Rewrite the Rules

Tomorrow's front page: Part 51

Las Vegas throbbed with a pulse-pounding energy as we pulled up to Club Sky. A colossal line snaked its way down the street, a writhing mass of hopeful partygoers. The bass thumped from within, a rhythmic heartbeat that vibrated through the pavement and into my very core. No mistaking it – the boys were already inside, the party well underway.

Determined to join them, I took a fortifying breath and approached the velvet rope, the bouncer a formidable figure blocking the entrance. His gaze was a practiced sweep, assessing each hopeful face in the queue. As I met his eyes, a flicker of something akin to amusement crossed his features.

"You?" he barked, his voice gruff, "Here with BTS?"

The question held a tinge of disbelief, a challenge I refused to back down from. "Yes," I affirmed, my voice steady despite the knot of apprehension twisting in my stomach. "Why does that surprise you?"

His skepticism deepened, a smirk playing on his lips. "Seriously? Your claiming to be with BTS? That's a new one." His tone dripped with condescension, and a spark of anger ignited within me.

"Is Riley here?" I countered, hoping his name held some weight.

The bouncer scoffed. "Now you're just throwing names around? There's a line for a reason, sweetheart. Get to the back and wait your turn."

My jaw clenched, but I refused to be dismissed. "I assure you, I am here with BTS," I insisted, my voice firm. "And believe me, I know Riley."

He gestured dismissively towards the impatient crowd. "See all those people? That's your line. You can stand there and dream, but it won't get you past these ropes."

Frustration bubbled up, threatening to spill over. "I strongly suggest you get Riley," I pressed, my voice laced with a hint of desperation. Just then, another bouncer appeared and disappeared as fast.

"Isn't this where you drop the whole 'Do you know who I am?' line?" the first bouncer taunted, a cruel edge to his amusement.

My hand instinctively reached for the compass necklace tucked beneath my shirt, a symbol of the unexpected connection I'd forged. But something in his words gave me pause. "Like I think I'm someone important?" I replied, my voice laced with quiet defiance. "I'm just here with friends."

The unexpected response caught him off guard. The smirk faltered for a brief second, replaced by a flicker of something akin to respect.

Suddenly, a wave of relief washed over me as a familiar figure emerged from the throng. Riley, unmistakable in his loud citrus ensemble, pushed his way through the crowd, his face creasing into a relieved smile as he spotted me.

"Darling, you're here!" he boomed, his voice cutting through the din. Ignoring the stunned expression of the bouncer, I bypassed the velvet rope and surged forward, throwing my arms around Riley in a grateful hug.

"I thought I was going to have to spend all night waiting in that line," I confessed, burying my face in his vibrantly colored shoulder.

Riley chuckled, his laughter warm and genuine. "Never, darling. You are not the end-of-the-line kind of girl." He turned to the bouncer, his tone sharp yet professional.

"Please put Rowan on the guest list; she has permanent access." The bouncer, face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and something that might have been apology, simply nodded curtly.

With a final squeeze of Riley's arm, I slipped past the velvet rope and into the pulsating heart of the club. The entrance of the seven members had already caused a commotion, screams and flashing lights erupting from the dance floor. But for now, the most important thing was that I was finally inside, ready to join the night's adventure.