We Are Tidal

Chapter Eight - Dance with Me

Chapter Eight - Flashback

Dance with Me

The first few weeks of Freshman Year had passed painfully slowly, but things were starting to come together. Autumn was finally in full swing and I had just discovered my favorite places to eat and get coffee on campus. And learned that making friends didn't have to be too complicated, not like High School had felt. 

In my second ever bio lecture, a girl with wavy brown hair and exquisite almond-shaped eyes had sat next to me. Within minutes, we had pains in our stomachs from laughing, talking about our lecturer. Since then, Willow and I were starting to make more friends and going out more, but we remained the closest of the group.

When I rang my Mom to tell her and Dad about my friends, she didn't even hide the relief in her voice. Of course, I left out the details of my nighttime activities.

I had never been that keen on nights out, though I had had a rarely used fake ID. Nightclubs were always too crowded, too sweaty for my liking. The music was sometimes worth the venture, though. Mostly, I hated lying to my parents about where I was going. And the guys, with straying hands. It was never worth it.

Even if, on the rare good nights, dancing had been bliss.

I had decided that on that night, it was going to be fun. It was my first night out with Ava Wylan and Nicole Kelly, two girls that Willow and I had met at a yoga society afternoon and become instant friends with. Something clicked beautifully when the four of us were together and that same energy followed us through to the club tonight. I still hadn't gotten over the rush of being a part of a group. Of being included in a way I never had been in school.

Wednesday nights at Helium were free entry for girls before midnight and we'd drank enough at Willow's apartment before arriving to make it all seem shiny and bright, despite the drizzling rain beginning when we waited outside in the queue.

"I want to dance!" I whined from the bar, as the girls waited on their shots. I bounced up and down on my heels, too drunk to feel the pain, my hips moving to the music. The dance floor was crammed but it was calling to me. 

"Calm down Little Miss Pointe Shoes," Nicole laughed at me, "You'll have to join the dance team if you're that desperate."

I stuck out my tongue at her and grabbed Ava's arm once she'd down her neon green shot and dragged her to the dance floor. We wove a path through the crowd, pushing to the front near the DJ box and dodging the groping hands of drunken guys. Nothing was going to get on my nerves tonight. Tonight was just for music and friends and enjoying my blissful youth.

I started dancing, my legs instantly finding the rhythm. I could out-dance anyone in the club with the energy that was coursing through my veins. I grinned widely as Willow and Nicole fight their way toward us, Nicole's vodka tipping over the sides of the glass. The pumping music from the large speakers behind us was becoming an imprint on my heart.

"It's time to dance with me!" I shout over the music, pulling on Willow's arms. I swung her arms as she limply danced, unsure and awkward with her body. The other girls bobbed gently and swayed, but I moved with electric energy, feeling alive with the beat.

When the song changes from the lyric-less beat to Shut Up and Dance with Me, I almost fly through the ceiling with joy. Cheesy and overplayed, but an epic dance song nonetheless.

"Come on!" I whinged, wishing the girls would move with me and dance at my pace. Fine, if they won't dance, I will, I thought to myself.

Just as I began to move, carving out my own circle of space, ignoring those around me, I caught a pair of sapphire blue eyes watching me. I run my hair through my fingers, my face flushed and watch the boy watching me. Of course, I recognized him instantly. The boy from the moving-in day. The chivalrous boy who lugged my bags out the car.

I flashed a smile and gestured with a finger for him to approach, my hips moving to the music as I jumped in time with the song. As if we were the only two people in the club, he beamed like sunshine. Pulled by a magnetic string, he approached, dancing his way toward me. His friends call out to him, but he ignored them, cutting a line through the crowd by dancing just as manically as I do. His smile widened with each step until we were face to face, dancing with our arms in the air.

"Good to see you again!" He shouted, reaching out a hand to brush my blonde hair out from eyes, a thumb stroking my flushed cheeks.

Just as the song died, changing pace, I grabbed his lowering hand. For the rest of the night, I refused to let go.

A/N

Just a little flashback chapter for you!

Love to all,

Jen x