Often

i

THEN - September 9th 2018 - about 10:30pm

IT WAS A WARM night. Warmer than it should've been for September. But then again, Manchester always did have a funny way of surprising you. It was a Sunday, an odd day to pick to go on a night out, but nobody had work in the morning and realistically we would all skip our 9am classes. We were used to it at this stage. The girls and I had decided to let loose of a Sunday. We deserved a good time, you didn't have to tell me twice. Any excuse to go out.

     This was the first night I met him. And my god, will it be forever imprinted on my mind. I was out with the girls in our local pub. The Basement it was called, funny considering it was upstairs above another pub. I loved it still, a slice of heaven I used to say. We always came here for a few drinks before heading out to one of the only nightclubs in our town. The barmen knew us well, we were friends you could even say. Always here, always having a laugh and looking out for one another. They actually introduced a cocktail menu in the place because we always did love a good cocktail in the summer.

     I laughed as Libby told a horrible joke. Laughed because it was terrible, not because it was funny. One of my favourite people in the world. Libby. I had only met her a few months before but we had instantly hit it off and were inseparable ever since. Even now, almost 5 years later that hasn't changed. Some things never do. And I'm grateful for that. Grateful for her. She was studying to be a nurse, well suited, she is one of the most generous people I know and I love her dearly.

     I made eye contact with Ciara and we both rolled our eyes as Libby continued telling shit jokes. Ciara was the one who had introduced me Libby. They had been friends for years - since secondary school. I had met Ciara in sixth form, she was studying science, I was studying journalism. We immediately hit it off and even after finishing our courses this summer have remained in close contact. She brought me out of my shell. Showed me what it was like to have real friends that care. Something that I had sorely lacked up until this point in my life.

    "Shut up Lib!" I exclaimed before bursting into a fit of giggles at the brunette in front of me. We had decided to head over to the local nightclub for about 11pm. It was free in before half, it only made sense. We were catching up and finishing our drinks before heading 5 minutes across the road to the V. A very bizarre name for a club but it was all we had in the small town we came from.

     I remember everything about the night so vividly. As if it is happening right before my eyes every time I close them. Some moments stay with you forever and I think it's safe to say that this was one of those moments. The club was packed, unusually so for a Sunday. A sea of people in the smoking area out the front and the two bouncers on the door as per usual.

     We scurried up. "Hi Tony!" I beamed as we approached the two bouncers. We all knew Tony well so didn't bother taking out ID to show him. He only ever took a liking to certain people, mainly girls. A red flag in itself but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Especially for the sake of not having to pay a tenner at the door every time you go.

     "How are we girls? Go on ahead there." He ushered us in with a wide grin. All things aside, I never did feel creeped out by him, not that that justifies anything but still. I think about it sometimes.

     Inside the place was heaving. It wasn't a big club so I suppose it didn't take much to make it look crowded. There were booths and tables along the walls and in the centre, facing the bar as you walk in. Down the steps was the dance floor. I could already see the sweaty bodies swaying to the beat of a Calvin Harris song. The girls and I made our way over to the left corner, where we always left our coats, just behind the curtains. As safe as they could be without paying to use the cloakroom.