𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐏𝐈𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 • 𝐇.𝐄.𝐒

one

I wasn't the type to be seen at clubs, she never had been. The smell of alcohol and sex, the sticky floor, the humidity that hit you like a ton of bricks when you walked in, why would anyone want to be there? Either way, Bonnie had dragged me out of the house, telling me I 'had to do something'. She wasn't wrong, ever since things with Nikolai ended I'd been isolating myself. My nights were filled with binge watching whatever crime show I could find on Netflix and any chances of a hookup were dismal, to put it nicely. Though, up until Bonnie had pointed it out to me, I hadn't seen it as a bad thing. As I put it, it was an act of 'self care', though I wasn't so sure if anyone would agree with me on that point.

Bonnie had explained it as a 'get together for a mutual friend's-friend' and I hadn't questioned it. What I did question, however, was if going was worth it. Though, after she'd basically begged me to go out for the night, Bonnie helped me get dolled up. Curling my hair that usually fell in flat waves down my shoulders, applying the tiniest bit of makeup as I knew after weeks of being barefaced, the slightest bit of anything could spur a breakout, and slipping into flared trousers, a lacy bodysuit, and a blazer, as I couldn't bear to deal with the frills of a dress for the night. The almost-pitiful cheers from my friend as I modeled my outfit for her only made my dread of the night grow. "Do I really have to go, Bon? I mean, c'mon, what do you think is gonna happen?" I questioned, running my fingers through my hair, hoping to loosen the tight curls. "I'm not looking for a hookup, you know that, and I don't feel like waking up with a hangover tomorrow so the most I'll drink is probably a coke." I huffed, my accent thick as my gaze turned towards hers, hoping the puppy-dog eyes would do the trick into getting me out of the night.

"Nuh-uh." She shook her head quickly, a sly smile playing at her lips. "I know what you're doing Rosaline and it's not gonna work on me." Bonnie grinned as she slipped an earring into her ear, her response earning an exaggerated eye roll and huff from myself. "Listen, I'm not asking you to get plastered and fuck the first person you see," She continued with a devious smile. "I'm just asking you to get out there, have a drink or two, and flirt with some guys... or girls." She smiled wickedly as I gave her a light push.

"I can barely flirt with men and you expect me to start experimenting now?" I asked as I popped a bit of lip gloss onto my lips.

"Hey, don't knock it 'till you try it." Bonnie smiled once more. "Now come on, let's go, we've got a long night ahead of us." And with that, we were out the door of the flat and on our way.

...

Upon arrival, I already wanted to call and Uber and head back home, but I knew too well that Bonnie wouldn't allow that.

I tried my best to focus on the soft 'click' of my boots on the steps, rather than the pulsating music blasting from inside as I linked arms with my friend and and made our way into the dark nightclub. The club was probably the most modern club I'd ever been to, though the atmosphere was the same as every club I'd ever been to. Sleazy. Off-putting. With a hint of disgusting mixed in there somewhere. Part of me already wanted to throw up and I hadn't even had a sip of alcohol yet.

Bonnie pulled a slip of paper, what I assumed was an invitation, out of her purse as we made our way to the party bouncer.

The intimidating man looked over the invitation, looking back up at us questioningly. "You
Bontu Emem and Rosaline Beck?" His voice was gruff as he stared back at us.

"Yeah, you need our ID's?" I asked quickly, feeling my heartrate quicken at his doubt as I reached into my purse.

"No, you're good. Go on through." He nodded, pulling the rope aside with a nod, his face as stoic as ever. As wave of relief washed over me as I retracted my hand from my purse, shuffling past the bouncer and into the dimly lit hallway that lead to the lounge.