Heavenly Nobodies

Disco 1993

Since the last attempt to have fun ended rather poorly, this time Dina figured it would be better to call her uni friend Jeane and drag her to some local gig. She felt it was about time she discovered something new to listen to. How long can you go on listening to Talking Heads only?

Jeane showed up at Dina's around 7pm so they could do the make-up and all the dressing up together. They weren't closest of friends but they were getting to know each other more and more. They were both coming from a similar background of posh cottages, over-protective mothers and shielded teenage years so it seemed only natural that they would stick together, trying to get ahold of this brand new student life in a big city. 

''Try the red one, doll. Looks real good on you!'' Dina tossed a red lipgloss over to Jeane. ''I think we'll take a cab to get there. No point in taking your car if we're gonna be drinking.'' 

The club was already quite crowded once the girls got there and the reek of cigarettes could be sensed way back from the entrance. It was all so new for Dina but she was starting to enjoy it, the sense of freedom was overwhelming. Everyone was dancing, drinking, smoking and laughing and the music blasting from the speakers was loud as ever. The band called Lush started playing shortly after and Dina found herself dancing right at the front of the tiny stage. Sometime around the 6th song the girls decided it was time to grab some drinks and made their way to the bar. Dina took a look around the club to feel the atmosphere better but her gaze darted into the corner of the stage where she spotted a familiar looking lanky guy. She stared for a moment to make sure it was him and nudged Jeane's arm to get her attention.

''Jeane, it's that neighbour of mine I've been telling you about. Can't quite figure what he's on about with all those people hanging around at his place all the time. Maybe he does have something in common with the bands, what do you think? Since he's here, I mean.'' Dina said matter-of-factly. 

''Girl, that's Jarvis.'' Jeane giggled at her friend. ''I knew that description of him you gave me once rang a bell somewhere.''

''Jarvis? So he's known around here? He actually is in a band, isn't he? I can already feel how wrong my assumptions were.'' Dina replied, clearly amused by all this. 

''Oh yeah, he's the singer in Pulp. A local band trying to go mainstream for years now but I think they may be on it this time. I don't know much more, really. I've seen them a couple of times but it's not my thing. Apparently their newer stuff really stands out, though. You could ask him out, you know. He might get properly famous one of these days.'' Jeane chuckled mockingly.

''Yeah, I might go and say hi.'' Dina said and got up. 

''Are you really!? Don't leave me here just so you can go and flirt with the rock stars, come on! Just kidding girl, go on.'' She said and practically pushed Dina forward.

 ''Hey neighbour!'' Dina exclaimed trying to be heard through the blasting music. She patted him on the shoulder which must have scared him a little. He abruptly turned around and flashed her a smile.

''Hi! Never seen you around here!'' He shouted back.

''I never hang out at clubs, you know. Just the stairs outside my flat!'' They both laughed and Dina watched him light a cigarette. She might have stared a lot but she'd never seen him up close like that. She couldn't help but notice how slender his fingers were and the way he gracefully held up that cigarette.  

''Fancy a cigarette?'' He asked and thus snapped Dina out of her thoughts. Must have noticed the staring too.

''I've just had one, thanks. I'm Dina!'' 

''Wondered what your name might be.'' He smiled and let out the smoke. ''I'm Jarvis.'' He added, realizing what he said before might have sounded a bit too flirty had it been followed by a slightly longer pause.

Something made them stick together for the rest of the band's set and eventually she brought him over to where she was initially sitting with Jeane. They had a round of drinks and smoked about ten cigarettes each before they left the club. 

''Where are you headed girls?''

''Straight home.'' 

''Looks like we're walking together then. If you don't mind.''