"Did he see me?" I asked.

"No."

"Ok good. I need a drink. Where's Penny?" I looked around.

"You're not mad?" Briana asked.

"No. Like I said, I'm here for you. I'm just gonna act like he's not here at all. That should work."

"Are you sure?" I nodded, still looking around for Penny.

"Mmhmm, where's the bar? I need about four shots and I'll be just right," I told her.

"I'll go get you a drink."

"No, it's your birthday. I'll go get my own drink, and I'll get you one as well. What do you want?"

"Surprise me," she said.

"Okay, I'll be right back." I walked off in a random direction, but just away from that area. I maneuvered around tables, chairs, and people. I got to the crowded bar and found an open spot at the end. There were two bartenders, one male and one female. Once I got the attention of the girl, she rushed over to me.

"Thanks for being patient love. What would you like?" She leaned across the bar to talk over the music.

"Can I get like three, maybe four shots of whatever your strongest liquor is. And maybe something cute like a passion fruit martini, and make it strong as well." She took a second to make a mental note.

"I see you can handle your liquor."

"Nooo, all of these are not for me...well the shots are, but it's my friend's birthday so the martini is for her."

"Awe, where's the birthday girl?"

"Oh ummm," I turned around in the direction I came from, "Up there," I pointed.

"Oh the VIP section."

"Yea, I guess so," I nodded.

"Ok, so four shots and a passion fruit martini. Is that all?"

"Ummm, you know what, add two more shots so a total of six plus the martini." The bartender gave me a look and I had to tell her that the other two were also for my friend.

"Can I get a name?" She asked.

"You can just say they're for Briana."

"Ok great, I'll have the drinks brought up to you all."

"And the tab?" I asked.

"I don't handle money back here. You will get a receipt with the drinks and you can pay with the waitress." I nodded and thanked her before making my way back to Briana. I was about to walk up the steps to the VIP section when I spotted a familiar face. I stopped and did a damn double take. Was that April? I went to call her name when Briana came out of nowhere.

"I was looking for you. Where did you go?"

"Remember, I went to get some drinks," I said looking over her shoulder. "Hey, was that April that I just saw? The same April from high school—Ms. Ivy League?" I asked.

"Yeah. Why?"

"WHY!? Because you didn't tell me that she was here. I haven't seen her ass in years."

"Oh, my bad. Yeah, April is here, as well as Derek, my brother and a few of my other friends from college."

"Oh shit, I'm about to go speak. And you're coming with me," I grabbed her hand. We ascended the stairs, but I stopped halfway once I remembered who else was up there. Briana pushed me up the remaining steps and I quickly masked my facial expression. When I got to the top, I almost instantly locked eyes with April. She screamed and the biggest smile took over my face. We met each other half way, and I pulled her into a hug.

"It's been so fucking long I'm surprised you still remember me," I said.

"How could I forget?" She pulled away. "Oh my god. I was not expecting to see you here," she hugged me again and I squeezed her even tighter. Besides Cairo, April was like the first person to actually talk to me back when I transferred schools. On my first day, she introduced me to everybody and she even let me sit with her at lunch. We may not be super super close, but this girl is a real one. I've missed her so much.

"Damn, is that Asha?" A voice spoke up. April stepped to the side and Brandon damn near lifted me off the ground. I guess he was still as goofy as ever. I started blushing hella hard. It felt weird to see them again after so long. I was now like a completely different Asha from the Asha they knew in high school.

Derek was next, but of course, he was gentle with his hug. I've missed his calm demeanor. And it still amazes me how he and Ashanti, who are total opposites, dated in high school. Her crazy ass should've stuck with him instead of her current baby daddy.

I slowly looked around for Cairo, but I didn't see him. I released the breath that I was holding and my body completely relaxed. I knew that we would eventually meet, but thankfully it wasn't at this exact moment.

"Where did Cairo go?" Briana asked. Everybody shrugged.

Briana introduced me to a few of her other friends. They were all from the same medical program that she was in. They seemed cool I guess. They weren't my friends, so it really didn't matter what I thought of them. When all the introductions were out the way, I went back over to where April was sitting. The drinks finally came, so I grabbed all four of my shots and took each of them to the head. My only plan tonight was to get as close to fucked up as possible without overdoing it.

A second round of drinks appeared soon after the first, including a big ass bottle of something. As time went by, I completely forgot where the hell I was. I was just glad to be out with people I considered my good friends. I didn't have to look over my shoulders every few minutes or worry about my responsibilities.

"Hi friend," I yelled over the music. I sat down on April's lap with a near-empty drink in hand. I tipped the rest of it back, and placed the empty glass on the table.

"I'm so proud of you April. You're a defense attorney, right?" I had to make sure.

"No, not yet. It's still a work in progress," she said.

"I mean, but still that's so fucking cool. I love seeing Black women succeed."

"You are drunk," she laughed.

"And why aren't you?" I raised my brow at her.

"I'm tipsy," she shrugged. I smacked my teeth.

"That's not enough. I know you not a lightweight." I narrowed my eyes at her. "You better not be a lightweight," I said and she burst out laughing.

"Don't laugh." I got comfortable in her lap. "All that law shit got you so uptight. You can't just say, 'I'm tipsy,' and expect me to just be like whatever. I need a little bit more from you, especially since it's been years since the last time we hung out."

"Oh, you are definitely drunk. I've never seen you like this." I held my finger up to her lips in a hushing motion.

"I'm not that drunk. I know my limit," I whispered in her ear. I then slid off her lap and into the next person's. It was one of Briana's friends. She was tryna talk to Brandon. She looked surprised to see me.

"Oops, my bad girl," I said to her.

"Asha, you good?" Brandon asked me. I looked up at him and I couldn't help but smile. This felt too nostalgic.

"Yep, all good. Don't mind me. Y'all cute," I waved him off and stood to my feet. I needed to pee.

"Asha, where are you going!" Someone yelled after me. Damn, all up in my business. I didn't bother turning to see who it was.

"I gotta pee!" I grabbed the railing and stuck one foot out in hopes that it would catch on the first step. My vision wasn't blurred, but everything was a bit shaky.

"Asha?"

"Huh?" I looked up just as someone stepped right in front of me, stopping me from continuing down the steps. I looked away as soon as I realized who it was. 'Act like you don't see him. Just ignore him,' I coached myself.

"Would you like another round of drinks?" The waitress came up from behind Cairo with another damn tray in her hand. My attention turned to her and the tray. I eyed it curiously and pointed to the darker colored shots.

"What are these?" I asked her.

"Oh, those are called Liquid Crack. They have three types of liqueur in them, with about 42% ABV."

I snorted. Oh how fitting. I took one of the Liquid Cracks and emptied it in one go. I immediately cringed at the taste. Fuck. I placed the glass back on the tray and told the waitress to give the last two to April and Briana. I even pointed them out for her. The other shots can go to whomever.

She left with her tray, and I stepped around Cairo to the other side.

"Asha." He grabbed my hand and tingles shot up my body from where we made contact. I shivered at the foreignness of his touch.

"I need to pee," I mumbled without looking at him. He let me go and I gripped the railing as firmly as I could and slowly descended the staircase. I was extra careful because my life did indeed depend on me not tripping and cracking my skull open on the way down. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Cairo staring at me. I ignored him and made a beeline for where I remembered seeing the restroom signs.

I quickly pushed open the women's door and ran into a stall. I peed, wiped, flushed, and fixed my thong. When I got out the stall, I took my time washing my hands and just staring into the mirror. Girls constantly came in and out while I washed my hands for who knows how long. When I did dry my hands off, I pulled my phone out to send a text to Briana. I doubted that she would even see it though. Ugh, this shit was killing my vibe. I said I was just gonna ignore Cairo, so why am I still in here?

"Are you okay?" I looked up. It was some random chick. I turned the running water off.

"Yeah, I'm good. Thanks," I gave her a half smile. She nodded and left. I stepped back from the sink and almost lost my balance. Damn, that last shot was starting to kick in. When Briana didn't text back, I stuffed my phone back in my purse and exited the restroom.

"I just saw your text," Briana stumbled up to me as I got to the top of the stairs. "I'm sorry. My phone wasn't on me. I was—"

"You know what? It doesn't even matter," I pulled her over to the couch and sat down next to Penny and April. My feet were getting tired from constantly going up and down them steps.

"Did you see Cairo?" Briana whispered close to my ear. I nodded.

"What did he say?"

"Nothing. I didn't give him the chance to say anything."

"Why not?!"

"What's there to say?" I asked.

"There must be a lot he wants to say if he won't stop staring at you," she said. My eyes widened.

"Is he really staring?" I had to force myself not to look in his direction.

"I don't know. Why don't you look and find out," she teased. I slapped her arm.

"Briana," I said.

"Asha," she said back.

"How are y'all going to move past this if—"

"What y'all over there whispering about!" Penny yelled. I rolled my eyes. I needed another drink.

"Asha won't talk to—" I clamped my hand over Briana's mouth to keep her drunk ass from talking.

"Let's go dance," I said standing up way too fast. I lost my balance and ended up back in the seat.

"Damn," I giggled.

"Dance with me." I stood back up, yanking every single girl up off the couch.

"Where y'all goin?" Brandon asked from a few seats away.

"To dance. No boys allowed." I briefly made eye contact with Cairo. I couldn't help it. And, he was indeed staring straight at me. I noticed that another one of Briana's friends was talking to him, but he rudely ignored her. Cairo gave her not a single ounce of his attention in return, and I guess she couldn't take a hint. I pulled my eyes away from his intense gaze and asked the girl if she wanted to dance, but declined my offer hella fast. I rolled my eyes. That's on her, she can stay here and continue having a one-sided conversation with herself.

The other two girls happily came with us though.

On our way down, we all each took a shot. Shit, that was my last one. I won't be able to walk if I keep it up. I already had a shit ton of alcohol in my system and I needed to stop before I got sloppy.

.....

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