BANALITY : Draco Malfoy

05

The lineup to get into Vanish is long, and the boys are at the very back when we get there. Ali and Amanda are already buzzed. Ali didn't want to bother with coat check, so she is shivering, and the twins that Graham mentioned argue over which one of them is going to give up their coat, both volunteering themselves over the other. During the commotion, John slips off his coat and puts it over Ali's shoulders. If Amanda is bothered, I can't read it on her face.

Eventually, we beat the line, and we are inside. The other club in town, Club Cosmos, won't let in people under 25 because they are more upscale. Seems like a silly move in a town with this many university students, but Vanish works well enough.

Vanish has three levels, but only two are for dancing. The basement has the bathrooms and coat check, which we go to first and foremost. We keep our cash on us, mine and Amanda's in our purses and Ali has hers in her bumbag. She made the mistake of calling it a fanny pack once and she learned her lesson rather quickly.

We make it to the main level, which has the DJ at the front of the room, and two bars on either side. We go up and start ordering. Ali insists on a round of shots for all of us. We slam them back and then order drinks to chase the fire in our throats. Everyone else pays in cash except for Graham and me, who both set up tabs. He winks at me, and I try to smile back.

Eventually, we get to dancing on the floor. Ali is the best dancer amongst us. She did it competitively back in New York, so she takes any opportunity to show off that she can. John takes a place next to her, and the rest of us begin to groove along as well.

I swear, the music in Scotland is different than what I used to hear on the radio. Since moving up here, I'm getting better at recognizing songs, but every so often there is a song that comes on and everyone else explodes in excitement. It's retro, they'll say, and ask how I never could have heard it. I'm only reassured by Ali, who often doesn't recognize the song. Though, admittedly, not as often as me.

"I'm going to win," Graham leans forward and yells so I can hear him over the music.

My head swings around, to notice that Ali is grinding her ass on John. His hands are on her hips. I can't spot Amanda, but she's sure to be around somewhere.

"So?" I ask, looking back at Graham.

"Isn't that going to piss off Amanda?" he asks.

I shrug. John is nothing special. I mean, sure, he is handsome enough, but he didn't make any good conversation while we were in line. He acts cooler than he really merits. It doesn't make sense that Amanda would get jealous over him.

"No," I finally shout.

He shrugs, before lifting his glass to his mouth.

He is a much better dancer than I am. My body does the barest of movements required to blend in with the crowd. I must be soberer than the others. Eventually, I head over to the bar, where I find Amanda, sipping a drink.

"Hey," she says, her face a grimace.

"Hey," I manage. I order a drink, and it comes for me as well. I drink it, standing next to her.

"Aren't you busy with Graham?" she asks me.

I turn around, leaning my back against the bar, and look at her out of the side of my eye, "I didn't even want to come."

"Well, you ditched me, just like Ali," she says, pointing off to where Ali ought to be in the crowd. We can't see her from here though.

"Come dance then," I manage.