Feather After // Chapter 66 // Make Up And Down

Aria's POV

I closed my eyes and huffed, was I actually doing it? Was I ready for it? I took a deep breath and looked at the address. It was the same address Ignatius had given me. It was time for a party, and I wasn't sure how it was supposed to be. I had never attended one of those in my whole life just yet and I wasn't even sure if I was ready for it. Rachael and Xavier had promised that they were going to be in there but I wasn't still sure if they were inside or not, so I just took a deep breath.

I rubbed my hand over my skirt because my palms were sweaty and also because I wanted to straighten the already well-pressed skirt. I looked down at my outfit, I was wearing this black shirt which just reached above my knees and an off shoulder black top which were paired with my ankle-length black shoes. I had a red bandana wrapped over my head and my flicks were still lying on my forehead. Gemma had done my eyes make up maybe she had also let me borrow her skirt and her top.

The clothes I wore were very different from the ones I usually wore. Recently my mom had tried to upgrade my clothes just to make me look a little more Royal Society elite class worthy chick but I wasn't still sure how that was working. Well, to be honest, it wasn't working at all. I was more of black jeans, slip on T-shirt type girl. All the clothes that I had were T-Shirts only. Nanna said that was best for school because she also said that guys my age were horny. Anyways she always chose what I wear and what I did, it was only because I was getting married that they let me go out tonight.

I looked to my right and then to my left. I can do this; I would probably drink some champagne or some wine then dance and then go home. I guess that was supposed to happen. I didn't think much of it.

"Ready?" I turned around and saw Xavier walking towards me. He was wearing a white tee and black pants. He had his hands in his pockets and he looked more handsome than ever, "you don't look like shit, that's a change."

"Well, what can I say you don't look that bad, yourself," I smile at him and he put his left arm around my shoulder. As soon as he put his arm around me, I was engulfed by his deodorant, "this smells nice, what is this?"

"Haven't you heard about deodorant before, cave girl?" He smirked down at me.

"No I haven't, I just thought that you have just rubbed some flowers on yourself," I rolled my eyes and so did he.

"I never had to rub myself if you're asking; I'm not that bad you know?"

"In bed or in real life? I guess you're, otherwise, you won't offer me explanations of your jerking off experiences."

I didn't even realize that we were standing on the door of the house, I looked at Xavier and he looked at me, he nodded at me. I guess he already knew I was not going to be fine here.

"Rules before we go inside," he abruptly said as we were going to step inside the house. The whole house was glowing with lights and anyone could hear the loud music from ten blocks away. The halls of the house were full and the people were dancing to the music. I looked at him and when he knew he had my attention he continued, "do not drink from the cup anyone offers you expect the bartender, there are chances that there will be no bartenders so open the Beer bottles on your own, there is a huge game of spiking the drinks and it's not so neat, since you're not much of an alcohol drinker."

"Okay I got-"

"No, I'm not finished yet," he interrupted and glared at me, "no neat drinks, neat drink means no plain Vodka or any other strong drink without juice or anything soft, okay? Now let's get going," he said and linked my arms to his. He pulled us into the house and it smelled of sweat and alcohol. Nobody gave any shit about anyone else. People were moving their bodies to the rhythm of the music; it was so nice to see that.

"Whose party is this?" I screamed at Xavier.

"This is Romeo's house! It's his party," he said and he lead me to the kitchen with his one hand on his left ear, God only knows what he was trying to do. We went to the kitchen and he offered me a red cup, "his parents don't live here, so he and his friends crash in here and throw wild parties, from time to time. This house is basically in the wood so you know; no complaining neighbors."

I took a sip of what he had given me and it tasted very sour, "what the hell is this?"

He took a sip of his own drink and then smiled, "well this is ninety percent beer and ten percent fruit juice, I wasn't sure if you'll be able to do handle beer, so here you go," he said and pointed at my direction.

"How do you know so much?" He said and he started pointing and telling me about the other drinks he saw on the table.

"It comes with experience, I have attended many parties before but I haven't attended any party in some time, mom was not okay with it," he said as he took another sip, "I'm going to do there and find Rachael okay? I'll be back in five. Don't move and call me if you need anything." With that, he disappeared into the crowd of people dancing to the music.

I stood at the corner of the room swaying to the music, with that little red up in my hand. When Gemma had picked the outfit for me, I genuinely thought that it was too much but now it felt alright.

"What are you going alone? I see you have found your way in," I turned around to the voice and saw Ignatius standing there. He had a blue cup in his hand and he was smirking at me.

"Well. It's not as bad as I thought it would be," I told him, honestly.

"Well, cheap alcohol isn't that bad when all you want to do is get drunk you know? It's not that bad," he took another sip and looked at me, "what are you drinking?" He asked and took my cup from my hand, "is this beer and juice, fucking Christ."

"What? How do you know?" I eyed him and continued, "It doesn't taste that bad, it's okay. I have never been a fan of this shit anyway," he looked a little deeper in my eyes, I don't even know how it was possible, "I'm a beginner, so, I'll take baby steps."

"Alcohol isn't that bad, it just a way of looking it, it's actually good for your body, it's not that harmful if you keep track of what you're drinking and taking," he took a sip of mine and made a disgusting face, "take plain juice, if you don't like alcohol, it's better than this. Maybe taste vodka, it's a little sour, but you can try it."

I thought about it, I could give it a try right, what could happen? It was just Vodka, people drank it all the time. Plus, it was just Ignatius, and as much as I hate to admit it, I trusted him. "I'm not sure, I mean I don't want to get drunk."

"Let me assure you, one sip of drinking a bit won't get you drunk, I promise you. It's better than that shit anyway," he said again and offered me his glass.

"Take a sip, just taste, it won't get you drunk but it's good to have a taste of it so that no one can ever fool you."

I took the cup he offered me and then I smelled it, it didn't smell like anything. I looked at him, "why doesn't this smell?"

He smiled at me, "because I got this from the pantry, it's not cheap. I can't let you have your first alcohol which is cheap, fucking no. Have a sip, it's not bad," he encouraged me; it actually felt like I was sitting for my finals.

I took a sip, it tasted so bitter, ah. I squeezed my eyes shut and it tingled down my throat. It was just like water but the only difference was I could feel it flowing down my esophagus, "it's not that bad, it tastes okay," and I tried to savor the taste again. It did taste like acetone.

"Told you, now you know how it tastes like, big girl. Now you're ready to take on the world," he said and took his cup back. He pulled out a small black color bottle from his back pocket and poured some more in the cup. "Don't trust these people anymore, they are something else on the inside and fuçking something else on the outside, a bunch of guys with no dicks."

"You do have loads of experience."

"Come on let's dance," he said and gave me the cup, "you'll need more of this."

Without thinking twice, I gulped down the whole contents on the cup. I needed it if I had to dance I definitely needed more than that. We hit the dance floor. Ignatius help my hand and led me to the center of the floor, music was blasting so loudly, I wondered why people were not already deaf.

"Don't be nervous, just move your body with mine, feel the music, it'll all come naturally," and I listened to him. If someone else would have told the same thing to me, I would have definitely laughed at them. I was never a good dancer, it never came naturally to me, and to be honest, I was too shy to even dance in front of everyone. But alcohol was doing wonders; it was like it had unleashed my other personality. I felt happy and confident.

I started moving my body with his, with his hands running down my hands, and the tingling sensation all over my body, I felt so breathless. I felt amazing, I put both my hands on my shoulder, and his hands were on my waist, "that's it, you got it."

When he said that, I felt excited and embarrassed all at the same time. He smiled when he looked at me and bought me closer to him, and he kissed me on my cheek and I smiled. We kept on dancing with on care of what anyone else thought of me. "It's so much fun," he tickled my sides and I laughed, God I could get used to this. I could get used to him, and the parties and the music and everything else.

"I'll be back, I have to do something," he said and left suddenly. I went back to where I was standing, at first, I thought about following him but then I thought it wouldn't be right. Xavier wasn't back yet. Maybe he was there and he wouldn't have found me.

So without thinking twice, I followed Ignatius. I was way behind him for him to notice me. He went up to the stairs. I thought that it was the forbidden area. There was a couple making out on the stairs, and when they saw me, they just rolled their eyes. I quietly went up. The hall was huge and there were many doors. It was more like a dorm room than a house. There were lights above each room and it an instant, I saw Ignatius turn around before I could do anything, I opened the newest door and got inside.

The room was dimly lit. The night light of the room didn't make that much of a difference. I went to the study desk and looked. The room was almost empty but there was a bed, and a study desk, a chair and a rug. There were some files on the table.

I don't know what happened, but I suddenly had the urge to look at it. I picked it up and opened it. It was a document, a deal. And when I read it, I cried.

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Q. Do you guys want any bonus chapters or anything like that when the book ends?
Eid Mubarak to all my Muslim friends!
Only four chapters are left, I can't believe it