The Other Side of the Dome

Chapter 7

The place was packed when we arrived. A band was playing rhythmic jazz music while people stood around talking. A few couples were on the dance floor, all doing the same dance. It was similar to a waltz but less classical. There was a particular couple I couldn't keep my eyes off of. The young guy who was with Jason and Carson when their group found us earlier that day. He was dancing with a tall slender blonde. The two moved gracefully across the floor, their bodies perfectly in sync. I watched as she twirled at his side, before he brought her in close, whispering something in her ear. She laughed, pushing him away playfully. He then grabbed her by the waistband of her jeans, pulled her back in, and wrapped his arms around her torso. She threw her head back in mocking annoyance but wrapped her arms around his neck.

At one point he looked over in my direction and when we made eye contact he winked at me. I felt myself blush and turned back to the bartender.

"What will it be?" He asked.

I shook my head, "I don't have any money."

"Newcomer?"

I nodded.

"First one is on the house then," he slid me a glass cup full of a honey-colored sweet-smelling liquid. "Welcome to Larson."

When I finished my first glass, the bartender slid me another one.

"But I—"

He pointed across the room, "Courtesy of that gentleman over there."

It was the same guy from the dance floor. I raised my glass in his direction. He gave me another wink and turned his attention back to the girl at his side.

Hanna and Lyle spent the night wrapped in each other's arms on the dance floor. As for Ben, he was surrounded by women most of the night, most of whom were buying him drinks. Each one tried to flirt with him, grind on him, or pull him away somewhere private. The drunker he got the more oblivious her became to their intentions, until I saw one girl start whispering in his ear. He smiled as she kissed his neck before grabbing his hand and leading him somewhere out of sight. I rolled my eyes in disbelief. So much for being in love with me, I thought to myself.

"Your friends seem ta be fittin' in nicely," came a sweet voice with a drawl.

I whip around to see a petite blonde girl standing on the opposite side of the table. She had striking blue eyes and a mole right above her lip.

"Is this seat taken?"

I shook my head.

She sat, sliding a shot glass to me, "Welcome to Larson. I'm Penelope. Penny to my friends."

I throw the shot back. The clear liquid burned my throat. "Thanks," I gasped.

"So," she said, throwing her shot back. "Y'all are from the domes, right?"

I just nodded.

"What's that like? I've always wanted to visit."

I had to think for a moment. I'd never been asked that question before. "Well, they're clean. Orderly."

She laughed loudly. I looked around concerned she would draw attention but no one noticed, or cared.

"So nothin' like this place?"

"I didn't mean–"

She waved me off, "No offense taken sweetheart. We ain't the cleanest, nor the brightest bunch. I know that much. Ya gotta tell me though, what's the food like? The people?"

"The food? Well, there's a restaurant my friend and I like to visit–"

"Restaurant?"

"Yeah, it's a building where they sell food."