Chapter 4

“Oh my god my legs hurt, and we’re not even at the club yet!” Emilia sighed as she circled her feet to relieve her ankles.

“We would’ve been in by now if it was the usual bouncer, but I think Terry took the day off. Damn him,” Rylie muttered with crossed arms.

“Yeah yeah, you should be glad I’m still here. Look, even those guys get to go in before we do! Do you think the bouncer’s gay?”

“Too bad for us if he is,” Rylie stretched her neck to see up front.

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Mickey casually made his way up to the Club Isis doors with James not far behind.

“Dan, my man, is that you?” The muscular man in all black looked up from his clipboard and stared blankly at Mickey. His face lit up when he realized who it was.

“Yo, Mick! What are you doing here?”

“Oh, you know, the usual. The real question is, what are YOU doing here? Aren’t you usually at Mirage?”

“Well, their usual guy got into a scrap and he’s beat up pretty bad so I’m just filling in until he can stand again.”

“Nice. Well, this is my buddy James. I’m here to show him a good time since he doesn’t know how to.”

“Dude’s got a head start with his looks but he looks like a hermit. Better get started if you still want to salvage the night,” Dan unclipped the red velvet rope and ushered them inside.

James wasn’t sure if he was supposed to take that last part as a compliment or an insult. He just nodded as acknowledgement and followed.

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After another hour of standing outside in the crisp night air, the girls finally made it inside.

Emilia took a deep breath and immediately coughed profusely. The air was drenched with others’ sweat and smoke; there were wafts of perfume and cologne masking a sourness in the air.

Those that weren’t smoking were either on the dance floor or drinking up a storm.

Before she could decide on which direction to head in first, Rylie grabbed her by the wrist and started dragging her towards the floor. They squeezed their way into the crowd and started moving to the beat of the music.

Fifty minutes had passed and Emilia was exhausted. She was starting to feel uncomfortable with the amount of sweat that was pooling on various parts of her body. She turned around expecting Rylie to be there but she was nowhere in sight.

“Damn it, I knew this would happen!” She cursed under her breath and made her way to the bar. She sat on one of the stools and ordered a gin and tonic. She tried to call Rylie but she probably couldn’t hear because of the music. She gave up and took a long sip from her glass. A man squeezed himself next to her frustrated as well with his head in his hands and elbow on the counter.

“Fucking Mickey, I told him clubs weren’t my thing but he still drags me to one. Stupid me went along with it knowing he’ll ditch me for a girl like he always does. If I wanted to meet a decent girl, I wouldn’t do it here. These girls only want to hook up!”

“You know,” Rylie interrupted his rant while finishing her drink, “Not all the girls in this club are what you think. Some of us just want to have a good time and maybe we got dragged here by our friends too. Maybe we’d rather be doing something else.”

James sighed heavily and realized what he said.

“I’m sorry, I was just frustrated because this happens every time I go with my friend. I think I’m just going to stop going to places with him.”

Emilia smirked in response and gave a small chuckle.

“How did you know I was going to do the same thing? Did you read my mind?”

“What would your idea of fun be? I’m assuming not this,” he twirled his hand showcasing all the drunk, obnoxious people around them as the bartender brought over his drink.

“Hmmm, I like being around people and going out but I also need time to recharge. I mean, I like going out to restaurants, parties and bars but not clubs. What about you?”

“Well…I like going to places that are quiet and relaxing. Where I feel like it’s only me and the world.

“Well, aren’t you a social butterfly,” she chuckled, “I mean, I like my alone time but you can’t be by yourself all the time; it can get lonely.”

Emilia watched James tap his fingers on the counter as he took what she said into consideration. He lifted his head, getting ready to defend himself but stopped himself.

Behind the bar was a mirrored wall where you can see everyone’s faces, especially with the light from the bar bouncing off it. Beside him, was the woman’s side profile as she was looking at him directly. He turned his head towards her and looked her in the eyes.

“You’re the girl from this morning!”

“What? You saw me this morning? And why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?” She felt around her mouth and lightly patted her neck and cheeks, nothing.

“It just feels like…I know you from somewhere. Not just this morning but…”

Emilia raised an eyebrow at him, wondering if she started a conversation with someone she shouldn’t have. He didn’t look familiar and someone that cynical couldn’t be a past friend of hers.

“Never mind, maybe I’m just imagining things,” James shook his head as the bartender brought over his bill. The machine for some reason, didn’t have tap, so they had to do it the old fashioned way; with a swipe and signature. Emilia glanced at his bill and noticed his signature.

“Wait! I…I think maybe we have met…your signature…” She closed her eyes and tried hard to think but the alcohol was clouding her memory.

‘Oh my god, think Emilia think!’

James smiled faintly at the girl’s effort but he really had to go to the bathroom. He got up and motioned to the back right corner where it was but then she gasped and grabbed his arm tightly.

“THE SKETCH!”

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On the other side of the club, Rylie was moving to the beat of the music and dancing the night away. Here, she was able to forget about all her troubles and just be free.

A short while ago, a man had danced his was towards her. She had smiled and welcomed his advances but made no physical contact. He was a little close, but she didn’t mind as long as everyone was having a good time and he kept his hands where she could see them.

Someone did mind though.

A woman in a mini-skirt and bedazzled halter top danced her way in between them with her back towards her. Rylie registered the man’s look of horror right before she was bumped to the floor. As if that wasn’t enough, the woman stepped backwards, crushing Rylie’s toes.

“Ahhhhhhh! What the fuck was that for?”

“For trying to steal my man,” the woman aggressively grabbed her boyfriend’s arm and dragged him behind her.

Rylie’s right foot throbbed and bled onto the dance floor. She tried to push herself back up but just fell back down. She looked to the people around her for help, but no one looked her way, like she suddenly didn’t exist. She tried to massage her foot but touching it only made it worse. The pain overwhelmed her and tears started forming in her eyes.

“Are you okay? I saw what happened but had some trouble pushing my way through.”

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hands and put on a smile. She looked up and was face to face with an outstretched hand. It belonged to a man with dark ruffled hair and a black silk collared shirt. His eyes were kind while his body language was awkward, like he was nervous and unsure of what to say.

“Not really, but thank you for asking,” she grabbed onto his hand and tried again but it was no use. He noticed her wince in pain and put her arm around his shoulders to support her.

“May I?” He asked and she nodded. He put an arm around her waist for support since she could only use one leg. They hobbled towards a booth where there was another man with blonde gelled up hair and black roots sitting down texting on his phone.

“Cameron, where did you go man? I was wondering what-Whoa, what happened?” His friend got up from the sofa and elevated Rylie’s legs on the table and she shuffled into her seat.

“I don’t know Joel, there was another girl and she just pushed her to the floor and purposefully stepped on her toes with her heels. She’s okay but her foot’s all swollen and bleeding! Can you get me ice, gauze and a towel?”

“I’m on it!” His friend Joel ran towards the bar and the one that helped her named Cameron was also frantically trying to clear the area around her so she was comfortable. Rylie watched in silence and smiled softly at these two strangers. They had just met and it confused her why they would go out of their way so much for someone they just met. But it was nice being cared for. If Emilia was here…

“Oh my god, Emilia!”

“Who?”

“My friend I came with, she’s probably so mad that I left her,” she put the phone to her ear but her friend didn’t pick up.

“Damn it, okay I’ll send her a text!”

“I’m sure your friend will understand. I’ll also help you look for her after, together.”

“Your name was Cameron, right?” The man nodded slowly but quickly looked away when they made eye contact. She chuckled at his shy demeanor.

“I’m Rylie, thank you for helping me back there. You saved me, no one else even looked my way…”

“I-it was nothing!”

Joel put an arm around his friend and smiled brightly.

“Our Cameron has a heart of gold; he would never leave a pretty woman in distress alone!” Joel laughed as his friend jabbed him in the stomach.

“I’d like to repay you guys somehow. If you have time, maybe I can treat you to coffee or lunch?”

“Oh, don’t worry about me! Cameron did all the work, I just did what he told me,” Joel chuckled nervously and looked to Cameron for help, but he was dazed and racking his brain on how to respond. Joel sighed.

“He’d love to though, how’s Sunday?”

“That’s perfect!” Rylie beamed and took out her phone to exchange numbers. Cameron took his out in response while blushing. He was smitten.

“Hey, I’m going to head home first but why don’t you two stay and chat for a bit? And Cam, I’ll call you tomorrow,” Joel winked at his friend and scurried off.