Cruisin' South

Chapter 1

Summer 1989

It was a Thursday evening when the soft wind finally broke into the city. It was summer season but the night climate decided to be accommodating to the residents and the tourist of the city of Los Angeles.

The girl in red, the typical red that any girl preferred to wear in order to grab anyone's attention, decided to enjoy the evening. She eventually picked a fit and flare red mini dress, not to draw attention but because she wanted to. Red was not an everyday color that she wore, in fact she hardly ever was seen wearing that color. She paired the satin materialized dress with comfortable matching heels.

That Thursday night she wanted to do something fun, something she hadn't done in quite a while. She was going to show off that dress in spins and twirls. Fun hip music was the idea. Some cumbia would do. Or maybe latin rock like Enanitos Verdes or Caifanes, her favorite band. Their most recent song was a hit. She was sure it would be played tonight and all year long. She knew just the place to dance it to.

***

It had already been about half an hour since she'd arrived. The music almost lifted her to the dance floor, but she is a bit nervous. A lot, actually. That's why she still sits at the bar. In one hand she holds the straw from the margarita she ordered and with the other she taps her finger nails on the wooden counter top along with the music. That's her dance for the moment until she feels brave enough to actually step onto the dance floor.

"Hey! Are you going to sit there all night or are you going to get your ass over there," her friend, Gabriel, points to the dance floor with his chin.

He startled her. He had told her a few hours ago that he wasn't going to be able to make it to their favorite club. It is a very modern club that has a warm, welcoming feel to it. It isn't a big place in size but it is somewhat spacious. All furniture is black. Most of the walls are covered in an unusual color, a burnt red almost burgundy. It's a bit dimmed but the bright neon lights hung on the walls makes the place not seem too dark and very retro.

"I know, I know," he shrugs. "But it's been a while since we last been here and I didn't want to pass the opportunity because God knows when you'll start your busy schedule again. And honestly I've missed seeing your cute little chocolate chip," he refers to her freckle that sits on the apple of her left check.

He gets a smile out of her with that.

"I thought you said you weren't going to ever drink that again. After that massive hung over, I believed you without doubt."

"What else do I drink?" She shrugs. "Anyway, that was a long time ago."

"Sara, darling. That was three months ago."

"Exactly! And I haven't drank since, I swear!"

"Sara sweetheart, I just hope it doesn't happen again. Not tonight," he adds.

She ignores his comment and finishes the last of her drink.

He hits her shoulder. "He's a looker ain't he? The guy at 3 o'clock."

Sara turns to her right and sure enough there is a cute guy just walking in from the entrance.

"Bitch," Gabriel smacks her hand.

"Ouch!"

"Don't be so obvious! And if you're thinking of eyeing him all night, don't. I saw him first!" He whispers loudly so, of course, only she can hear.

"What the hell are you talking about. I hadn't even looked at him for three seconds and you get all possessive. He's not even my type."

"He better not be."