Stages of The Heart- Ellie Morch

Chapter 6: An Unforgettable Night Out

The streets of downtown L.A. were alive, buzzing with energy, as Erica and Lana stepped out of the car and into the neon-lit night. It was a rare Saturday, and after much convincing, Lana had persuaded Erica to join her for a night out at Eclipse, one of the trendiest clubs in the city. Erica had hesitated at first—between her rigorous work schedule and the introspective mood she'd been in lately, a night at a crowded club wasn't exactly her idea of fun. But after their recent heart-to-heart about Erica’s personal life, or lack thereof, she agreed that maybe a change of scene was exactly what she needed.

The club’s exterior was pulsing with life, a line of eager partygoers stretching around the corner. The low thrum of bass-heavy music vibrated through the ground, and the flashing lights made the place look like a beacon in the night. As they approached, the bouncer recognized Lana, who waved with her usual charm. Moments later, they were ushered inside, bypassing the line with ease. Erica was used to this by now—Lana had connections everywhere, a perk of her career in fashion and social media—but tonight it felt different. Something about the energy in the air promised a night unlike any other.

Once inside, the music hit her full force, enveloping her in a wall of sound. The crowd was packed, bodies swaying and grinding under the strobe lights, a sea of people moving to the rhythm of the DJ’s set. The atmosphere was electric, and Erica felt her hesitation melt away as the night unfolded before her. For once, it felt good to be lost in the crowd, to let go of the weight she carried from the day-to-day grind of acting, from the constant pressure to be perfect.

“Let’s get drinks!” Lana shouted over the music, tugging Erica’s hand.

They navigated through the throngs of people until they reached the bar, where Lana ordered them two cocktails. Erica sipped hers slowly, letting the sweet burn of alcohol warm her from the inside. She wasn’t much of a drinker, but tonight she felt like indulging. Tonight was about loosening up, about being someone other than "Erica Young, rising actress."

“Here’s to a night off from everything,” Lana said, raising her glass with a mischievous grin.

“To a night off,” Erica echoed, clinking her glass against Lana’s.

With drinks in hand, they moved to the dance floor. Lana, ever the free spirit, lost herself in the music almost instantly. Erica followed her lead, swaying to the rhythm as she allowed herself to get carried away by the beat. The music thrummed through her veins, drowning out all the noise that usually clouded her mind. No scripts, no roles to play—just the pure, unfiltered sensation of being in the moment.

For a while, the night was perfect. They danced, they laughed, and for the first time in weeks, Erica felt like she wasn’t weighed down by her career decisions or personal life. She was simply Erica, out for a night of fun with her best friend.

But as the night wore on and the crowd grew thicker, things began to shift. Erica noticed a group of guys moving closer to them, circling like sharks in a sea of partygoers. At first, it was subtle—brushing shoulders, accidental touches as they danced near each other. But soon, one of the guys took it too far.

Erica felt his presence before she even saw him—a tall, muscular guy with a cocky grin that instantly put her on edge. He was too close, his hand grazing her waist in a way that made her skin crawl. She shifted away, trying to put some space between them, but he followed her, moving in closer.

“Hey, back off,” Erica said, her voice loud enough to be heard over the music but firm.

The guy smiled, clearly not taking her seriously. “Relax, I’m just having a little fun,” he said, his hand lingering on her hip. The touch was invasive, possessive.