Page 38 of Burn With Me

So, when Selene comes back to the dorm on Friday after classes and asks if I want to head out to a club with her, I throw off my textbooks and study materials and leap at the opportunity. I haven’t been out since we got here, but now that Marcus is planning on heading to Eastpoint, it’s not like I’ll have to worry about people reporting back to him. I miss him, for sure, but perhaps him going to Eastpoint is what’s best. We’ve lived separate lives ever since the incident. Maybe this is just how we’re supposed to be from now on.

I finish swiping on one final layer of mascara and tighten the ponytail at the top of my head before turning and adjusting the tie keeping the front of my halter top up. If California is anything like New York, the nightclubs will have a dress code. No shredded anything. No cheap shit. Only the best for the best. My borrowed dress makes me look like someone else, but I don’t mind. Tonight, that’s exactly what I'm going for—someone else. Someone who doesn’t need to think about the possibility of her mother being used by a monster. Someone who doesn’t obsess over an enemy who’s made her life miserable. Someone who doesn’t care.

“I’m so glad you’re coming,” Selene says as we head to the curb outside of the dorm to the waiting car. The driver steps out and comes around, opening the back door. She slides in first with me following closely, and the door closes behind me. “I mean, if you were worried about me going alone, it would’ve been fine. I’m actually meeting a few people from the agency, but we haven’t been out together in forever.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” I agree absently. I rest my head against the glass as she chatters on about the jobs she’s been on this week. It’s a good thing Hazelwood is so used to people like her—students who are also minor celebrities. Special circumstances might not otherwise be allowed considering how many classes she’s missed thus far. Then again, anyone who would think she’s stupid would be wrong because despite all of that, I know she’s managed to keep up with the curriculum. “Where are we going tonight?” I ask.

“Oh, it’s a new club that just opened up,” Selene replies. “It’s calledLabyrinth—very vogue don’t you think?”

“I guess.” I don’t care if it’s popular. It doesn’t matter. As long as the place has alcohol and music; that’s all I need tonight. A way to relax.

Minutes later, the car slows down and I glance out the window, my eyes widening as the vehicle comes to a full stop in front of a massive tower. “Let’s go!” Selene squeals in excitement and, this time, the driver opens her door first. As soon as he does, she’s out of the car and heading towards the entrance, bypassing the long line of people waiting.

I don’t look back as I follow after her. She flashes her ID at the two security guards at the door. “I’m here for the VIP party,” she says before turning and locking arms with me. “She’s my guest.”

“Of course, Miss Reynolds.” One of the security guards steps forwards and undoes one side of a velvet rope, gesturing for both of us to step inside. “Enjoy yourself.”

She giggles, waving goodbye as we make our way inside. Stepping intoLabyrinthis like walking into a whole new world. If the outside California air is warm, then the interior of the club is a tropical zone. Already I can feel sweat collecting on the back of my neck as I crane my head back to take everything in.

“Wow,” is all I can say. “They really went all out.”

Selene laughs. “I know, right?” Her hand tightens on my arm and I nearly stumble over my own feet as she drags me forward, pulling me in the direction of the long bar at the back of the bottom floor.

The club fills the entire building. Each floor circling up from the bottom one has a gaping opening in the middle for those on the upper levels to be able to look down over the edge. The dance floor takes up the majority of the ground floor, with people in expensive designer clothes grinding and moving in time to the beat within a circle of tall Grecian pillars that act as foundational support for the whole building.

Selene leans in close as we hit the end of the bar and stop. “Isn’t it cool?” she gushes.

“Yeah,” I agree. “Very cool.”

She squeals again and then leans over the counter as a bartender steps up to us. “We’ll have two screwdrivers,” she says.

“And shots,” I say. I look at her. “Do you want a shot?”

Selene’s face freezes for a moment, and then she smiles. “Uh … sure.”

“We’ll have three shots of tequila,” I tell the bartender.

“Um … I know, I should’ve asked this before,” Selene says after the bartender leaves to make our drinks. “But is there another reason why you decided to come out with me tonight? You don’t usually do shots.”

“I’m fine,” I lie. “I just need to de-stress. It’s been a long ass week.”

“Are you sure that’s—” The bartender returns, dropping three shot glasses full of tequila in front of me along with two screwdrivers.

I don’t hesitate. I lift the first shot of tequila, down it, and then the second. I know, with Selene, that we’ll be sipping on those screwdrivers for the next hour. I can’t wait that long to let loose some of this tension already built up inside of me. When I turn back to my friend and push her shot over to her side before reaching into my bra and removing my credit card to hand to the bartender, Selene is staring at me in shock.

“Hey, Rori,” she says, putting her manicured hand on my arm, “if something’s bothering you, you know you can always talk to me.”

I blow out a breath. “Do you want your shot or not?” I ask.

The bartender comes back. “You want to start a tab?” he asks. I give him a nod of confirmation.

“Come on,” I say as soon as he’s done and we’re ready to go. I grab my screwdriver. “You said you were meeting some people here, right?”

“Wait, Rori!” Selene grabs my arm, stopping my escape. “I’m serious. Is something going on? You’re being really weird.”

I look away and blow out a breath. “I’m just…” I grit my teeth before looking back at her. “I’m irritated by Isaac,” I admit. “I’m stressed about Marcus leaving for Eastpoint, and I’m…” I groan. “It’s just all complicated. I promise it’s nothing more than that. I just want to fucking relax tonight, Sel. Can we do that? Please?”

She sighs and squeezes my arm. “Of course we can. I only wanted to make sure you’re not getting ready to go down a dark hole. You know? I mean … you know the kind of shit I’ve seen some of the girls in the business get into. I know you’re stressed, but I wanted to make sure it wasn’t anything that I didn’t need to be seriously concerned with.”

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