Obvious

Chapter Six

            I had grown quiet over the past few months.  Keeping mostly to myself unless spoken to.  I really didn’t have anything to say to anyone, not anymore.  Words seemed superfluous now.  But now I understood why Danny had remained silent through so much of it.

            Sam sat next to me in the back seat of the car.  Her eyes glued to the darkened streets outside the car as they flashed by with incredible speed.  Street lights danced across her blue green eyes.  Absentmindedly she bit at her index finger.

            George sat in the driver’s seat.  He too had changed but had grown much sterner over the past few months.  It was as if his skin was made of some thick leather.  He still melted around Ronnie; but for the rest of us, we rarely saw a smile or even infliction in his voice.  He was very matter of fact.

            Dylan sat in the passenger seat.  He chatted eagerly about nothing and everything in between.  I really wasn’t listening and was certain the entire conversation was directed towards Sam in the first place.

            I shifted in my seat uncomfortably.  My hand slid down my thigh and rested on the seat next to me.  The numb feeling spreading through my warm fingertips as I accidently brushed against Sam’s fingers.  I hadn’t even noticed they were laying that close to me to begin with.  In response, my eyes shot up to meet hers as I quickly pulled my hand back.  Instantly my palms became sweaty and an indescribable heat spread under my cheeks.  She only winked in response.  My heart pounded in my chest as I desperately pulled my attention back to Dylan.

            “…glow sticks at the front door.  This place is awesome!  They just recently remodeled their second floor.  Giving a shit ton more space to dance.  The upstairs bar is a cash only bar though, so hopefully you guys brought some cash.  I mean, I’m not gonna help pay for your guys’ asses all night.”

            I could use a stiff drink I thought to myself.

            Sure enough, the bouncers handed each of us a series of glow sticks at the front door.  Some were necklaces, some small enough to be bracelets or anklets like Samantha wore hers, and others were just sticks of brightly lit colors.  I opted for the stick.  With the intent of throwing it away as soon as I could.

Dylan led us up the stairs eager to get to his buddy Matt who had already claimed a table next to the railing.  He scurried across the floor before finally smacking Matt in the shoulder.

“What’s up dick head?!”  Dylan’s voice barely audible over the music.

Matt jumped from his seat to greet all of us.  He quietly introduced George and Dylan to several of the young ladies that seemed to have flocked around him.  In their drunken stupor they flirted incoherently with them, saying very little.  Matt turned his attention to Sam while the ladies led my buddies to the dance floor.  George was reluctant to leave the warm embrace of being so close to a bar so soon, but the pretty blonde gave him a genuine smile and he was whisked away almost instantly.

He wrapped his arms around her waist.  “Glad you came out sweetie.”  I envied the way he could just talk to any woman.

“And miss seeing George finally having a good time.”  She pointed through the bars and towards the center of the floor.

Matt nodded, “What’s up man?  Glad to see you out and about.  What brings you to my neck of the woods?”  He gestured for both of us to sit where the women had once been.  Almost immediately two beers were placed in front of us.