Sing!

Chapter Ten: Not My Idea

MUSIC IS EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS. IT'S ONLY THE PUBLISHER WHO THINKS PEOPLE OWN IT.

|John Lennon|

*  *  *

The night came whispering sweet nothings, luring heat from tired muscles until they could rest no more. It caressed their skin until it stole the pink blush and replaced it with blue. There was no hint of warmth left, nothing of the autumn or the kiss of the vanquished sun. The hours promised to pass slowly yet steal their body heat with indecent speed. Above was the beauty of the stars, the clear night allowing the meagre heat of the day to leave unhindered. The only notion of brightness came from a full moon, and even her light was a chilled silver beam. 

The wintry air swirled around Jack taking every lick of warmth it could. Jack had become accustomed to the harsh winter weather, yet he hadn't failed to notice that his breath was only visible under the sporadic streetlights, the few which still lit up the decaying city. As he paced in his spot, Jack felt the icy sidewalk beneath his boots for the first time that season.

Where was she? She was already ten minutes late. Jack couldn't understand why she would take so long. Jack had no intention of waiting for her in the brisk cold for much longer. five minutes, that's all he was giving her left.

Seeing his reflection, Jack swiftly collected his combe and fixed his hair. It took Jack a moment but he soon witnessed another reflection. Elsa. Turning slowly, Jack saw Elsa stand before him wrapped in a coat and scarf looking slightly bewildered.

"I got lost," Elsa informed him before he had the chance to make some comment about her tardiness.

"You're late," Jack stated anyway.

"Well, you could have picked me up," Elsa asserted suddenly.

"Why?" Jack questioned in a scoffing manner, "this ain't no date," Jack declared as he moved towards the queue. Sure enough, Jack skipped the line and went straight to the bouncer who appeared to know Jack well. With no trouble at all, Elsa and Jack were let passed while Jack patted the bouncer's back as if the two were friends.

Inside the club it was like dancing on the Northern Lights; beneath the dry-ice smoke swirled an array of blues, acid greens, hot pinks and gold. Along the wall was every hue of amber liquid in their inverted bottles; every vice that both Jack and Elsa could not touch. The music played over the dance floor as if had fused with the bodies. The club had hundreds of conversations told in loud voices, all of them competing with the rock music that dominates the atmosphere. The crowd was young, students from the school for the most part.

"If you want something to drink, there's soda's at the bar," Jack announced as he pointed over to the bar as he manoeuvred through people, "if you want to pee, there's the john," gesturing over towards the toilets, "if you wanna dance, there's the floor," Jack came towards the dance floor, "if you want to leave there's the door," Jack finally glanced towards Elsa.

"Why are you being like this?" Elsa questioned as she snatched her scarf from her neck.

"'Cause this wasn't my idea," Jack replied towards her before turning back to the dance floor, "come on," Elsa followed Jack closely. Elsa had no desire to get lost.

The dance floor was like an abused chess board. On it's black and white squares were spilt drinks and broken glass. No-one can see the dance floor, it's wall to wall people dancing to the club music. There was no room for any more but somehow when Jack and Elsa hit it space magically appeared. The music is all nineteen nineties but everyone was dancing like it's jive, twisting, turning, holding hands as he or she changed sides.