~ Before the Clock Struck One ~

Chapter 6

~*~ Chapter Six~*~

~*Two Weeks Earlier*~

Sweat mixed with flashing lights.

The beat of the music vibrating through the ground, filling the air, and the full moon creating a spotlight directly overhead.

Yes, this was the life.

Joshua leaned nonchalantly against the brick wall at his back and surveyed the partiers. His blue-green eyes paused every so often to watch the girls as their bodies rocked to the music, but one girl in particular managed to catch his attention thoroughly. Her loose, straight black hair flew around her like living tentacles, thrashing around in the air like thin whips. Her thin white t-shirt hugged her body, amplifying her curves just as perfectly as her short jean skirt accentuated her long legs. He watched in amazement as the lights danced around her, as her hips swayed exactly in time with the bass beat.

Wow, she's beautiful.

He ran his fingers back through his short, light brown hair and scanned the open courtyard again. It was packed full of all the kids aged 16 and up – the younger kids had all been sent home to bed a while ago. And the few adults that came to Downtown to teach and such had all gone home to Uptown to spend the weekend with their families.

He supposed they weren't much into parties anymore.

Downtown was the epicentre for out-of-the-blue street parties. Someone would just pump up their stereo real loud, and everyone would gather like bees to honey. This was actually one of the rare organized dances, and, as always, everyone seemed to be partaking in the fun, no matter their gang allegiance.

It was Josh's best friend's birthday party. Cody, though, wasn't just his best friend; he was the leader of the Phantoms: the toughest gang on this side of the Deathtrap – despite what the rival gang, the Dragons, liked to think.

Sadly, since tomorrow was Cody's 20th birthday, he would have to start his journey to Uptown and join the "real world": start a family, get into a career, etc. Joshua himself had only just recently turned 18, so he had plenty of time left here to finish enjoying himself.

He looked back at the beautiful black-haired girl, and wondered what her name was, how old she was, or if she already had a boyfriend.

He really hoped not.

Josh was so absorbed in his fantasies that when Cody finally came out of the building behind him, he nearly jumped out of his skin.

"Whoa, it's just me," Cody drawled. "You really got to relax, Josh. You're always so tense."

Cody was slightly taller and stronger than Josh; he had shaggy blonde hair and dark grey eyes. And he was quite a ladies man.

"Sorry, I was a bit distracted."

Cody followed Josh's still unbroken line of sight and whistled. "I can see why. Do you know who she is yet?"

"No..."

Cody shook his head and gave him a friendly, encouraging shove in her direction. "Well go figure out then. Maybe I'll meet up with you again later." He gave him a look that said, "I'd better not", and then turned away and was sucked into the crowd before Josh had a chance to say anything more. He re-spotted the girl still on the dance floor and began to wander her way as inconspicuously as he could.

Then he stopped.

What would he say when he got there?

"Hi, I'm Josh – will you be my girlfriend?" or "Hi, I was watching you from the shadows over there and I noticed that you're very pretty. Do you mind if I dance with you for a bit?" He felt like a creeper.