"Sandra, are you not looking for love, or what here?"
I turned to see a figure in my doorway. She folded her arms and glared at me. The half-eaten spoonful of taco dip in my mouth starts to turn rotten. I sigh.
"What now, Riley?"
She rolled her eyes and walked into my room like an ungrateful child forced to apologize. Three months older than me, at twenty-two she still has a fast metabolism. She hates her skinny frame and hides it with black clothing. Tonight, however, that black clothing stuck to her body and showed off her petite body. Tonight she's not looking to melt into the darkness and pounce upon a man or woman she finds interesting like a hunter. No, tonight she is openly hunting.
And I'm supposed to be at her side. Helping her and helping myself.
Except...
"Put down the damn taco dip," Riley said, putting her hands on her hips.
I sighed and put the spoon back into the taco dip. "I was hungry."
"You were moping."
"I was not."
"Then, where did the taco dip come from?"
"I...bought it on the way home."
"And why do you buy taco dip?"
"To share?" I said, holding up the taco dip and flashing a cheeky smile.
"Because, when you are moping over heartbreak you buy taco dip. And eat it all. Without chips, which, eew, gross," Riley said with a disgusted look on her face.
"I didn't have enough money for chips," I said, breaking eye contact with Riley.
"Liar. Now. There is no way we are going to that dance tonight with you looking like you just woke up. Out of those pajamas, put the taco dip in the fridge, and let's get ready."
"I--"
"Don't even say it. I know you don't feel like going. You haven't felt like going since George dumped you for that other woman. That was months ago."
"It was Christmas, it hurt."
"It's Valentine's Day, it's time to get over it."
"I can't," I said, knowing full well I now showed off how deeply I moped and pouted before Riley barged into my place.
"Yes, you can. He was one man. A charming man, sure, but what did he have that is making my friend and roommate eat taco dip out without chips? Hmm? Exactly. I scored us two tickets to the Valentine's Rave, and we're not missing it. DJ Hyp is playing, a lot of cute guys and gals will be there, and we need this. I need this. And you promised."
"You're really throwing everything out there, aren't you?" I said with a slight smile.
"Hey, is any of it working? The guilt one, that's working, right?"
She accomplished her mission with that sentence. I laughed. I shook my head and handed over the taco dip. Another defeat. Riley took the taco dip and grinned.
"All right, wear something that will knock them dead. We're not going for just some good music."
I rolled my eyes and scooted off my bed. "Yes, Ma'am."
Riley started out of my room. I decided to get her back, even just a little.
"And it was his cock," I said as I got to my feet. "I miss his hard, throbbing cock. He had a good cock."
Riley choked as she laughed. She stumbled out of my room and nearly hit her head on the far wall. Tasting a bit of victory, I closed the door behind me.
Now I had to make myself look presentable.
***
Ever been to a rave? The wall of noise that hits you as you penetrate its perimeter. The mass of people, all jumping and heaving separately and yet looking like a great agitated ocean, waves and ripples sticking out of the great mass at every turn. Lights that only hint at the true scope of what you walked into, and even then only for a moment at a time.
The heat.
And the noise. Oh my, the noise.
Any other day I may have felt a little too overwhelmed. But, the music felt nice. And I looked even better.
"You're not supposed to look better than me!" Riley sarcastically whined as we entered.
If she looked a little closer, she would realize that men and women checked her out, as well.
Instead, she focused on the fact I wore the outfit. The one that barely contained my bust. The one with the skirt that looked illegal. The outfit I wore when I did not want to come home alone.
And I never did.
Thanks to the taco dip, I may be heavier than Riley. Men never complain. And that one time in Mexico, that woman never complained, either. I know most days I would complain, seeing every flaw in my body and wanting something different.
Tonight, however, I felt like a goddess rewarding the peasants with my presence. I entered the rave and felt its energy melt over my skin.
I turned to thank Riley, only to find her already dancing with a guy. I sighed. Riley wanted me as their wing-person, and yet she did not need my help in any way. I suspected and would get the truth out of her tomorrow, that she made that story up to get me here.
To get me over George.
To not go home alone.
I felt my shoulders move to a beat. My body twitched to the song. I would find that person. Later. Right now, the music feels good. Real good.
I melted into the ocean of people. Only close-up did I see the variety of men and women that shared the dancefloor. I found an empty spot and let myself go.
There is something magical about music. The kind of music that thumps right into your soul and bones. It can overwhelm you, or you can willingly accept it inside of you. Let it take you over. Submit to it.
I chose the latter. If I wanted to have a good time, thoughts like George could not enter my mind. And so, I gave myself over to the music.
It proved quite easy. This DJ Hyp proved to be an expert at making bodies move. Soon, I felt the sweat on my skin as I jumped, waved, and became a vessel for the music to move through me.
Two songs later I realized a man appeared at my side. A man that attempted to get my attention. In the strobe lights and sweat, I saw a kind smile and brilliant eyes. A solid jaw. And skintight clothing.
I smiled back. A song later, we got closer. Half a song later, close enough to scream at each other.
"Hi!" He shouted.
"Hi!" I replied. Enthralling conversation, I realized.
A song later he motioned with his head toward the drink station. I nodded. We bounced our way to the spot where people pretended the noise lowered to a point where you could have a conversation.
You could not.
I accepted some water from the cheery-looking woman handing them out. He did as well.
"You move good!" He shouted over the music.
"You're watching how I move, or my body?" I shouted back.