Lexi could easily admit that an NYU dorm room was nothing compared to Chyna’s apartment, but she was far from ashamed of the place.

She shared a common area with three other girls, all who had been admitted into the law school that fall. The space was cluttered with knick-knacks from each other’s previous residences. A mismatching couch and loveseat were crushed together in front of the TV. The kitchen didn’t even have a stove because it was a safety hazard. This explained why their tiny freezer was always overstocked with microwavable dinners. Lexi had one of the rooms, if you could call them that. She hadn’t lived in a lofted bed since her freshman year of college. But if she hadn’t put her bed nearly touching the ceiling, nothing else would have fit in the space. A tiny desk, rolling chair, and miniature refrigerator were crammed under the bed. The rest of the furniture was built into the room. Somehow she wasn’t embarrassed to bring her rich friend back to her place even if her room was as big as the girl’s closet. She was in New York City at a top five law school. This was how people were supposed to live or at least that’s what she kept telling herself.

“Here we are,” Lexi said hearing the lock click and pushing the door open. Chyna inspected the shared living space while Lexi produced another key and unlocked her bedroom.

“It’s so…quaint,” Chyna announced cocking her head to the side thoughtfully. Her eyes scanned the room, purposely avoiding the ugly carpeted floors, before landing back on Lexi.

“You haven’t seen anything yet.” Chyna turned towards Lexi following her into the bedroom.

“Wow. You didn’t prepare me for this,” Chyna mumbled.

“I didn’t think it would be possible to prepare you.”

“You’re probably right,” she agreed in awe. Swiveling in place, Chyna observed the size of the room before saying, “You do realize my closet is bigger than this room.”

“Maybe next year I’ll move into your closet,” Lexi quipped only half-joking.

“Then where would my clothes go?” Chyna asked, her hands placed lightly on her hips.

“I’ll work around it.”

“Fine. Just don’t touch the cashmere,” she said giggling.

Chyna placed her hobo handbag in the empty desk chair and sauntered towards the bay windows, which Lexi repeatedly claimed were the only redeeming feature about her bedroom. Lexi watched her for a few minutes recognizing the wheels turning in her mind. Something was going on up there, and Lexi had a feeling it wasn’t going to be good.

Whirling on her kitten heels, Chyna faced Lexi with a beautiful smile tacked onto her face. “Can I redo your room? I know this amazing designer. I’m pretty sure he would be able to fix this um…problem.”

Lexi rolled her eyes dramatically. “My room is fine the way it is.”

“Of course, dear,” she said linking their arms and nuzzling close to her friend, “but I could make it gorgeous. You would absolutely love Frederick too. He’s a mastermind. He did the renovations in my guest bedroom recently and they’re stunning…”

“Chyna…”

“He could really do a number on this place,” she continued oblivious to Lexi calling her name.

“Chyna, chill out,” she said shaking her out of her reverie. “How about we just have a good time?” Lexi suggested.

“Oh, but Alexa, I’m telling you. The man is a decorating genius.”

“I’m sure he is, sweetie, but this is a college dorm room. It’s supposed to look like this.”

“I’ll get to you eventually,” she warned poking her playfully in the ribs.

“Yeah, yeah,” she said waving her off.

“So…” Chyna drawled, “what do girls do at slumber parties?”

“Haven’t you ever been to one?”

“Well yeah I have, but those were different. Usually we took over the house of whoever’s parents were out of town that weekend. We’d throw a huge party and get hammered. You know how I like my alcohol,” Chyna said with a wink.

“I’ll admit alcohol is involved,” Lexi told her diving into the freezer of her mini fridge. She pulled out a tray of what looked like frozen gummi bears. “For those of us who had to sneak alcohol past our parents, we made these.”

“You made gummi bears?” she asked incredulously.

“No, they’re vodka gummi bears. You soak them in vodka for close to three days, then they are as potent as the real stuff, but it looks like you’re just eating gummi bears. Not to mention they’re delicious,” Lexi informed her popping two red gummis into her mouth and letting them slide down her throat.

“Oh, exciting,” Chyna said grabbing a handful. “You’re right,” she said between bites, “these are delicious. I can’t taste the alcohol at all.”

“It’ll hit you later,” Lexi told her giggling as she swallowed a white gummi.

“So what do we do after we’re drunk from these things?”

“Usually manicures, facials, late night chick flicks, junk food, the works…”

Chyna sucked her bottom lip in between her teeth as she looked at her perfectly done fingernails and imagined the killer work out she would have to endure to process said junk food. “You know…I don’t think I was missing anything.”

Lexi smacked her arm. “Hey, don’t diss on my childhood alchy!”

“I can’t help it if your childhood activities don’t appeal to a twenty year old,” she said playfully. “Let’s finish off these gummis and then go party.”

Lexi had actually planned for this. Chyna partied nearly every night, and though Lexi couldn’t join her most nights since she was in school, they did end up out together at least one night every weekend. “Fine, but we’re still staying here tonight without bringing a guy home,” she added hastily.

Chyna stuck out her bottom lip adjusting her features into a perfect little pout. “Alexaaa,” she whined.

“No buts about it, missy.”

“But, but, but, but…”

“No!” she cried tossing a gummi at her.

“Don’t waste them!” she squealed ducking the assault and reaching for another gummi.

The girls changed as quickly as Chyna would allow, all the time complaining about the ramifications of four girls sharing one bathroom. Lexi laughed along as she pulled a straightener through her hair which she had let grow near to her waist. She knew it was a poor choice. Even though the evening air was close to freezing compared to the Georgia atmosphere she was accustomed to, the club was sure to be suffocating, and she would be in need of a ponytail upon entrance.

As they exited the building, Lexi recognized an onyx town car which immediately drove up to meet them. Lexi slid against the black leather interior with Chyna following behind her. Apparently, the driver already knew where they were headed, because instead of offering a destination, Chyna popped open a chilled bottle of Cristal resting in a bucket.

“I know it’s not vodka gummis,” she said filling two flutes full of champagne, “but I suppose it will have to do.”

“I suppose,” Lexi stated sarcastically.

Lexi took one glass out of Chyna’s hand and raised it in the air for a toast. “I toast you, my dear. To being young, fun, and free.”

“Not to mention beautiful,” Chyna added clinking their glasses together and lifting it to her lips.

The bottle was nearly empty by the time they reached their destination. The driver exited the car and moved to the other side to open the door for them. Chyna floated out of the town car and leaned against the side to steady her already uneasy balance. Lexi stumbled from the car door and nearly collided with the driver. Her alcohol tolerance was practically nonexistent, and the combination of vodka gummis and champagne were really making her head spin. Chyna laced her fingers with Lexi’s and plopped a kiss on her cheek. Lexi giggled uncontrollably as she allowed Chyna to pull her towards the bouncer who was openly ogling their display. The rope disappeared as Chyna moved to step across the threshold. Lexi glanced at the long line of waiting customers who, she knew first-hand, were cursing her tiny ass as she walked into the nightclub.