The Tails of the Fox

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

2015

When I first heard of club Opera, people talked about it as if it was the promised land sent down from some gracious higher being. There were rumors that if you tipped the right worker, they could sneak in any underage person through the kitchen. Or that once a month, a celebrity would come into town and perform for the crowd. Another rumor was that when the theater was still operating as such during sometime in the early 1900's, a actress was murdered in one of the private balconies on the third floor. Her murderer was never found and it was said that her ghost still haunted that balcony looking for her killer.

None of those rumors were the reason I allowed myself to be dragged out of bed on a Saturday night to go to Club Opera. Had I had my ways, I would've been celebrating my birthday at home with a tub of ice cream watching horror movies until the sun broke through my bedroom. Instead, here I was in a car speeding down the highway headed downtown.

Jen Lowry, my best friend of seven years, smiled over at me excitedly from the drivers seat. She looked ecstatic as she went twenty over the speed limit of the city. "So," she tried to start a conversation, "You excited?"

I shrugged. I wasn't really looked forward to the giant crowd of people or standing in line for hours just hoping I looked old enough to pass through security. Jen hadn't given me enough time to get ready when she suddenly appeared on my doorstep dressed in a glittery black dress. I barely had time to get dressed let alone grab my ID. "Is it too late to head back home?"

"No way Devon. I already passed into the city line a few miles back, we're here and we're going to make the most of it by going to the club." Jen said firmly. Whenever Jen made up her mind, it was usually impossible to get her to change it. I guess I was just hoping that this once would be the rare chance she actually decided to go against her plans.

"I don't have my ID on me and honestly I don't look 18 like I'm suppose to in another-" I peered over to look at the glowing clock on Jen's dashboard, "2 hours.." I blamed my late mother. It was her Korean roots that had made it impossible for my real age to be evident on my face. Well I couldn't entirely be mad at her. I never really knew her so it was just impossible to hate someone I never really met or knew.

"We can get in, you just have to believe that with your face and my body will be enough to convince the security guard we're both mature high school girls." Jen started to slow down the car as we made a sharp turn off the highway and onto the fairly busy city streets. "Damn why are so many people in the city at this time?"

"How long are we going to be at Club Opera?" I asked fingering the white lace of my dress. It was a simple white lace dress I found at the thrift store when both Jen and I went out shopping for school clothes a few years back. It was far too simple for a club, but it would have to do since I didn't have anything else in my closet. It was a tight fit too, but as long as I didn't slouch, the zipper would last the night.

"Until I can get you drunk!" Jen howled loudly. She banged her hand on the wheel and laughed hysterically. "First time drunk and it'll be the night before your 18th birthday!"

I frowned watching my friend seeming to get ecstatic over the idea of me drunk. Alcohol had never been my favorite drink, I actually hated the burn of it when it went down. The few times I drank it hadn't been the best memories. "I'll take one shot, but after that it's water for the rest of the night." I reasoned with her.

"You're such a killjoy. Come on, get loose on your birthday stop being such a little prick." Jen grumbled. Guilt started to fill me up. I wasn't one to go out clubbing, in truth, I was the most introverted person anyone could find in this town. My idea of a night out was going to the movies and stopping at the cafe down the street from my apartment for a cupcake before calling it a night. Jen had taken the time to get off of work and here I was complaining.