Page 58 of Into The Darkness

“Yeah . . . I think so,” Maddy answered, returning her attention to the mirror. I stood from the bathroom floor. “I thought you told me that Ash said you couldn’t fall in love with him?”

“He warned me not to. I don’t know. I am being ridiculous because we aren’t dating, and he only contacts me on his terms.”

“What happens if you text him?” I shrugged.

“I don’t.” She paused and looked down at me.

“That’s the problem, then. Come on, Ember. I can see the change already, and it’s only been a month into school. You need to be the one to text him sometimes. Demand answers.” She added some gloss to her lips.

“You are right,” I responded, nodding.

“Hey, I’m sorry I haven’t been around much. I know I’ve been preoccupied with my thoughts and spending time with Ash, but I want you to know that there’s no one else I’d rather share a home with,” I said, wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug. It was one of the changes Isles had made in me—a newfound appreciation for physical touch.

“I understand,” she replied, looking up at me. “Just be careful. I worry about you too, you know?”

I nodded, then said, “Okay, enough sad chatter, let’s go out and get fucked up.”

“Fuck yeah,” Maddy screamed. “Wait, are you going to tell Ash we are going out?”

I thought about it for a second. Why would I tell him?

“Why would I do that?” I laughed, and she high-fived me.

After leaving the apartment, Maddy and I ventured into the heart of Isles, where the bars were alive with the vibrant energy of the night. The dimly lit streets buzzed with laughter and the sound of footsteps echoing against the cobblestones. Neon signs illuminated the way, leading us to our destination. As we walked, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness, the anticipation of the night ahead mingling with the uncertainty of what the evening might bring.

Arriving at The Tipsy Tavern, Maddy confidently approached the entrance. She expertly flashed both our fake IDs, a sly smile on her face, and slipped a twenty to the bouncer, who nodded and waved us through. The scene that unfolded inside was a collage of youthful exuberance and chaotic revelry. The bar was packed to the brim with students, their laughter and conversations forming an indistinct hum that reverberated throughout the space.

The atmosphere was electric, charged with the dual melodies of country and club music, creating an eclectic blend that shouldn’t have worked but somehow did. The dance floor was a sea of bodies swaying and gyrating to the rhythm, while others stood shoulder to shoulder at the bar, vying for the bartender’s attention. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol, a heady mix of cocktails and spirits that hung in the air.

Amid the chaos, we spotted Beatrice wearing jeans and a loose black-and-white striped sweater in a dimly lit corner. She sat perched on a bar stool, with three beers lined neatly in front of her. Her eyes lit up when she saw us, and she waved us over with an eager grin. We weaved our way through the crowd, maneuvering around dancing pairs and groups of friends lost in animated conversations.

As we reached Beatrice, a collective cheer seemed to rise above the surrounding noise. She greeted us with open arms, enveloping us in a warm embrace. Without missing a beat, she reached for a cold beer from the trio before her and handed it to me with a wink. The cool condensation of the bottle sent a shiver through my fingers as I accepted the gesture.

“Took you guys long enough,” Beatrice chimed in.

“We were late because this one decided to come out with us, and look how fucking hot she looks?” Maddy said, and they whistled in my direction. Even though it was warm in the bar, I felt my cheeks flush a deeper shade of red.

“We missed you,” Beatrice added.

“I’ve really missed you guys,” I admitted, my voice carrying a touch of vulnerability. “Coming out again hasn’t been easy. To be completely honest, I can’t shake off the worry of waking up tomorrow morning with some random body part tattooed.” The lingering fear of losing control haunted me, driving my recent avoidance of Maddy and Beatrice.

“We won’t let anything go wrong tonight,” Beatrice assured me, her words offering a comforting anchor.

I glanced at the cold beer in my hand, then back at my two friends. “I still think beer tastes like pee,” I said, pursing my lips as they both chuckled.

“Let’s find you something stronger,” Maddy suggested, guiding me through the crowd to the bar. Navigating through a sea of students, she ordered two shots of vodka for each of us and handed them over.

“Here’s to seizing the most out of this year,” she proclaimed, raising her hands in a toast. I matched her enthusiasm, downing both shots in succession.

“Wow, Solis, I underestimated you. I think you’ve graduated to badass status,” Maddy chimed in, amusement dancing in her eyes.

“Time to hit the dance floor!” Beatrice exclaimed, seizing our hands and leading us into the pulsating energy of the club.

When we finally got to the little dance floor in the corner, the beats of the music pulsed through the air, reverberating within my chest. I wasn’t normally a big dancer but suddenly felt much more confident. Thank you, vodka.

I danced alongside Maddy and Beatrice. The nightclub was a whirlwind of lights, colors, and bodies, a place where inhibitions melted away and the moment was all that mattered. The effects from the vodka coursed through my veins, that familiar sense of liberation settling in as I moved to the rhythm, lost in the music and the company of my friends.

The dance floor was crowded, people bumping and grinding, laughter and shouts mingling with the music. As I swayed to the music, a guy approached me from behind, and I turned around to face him. His blond hair caught the sporadic strobe lights, and his tall frame towered over me as he cast me a warm smile.

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