I clear my throat dramatically and pull at my jeans. Have I mentioned I’m so glad it’s fucking dark in here? The opener ofWild Onesstarts playing and Sia’s voice fills the club. Claire’s eyes tell me before her words do — she loves this goddamn song.
“No.”
Claire nods her head.
“No,” I persist.
She grabs my hand. “Yes!” and drags me through the VIP.
When we leave the private area it’s like a whole other world. The DJ to the left is lifted on a mini stage spotlighted in changing colors. The bar to the right runs the length of the building, wrapping even around the corner to the other side. The dance floor in the middle is just a sea of people, bobbing and swaying to the beat of the music.
I stop abruptly, causing Claire, who is leading, to be pulled back to me. She can’t possibly want to go into the middle of this mob scene. I’m bumped twice by people trying to push their way through and even that is enough contact for me to know there is no way in Hell I’m stepping foot intothat.
She must see the overwhelm on my face because just as Flo Rida’s voice bellows through the speakers, Claire starts to dance. Right here, at the edge of the crowd, she throws her hands in the air and starts jumping to the beat. She’s pumping her fists and spinning around, and the smile on her face makes this mayhem worthwhile. I shove both hands in my pockets and let her do her thing.
Never in my life did I think I’d ever be here — in a packed club, with someone who despite all she seems to have going on, can just put it aside and be this carefree. I could get lost in watching her twirl around, butsuddenly Sia is back with the chorus, and she slows down her movements and glides over to me. Mouthing the words, she throws her arms around my neck, and I’m lost in this feeling of just being a part of something right now. It’s so damn corny, but Claire makes me feel a sense of belonging that's entirely new to me.
As the music picks back up, my arms, which I have around her lower back, start to bounce with her dancing again. Then suddenly my shoulder jolts forward, but not because I’m feeling the beat. I look at Claire who is covering her mouth hiding her laughter at whatever is behind me. Turning, I see a very drunk Sean leaning on a very irritated Rick. He smacks my shoulder one more time and puts a source to the movement.
Claire and I both drop our arms as Sean’s lips begin moving, but no sound can be heard over the bass of the speaker. I point to the private area, and we all cross back into the VIP section. The music softens just slightly this far removed from the main floor and Sean speaks again.
“She’s dancing, Jay.” His words come out slurred.
Claire and I look at each other confused. Rick holds up a finger telling us to wait.
“She’s dancing with some big tall guy like you.” He pokes my chest, then points to his own. “My girl.”
Understanding washes over me and I turn to Claire, mouthing “Maddie.” Her eyebrows shoot up and then settle in a crease as if she’s now both confused and surprised. I nod in agreement knowing exactly how she’s feeling.
I lean into her and whisper, “He’s stupid drunk. Do you mind if I walk him outside and figure this shit out?” She shakes her head no and grabs my hand. When I said that, I didn’t mean for her to come with me, but there she goes making me feel like I’m not alone again.
Rick throws Sean’s arm around my other side, and the three of us make our way to the VIP’s back exit to the outside of the club. I didn’t realize I needed fresh air until it hit me, but once we opened the doors, it was like my lungs filled fully for the first time all night.
I sit Sean on the curb, and Claire sits next to him. I stand in front of them both, reaching for my cigarettes. I notice Claire’s eyes on my movement as I glide one back, forth, back across my lips, and settle it off to the side, right as Sean whines again.
“What am I going to do, guys? I love her!”
Claire sticks out her bottom lip and rubs Sean’s back. This girl is a fucking angel.
And he is a pathetic mess.
“Have you ever even talked to her? I mean like, does she know you exist?” I’m not trying to be a dick, I’m just trying to see what we’re dealing with here.
Sean looks at me like I have six heads and then asks Claire, “Is he talking cursive to you too, or just me?”
Claire bursts out laughing and I pause mid-drag.
“Alright, you’re done here.” I put out a perfectly good cigarette for this clown and hoist him up under his arms like a goddamn baby.
“I can throw him in a cab.”
Claire, who’s now standing too, shakes her head. “No way, he’ll never make it. Where does he live?”
“Right by me.”
Her face drops just slightly enough that I notice. “Why don’t you take me first and then drop him off on your way home.”
“No,” I say but she’s already nodding her head. It’s like the dancing thing all over again only this time it’s way less cute.
