Chapter 2 It's a fucking girl's night

Amelia and my other friends have always lived their best lives, going to parties, dates, and a lot of other fun while I get to stay at home and watch my two half-sisters. Recalling vividly the day I refused to do so, my mom said something I would never forget about them being the reason for my survival.

I try my best to uncover what she meant by that, but it's like an impossible mission. When I ask her, she tells me not to dwell on it, saying it's something she said out of anger. I pretend to believe her, but I know something's not right.

Jolting me from my thoughts, I hear a knock on my door. I know it would be one of my sisters, so I pretend not to hear, trying to know how they would survive if I left the house without their knowledge.

"Hey Jenna, I know you are inside. Open the goddamn door before I knock it down," Juliet says, pushing the door alongside her voice sounding malicious.

"What's up, Juliet?" I say, with a cheerful voice, still not opening the door.

"I remember saying you should open the goddamn door," she says disrespectfully. "Looks like you want it down," she said and started pushing the door.

"Hold up, I will open it in a second, just give me a few minutes," I say almost in a plea, trying to cover my outing clothes that are already on the bed.

"What took you so long," she says, rolling her eyes at me. Stunned by the unexpected question, I start stuttering. "Uh... nothing, I just needed to make some arrangements," thinking she already found out about my sneaking out.

She looks at me suspiciously and then pushes the door open widely, causing me to stagger and fall on my reading chair, crashing everything down to pieces.

"I know you have something up your sleeve," she says, scanning her eyes inside the room and back at me.

Desperately trying to control the cauldron of rage threatening to burst out from me, I clench my fist in anger pressing it down on the cold tiles and enduring the pain

"Get out of my room, Jane," I say, looking downwards.

Chuckling, she says, "What would you do if I refuse?" walking up to me, her voice devoid of mischief.

"I said, get out," I shout, glaring at her, and pointing my hands towards the door. Unable to tell my expression, I watch her as she scurries out of the room in fear.

"I've just had enough of these people," I say, picking up a tight short green skirt from my bed with a white crop top and going over to my standing mirror.

"Thank Goodness, for Amelia's thoughts, I need to let off some steam," Sighing and waving away all the thoughts that bothered me, including my dream.

"Looks like we've found a solution," I say to myself, heaving a sigh of relief. Putting them on and making poses to be sure that they fit me well. My beauty radiates through the mirror, reminding me once more, why Jane would always hate my existence, but I didn't care much.

"Okay, what do I put on my legs? Hmm, heels? Nah, that's a no. I won't even be able to walk. What about... yes, I have a green canvas. That will do the work."

"Now it's time for makeup." Heading to my dressing table, I pull out the drawer and pick up my brush and makeup kit but I change my mind immediately putting in makeup will make all the guys at the party trip on their steps.

Packing up my long silver hair in a ponytail, the purple woman's hair from my dream flashes in my memory and I change my mind, letting down my hair instead.

I pick up my pink lip gloss, apply it over my lips, and proceed to the door. Holding the door knob, I think of what my sisters would think of me, and the feeling of guilt washes over me. But the thought of what Amelia and the rest were going to do to me if I didn't show up, washed it off immediately.

"It's now or never," I opened the door of my room stepping into the dimly lit parlor, I squinted my eyes to find anyone in sight, but there was no one.

Feeling happy that no one was going to see me or my dressing, I approached the door. Images from my dream and the rumors surrounding our house about it being haunted flashed through my mind and fear washed over me, and on second thought I chose to see them before heading out.

"Jane? Juliet?" I call out as fear starts etching inside my heart. No response. I feel paralyzed immediately as I surreptitiously approach their room.

Just then, a feeling of relief washes over me as Jane comes out of their room.

"Is Juliet in?" I ask, completely forgetting how I look.

"Yes, she is," Jane says, noticing my dress and staring at me in shock.

Pretending not to notice, I turn around, trying to avoid any questions from her, but It's already late.

"Be careful," she says, making me turn around and wish that she was my only sister and Juliet never existed.

Giving her a silent nod and a bright smile, I open our large wooden door. It's impossible to ignore the unsettling breeze that blew past me, causing the hairs on my body to stand on edge, recalling my dream. I suck on my teeth, instantly regretting why I didn't wear something more protective or even declined. But either way, I have to go. It's been more than fifteen minutes already.

On my way out, I discovered that there was no reason to blame those that said the houses around us including my house were haunted because of what I was facing. Fear is about to engulf me. The shadowy figures lingering about in the foggy street, reminiscent of the foggy forest in my dream, coupled with rattling sounds made by what I knew not and the creeping of small animals into the abandoned houses.

Adrenaline coursing through my veins, I start running past everything, trying to wash off the fear that filled my heart. Running towards the cemetery along the shortest route outside our street, I came to a halt because of the gloomy look of it and the eerie glow brought by the moon that sent shivers down my spine.

While contemplating whether to go back or continue, a horn jolts me out of my thoughts. Looking forward to where the horn came from, I see my best friends in a truck, waving at me, relief washes through my veins immediately.

The cemetery didn't look scary anymore, as I walked past it pretending like everything was alright mostly raising my head and watching them alight from the truck. Getting to where they wait in the truck, I can't help but pull them all in a tight hug.

Thank y'all for coming," I muttered. " Amie, you told me you were almost at the party,"

Yeah, we changed our mind. Since it's your first time, we chose to pick you up so that you would enjoy everything from the onset," Amelia, my best among all replied, her gaze scanning me whole.

"You're looking hot, bitch," Olivia says, smacking my butt as entered the front seat.

"I think you are wrong. We are all looking hot," I said, raising my hands up to the air, letting the cold breeze crash against my skin, giving me an icy feeling.

"Yay," we all cheered, as our laughter pierced through the silence of the night and Amelia started the engine.

"We are gonna have funnnnnn," Olivia shouts, raising her hand above her ponytail hair.

"Yes baby," I reply, finally feeling alive.

Just then, someone appears on the street-a shadowy figure in a black coat and black boots, surrounded by mist taking semblance to the man in my dream and creating an enigmatic atmosphere as Amelia struggles to find the brakes to avoid us crashing into whoever it is.

Swerving off to the other side, she stops the car in haste, causing all of us to fall forward.

"Is everyone alright?" Bailey asks, pulling us all up.

"What was that??" I managed to ask no one in particular. My mind continuously drifts back to the man in my dreams and I can feel his gaze but his face is still hidden.

"Don't you think you would be the best person to answer that question? Like, come on, girlie, I almost lost my fucking life. When are you going to move out of this trench hill you call a home?" Bailey says, glaring at me, her voice rising with anger.

"Hey, take it slow, Bail. Don't be too harsh on her," Amelia says, turning back to see what it was.

"It's nothing, I think we were all hallucinating," Olivia says in a mocking tone.

"That's impossible. You can't call that a hallucination. We all saw it," Amelia responds, looking into my eyes, trying to discern my expression.

Meeting her gaze, I try to hide my shock of knowing something relating to what happened and also telling how sorry she feels for Olivia and Bailey on their behalf.

"How about you guys go without me, there's something I need to take care of," I say, almost whispering.

"It's alright, pookie. You are always cute," Amelia says, pinching my cheeks with a smile on her face.

"Let's rock this night," Olivia shouts, waving her hands in the air and prompting all of us to join her. But deep down, despite the sudden happiness, I know something is wrong.

The rest of the journey goes smoothly, and we arrive at a dimly lit bar reeking of cigarettes and drinks. "What's this place, Amelia?" I ask, an unsettling feeling washing over me.

"Don't judge a book by its cover," She shouts as we proceed inside.

Inside the bar, it feels very different from the outside like Amelia said. A wave of emotions washes over me as I take note of the surroundings. The clinking of glasses, the rhythmic beats of the music, and the eclectic mix of patrons chatting and laughing. A surge of confidence suddenly erupts inside me; this was an adult world, and I am now a part of it. The slight intimidation I felt when coming in was softened by the reassuring smiles I received from Amelia and sometimes from Olivia, but Bailey was just doing her thing.

The dim lighting and the hum of conversation created a lively yet slightly intimidating atmosphere. Excitement bubbled within my chest. "This is a new adventure, a rite of passage that I have been waiting for. I am letting everything be and submitting myself to this life. I have always wished for it" I shout excitedly in my head, trying to find the hotties Amelia told me were present.

Yet, with each step, a hint of nervousness accompanied me, the uncertainty of the unknown tugging at my confidence, linking to what had happened on our way before and my dream.

As Amelia found a spot near the bar, she called me over, and my initial apprehension began to dissolve. The warmth of their laughter and the vibrant energy of the place envelops me, transforming my nerves into exhilaration.

"How about you go get a drink, Jenna? Looks like someone is waiting for you over there," Amelia says, winking at me while looking towards the direction of the counter.

Tracing her eyes, mine meet the unexpected... A figure I never thought existed.