I open the door and step through, dropping my bag on the floor. I glance in the hall mirror at my tired face and heave a deep sigh. What a shit show today has been. I walk slowly, sluggishly up the stairs and into my messy bedroom where I flop dramatically on the bed, face up and staring at the ceiling. I send out a silent prayer of thanks that its friday, pay day and the day I go out. I'm still reeling from the stress I had to go through today when I hear the doorbell ringing incessantly. I jump up and run back downstairs. As soon as I open the door, Roisin, my bundle of energy friend, barrels into me, her pink dreadlocks bouncing around.
"Kit!" she shrieks as the rest of my friends troop in past us, all decked out in their best emo or goth outfits. Bewildered, I look around at them and a cup of something alcoholic is thrust into my hand. I take a sip: hmm Disaronno, my favourite!
"Bitch, we are here to take you out, get ya wasted and have some fun!" my very gay best friend Arlo cheers and swigs from the bottle of wine he's holding. Luke; Arlo's boyfriend and our other friend Angel, take my hands and pull me upstairs. Twenty minutes later, feeling a lot less sober, I'm standing in front of the full length mirror in my room, admiring my look. I'm wearing a short black dress, nude coloured tights, black knee high boots and my bonde-black hair is styled to look like cat ears and I have gothic makeup to die for! (Ha, get it?) Arlo claps his hands with glee and winks at me.
"I am a genius!" he exclaims, turning to face the others. "Don't ya think?" Luke, Roisin and Angel all nod emphatically.
"Hmm, something's missing" I say as I hunt in my jewellery chest. "Aha!" I call out, strapping my black heart collar on. "Et viola" I turn and show the gang who simultaneously ooh and aah and Arlo hugs me tight.
"Perfect! Now drink up, we have places to be" Arlo hands me another drink which I down and grab my lacy kimono, traipsing out after Roisin. I take my ID and bank card from my purse and place them in my little shoulder bag along with my keys and phone.
It's dark out as we leave the train station and walk round the corner to the club. We're tipsy and laughing out loud at Ro who is trying desperately to walk in a straight line. We're surrounded by others on their way to the club too, all dressed to the nines and all as equally happy as we are. As we walk up the alleyway, I catch the eye of a guy standing with his group of friends near the end of the queue. He smiles, his eyes moving from my face to my chest to my legs and back up again. He smiles again and I smile back, Arlo digging me in the ribs with his elbow and then I'm past him and waiting in the line. I bought a bottle of water for Ro before we got on the train and she's gulping it down, knowing that if she drunk they won't let her in. I barely notice the group behind us till I hear Arlo murmuring in my ear.
"Kit, that guy who smiled at you is behind us and he's barely taken his eyes off you." I glance up through my eyelashes and catch his eye again. Now that he's closer I can see his eyes are a clear blue but his hair, a tangled mess, is dark brown and long. He's got a smattering of hair on his chin. I look him over, noting his sleeveless studded leather jacket, his smooth chest visible underneath; and black skinny jeans. The bracelets on his wrist jingle as he raises a hand and waves at me. I shyly wave back and blush. Despite drinking half a bottle of Disaronno, I am not used to the sudden attention. He grins and I see a little flush of colour on his pale cheeks. That's reassuring, he's just as shy as me. The line moves forward and I'm at the bag check. A quick search reveals nothing untoward and I'm allowed through, followed by Angel and Ro. Arlo and Luke are stopped for the small bottle of vodka in Luke's pocket. He downs it then and there, straight, and is allowed in. They check our tickets and IDs and then we're in the club, making a bee line for the bar.
"What'll it be babes?" the bartender asks me. I smile my thanks and have a think.
"Single vodka and lemonade please my darling," I say and he pours my drink. Ro orders an ice water and Angel and Luke and Arlo order beers. I'm just about to pay for my drink when I hear a soft voice behind me.