Loyal

Chapter 8

Vera's POV

In the safety of the car, I shudder in tears. Leah rubs my back, handing me some tissue.

"V, don't even think about that asshole. And Lauren, she's just jealous of you!" She holds me close as I dry my tears. I feel pissed off and embarrassed, all over someone I barely know!

"I want to party," I say, through sniffles. A feeling of recklessness falls over me and all I want to do is forget. Forget everything that happened at the dinner. Forget Lauren. Forget Colin. Anything to escape the feeling of anxiety and sadness settling on me.

"Are you sure baby girl? Because that's the first time I have ever heard you say that in my five years of knowing you." 

I nod, grabbing my clutch and taking out some lip balm. I smooth it on using my iPhone as a mirror. I examine my face, wiping the smeared eyeliner from under my eyes. Tonight I'm letting go, tonight I'm having fun. "Well, let's get it!" Leah exclaims. She gives the driver directions and we head out into the city.

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Music pulses through the walls of Ruby Skye, matched by colorful lights flashing along with the beat. The floor of the old theater turned nightclub is filled to capacity with young people dancing. The air is thick with green smoke. Leah cheers while holding up her drink. I cheer along with her, the alcohol loosening my stiff demeanor. I can't remember how many drinks I forced down, but I don't care. I grab Leah's glass and take another long drink. She raises an eyebrow at me.

"Damn girl, are you sure you're gonna be good?" Leah yells, trying to be heard over the loud music. I sway from side to side, nodding and cheering. For the first time in my life I don't feel self-conscious about anything. I let the flashing lights and neon smoke cloud my vision as well as my mind. Leah shrugs and starts to grind her hips against a guy who aggressively grabs her by the waist. I reach onto a platform to my right and climb onto it, almost losing balance in my heels.

"Yeah, shake it baby!" A guy yells from behind me. Above the dance floor surrounded by hoots from the crowd, I do just that. The adrenaline from the whole scene moves by body. I shake my hips from side to side, dancing to the beat. Beyonce croons about being drunk in love and I laugh at the thought, realizing that I'm drunk, but definitely not in love. Just as the song changes to an upbeat dubstep one, the crowd starts jumping at once. I follow suit, my heels hitting the platform every time the speakers echo. I laugh out loud, reveling in the moment. In a fit of laughter I suddenly realize I am losing balance on the platform, my heel catching onto a corner. I scream as I feel myself fall from where I stand. Everything is in slow motion, a blur of flashing lights, loud music, and suddenly a bright red. 

Colin.

Before I know it Colin has me over his shoulder. I fight as much as I can, banging my fist against his back.

"What the hell, what the---put me down!" I demand, trying my best to sound stern. Colin's steps are quick and steady. "I'm too heavy for you to carry me like this! I hope you know that!" Did I say that out loud? Yup, the alcohol is giving a voice to my every thought. I go limp in defeat, my nose rubbing against the back of his suit jacket.

"Why would you do this? I thought you said you don't drink!" Colin yells over the music, sounding completely frustrated. 

"Why the fuck do you care?" I snap, the taste of vodka rising up in my throat. Colin's footsteps don't slow. I see people parting as we make our way through the dance floor. When we finally make it near the entrance, I can actually hear myself think.