Just Like Heaven - Ethan Torchio

The "Clubhouse"

The five of them had walked for, around ten minutes now, almost arriving. Elaine knew they could've been there in like, two minutes, but because of those extreme rules, she just walked a couple of extra streets. She sometimes felt very childish, acting so overly mysterious about a place. It always felt like one of those secret clubs you formed as a child. You know, the ones that you thought were so cool. You would always whisper about it and organise meetings at your so-called ¨clubhouse¨. This literal club of Elaine's really felt like one of those little clubhouses from her childhood. But actually cool.

¨So tell me again, how big is this club?¨ Victoria had been walking next to Elaine for the entire time, asking her questions as she had never been to something like this. Obviously, she did, so Elaine didn't really get her excitement.

¨You act like you don't have any big clubs in Rome,¨ Elaine laughed.

"Eh," Victoria shrugged, "I think it's just the fact that it's a club in London."

¨Fair enough,¨ Elaine stated. ¨I would act the same way if I were in Rome.¨

¨So how has your day been? You know, after all the, eh, stuff.¨

¨Well, it could've been better.¨ This day had happened in a haze. Time just passed without Elaine actually experiencing anything of it. Until an hour ago. Then, it had suddenly hit her what this all really meant. She didn't have a job. She wouldn't make any money if she wouldn't get a new one soon. And her apartment was expensive. ¨I might have to move out.¨

From the beginning when she started living there, she was very lucky. It was a nice part of London, with enough space, etc.  She had turned one of her passions into work for a living, music. The other passion being acting, but she knew it was very hard to make it in that industry, so she was perfectly happy working for the music company. Anyway, the job also paid really well, so she could afford to live in her apartment. But now she was fired. And the problem was, there just wasn't a single person that was hiring where she lived. Well, of course, there were, but not the ones that paid enough for her to stay. So she probably had to move to another part of the city. And that really sucked.

Elaine snapped out of her thoughts and looked up to see Victoria staring at her with her eyes wide open. Elaine herself now widened her eyes, shook her head and quickly said; ¨Oh no no, it doesn't matter that much. You see, now I can move to another part of London and focus on my not-yet-existing acting career.¨ She forced an overexcited smile. 

Victoria opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, Elaine changed the subject. ¨Anyway, your friends seem nice. Why did you move here again?¨ She had never really asked.

¨So, eh, we're kind of a band together, and-¨

¨Wait, you're kidding? That's so cool-¨

¨Yes, yes, kind of. I have to put up with these assholes 24/7, but yeah it's cool I guess,¨ Victoria laughed. ¨We did a music competition which made us, kind of famous? Anyway, we recorded all of the songs we played at the competition, last month, and they're going to release the album in two months.¨ She looked at Elaine, who was listening to her, amazed. ¨But we really want to write our own music, so we thought it would be a good idea to live here for a month, maybe two? You know, to maybe get some inspiration,¨ She laughed.

¨Woah, that's definitely, yeah well,¨ Elaine said, her eyes open in amazement. ¨Thats so cool, I don't really know the words to describe it.¨ They both laughed. ¨Tell me more about it later, because now-¨

They turned left to the smallest alley they've been yet, walking toward a shady steel door. Elaine turned around and let out a small chuckle seeing their confused faces. It was silent for a little bit.

¨This looks like a place I wouldn't even let my dog shit,¨ Damiano then stated, his eyebrow raised. Ethan punched his arm.

¨Behave.¨

¨Of course, sir,¨ Damiano made a little bow for him. You could see Ethan keeping in a little smile.

¨Okay so we just moved to a new big city we don't even know yet, and not even 24 hours later we're in a shady alley at night with a complete stranger that our idiot friend doesn't even know yet,¨ Thomas threw his hands in the air with a sigh. ¨Vic, I'm gonna kill you and throw you in that dumpster before your 'friend' can.¨ He pointed his finger at her, his eyebrows raised.

¨Chill out dude, she's not gonna kill us,¨ Victoria rolled her eyes at him before quickly turning around to Elaine and whispering; ¨Right?¨

¨Nah,¨ Elaine chuckled. ¨At least not yet. Let's go!¨ She had turned around and opened the door to a classy, dark hallway. It had a crystal chandelier hanging from the black ceiling.

¨Great, now we're at a headquarters of the mafia or what?¨

¨Stop complaining, Thomas.¨

Elaine walked to the big, black door at the end of the hallway, the rest following her, looking around. She knocked on the door, which opened a few seconds later. A wave of loud music and bright colours met the five of them, and Elaine stepped in.

¨Elle!¨ The guy who had opened the door for them greeted her with a big smile. ¨Good to see you again, who did you bring?¨

¨Victoria, Thomas,¨ Elaine started, ¨Eh, Ethan, and... eh-¨

¨Damiano,¨ Damiano said, looking fake-offended.

¨Yes, exactly, Damiano,¨ Elaine finished her sentence.

¨And,¨ The door-guy continued. ¨How do you know them?¨

¨Well...¨ Elaine looking at her shoes, awkwardly shuffling her feet. ¨I ran into Victoria this morning and she didn't know what club to go to, so I took her here.¨ She looked up with a little smile on her face.

¨So you don't even really know her,¨ the guy raised his eyebrow. ¨How long do you know the guys then? Please tell me-¨

¨Fifteen minutes.¨ She awkwardly laughed at him.

¨Oh good lord,¨ He sighed, his hands in his hair, literally. ¨Go. Just go before I'm going to get pissed, Elle.¨

¨Alright, thank you, Andreas, you're amazing.¨ Elaine said with a beaming smile, kissing his cheek.

¨I know,¨ Andreas mumbled.

Elaine winked at Victoria, pulling her by her hand as she walked past the guy, and within seconds they had disappeared into the crowd.