Raine and her Storm

illusion

"Raine, are you ready to go?" 

Anastasia's now black hair pops through the bathroom door. Her blue eyes full of excitement, ready for us to go back to ourselves again. The whole time while dating Carter he was always to self conscious to let me out to bars. I should've seen the signs. Though like every young woman, I was blinded by what I thought was love.

"Yea stasia, let me just finish my hair and ill throw on my dress and we can go? That sound okay?" 

"I'll go call us a cab and pack us some water for the ride to the club"

My hair now washed and dried after the rainstorm, sits on my shoulders like an uncontrollable main of reds and browns. My eyes a light blue almost resembling the ocean before a storm, the contrast was always something my mother told me was a gift to have. Not many people had the eyes I did nor the hair. I rummaged through the makeup drawer trying to find a least something to out on my face. Anastasia was a few tones darker than me so this was proving to be a little bit more difficult then I expected. 

In the end I decided on loose curls that rested under my breasts and a very natural look for my makeup, I would sweat it off eventually if the bars are as packed as I remember. 

 Anastasia was wearing a dark green body con dress with a square neckline to show off her collarbones paired with simple black wedges, thankfully I could steal her clothes seeing as I didn't want to go to a nightclub in loafers. I don't think the would be very night life of me. I rummaged through her closet until my eyes fell on a light blue dress that would end just above my mid thigh and some white pumps to go along with it. 

"Raine im telling you, if I was gay" 

She threw a wink my way while doing the finger gun notion to add to her attempt at comedic relief, she always would try to be funny but in the end half of her jokes were like the ones your parents say at a dinner party to lighten the mood after some family drama just went down.

*

The driver, who had a thick accent, seemed to be talking to himself as he mumbled something unintelligible. I thought maybe he had a hands-free phone conversation going on, but then I realized he was talking to his GPS in a hilarious, affectionate manner. He'd say things like, "Come on, darling, tell me where to go," or "Left turn, my love, I knew you'd say that!" I couldn't help but chuckle at his unusual banter with the navigation system.

But the real comedy began when a disco playlist started blaring from the radio. Without missing a beat, the cabbie turned up the volume and began dancing in his seat, all while keeping one hand on the wheel. He was grooving and shimmying, completely unfazed by the fact that I was trying not to burst into laughter in the backseat.

Then, just as suddenly as the dance party had started, he abruptly switched to a classic rock station and began belting out a heartfelt rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody." His singing was hilariously off-key, but he was so into it that I couldn't help but join in, and we ended up having an impromptu duet right there in the cab.

"Here we are Raine, ILLUSION. Don't worry about the line either, scott's cousin is the bouncer. Probably the only reason I enjoy clubbing honestly"

Walking past the harsh glares from stranger, and a few wandering hands we finally get to the door where an overly buff man stands. His head shinning in the light and his arms covered in an artist's work, each tattoo telling some sort of story.

"are you coming or are you just gonna be all dazed and confused like the penguin from happy feet"

Her amused eyes and tone transferring to the big man at the door who currently holds the red rope to allow me to walk in. I smile and nod in his direction. "his name is mumbo" I mumbled.

Entering the nightclub, I could feel the excitement building within me. As I approached, the pounding bass grew louder, and the neon lights at the entrance painted the night with a vibrant, electric hue. There was a queue of fellow partygoers, each person dressed to impress, their outfits ranging from glittering cocktail dresses to trendy streetwear. 

The imposing bouncers at the door checked my ID and gave me a once-over before allowing me inside, assuring a safe atmosphere. Stepping through the door was like stepping into a different reality. The club's interior was a sensory feast – thumping beats reverberated through my body, dazzling lights created a mesmerizing spectacle, and the dance floor was a sea of ecstatic movement. 

The air was thick with a mixture of fragrances, from intoxicating perfumes to the distinct scent of energy and excitement. It was a world where time seemed to stand still, and I willingly surrendered to the rhythm, immersing myself in the pulsating music and the shared euphoria of the night.