Beside You

Chapter 5

It takes us about ten minutes to get to Bright Lights. Josh walks up to the bouncer and they exchange a friendly greeting, shaking hands. The bouncer ushers us inside without asking for ID.

The name definitely fits; this club is radiating bright, neon lights and loud music. The music is so loud, I can feel the vibrations in my chest from the bass. Some overplayed radio song is blaring throughout the building, and I look to Jess, making a point to roll my eyes. She just laughs and we follow Josh to the dance floor.

The whole gang, even Jackson, begins dancing, swaying their bodies to the beat of the music. Tanya is grinding on Josh and Jess has already found a random guy. Becca is dancing with Troy and Jackson. I decide to take a seat at a nearby table. I'm tempted to walk home, but I know how unwise it would be to do so after dark in the city.

I walk over to Jess once the song is transitioning into another. I have to yell to make my voice heard. "Hey, Jess!" She looks up at me so I know she hears me. She takes a step away from her sketchy-looking boy. "Can you walk me home? Or get one of your friends to?" She shakes her head.

"No way! We just got here. And you're not leaving with any of my friends; they're here to have fun so don't disturb them. Just let loose." With that she turns away from me and gets back to dancing. Fumed, I head towards my table, but I feel a hand grab my waist. I whip around and see a huge man, at least six feet tall and two-hundred pounds, staring at me with a disgustingly hungry grin.

"Nice dress." He comments as his eyes make their way up and down my body. I scoff and start walking away but he grabs my wrist and yanks me further onto the dance floor. I try to squirm out of his grip, but its to no avail. He positions himself behind me and grabs my hips. I jab my elbow into his stomch and hear some profanity escaping his lips. I quickly jog back to my table and grab my bag, heading out the door. I don't care if it's dangerous to walk home; I'm not staying here.

I walk out the door of the club and into the cool night air. I start heading back the way we came-I'm blessed with quite a good sense of direction. Worries start edging into my head as I imagine all the terrible things that could happen to me as I'm walking home. I force those thoughts out of my head because thinking about them will only make me feel worse.

Sporadic catcalls and whistles echo behind me as I am quickly walking. But, after fifteen minutes, I am finally back to my apartment, miraculously, without a scratch.

I collapse onto my bed and take off Jess's ridiculous shoes and skimpy dress. I throw them onto the floor of her bedroom, still furious that she dragged me to that outing. I put on my pajamas and turn in for an early night.