Laughter echoes all around, and the hostel seems packed to the rafters, but I think that’s because everyone is staying in tonight for the full moon party.
I slide my bra on and then my panties and pick up the white dress. It’s stretchy and seems so small. I have to stretch it out just to get it on . . . far out. I wiggle it down over my hips. It comes to above my knees. It’s stretchy and tight, with a scooped-out neck.
I try to look down at myself. Damn it, I don’t even have a full-length mirror here.
I suppose I should be grateful that I can’t see how ridiculous I look. I brush my hair and pack up my toiletries bag and slowly open the door.
I’m dreading tonight. I do not feel comfortable at all.
I walk out to see scantily dressed girls everywhere. One smiles. “I love your dress.”
“Thanks.” I walk to the sink awkwardly and take my makeup out. I glance over to see a girl with a white G-string on and white body paint in the shape of hearts on her boobs, complete with hot-pink tassels on her nipples. She even has white feathers strategically pinned behind one ear. “You look great.” I smile.
Damn, she does look great. I wish I had that confidence.
“Thanks. Hey, you’ve just checked in?”
“Yeah, I’m Hayden.” I smile.
“I’m Kimberly,” she says in an English accent. “Where are you from in America?” she asks.
“A few hours from New York. Where are you from?” I ask.
“Manchester.”
“Oh, I would love to go there.”
“New York’s on my list of to-dos too,” she replies as she puts on the brightest of bright hot-pink lipstick and rolls her lips.
She oozes confidence, and damn it, she looks so hot.
She looks me up and down and gives me a kind smile. “You look good.” As if knowing I’m in the middle of a complete confidence crisis.
“Feel a bit . . .” I shrug. “Awkward.”
“This is your first stop, isn’t it?”
I nod.
“You’ll get used to the crazy. Are you traveling alone?”
“Yes. Are you?”
“I had three friends with me. We’ve been traveling for six months. They left for home yesterday. So now, it’s just me.” She shrugs happily. “That’s the beauty of these hostels. Everyone travels alone, so you instantly have eighty friends. I’m going to see where the wind blows me for another few months.”
“Sounds great.” I try to focus on my makeup.
“I’ll see you outside?” she asks.
“Sure.”
“Bye, Hayden.” I watch in the mirror as she skips out.
“Bye.”
She seems nice.
I slowly make my way back to the room and lock my things back up in my locker. Damn it, I wish I had a full-length mirror.
I can hear laughing and music coming from outside.
Oh well . . . may as well get this over with.
The bar is alive with a sea of white. There’s a DJ and a dance floor.
I stand at the edge, peering in, wondering what to do. I hear a voice. “There you are.”
Bernadette grabs my hand and pulls me into the crowd. “You look hot, girlfriend.”
I smile bashfully. “Thanks.”