Page 27 of Storm in a Teacup
She hums. “Sorry.”
“Yeah.”
She veers me away from one of those metal roadblocks that line the pavement.
I say, “God, I hate those things. It’s like they purposely put them out of my sightline.”
“Well, the whole worldisagainst you.”
“I agree,” I grumble, only half-meaning it.
We wait in line for a bit before we get in, and once we do, we head to the second floor. I look longingly at the dance floor, excited to let loose and dance off the shitty parts of tonight.
Over the loud music, Ben says in my ear, “Want anything to drink?”
“No!” I yell back. “I’m fine!”
“I’ll be right back, then. You okay?”
“Good!” I yell.
Mel grabs my hand and pulls me onto the dance floor with her.She throws her arms around my shoulders as we dance. Soon enough, Ben comes back and hands me a glass.
“I said I didn’t want anything!”
“It’s water!”
“Oh! Thank you!” I take a swallow of the water, not realizing until now how much I needed it. I gulp the rest of it down.
Mel gives me a wink and lets Ben move into her place. His hands land on my hips as his eyes ask,This okay?
I bob my head as I throw my arms around him so we can dance together. We continue to dance through a couple of songs, staying close and moving with one another. This is fun. This is what I was looking forward to. After another song finishes, Ben says in my ear, “I have to use the toilet. You need a pitstop?”
“I’m okay!”
“Alright. Stay here. I’ll find you when I’m back.”
I look around for Mel and the others until I spot them a little bit away, faces aglow by the pink and blue lights of the club. I’ll stay where I am so Ben can find me. A really good song starts next, so I keep dancing with my whole body. I bump into someone and apologize, but I don’t even care because everyone is bumping into everyone here.
But apparently, that is not the general consensus. A voice says in my ear, “You need a shield around you.”
I flinch at Atti’s sudden appearance. I search for a moment before I determine his girlfriend is not there and ask, “Where’s Bridget?”
“Toilet. Where’s that guy?”
“Ben,” I say flatly. “Also in the bathroom.” I look away from him, continuing to dance. I am not in the mood for this. As I move, I hit someone very lightly with my hand.
“Seriously, Linny?” Atti admonishes.
I spin on him. “Whatis your deal?”
He peers down at me, his tone the height of condescension. “You need to be more careful. It’ll make things easier for everyone else.”
I groan, head falling backward. “Why is everything I do so embarrassing for you?! We are not together anymore, Atticus. You are no longer obligated to be embarrassed by me!”
A hand touches my back. I know without looking that it’s Ben.
“Why don’t you go find your girlfriend?” he suggests to Atti in a way that does not sound like a suggestion.
