharing bathrooms with unhygienic college students. And the travel was short – a twenty minute drive.

Then I’d met Cassie, my now best friend. I had stayed with her in her dorm room one night and had the time of my life. I had realized what I was missing out on. The quintessential college experience. But it was too late, then. I was already about to graduate.

Good thing Cassie and I had similar plans in life. We had both gotten accepted into postgraduate programs. At Duke, nonetheless. Hers was different from mine, but we couldn’t believe we would be going to the same university for out Masters. So we had packed our bags, scouted a nice two bedroom apartment near campus, and moved in.

I was excited to live here. A new city. A new life. A new beginning. A new me. And I was glad to leave my hometown behind. Especially, considering what was in it.

Cassie lay down dramatically on our small couch. She flailed her arms about, staring at me. I quickly bade goodbye to my mother and promised her I’d call her back at night.

I grinned and sat myself down right beside Cassie. She reached up, her hands holding mine. “I’m so excited for us to live together, roomie!”

I squeezed her hand. “Me too. So excited! And more excited for classes to start.”

She frowned. “I forget you’re such a nerd. We have to make use of the few days we have left before we have to start slaving at school. Grad school is tough, alright?”

I nodded giddily. I was excited for it. I enjoyed studying. And I couldn’t wait to get done with my Masters so I could just start my PhD soon. I dreamed often of being a professor, leading my own research.

“What do you have in mind?” I asked.

“Well, bar hopping, for starters. Mike has a new bar he wants us to check out.” I nodded. Mike was Cassie’s friend who lived nearby. He had helped us immensely in finding a place and moving in.

“We should buy him a gift,” I said. “He helped us a lot.”

Cassie nodded, but I knew her head was now some place else. She was already thinking of the outfit she would wear and the moves she would make on boys at the bar. I had to think of an outfit, too. I didn’t have many clothes fit for barbing. I had always been more prone to visiting a cute café in a sundress. But I was sure I could figure something out.

“I’m going to take a nap,” Cassie said, yawning. “See you around 11? Dress hot, bitch. New city, new man, for you. We need to find you a hot boy around these parts.”

I shrugged, “I’m not really looking for that.”

She shushed me, shaking her head. “Don’t be a prude. Consider a new hot man like the stress relief you’ll need as a grad student.”

I smiled a little at that. I should be open to options. After all, she was right. It was going to be a new life in this city. And I had a feeling, deep in my gut…that something was going to change my life here. And despite everything, I couldn’t wait for it.

I made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner. We hadn’t really set up the kitchen yet. And I was a little giddy with excitement. This was only the second ever bar I’d be going to. The last one had been two years ago, with a boyfriend. Cassie told me all the time about her sexual exploits with men she met in these bars. Rich, hot men, apparently. I wanted some for myself, too.

Around ten thirty, I began getting dressed. I ruffled through my half unpacked clothing looking for a decent outfit. I found a black top with sheer black sleeves, and a sheer back; and a mini skirt to go with. This would have to do. I made a mental note to shop more clothes of this kind if I wanted to keep up this lifestyle.

When Cassie and I emerged out of our rooms at the decided time, we both squealed, looking at each other. Cassie was dressed in a very hot sequin dress. She looked smoking hot, and I whistled in appreciation. She twirled for me.

“I’m definitely borrowing that skirt,” she told me pointedly.

We took some pictures on my phone. A few selfies, and some pictures of one another. Our first day out from our new place. It was a moment to celebrate.

“Now, come on,” Cassie turned back to her room, and I followed. She rummaged in her purse, and produced three small bottles of whiskey. “We need to pre booze, obviously.” She uncapped one bottle and drank it all in one go. She grimaced a little, but then grinned, handing me a bottle as well.

Here goes nothing. I unscrewed the cap and gingerly touched the rim to my lips. I wasn’t really a neat whiskey drinker. I was more of a fruity cocktail drinker.

We drank halves of the third bottle. I already felt a little tipsy. Cassie pulled me in for a tight hug, wrapping her arms around me and squeezing. “Mike is here,” she said, as her phone buzzed. “Let’s go, girlie!”

We hurried downstairs, holding our heels in our hands as we climbed down the stairs. We didn’t have a lift, given our limited budget for rent. But it was fine. We were just on the fourth floor. Well, coming home drunk would be difficult like this. But that was a concern for later.