That Stupid Word Called Love

5...

Drew's POV

I turned a corner into the sports ground car park. It felt like centuries until I finally found a parking spot, especially with Evie in the back seat constantly talking about how amazing Ed Sheeran was.

"Okay! Here we are. Now, Evie, I mean this in the nicest way possible... Get out of my car!" I said to her sarcastically, although, I kinda did mean it.

She just giggled and slowly opened the car door and got out. 

"See ya man," Isaac said to me as he got out of the car with Evie.

"See ya Zac, good luck with the crazy woman over there." I nodded towards Evie. 

Isaac didn't reply, just waved to me and left. I watched him and Evie walk to the entrance of the sports gorund, where Ed was performing, then started my very long journey of getting out of the car park.

****************************************************

I checked my phone, it said 4:27pm. Geez, I don't have to pick up Evie and Zac until 3 in the morning. Hmmmmm.

I drove along the busy city streets for a while, looking into each shop or building, seeing if any were of interest. I stopped at MacDonalds and got my favourite, a happy meal with nuggets. I only love them so much because I always give the toy to Amelia. For some reason, she collects them.

Amelia... God, I wish she was here. Her straight blonde hair, sparkling brown eyes and enormous smile made any situation 1000 times better.

I kept driving, and driving, and driving, and driving some more. It was getting dark and I was really bored.

Then I saw this building that caught my attention. It was very long, and on the outside it had a thick metal pipe running along the wall, which was obviously fake. In big brass letters along the pipe read THE POWERHOUSE NIGHTCLUB AND BAR. Sounded interesting. 

I had turned 18 a couple of weeks ago, and hadn't been to a club yet. This seemed like the perfect opportunity.

I parked the car on the opposite side of the road and walked across the street to the double doors leading into The Powerhouse. I large man, clearly a security guard or bouncer, stood at the door. 

"Identification," is all he said.

I hesitantly reached into my back pocket, hoping my ID was in there. Luckily I felt its cool plastic, and pulled it out. Before I could even show it to the guard he had grabbed it from my hand. 

He examined it closely, then looked me up and down. I probably didn't look 18, mum always said I had a baby face.

"Alright," the man said gruffly. "The bar closes at 1am, club closes at 2."

I nodded quickly, probably looking extremely anxious, and walk through the doors.

The smell of alcohol overcame me. I have had five beers in my whole life, so this was different. 

The club was dim and the air was musty, but from the faint purple lights coming from the ceiling, I could make out a stage with a large turntable being set up, ready for the night. The floor I stood on was glass and pulsated with different colours, just like the dance floors I had seen on TV.

Across the room was a bar with a few people sitting on stools, chatting and drinking. I noticed I was the only person on the dance floor, so I quickly crossed to the bar and sat on the first vacant seat I saw.

The bartender saw he had a new costumer and walked over to me. He looked only a few years older than me, had a bushy brown beard and slicked back hair. 

"Hey," he said, almost sounding like he was telling me off for staring at him. "What do ya want."

I felt a lump in my throat. What did I want? All I've ever had was a beer. "Umm... I beer thanks."

The bartender nodded and reached for a beer from a fridge under the counter, without even looking. "Here ya go, mate."

I smiled, then realized smiling was stupid and stopped smiling. The bartender chuckled as he turned away from me and walked over to another customer.

I took a deep breath in and swagged some beer. I got off my stool to notice that within minutes the place had filled up with people, all about my age, some already dancing. The music started and the floor and lights changed colour at a quickening pace.

Soon the whole club was dancing.

I just sat at the bar, finally finishing my beer but not bothering to get another one, taking my time. I checked my phone. It said 6:01pm. Still a while to go. I felt depressed

But then she came.

I felt a movement next to me and turned to face a girl. She looked maybe 23, had short brown hair and pale skin. Even with the lights constantly changing colour, I knew she was beautiful.

"Hey," she said slowly but confident. "I'm Cleo. You wanna dance." Cleo giggled and grabbed my arm.

I pulled away immediately. "Umm, no thanks. I'm alright here." I could tell she was a bit drunk.

"Come on. I know you wanna dance with me. Let me buy you another drink." Cleo called the bartender over and he handed me another drink. I turned to her, to see she was closer then I thought she was a few seconds ago. A looked into her deep brown eyes that never seemed to end. I felt the need to please her, she was so beautiful. I opened my beer and drank it all in less than a minute.

"That's the spirit," she said. "Bartender! Three more beers for my friend over here!"

I drank one, then decided to dance with Cleo. Without saying a word she got up her chair, grabbed my arm, this time I didn't pull away, and we walked over to the dance floor.

"What's your name?" she yelled to me as we started dancing. The song was slow, so we just sort of swayed in time. 

It took a little while for me to actually remember my name. Maybe I was drunk. "Drew." I said.

"Hey Drew, why don't you go and get those two other beers I got you from the counter and bring them over here."

Not wanting to disappoint Cleo, I got the beers, opened them both and handed one to her.

"No," she said. "There both for you."

The music got faster and I got drunker.

The rest was a blur. Dancing with Cleo, her soft skin and body rubbing against mine as we jolted to the music. Drinking. Shouts from others. More dancing with Cleo. More drinking.

Then we were kissing. I had had at least 10 beers, and was very drunk. But I didn't care.

It felt so good. Her lips were so soft. 

Her tonged started playing with mine, and I didn't stop it. 

We danced some more, kissed some more. Our sweaty bodies entwined. 

Soon enough the club was closing. The crowd pushed out the front doors dragging me with them. Cleo gripped my hand tightly, then let go. I heard her yell over the crowed, "See ya Drew!"

I mumbled something inaudible to even me. I lazily crossed the rode, got into my car and started it.

I drove down the street and turned a corner, hoping I was going the right way.

I was driving, I was drunk, but I didn't care. All I could think about was Cleo.