Friends

The Band

Chapter 2:

        "Hannah, I don't think this is a good idea."

        My roommate rolled her eyes as she pulled her dress on. "Humor me, please. Jade it's literally the first day, going out one night will not put that much of a strain on you." She smiled, "Besides, you'll enjoy it. What could it hurt?"

        I looked at the closet, attempting to decide what to wear. "You're right. I know. I'm just over thinking, and I don't have class tomorrow, so I'll get up early to make up for it." 

        She laughed and we finished getting ready in silence. She's taking me to a club, it's a hangout for the students here at campus. Live music, dance floor the whole nine yards. I finally chose a simple black tank top with light blue skinny jeans. I styled my hair in big waves that fell right at my ribs. I looked in the mirror one last time while slipping my low canvas vans on. 

        I was hesitant walking up to the doors. Hannah stopped to wait for me, but I told her to go ahead. I'm still debating making a run for it. Clubs aren't really my thing. Sure, I promised myself to try new things, but I have a whole year of chances to go to a club, right? What if my parents call? What do I tell them? I'm a terrible liar. What if someone tries to roofie me? That's possible. 

I was on the verge of hyperventilation when I felt someone come up behind me. I turned around ready to attack.

"Slow down tiger. It's just me." Dylan's face came into view. He had this gorgeous half-smile painted on his face. 

"Give me a little forewarning next time." I say in a high pitched voice. I could have killed him. "I could have killed you."

He raised an eyebrow and heartily laughed. "Noted. Why are you standing outside?"

"I'm debating whether to make a run for it or not. My roommate drug me out. I've never attempted to even go to a club"

"First timer?" He gave me an approved look. "It's really not that bad. It's not like the stereotypical 'club'."

"Really? Or are you trying to make me feel at ease?" I smiled and looked down at my bracelet.

"Really. Come on." I looked up to see him holding his hand out. I hesitantly took it and he smiled.

 We both came through the doors and I was instantly relieved. It was like a coffee shop, minus the coffee, add a dance floor. It was a decent size, but not overwhelming. I looked up front to see a stage with people setting up on it. The guy up front was beautiful, his ensemble had a dangerous vibe, with his black v-neck and dark jeans. He had dark curly hair that was nonchalantly pushed back. He looked at Dylan, then back to me. He winked the very moment Dylan dropped my hand. 

"I have to go help set up, but I'll find you after! See? Not so bad." He gave me another smile, gesturing to everything around us, and backed away. 

I looked around to find Hannah over in the corner with two guys and a blonde girl. Oh, tonight is going to be interesting. I walked up to Hannah and she hugged me.

"Jade, this is Will, Chris, and Jenna." Hannah introduced us and I offered them my hand and a smile.

"So who was that?" Jenna asked pointing to Dylan.

"Oh, I bumped into him the first day. I dropped all of my things, and he picked them up." I bobbed my head up and down. She smiled and didn't pry any further. Hannah, Will, and Chris laughed.

"Did I miss something?"

"What? No. No. It's nothing." They all simultaneously said.

I shook my head and decided to pry it out of Hannah later. I know where she lives at least.

"Who's that other guy?" I asked pointing to the mysterious dark one up front.

All four looked and seen who I was referring to.

"That" Jenna began, "is Alex Johnson. He's beautiful, but I wouldn't pursue."

I raised an eyebrow, and Hannah added, "He's been with a lot of girls."

Chris, who had blonde spikey hair, said, "Has some pretty fucking sick tattoos though."

Hannah and Jenna both started fanning themselves. I laughed at their desire. I wasn't trying to pursue, I was just wondering what his deal was. So, he's the dark, mysterious one that's the singer in a band AND is a player. I can't say that I'm shocked. You just get that vibe from people sometimes.

"Shhh, they're about to start." Will, he has dark brown hair. "They're actually one of the few decent bands that play here."

Dylan, playing the acoustic guitar, looks directly at me and smiles; Alex is watching his every move. I hear the girls squeal near the front and I laugh. Hannah elbows me as Alex begins to sing a cover of some slow indie song. I have to admit he had a beautiful voice. I found myself thinking about Alex.  I immediately pushed any thoughts of him out of my mind. 

Alex suddenly jumps off the stage, and the crowd up front parts so he could walk through. I start getting hot when I realize he's walking towards me. 

I hear Jenna say, "Fuck me." when Alex stops right in front of me. I look over at her and laugh.

He has deep green eyes, almost an emerald color. He stood in front of me singing. Despite, the obvious 'Get away!' I was getting from my subconscious, I couldn't look away. When the song ended, he bent over a gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"I'm Alex. Nice to meet you Jade." He gave me a cocky half-smile. With that he went back up on stage to finish the show.

I looked back to see four faces and surrounding people looking at me.

"WHAT?"

"What do you mean what Jade?" Jenna laughed. "I think we know who Alex's target is."

"I'm sure he was just being nice. If that's his intent, he can forget that now." I suddenly felt sick at the thought of being someone's 'target'.

The rest of the night was great. I met a lot of people and made a few friends. I realized I overreacted about coming here. I remembered Dylan said he would find me after. So I said goodnight to everyone. Hannah sat with me while I waited.

He came up to me and asked, "How was it?"

"You guys were amazing! Not sure what your friend's goal was though." I said.

He shrugged and ran his hand through his hair, "He does that from time to time." He leaned down to whisper, "I'm supposed to give you his number." He chuckled.

"Well, thanks?" I scoffed. 

I heard Hannah clear her throat.

"OH! Dylan, this is Hannah, my roommate." She smiled seductively at him and he gladly shook her hand.

"Well, we're going to head back to the dorms. It was nice seeing you again." I smiled and ran my finger in short strokes over my collarbone.

He watched me then said, "Definitely. You guys be careful!" He gave me a hug goodbye.

As I was walking away, he ran up to me, "What's your number? We all should meet up for lunch one day."

As soon as we exchanged numbers and final goodbyes Hannah and I went back to the dorms. When we finally got in our beds, I fell alseep to memory of Alex kissing my cheek, and Dylan taking my hand to lead me through the doors.