Spectrum Rebellion

viii.

viii.

The lights flashed all around me and it smelt like perfume and sweat, an interesting mixture. Colours blinded me and sound hit me from all angles, whether it was the chatter of the people or the music - with a heavy bassline and a rather confusing melody - that blasted from the speakers, causing the floor to vibrate slightly underneath my feet. Walking into the dance club made me feel rather small and quite awkward, not sure whether this was where I was meant to be. The hairs on my arm stood on end and I rubbed them, not sure why I felt cold. Topaz patted my shoulder.

"It's okay, everything feels like that when it's their first time." She said, almost wisely. "You will also get used to the stench. It isn't actually that bad when you think about it. If you need fresh air, Tommy always smells nice." I leaned over and sniffed Thomas and, to my surprise, he did actually smell quite nice; a mixture of mint and paint washed over me, making my head feel slightly fuzzy. I then looked up and realised Thomas was giving me quite a strange look as I smelled him, as if I was invading his personal space - I had never been aware that Spectrum Rebels actually had a personal space. Topaz was giggling from beside me, so I straightened up and gave her an exasperated look. "I didn't think you would actually start to sniff him! But it's true, isn't it?"

"Hey, Topaz!" A boy with short red hair called from across the club, holding a cup of a liquid that looked harmful just because of the extreme shade of yellow it was. Thomas turned around and saw the boy. He smiled a childish and teasing smile, before giving Topaz a swift nudge in the ribs.

"Hey, look, it's your boyfriend Ajax. Well hello there, Ajax!" He said, calling over to the boy - Ajax - and waving ridiculously, biting on his lip to stop himself from laughing.

"You're so immature, Thomas. And, for millionth time and for the record, he is not my boyfriend. How many times must I say this before your idiot brain picks it up? Anyway, see you around, Josephine. Have fun, okay?" She then turned to Thomas, giving him a teasing smile. "You look after her, now, okay?" Topaz said, slapping Thomas upside the head, before jogging off and weaving through the crowd to reach the boy and his rather scary, yellow and presumably alcoholic drink.

"Goodness knows exactly how overly ridiculous his name is. He changed it when he became a Rebel. He was called Ryan before. What came over him when he decided on that specific name, I have no idea. I mean, it means 'mighty eagle'. Mighty eagle! At least it makes him seem tough...because he really isn't. Mind you, most Rebels who change their names or who have Rebels for parents get stuck with odd names...for them it's the norm, I suppose. I just don't see the point." Thomas said, shaking his head in the direction of Topaz and Ajax, both of which were now taking shots of a strange pink liquid while laughing hysterically at some joke. It was probably the pink liquid having an effect on them. I felt Thomas shudder from beside me. "I hate seeing her drink alcohol. She just turned eighteen last month and hasn't been that good at restricting herself. Whenever she drinks, she drinks, if you get what I mean. I've had to hold her hair as she's thrown up in the morning because she met some boy and he bought her one too many shots, and honestly, it's not nice. I think I've only drunk once or twice, so basically, I don't drink often. I hope you'll be a bit like me; Rebel alcohol is beyond strong and out the other side. Just a quick, fatherly talk for my young Arid about safe drinking."

"I must remind you that I am only one year younger than you. Technically a few months, if you want to be specific." I countered, feeling like I had to shout over the loud music thumping from the speakers, which didn't feel particularly comfortable. Thomas rolled his eyes, before walking forward until he was on the dance floor among everybody. A few people smiled at him, clapped him on the back or shouted their greetings to him. Eventually, when he reached the middle, he turned to face me.