Blandview High Musical

26. Lovesick

Jade sighed as she was sitting in the kitchen with bills spread all over the table. They were added up into counts of one thousand and banded together with rubber bands. Six thousand dollars was the total payout. It was more than enough to cover the rest of the renovation costs and maybe get something nice for Frankie in return. After all, he deserved it. This past month had been rough. Jade looked up from where she was sitting at the dining room table. Her dad was upstairs asleep. He'd been released from the hospital a couple days ago. She was responsible for taking care of him while her mother was...indisposed. Jade had called her many times and sent lots of text messages, but she never responded. Jade wasn't going to waste her time. Whether her mother came back or not was of no consequence, her father still needed tending to.

The house was dark completely and the neighborhood was quiet. It was 7:30 at night. Jade sighed before getting up from the table and taking the envelopes with her. She'd stick them in her purse and then take them with her tomorrow when she went to the diner. She started to get undressed and stepped towards the bathroom. She shut the door behind herself.

The roar of motorcycle engines buzzed across the busy strip street. Jade handed the cab driver some money. She had purposely called a cab to come and pick her up. She didn't plan on drinking or getting super drunk...but at this point there was no "plan" involved. She was just going wherever the night wanted her to go. Planning things seemed moot if she had no one to do anything with. The cab sped away into the fogged night. The streets of Downtown LA were steaming as cars continued to drive across the way. Jade just stepped out into the street, heading across towards the bright neon lights that were shining. The sidewalk and street were wet. A line of people were waiting outside the club. Jade didn't want to wait in the line. She approached the front of the line, where the bouncer was standing near the door, much to everyone else's dismay they started groaning and becoming agitated. "What the hell are these people waiting for?" Jade asked. "Seats in the VIP section." She looked over her shoulder. "Fuck that. What can I give you to get in right now?" She asked. He gave her a once over, his eyes stopping at where her breasts were.

She cleared her throat. "If you're just going to dance, I can let you in right now." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a permanent marker. "That's not necessary." Jade said. "I have to if you're underage." "What if I told you I wasn't?" She asked. He cocked a brow. "Then I'd have to ask for proof." He said. Jade just scoffed, holdling out her hand for him to put that big nasty black X on. He sighed and drew back the marker. "Go on before I change my mind." He said, pushing the door open. The people standing in line started to get upset and loud. Jade stepped inside the club to which her ears were filled with the sound of electronic music. The lights overhead were flashing different colors as people flooded the dance floor. The upper level was the VIP section where people were drinking, smoking and dancing. Jade just wanted to have a drink. She pushed through the crowd of people towards the bar.

The bartender looked up and nodded his head in her direction. He was busy pouring a drink so Jade just waited until he was finished. He walked over, wiping down the section she was sitting at. "Tequila." She said. He nodded, grabbing a glass off the rack and pouring a shot of Patron into it. "Being a little bold, are we?" A voice shot up from behind her. Jade turned around and looked at the guy. He was about 25. He had fire engine red hair and near glowing yellow-greenish eyes. He smiled at her. "I'm not sure what you mean." Jade said, her fingers tapping on the glass. "Usually girls order something a little fruitier than tequila, but you seem to want to wade through those dangerous waters." He took a seat in front of her. "Scott Robertson." He said, sticking his hand out. She placed her hand in his. "Jade Tondre." "God, even that name is sexy." "Listen, I'm not here to play patty fingers with guys. I'm here to blow off some steam and drink a little." He raised a brow. "You here alone?" He asked. Jade's shoulders sunk a little. "Yes." She said.