Lou

CH 2 : PARALLEL

After an expensive dinner and a few drinks, the guys took an Uber over to a famous strip club in their city, PARALLEL. Flooding out of the black SUV at the club's front door brought attention to the attractive group. "I got this, mate, " Tommo says, walking past the waiting line practically wrapped around the building towards the front door. The six-foot-something bouncer took one look at Louis, greeted him, and let his party in. Perks of having a famous soccer player best friend, Niall thought while scoffing. It was dark inside—the colorful lights from the stages provided little guidance. Each stage was crowded around by people cheering for the dancer on it. Some women were sliding around metal poles showing off their tricks; others were on their knees shaking what the good gods gave them. The dance floor was covered in friends or couples obviously enjoying themselves; Sloshing their drinks around, laughing, cheering, swaying, and grinding to the beat. Walking towards the bar past sweaty bodies, Scott ordered a round of drinks for the guys. "Time for a toast," Scott shouted over the music while handing out shots to his friends. "To Niall, though times have changed since you added that ring to your finger, tonight will be just like old times. As your friends we are here to make sure of it for you, nobody deserves it more. Happy Birthday" Niall threw the shot back as his friends cheered. Tonight was going to be a long one, but he, for some reason was excited to let go.

One round of shots turned into four as the night went on, which then turned into a mix of beers, liquor, and any form of alcoholic beverage passed to him by his friends. Niall felt the drinks making his body heat up; it didn't help that the club was packed, and he had spent the past couple of hours dancing. He felt the rush in his bones, and the room started to spin a little. "I need to some air," he mumbled to Scott, who was distracted by a stranger moving her body against him. Meanwhile, Tommo was crowded by men and women and shouting, "Drinks for my fans," to the bartenders while the small crowd cheered around him. Greg was lost, probably drooling over a dancer and throwing the stacks of cash he brought at her until she gave him any sort of attention. A glance was all he needed to fall in love. Niall didn't have time to reach a friend who would listen before rushing through the front entry.

He subtly stumbled his way to lean against the cold club walls. The line was still long, and he felt people staring. Feeling uncomfortable, he moved to the building's side to a private parking area. A few dancers and security stood by an employee entrance, smoking and laughing. Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, he felt the night air filling his lungs. Tonight seemed to be flying by. Checking his phone for the time, he saw a few birthday texts from acquaintances and some social media notifications. Nothing from anyone he cared about. Knowing he drank too much to spell correctly, he slid his phone back into his pocket to avoid responding to anyone, looked up, and saw her.

Her long brunette hair a stark difference from her short pink-haired friend on the passenger side. Stepping out of the driver's seat, she flipped her hair over her shoulder. The street lights seemed to make her glow, almost giving her a halo in the dark. The two girls each grabbed a duffle bag, locked arms, and worked their way across the parking lot. "Gabby, you better have my fucking pleasers that you borrowed whore" The edgy pink hair friend yelled a few feet from the side door. Niall was staring but could not care or stop. The brunette looked down, letting out a cute giggle. He felt his heart enter his throat. "I have your heels. Don't worry, Riley." a dark-skinned girl called back in response. "But Lucy, you're on in twenty; you better hurry."

Lucy.

Her name was Lucy. Niall attempted to push past the alcohol-induced brain fog to make some sort of mental note. Continuing to stare as Lucy waited for Riley to finish her cigarette, the girls caught on to him. "Sir, you'll have to pay inside if you'd like to keep staring." Riley half yelled. Embarrassed, he slid back to the front of the building where Tommo and Scott stood waiting on their phones.