Ch. 3 - The Nightclub Pt. 1

Aláine's Point of View

We arrived at the club and there was already quite a queue waiting outside. Lots of young girls in skirts even shorter than mine. I could hear the music from inside. It was typical dance music, and I had to admit that I liked dancing.

Zara waved out to the bouncer at the door when we got there, and we were let in—no having to wait in line with her.

"Is there anyone you don't know?" I asked.

Zara just laughed and continued to lead me into the nightclub.

As we got into the central part of the club, I looked around and immediately, an incredibly handsome man drew my eyes. He looked slightly older than me and tall with dark curly hair. I couldn't help but stare. My heart was beating so fast just from looking at him.

I was surprised by my reaction, as I was usually too busy studying or working to worry about men. He turned around as if he knew I was looking at him and we both stared at each other.

The music seemed to be turned down, and it felt like it had been hours that we'd stood there just staring. Did I say he was incredibly handsome?

My heart was beating incredibly fast now. I wanted to walk up to him and run my hands through his hair. I felt my core heat in arousal. Dear God, he turned me on just by looking at me. Any more of this and my pants were going to be dripping wet. He smiled at me as if he knew what I was thinking.

I could feel myself blushing, that I had to break eye contact. I was such a mess of emotions, and I couldn't really explain why I felt this way. This was not me.

Then I saw the familiar face of my cousin Tyra. I was so floored to see her, as I hadn't seen my cousin for a long time. Tyra looked my way, and the look on her face upset me. She was obviously unhappy to see me, and I didn't know why. 

"What are you doing here?" Tyra said almost spitefully.

"Nice to see you too, Tyra," I replied sarcastically. "It's not my usual scene, but you know Zara."

"This isn't the place for you," she continued.

"What? Why are you such an arse?" I asked.

Tyra was being an arse and God knows what I had done to her. I loved her and still do. I was pissed at her though.

The woman sitting next to her turned in her seat to face me.

"Play nicely with your little friend. Rather pretty, isn't she?"

"Meet my mate, Cassandra," Tyra said. "Cassandra, this is my cousin Aláine."

The woman smiled at me and then turned away to wave at some guy. I was surprised she used the term 'mate', as it is apparent they were more than just "mates". However, Tyra was acting secretively and being a jerk. Obviously, this was the new Tyra.

I wondered if my earlier thoughts of Tyra had been some sort of a premonition (if those sorts of things existed at all). However, it brought back all the sad memories of the last year. We used to hang out quite a lot when Zara, Tyra and I went to university.

For some reason, she had dropped out and never returned my calls. I was devastated about it as we had been close. I hadn't gotten over the loss, and I thought I probably never would. I had known Tyra was still around because Zara had seen her, but she hadn't contacted me.

"Is she the reason you don't return calls or hang out with family anymore?" I asked accusingly.

"What are you doing here?" Tyra continued, ignoring my question, "This isn't the place for you."

"So you said. You still haven't answered my question." I said. "You are family, and we were close like sisters. What happened?"

Tyra looked at me with no emotion and said, "I have a new family now."

Change that to acting like a bitch. I couldn't believe that Tyra had said that. My heart was beating extraordinarily hard and fast, and I felt like I was struggling to breathe. It felt like the wind had been knocked out of me.

I needed to leave, to get out of there before I lost it. I wanted to show some dignity, and I didn't want Tyra, or anyone else for that matter, to see me cry. In my grief, I was totally unaware that Tyra had turned pale suddenly and was looking somewhat stunned. I also didn't see Tyra reaching over to get Cassandra's attention and pointing at someone behind me.