Sub Rosa Ties ( A High School Dark Romance)

Gerard

Past (1 year ago)

The neon lights in the club flashed rhythmically, casting vibrant colors across the room as the DJ unleashed a wild mix.

The pounding music reverberated through the packed crowd, a blend of high schoolers like me, whose appearances belied our age with our mature looks, and an assortment of both married and single men.

The energy was electrifying, and we were reveling in every moment. I lounged in my usual VIP section, a girl draped over my right arm, her tongue tracing delicate kisses along my neck. Yet, my mind was elsewhere, drifting aimlessly through the throng of people for no particular reason.

"Hey man!" Bret's voice rang out, filling the VIP section as he stumbled in with a brunette who had accompanied him to the bathroom.

I didn't need anyone to tell me why she went with him or what they had done, and I didn't care one bit. He collapsed onto a couch to my right, taking shot after shot with the brunette clinging to him, refusing to let go.

I had come to the club tonight at Bret's insistence/plea. Staying out overnight wasn't my usual scene; I would typically head home before midnight, either to get a good night's sleep or hit the gym.

But here I was, glancing at my phone intermittently, trying to pass the time while watching the girl next to me slowly lose consciousness. I had warned her earlier to take it easy on the drinks, but she hadn't listened.

"Amelia...!" I called, tapping her shoulder gently. She was someone I wouldn't call a friend or an enemy.

We had done all sorts of reckless things together, and I still wondered why I kept her around.

"Amelia!" I repeated louder, my voice turning into a growl. She stirred, eyes still closed as she nuzzled closer into my neck.

I let out an irritated sigh as I gently pushed her off my arm and eased her head back against the couch. I couldn't stand her falling asleep on my arm; she didn't have that privilege yet. I grabbed my phone and noticed it was past 2 a.m.

"Bret..." I called out softly, my eyes flicking to him where he was now cuddled up with two more girls. "I'm out of here."

I was about to get up when a loud cheer erupted from the front, making me pause.

My eyes followed the excited crowd and landed on the stage where the strippers were performing. One girl stood out, different and unique from the rest, her makeup dark and alluring.

She took a long, graceful spin around the pole, landing elegantly before executing a series of impressive tricks. Before I knew it, I had relaxed back into my seat, my eyes glued to her mesmerizing performance.

There was something about her. Her body, the shape and smoothness of her skin, her short hair clinging to her neck, making her look incredibly alluring, and the effortless way she wore those heels.

She looked familiar for no apparent reason.

Damn... I shouldn't be thinking about another girl like this. I had a girl I liked. I had Zera. But why did I feel like this girl had so much in common with Zera?

I had been watching Zera closely for the past two years since she arrived at Meadow High, and I could swear this girl on the stage bore a striking resemblance to her.

An hour slipped by quickly, and soon she descended slowly from the stage, my eyes following her every move.

I knew she had caught the stares of many men tonight, but I had made up my mind. I needed to know who she was. I stood up swiftly, grabbing my car keys and making my way out of the VIP section, ignoring Bret's calls after me.