Project X [18+] [Fanfiction]

Chapter XXIII: The Car

  Hours later, long after the celebration of the arrival of the new year, the club was still filled with the sound of blaring music and revelry. For the most part I continued to keep to the small circle I found myself safe with, and even when I felt the desire to strike out on the floor and dance I only did so when Shifter or one of my friends was nearby.

 
   I was slightly more comfortable with the situation than I previously was, but it was still important for me to have a friendly face nearby that I could look to for reassurance. Just in case I needed it.

 
  Shifter had told me that he loved me hours prior, before the old year ended. I had confirmed that I felt the same way without actually saying the words, and it seemed an acceptable response to him. He understood me well enough to read my intentions through my inexperienced words, a pivotal skill he required in our relationship. 

 
   We danced through most of the evening, only taking the occasional break to spend time with Pixie and Jubilee. Neither of the two of them were having any luck of their own, and though it seemed like neither one would win their competition for “best guy acquired,” it didn’t seem to be particularly bothering them.

  When the ball dropped and the countdown to the new year struck zero, Jubilee was kissing the edge of her cocktail glass, and I couldn’t even locate Pixie. When she returned her hair was slightly disheveled and a story about getting briefly ill was on her lips; and though I did not doubt it considering her alcohol intake that evening, she had a foreign smell on her. Something not her own; a scent belonging to someone I did not recognize.

  I said nothing; letting my friend
have her secret.

  The four of us spent some time in the back of the club, talking casually and enjoying the atmosphere. The girls were content to sit and watch the crowd of people, while I remained focused almost entirely on the music. Since my revelation on the dance floor I found myself more comfortable with the rhythms playing, and even as we sat I found myself moving from side to side, my body carried by an invisible force. Though drinks were flowing regularly between my two friends it was clear that their own perceptions weren’t completely soiled, and it was only a few minutes into our conversation that Pixie gave me a curious look.

 
  “Something’s different with you.” She arched an eye as she made her observation; a few locks of pink hair falling before her features. She smacked her lips together thoughtfully as she tried to pinpoint it, and so as not to tip my hand I refused to react or deny. I simply gazed at her with a slightly confused expression, playing as innocent as I could. “You two talk about something out there?”

  “It is incredibly loud. We did very little speaking.” I responded simply, and sipped on the edge of my drink. Thanks to my healing factor intoxication came rarely; and the watered down drinks of the nightclub were mere flavoring to me. After another sip of a bittersweet cocktail I looked at Pixie, and quirked a brow in curious response. “If you are reading something unusual about us, it might be because you are intoxicated. Are you still feeling ill?”

  “Okay, okay, nevermind!” Pixie was quick to pick up on my subtle insinuation, reading my glance despite her tipsy state. I smirked coyly as she withdrew her question for fear I would reveal she was not truly sick earlier, and glanced to Shifter beside me with a small smirk. “This was a pleasant enough distraction.” I offered simply. “But I do not see the appeal of doing this every night like some of these people do.”

  “Only going every so often makes it a little more memorable.” he agreed with a smile, and tightened the arm he had drawn about my shoulders. We shared a knowing smile about the memorable bit of information that had been shared between us, a small secret just for us. It was nothing that needed hiding; of course, neither one of us regretted or was embarrassed about our feelings. But just like when our relationship began, there was a certain joy in keeping it private. A secret between lovers, something that only the other knew.