"It's been six months Raine, it's time to try moving on," Lea whined dramatically as she tried dragging me towards the entrance.
I hesitated. Loud music was pouring out from the building with vibrations that could be felt through the sidewalk. It was buzzing with more people than I felt comfortable with. That didn't stop Lea, though, who continued powering through to the front of the line.
Rosco's Bar was always the hotspot in town for students. Dancing, cheap cocktails and only stumbling distance from the residence. The lines were always long but tonight seemed different; more chaotic, perhaps.
"I know, you're right," Once I took a few more deep breaths, I helped push through the crowd. It was too cold to stand outside in our dresses anyway.
"I'm going to need to see your IDs please," ordered a bulky and intimidating security guard. Honestly, he was pretty scary for a glorified guard dog.
Lea and I took out our licenses almost automatically. We were both 20 but seemed young so proving our ages was practically a routine.
The man gave us a skeptical look but eventually gave in; lifting the rope to let us through after stamping our hands with a red logo.
The music gradually became louder as we shuffled through the dim, brick hallway. I was genuinely nervous. This was the first time I had gone out since the break up. Well, it was more Lea kidnapping me than anything.
Lea and I had been friends since sophomore year in highschool. I had just transferred to Riverton's Secondary school so I didn't really know anybody yet. One day, I was sitting alone while eating my lunch, along the lockers in a quiet hallway, when she sat down beside me. She proceeded to compliment my eyes and ask to be my friend. I agreed, rather reluctantly, but it was still the best choice I had ever made.
She was always there to help me out and support me whenever I wanted to try something new. We were polar opposites, though. She thrived in social gatherings whereas I liked to sit by the food table and stare at the clock. I always had this fear that I was holding her back; preventing her from being the social butterfly that she naturally was.
If it bugged her, she never let it show. She looked out for me and always did what she thought was best. She was literally the older sister I never had.
"Raine, what do you think?", Lea said as I zoned back into the world.
"I'm sorry, think about what?"
"Girl, your attention span is decreasing by the minute! Do you want to get some drinks?" Lea asked, half-yelling to be heard over the music.
"Yes, please," I said, drawing out my words for emphasis, "I think I'm going to need it."
"Relax, you're here to loosen up. Maybe Mr. Right is waiting for you over there," she teased, motioning to the bar as we made our way over.
We practically had to fight our way to make it to the counter. This place was full of unrecognizable faces and, for some reason, I had a really bad feeling about it. It didn't seem to bother Lea so I ignored my suspicions; we are here to have fun, I thought to myself.
"Two whiskey sours, please," Lea asked the bartender who nodded; somehow hearing her over all of the noise.
Waiting for the drinks, I took the time to take in our surroundings. I think the place had some renovations done in the last six months because it seemed different and very expensive. The dump it used to be was replaced by white leather booths and crystal lights. The floors were marble and everything seemed cleaner and more well-kept. Maybe the place was under different management now?
My thoughts were interrupted by Lea pushing a drink into my chest. "Stop worrying so much, let's go find a place to sit." I took the drink and followed her to a booth in a dim-lit corner. It was kind of away from the chaos so I was grateful for that.
We sat down and started conversing about her latest relationship. About a week ago, she had met a guy named Matt on campus and was now convinced that he is the one. She loves so easily and that is a quality of hers that I'm jealous of.
For some reason, I had started feeling uncomfortable again. It was as if someone was watching us from afar; I could feel their gaze in our direction. I brushed it off again, but still, my instincts were telling me something was seriously wrong. Never, in all the times I had been here, was there so much security. This place could easily be confused for Fort Knox.
I just felt we had to get out of here. An uncomfortable confirmation took place as my eyes met with a sketchy looking guy a few tables over who seemed to be anxiously awaiting something. I didn't want to alarm Lea so I grabbed her arm, stood up, and started for the exit. Unfortunately, the only way I knew how to get out was the way we entered; across the entire bar. My great idea was trying to cut through the dance floor, which she mistook as a request.
"This is, like, my favourite song, too!" Lea said, practically guilt tripping me. She managed to somehow be the one dragging me to a little gap in the mob of drunken dancers. Young people, like me I guess, covered in sweat, swaying offbeat to the music as if each one had their own song playing. Lea hadn't grabbed her drink from the table so I downed mine and left the glass on a ledge. I didn't want to be the odd one out, I thought to myself.
After a couple dances, Lea started acting strangely and making brief glances behind me. "What's wrong sis, you look like you've seen a ghost?" I said quizzically.
She froze completely and looked around as if pondering whether to leave right away or let me know what was happening. "I'm so sorry Raine," she mouthed; her eyes paused and remained on a spot past my head. I slowly turned, heart practically beating out of my chest. Then, the world around me went silent.
There, wedged in between two girls was Dean. I stared with wide eyes at the same Dean who broke my trust and gave up our future together. Six months ago he cut off all contact with me and disappeared. Now, like a ghost, he appeared out of nowhere and is sitting 20 feet away from our spot on the floor. I felt sick.
All of the emotions I had tried repressing over the past several months were flooding back and trying to escape from my stomach. I cut across the floor as fast as I could towards the bathroom, shoving my way through in a panic. Lea trailed quickly behind me with a worried expression painting her face.
I stumbled around, dizzy from the shock, looking for an unoccupied stall to empty the contents of my stomach into. If I wasn't so out of it, the bathroom would've been a nice place to escape. That in comparison to the absolute zoo that the main floor was. I think I might stay in here actually.
