Gregory Girls Gone Wild - Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Christmas Day passed by in a small but diverse feast of chicken cobbler, McDonald burgers and shamrock shakes, and Christmas chocolates from the local CVS store.
Rainey did her best to remain as upbeat as possible, although it was quite hard considering everything that had happened. Mariah, appreciative of her effort, seemed determined to make the holiday as normal as possible as well.
They watched Christmas reruns, drank hot chocolate; they donated a few of their old clothes to Goodwill and went to watch a movie at the theater. There were no lines at the theater—barely anybody was there except for the morose-looking ticket clerks waiting to clock out.
Afterwards, they cleaned the apartment thoroughly, at Rainey's insistence.
"Why clean if it's just the two of us?" Mariah complained.
Rainey grunted as she turned on the vacuum cleaner. She had a secret plan.
After wrangling the apartment into a livable human space again, Mariah announced that she would turn in early for the night.
"Good night," Rainey said quietly. "Had a good Christmas?"
Mariah smiled sadly. "Here's to a better one next year."
Rainey stared out the window while the bedroom door swung shut. The moon was hung high and dry, shining gently into the living room.
The next morning, the day after Christmas, there was a surprise knock on the door.
Rainey woke up in her bed, groggy. She checked her phone.
"Whoops." She had forgotten to wake up in time for their special guest.
Through the door, she could hear a shriek.
"Nakir!" Mariah exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"Rainey called," Nakir's snarky voice floated into the apartment. "Really, thanks for telling me you were spending the holidays alone. Excellent communication skills."
"Oh, you stupid—" Mariah began.
Rainey covered her ears as a disgusting smooching sound replaced her sister's words. She was already regretting this idea.
She trudged outside a few minutes later, rat's nest for hair and fuzzy slippers on.
Nakir looked well-rested in jeans and a black shirt, his hair brushed messily to the side. They both beamed at her.
"You're such a loser," Mariah said happily. She was bouncing up and down like a bee on steroids.
"You're welcome," Rainey grumbled.
"Ah, my best friend," Nakir grabbed her into a bear hug. "My platonic amour!"
"Oh shut up." Rainey wrestled out of his hold irritably. "How was your Christmas?"
"It was alright," Nakir replied. "Always nice to see family."
"What did you tell them?" Mariah asked him, sounding worried. "About coming here?"
He shrugged. "Said that I had an MCAT class until school started. They took it well, although my mom was kind of pissed. Anyway, I couldn't miss your birthday, right?"
Mariah smiled slowly.
"January first," Nakir added. "The day you two twisted sisters can drink legally."
"Hey." Rainey padded into the kitchen to make a batch of morning coffee. The sun was sending a most beautiful light through the curtains. "I like that nickname."
Noticing the rabid look of happiness on her sister's face, Rainey drank her coffee in satisfaction. She smiled bitterly as Mariah whispered something to Nakir.
"Hey, is it alright if I leave my stuff here for a few days?" Nakir asked. "My apartment's empty and I'd be spending most of my time here."
"Unless, you're not okay with that," he asked Rainey uncertainly.
Rainey frowned. "Why wouldn't I? Go ahead."
"I figured I'd ask because of the whole debacle with—um, you know..." Nakir scratched his head.
Mariah came to his rescue. "He doesn't want to make you feel bad with all our couple-y stuff, Rainey."
Rainey snorted. "I wouldn't have called him if I wasn't okay with it. Just don't be doing it on the couch, is all I ask."
Nakir wandered over to the kitchen and sniffed at the hot, swirling brew. "Just checking. How are you, by the way? Last time I heard, you weren't showering."
"I have showered, thank you very much," Rainey replied indignantly. "Don't touch my coffee."
Nakir picked up the decanter to pour himself a cup. "Any word from—you know..."
"It's okay to say her name," Rainey huffed. "Danika. Yes."
"So do we hate her?" Nakir asked, interested. "Or should we refrain from judgement when you patch things up with her?" He glanced at Mariah. "We'll support you either way."
Rainey looked up at the ceiling. "I don't know."
"Have you guys been texting?"
She pulled out her phone.
Danika
Hey.     (4 days ago)
Hey, Rainey. We should talk right?     (3 days ago)
How's Wisconsin?     (2 days ago)
Merry Christmas! Hope you're not too busy. Would really appreciate a text back whenever you're free!     (1 day ago)
She clicked off her phone. "Yeah, she's texting me. I'll delete the messages sooner or later."
Nakir nodded glibly. "Ah, so we're choosing the hate option. My favorite."
"I don't want you to spiral down further," Mariah interrupted, sounding hesitant. "But what's wrong with keeping things friendly? It sounds like she wants to make up!"
"Well, I don't," Rainey said viciously.
The sound of Nakir stirring the coffee with a silver spoon filled the air.
"Well, that's your prerogative," Mariah raised an eyebrow. "But if I remember correctly, you did force her to kiss me at the party."
Rainey looked away, feeling guilty. "Didn't I already apologize?"
"Yeah to me, doofus," Mariah reminded her. "But Danika's straight—"
"Yeah she is," Nakir interrupted. He sprinkled a teaspoon of sugar into his mug. "Screw her."
Rainey nodded, shooting Nakir an appreciative look.
Mariah glared at him. "Yeah, of course. But I mean, imagine if the roles were reversed. What if Danika had forced Rainey to kiss a guy? Wouldn't that be a terrible thing to do?"
A pang hit Rainey's heart.
"Okay, but it was a game!" Nakir came to her defense. "Besides, Danika should develop thicker skin—kissing girls isn't even that bad of a dare. Straight girls do it all the time when they're drunk."
Mariah sighed exasperatedly. "Not the point, babe." She looked at Rainey. "I'm not saying you should do something you're not comfortable with. But you know, Danika has been there for you this semester when, well, you know I haven't sometimes, 'cause of our fighting. Plus, she's still your employee. If she wants to resolve things, is that so bad?"
"I'm not comfortable texting her," Rainey replied curtly. "At least not yet."
"Okay," Mariah said calmly. "Totally your call. I was just playing devil's advocate."
Rainey turned to Nakir. "See, what happens when you do nice things for your sister? She becomes the devil."
Mariah shook her head, bemused. "Oh, shut up."
Nakir leaned against the counter, nursing a warm cup. He looked energetic, a crafty look lurking in his eyes. "By the way, I called in some friends for your birthday. We'll head out on the thirty-first. Party until New Years."
"Who?" Rainey asked nervously. "I hope you didn't ask Mickey."
Nakir blinked. "I did, but he didn't answer. What are you talking about Mickey for? I thought you'd be worried about Fiona."
"Fiona?" Mariah asked loudly. "What about her?"
Nakir looked smug. "Well, when I invited Fiona, she seemed to imply that Rainey and her had developed, ahem, a deep sexual energy over the phone."
Rainey choked on her coffee.
"Rainey!" Mariah said, shocked. "So soon!"
"Hey," Rainey regained her composure. She felt like fainting. "Fiona's a good friend."
"That's why you've been showering..." Mariah said, sounding like she had come to realization. "And that's why you're not texting Danika back!"
"I don't see a problem," Nakir said. "She's moving on! And so should we."
With a pat on Rainey's shoulder, he grabbed his bags and headed to Mariah's room. Mariah gave a funny smile and followed after him. While the door slammed shut, Rainey stared motionlessly through the window.
After Loralie's call, she had been continuously sexting Fiona for the past few days. She had never done it so frequently without being in a relationship, but it had been nice receiving reciprocation from another girl. Fiona had certainly reciprocated a fair amount—Rainey had quite a few photos saved herself.
She pulled out her phone and deleted the texts from Danika.
I need to start thinking about myself, she thought. Loralie's right, I've got to spend time with people who make me happy.
And Fiona's coming in less than week.
She made a mental reminder to thank Nakir later.
~~
It was well known that the days between Christmas and January 1st were the dead days of the year. It was a surreal period where people didn't know quite what to do or what to celebrate. Christmas decorations hung a little more limply, friends were called in out of state, and alcohol was pulled out to celebrate the hangover that New Years Day would entail.
On December thirty-first, the last Friday of the year, Gavin was the first to arrive to the apartment.
Mariah wore one of the only expensive outfits she owned, a black, skin-tight bodysuit and a blue mini-skirt fitted with high heels. Rainey dressed abhorrently casual, jeans and a black sweater. She wore no scarf.
"I really only came to party," Gavin said, rushed. "I'm driving back tomorrow. Conference in Washington D.C., Youths of America."
"Thanks for the birthday wishes," Mariah replied wryly.
"Where's your boyfriend?" Rainey demanded. She didn't like the idea of Gavin here, not when she knew Mickey was a part of the Phoenix Kings.
"He's back in his hometown in New Jersey," Gavin shrugged. "Why?"
Rainey shook her head.
More people arrived, mostly Mariah's friends, some Nakir's. A Hannah, a Carl, a few Sam's...a lot of liberal arts majors, mostly gay. Jessica called in an excuse—her family was vacationing in the Hampton's. There was no one Rainey knew exclusively.
That would have been Danika, she thought bitterly.
But her hurt feelings disappeared almost immediately when the girl she most wanted to see arrived. Fiona dashed in the apartment looking breathtakingly pretty. She wore a pink crop top, a long skirt, minimal makeup, all topped off by long, gorgeous pink hair spilling out of a bun.
Fiona hugged her first. To Rainey's surprise, she also kissed her quickly on the cheek.
"Happy birthday," Fiona winked. She skipped off to greet Mariah and Nakir.
Nakir gave her a thumbs up. Rainey rolled her eyes.
Sweating, she flattened her sweater. Perhaps, she should have worn something more flattering.
As she watched the petite pink-haired girl flounce from person to person, she decided that flirting with someone over the phone was far easier than talking to them in real life. How do you go from sexting to making normal conversation?
Well, it is a nice problem to have, Rainey thought wryly. She downed a shot of whiskey, feeling the welcome burn sear her throat.
While everyone busily drank and talked among themselves, Rainey headed to her bedroom. She left the door slightly ajar and laid on top of her bed covers, staring at the ceiling.
It was her birthday in a few hours. So why didn't she feel like celebrating?
With a start, she felt a dip in her bed.
"What are you doing here all by yourself?" Fiona lay next to her, her feet dangling off the bed.
"Nothing," Rainey turned to her side. Fiona was biting her lips, in a cute way. "Thinking."
"Thinking about what?"
"Life. How it didn't turn out the way I imagined."
Fiona chuckled. "Ah, the inevitable birthday existential crisis. How can I help?"
"Well," Rainey said mischievously. "Your pictures certainly helped."
Fiona laughed. She smelled like smoke.
"Are you high?" Rainey asked curiously.
Fiona blinked at her. "Yeah, I was smoking this joint from earlier. I have a little left. Want some?"
"No, thanks."
Fiona sat up. "No, really. It'll help with your crisis."
Rainey reluctantly sat up. "I shouldn't. I'd act super weird."
"It's your birthday!" Fiona pointed out. "No one would judge." She procured out a joint and a lighter. Rainey was slightly uneasy to see how casually she wielded it.
"Unless you're scared," Fiona teased.
Rainey felt a hint of her competitiveness come out. "Of course not."
Fiona lit the joint. "It's laced with weed and some shrooms. Ever tried it?"
"Weed, yes," Rainey admitted. "Not shrooms though. Is it safe?"
Fiona nodded. "And it's fun too."
After a hesitant pause, Rainey took a hit. She coughed loudly, making Fiona giggle.
"Sorry." Tears filled Rainey's eyes. "It's been a while."
"Wow," Fiona remarked. "I can't believe you went through with it."
Rainey instantly felt lightheaded. "Why not?"
The room looked lopsided as she settled back down on her bed. She felt like the world was swimming around her—a strange feeling.
Fiona was quiet. "Actually, I can believe it. I've heard that people generally take more risks after a rejection."
Rainey titled her head, surprised.
"Sorry," Fiona said. "If it's a touchy subject—"
"No, by all means," Rainey stared at her hands in fascination. "You were in the hot tub too."
For some reason, the joint had relaxed Rainey so much so that the flashback to Jessica's party barely stung.
"It was sort of obvious—in the hot tub I mean," Fiona said quietly. "That you liked Danika. I guess that's why you've been texting me a lot recently. I'm the rebound."
Rainey immediately sat back up. "Not true."
Fiona gave her an unconvinced look.
"It was never going to work out between me and her anyway," Rainey protested, the words feeling like cotton in her mouth. "Truly. You could see that right?"
There was a little sting as Fiona nodded vaguely.
"See," Rainey continued. "I was hurt, yes, but I'm smart. I'm not going to force anything that doesn't work. I never even kissed her, you know? My feelings never progressed that far. You on the other hand—"
Rainey stopped, suddenly feeling that the drugs were making her far too chatty.
Fiona's eyes twinkled. "Go on."
"No, I was just saying," Rainey continued slowly. "I liked you before this whole mess. Remember the play? I gave you a flower, right?"
Fiona played with her hair. "I remember."
Rainey reached over and twirled a strand of her pink hair with her finger. "We had something then but I was too stupid to act on it properly."
Fiona inched closer, or maybe Rainey's point of reference was all screwed up.
Her eyes were large. "I kept your flower in my room, you know."
Rainey felt a tingling in her stomach. She stared at Fiona's plump lips in fascination.
"You know what else?" Fiona whispered. The sounds of music and beer cans crushing in the party seemed distant, so very far away. "Danika was wrong."
"About w-what?"
"Kissing girls is way better."
Rainey's heart leapt as she felt the pressure of Fiona's soft lips. She breathed in, smelling faint lavender. Slowly, as that was her only ability at the moment, she leaned in and deepened the kiss, feeling Fiona's gasp as she slid her tongue against her lips.
"You're a wicked kisser," Fiona said, breaking off.
"No, I'm just high." Rainey grabbed her face and kissed her again, hard. She could feel a fire building up in her chest as she undid Fiona's bun and pulled her hair so that she couldn't get away. Their lips charged against one another desperately, unbearably. Rainey lost all track of time when Fiona nipped at her lower lip and climbed on top.
It was a while before they re-entered the party, both looking extremely flushed and pleased with themselves. Fiona's hand was tucked in Rainey's back pocket. Rainey was buzzing in serene shock.
"Wow," Mariah said, looking amused. "You two have fun?"
Rainey glanced at Fiona who blushed. "Definitely."
By midnight, the party began to head downtown where the clubs and bars were.
"Drinks on me!" Mariah shouted drunkely.
"No, honey," Nakir tugged at her sleeve. "It's your birthday. Drinks on us."
"Oh, yeah."
It was surprisingly crowded on 7th street, where the majority of bars and fun activities ensued. Mostly an older crowd, but Rainey was surprised to see a few college students milling about, drunk off their ass. She was surprised that she could see at all, considering that she had taken a few more hits of Fiona's joint.
She felt unbelievably off-balance, like the world was whirling around her. She liked the feeling though, of not having control, of not thinking too deeply. When her phone buzzed, a text from Danika saying 'happy birthday!' she didn't feel bad for herself. Not one bit.
The crowd began to separate her from her friends. Feeling deliciously lost, Rainey began to wander the street, wanting to both be alone and to also find Fiona.
Fiona.
What a surprise. A slow smile formed on her face. Who would have thought happiness could be possible? After all that had happened?
A purple glow hurt her eyes. She had entered the gay area of 7th street, a corner where gays and lesbians and all the like could hang out and have a good time.
"Whoops," she said out loud. She hadn't meant to walk towards this side but the gay in her must have led her. She snickered.
The purple glow came from Darling Darlene's, a lesbian bar that Rainey had snuck in once as a freshman. Rainey and Mariah had ventured in together and had fended off friendly advances from women who had been smoking and throwing darts in leisure. It had been awesome, but the scene tended to be much older; more women in their mid-late twenties than college students.
Rainey grinned, feeling an affection for the place rise.
"I love you Darlene," she slurred.
Darling Darlene's had a long, black window and a tall black door that swung open and shut as customers came in and out.
Swaying, Rainey decided to go find the rest of her friends before she really got lost. As she began to walk past Darlene's, a red-headed woman pushed her aside and opened the door to the bar.
Rainey stopped suddenly, feeling like a truck had landed on her chest. She stood, gaping at the door.
A hand pulled at her from behind. Rainey almost screamed.
It was Mariah.
"Can't you stay with us for even one minute?" Mariah yelled at her.
As her sister began to pull her from Darlene's, Rainey was too inebriated to protest, or even mutter a word in defense.
"Do I have to take care of you all night, you baby...?" Mariah was saying. She was, understandably, drunk too.
The black door swung shut again, blocking off all view of the bar.
"Wha—"
Rainey didn't know if she had imagined it, or if it was the drugs, or if she was going crazy, but before the door had closed, before the thick smoke and feminine laughter had flooded through the opening of the lesbian bar, she could have sworn that she had seen her coworker, Danika Reddy, sitting inside—in the center of Darling Darlene's.
Rainey blinked as Mariah dragged her to where the rest of the party was, two blocks down. Fireworks exploded on the streets, cheers ravaging the air. It was New Years Day.
Impossible.