Perfect Night

Finally, my favorite part of the day has come.

After a long day of classes and indispensably socializing, I take a hot shower, turn off the lights and finally get to stretch myself out on my bed, tuck into my blanket and turn on the TV. It's almost winter, so it's cold and comfortable. I made myself some popcorn and brought in candy. I put on The Office, my current obsession, and smile. I'm so happy here. It's my safe space. There's no need to talk to people, work, worry about anything at all; I'm just a spectator, and it's just what I wanted for this Friday night.

*

Bzz bzz bzz

Around seven minutes into the show, Aria, a girl who's in my Stage Lighting class, calls me. I think she's just going to invite me to a party since she's always saying I'm wasting my youth at home and all that stuff, so I pick it up intending to politely refuse.

"What?! Are you calling to make me go to that icky club again? Last week was awful, I thought it was pretty clear" I stop and feel bad for my tone when I realize she's crying, then try to fix it. "Aria, what happened? Is everything okay?"

"Nooo!" She whines. "I'm in front of your house, can you open the door?" She sounds hysterical.

"What?" I hesitate, trying to postpone the ruin of my perfect Friday; the fact that I'll have to talk to someone and solve a problem.

"I... am... in front... of your house... Can you let me in?"

Why doesn't she just talk about this over the phone?!

I can't help but feel frustrated, but I feel bad again and I am not a terrible friend.

"Ok! Sure! I'll be there in a minute, it's gonna be fine." I finally tell her and go downstairs to open the door. She is standing there, crying with her cellphone in her hands. "Come inside. What happened?"

"I didn't get the lead role!" She whines and sits on the couch. We're in the living room.

"Oh... I'm sorry, Ari..."

"Yeah... you know how much I prepared for the audition! It's so unfair, they gave it to Hazel even though she's blonde! Can you imagine Ariel being blonde? Of course not! Plus my name is Aria, what does it remind you of? Ariel!" She continues to cry hysterically.

"Okay... yeah... I know how much you prepared for the audition..." I actually didn't know, but continue my not terrible friend agenda. "but it's going to be fine! This one wasn't for you but there are going to be a lot of other amazing plays in which you can star! Maybe you can be Anna from Frozen!"

"You're right... even though my hair is redder than orange..." She seems to be calming down, sniffing. "It's just that Ariel has always been my favorite Disney princess..."

"I know, I know..." I didn't know. "But why don't you go home and get some rest? Maybe watch a show you like...? Or do you want to stay here for the night?" I offer the last a little hesitatingly, but not a second after finishing the phrase, she says yes.

"I don't feel like going back home... what are your plans-"

Trrrrrr trrrrrr trrrrrrr

The intercom calls.

"Let me get that." I say.

Oh no, not another person, please...

It's another person. Another girl who goes to school with me.

"Hi, Lia! What brings you here?" I say as I open the door.

"Hi, Zoey. Aria! - She greets me quickly and rushes inside. "You won't believe it! Hazel said she's willing to give up the role because she feels bad! She didn't know it was that important to you!"

"Oh my God, really?" Aria is suddenly excited. "No... I shouldn't... Should I? It wouldn't be fair to her..."

Trrrrrr trrrrrr trrrrrrr

"Oh, come on! Again?" - I complain out loud this time, starting to get annoyed.

How did all these people find out where I live?

It's Hazel.

"Hi, Hazel! How are you? Come in!" I welcome her inside as if I'm super excited. (I get more energetic when I'm annoyed.)

"Hi, Zoey! Thank you... " She sits on the couch as Aria and Lia say hi back, then continues "I decided I should come and explain the situation myself since it's so close to school. You really should get that role if that means so much to you. I wasn't sure if I should go to the play because turns out they rescheduled to the same day as my ski trip. Since it means so much to you and you got the second place you can totally do it! It's like a sign from heaven... I should really go skiing..."

"Don't say it! Really?" Aria gasps. "Okay!"

"Great!" All four of us are sitting on the couch and I start to wonder if it would be too insensible to just turn on the TV and let them chat. "Anyway... what are you guys doing tonight?"

"Oh, I don't have any idea." Says Lia.

"I'm staying here! You guys should too... Hey! Let's throw a party. Zoey's parents aren't home!" Aria is now very excited and looks at me, seeking approval. "What do you think, Zoey?"

"Oh... I would love to, but my sister is home and she would hate that..." I lie and come up with an excuse.

Trrrrrr trrrrrr trrrrrrr

"I'm coming!" I hear my sister's screaming, then turn my head to find her at the top of the stairs, all dressed up. Oh no. "Oh, this party is only for the upperclassmen, but I'm gonna let you stay here 'cuz I had a good day." She tells me as if it was a gift, before opening the door.

"What? Of course I can stay here, it's my house!"

Then I see there's a group of people waiting outside. My friends are celebrating and I jump out of the sofa to hide because I'm wearing pajamas, then run to my bedroom to put clothes on, being barely able to process what's happening.

Okay. Tomorrow's gonna be a perfect night.