I smiled smugly to myself as I stood in line for the club. I clutched my fake ID in one hand, meticulously crafted by a friend of mine downtown. It looked so believable. Even though I had freshly turned 18, my tight and revealing dress, my high heels, my meticulously applied makeup, and now this little plastic secret I held between my fingers was definitely going to get me inside.
The bouncer - icy grey eyes, dark hair, chiseled cheekbones - turns down the group of 5 stunning girls in front of me. My stomach clenches and my anxiety rises. If they didn't get in...how would I?
I'm next. I roll my shoulders back and walk confidently towards this 30-something, unnervingly handsome man. When he sees me, he does not smile.
"ID," he says gruffly, his voice raspy and low.
I hand him my card. It says I'm twenty-two. It says my name is Bailey. He squints at the card, then looks back at me as if we both know it's all a lie.
He takes a step closer to me. At six foot two, he towers above my small frame. His icy eyes scrape all the way up and down my body without the tiniest hint of a smile.
"Look at you," he murmurs. "Isn't that dress a little short for someone so young?"
I stammer. "I'm - I'm not that young."
"Mmm." He hands me back my card. "What would your daddy say if he knew his little girl was dressed like this?"
I can't look him in the eye anymore. My eyes fall to the ground. The bouncer leans close to my face.
"Now tell me your real name," he demands in a low whisper.
"Please," I whimper.
"If you tell me your real name, I'll let you inside. Our little secret," he replies, still not smiling.
I bashfully look him in the eyes again. "Kana."
"Okay, Kana," murmurs the bouncer. He steps to the side. "Have fun."
I can't believe it. My hands are shaking. I walk inside the club, feeling like I'd just robbed a bank and gotten away with it. The fluorescent lights glint off my dark hair and the loud bass of the music vibrates up my body.
Instantly, someone offers to buy me a drink. He's a little too old for me - pushing forty - but I say yes anyways. We make small talk while I sip some girly martini. I can't believe I'm really here. I'm a teenager, and I'm really here.
One of my favorite songs begins to radiate through the club. I down my drink in one go, say thanks to the older man, and dart onto the dance floor.
I start to sway my hips side to side. I am comfortable with my body, and it shows. The men in the club are like vultures, circling around me, watching my every move. It's intimidating. Maybe I can't handle this after all.
A man comes up behind me, pressing his body against mine. His hand wraps around my neck before I can escape. His other hand digs into my hip, almost leaving a bruise, forcing me to dance on him.