When Lightning Burns [COMPLETED]

Chapter 18: Dance Chance

           

"All I'm saying is that I've never seen you drink or even talk about drinking before." Marjorie looked pointedly at Julie before switching her gaze around the dance club, the same one Julie had dragged Rory and Luke to a few months ago.

Julie had pulled Marjorie here, too afraid to have Kara out somewhere like this, after her most recent attack. The doctor said she was fine from her "fall." It was the only thing they could think to tell him. Ethan had made her stay in bed for a few days.

"It's one drink." Julie took a small sip. "The practice for the Christmas performance has me wiped out," she finished lamely.

She couldn't tell her friend that she wanted more practice burning the alcohol off inside to protect herself from drugged darts. She needed the practice, and after that first time with Rory and Luke, being out seemed like a better plan.

And after what happened to Kara, she wanted to make sure that she could overcome anything thrown at her. If she was dragged off to another cell in a compound, it needed to be something that she planned that way. Thank goodness the doctor had said everything was fine with Kara. The drug they used didn't cross over to the baby.

"How did you even get it? Aren't they supposed to card you here?"

Julie kept her gaze from flitting over to Rory and Luke, who could help her get anything she wanted. "I'm not sure. I just asked."

She took another sip then with all the distraction going on around her, including Marjorie, pulled up her powers gently, letting a small wave pass over her and clearing the slight fog from the alcohol. She smiled then swigged back the whole drink.

"Come on! Let's dance off some of our stress!" Julie pulled Marjorie out to the floor, fully intending to dance with her friend and edge out everyone else. They were here to have fun.

After a few minutes, a man dressed all in black tried to work his way in to dance with her. Was he going for a Goth look? He looked older, maybe late twenties, and more serious than the rest of the people in the club. Mostly college age or younger hung out here since they could get in without being old enough to drink.

"Not tonight, buddy. Girls' night. Sorry." She smiled at him. He nodded, not saying anything. Julie caught him looking at her a few times after that, but he left them alone.

As she danced, she pulled up her powers again and wiped out the alcohol. It made her queasy, but she doubted anyone could tell. This was much better than sitting in her cramped apartment, feeling like the air was thick with tension like the first time she practiced. All these people and Marjorie made a good buffer between her and the guys. She looked over at them and nodded, letting them know it worked.

It worked! She was that much safer.

It was Sunday night. So they were stalking her. They knew to stay away and let her have a girls' night, but it was nice that they were watching out for her.

She noticed Rose dancing on the other side of the club. The girl caught her eye and then looked away quickly, melting back into the crowd. Yeah, Rose still remembered.

Even though Rose was leaving her alone now, she felt a little sad. It was the final end to their relationship. She had known the girl since they were little. They had been good friends at one time, not as close as Mandy and Darcy were but still friends. It was sad that something they loved so much had only pulled them apart rather than bringing them together.

"Hey, thanks for coming with me today." Julie smiled at Marjorie as they worked their way off the dance floor a few songs later. "It's a lot more fun to go Christmas shopping with a friend."