"Tell me again how it happened," Angelina said. "I want to know all the details."

"We went out for drinks to celebrate one of my papers being published. He took me to a fancy, little pub. After a few WKD's, we talked, and I might have said something," Emilia said.

Angelina inched forward to Emilia. The bed squeaked at every move. "What did you say? What happened?"

"I might...." Emilia felt her face turn red. "I might have said that I liked him."

Angelina leaned in. "Interesting. In a friendly way or a 'like you' way?"

"It was in the middle," Emilia said. "I said it and then an awkward silence filled the void."

"Did he have a reaction?"

"We both locked eyes and then broke eye contact. And then I mentally kicked myself for saying it," Emilia said. "I cursed myself as I walked into the house."

"Is he still coming tonight?" Angelina asked.

Emilia grabbed her drink from the dresser. She took a sip.

"He is. He's picking us up at 8:30."

Angelina reached into her bag and pulled out two bottles of vodka. "Well, let's get this party started!"

Emilia giggled and got up. She checked the hallway to make sure the coast was clear, and closed the door. If Angelina brought alcohol into the base, then anything was possible. Angelina grabbed two cups, opened the first vodka bottle, and poured two shots. She gave a cup to Emilia.

"Here's to Logan getting out of the friend zone!" Angelina playfully said. They clicked their cups, and took a swing. Emilia pursed her lips as the vodka slightly burned her throat. Angelina smiled.

"I brought another drink too. It's a Colombian liquor that my co-worker drinks. It burns more than vodka going down," Angelina said.

"Vodka's my specialty," Emilia said. "Even though it burns."

"Well, there's tons to get through tonight," Angelia said. "Our goal is to be tipsy and sexy!"

~-~-~-~-~-~-

"What do you think?" Emilia asked.

Clothes, two empty pizza boxes, and three mini vodka bottles were scattered across Emilia's bedroom. Soft pop played on Angelina's phone. Angelina laid upside down on Emilia's bed, and stared at Emilia.

Emilia stood in front of a mirror in a bra and underwear, and held two coat hangers. On one coat hanger was a black light blue dress. On the second coat hanger was a white, long sleeve romper. She held both pieces of clothing up to her body to see what she liked most.

"Wear the romper. It's cute and it can provide some warmth," Angelina said. "You can pair it with some black boots."

Emilia nodded her head and took the romper off the hanger. She laid the romper on the bed, and grabbed two black combat boots. She put the romper on and walked to the bathroom to grab her makeup.

"Ooooh. Let me do it!" Angelina said. She jumped off the bed and grabbed the makeup box from Emilia's hands. Emilia stepped back in shock.

"Sit down. I'm not going to bite." Angelina grabbed some foundation and pumped three little beads onto the back of her hand. She dabbed the foundation with a brush, and brushed it across Emilia's face. She then took a beauty blender and gently patted Emilia's face to blend.

"The goal is to make you sexy, so Logan can admit he loves you too," Angelina said. "If we can do that tonight, then you're golden."

She put the beauty blender down, and grabbed some eyeliner, mascara, and a black and white eyeshadow pallet. She opened the pallet and brushed eyeshadow across Emilia's eyelids, then put the eyeliner and mascara on.

"All ready!" Angelina sang. "Come take a look."

Emilia opened her eyes and looked at her reflection. Light pink and gold eyeshadow was brushed on top of her eyelids. Dark blue eyeliner and black mascara gave her eyes a soft, siren look.

"I didn't add lipstick because I don't know what color you love," Angelina said.

Emilia grabbed some purple lipstick and applied it to her lips. She popped her lips together and smiled.

"I'm going to go tell my brother that we're gonna go," Emilia said. "Do you have the parking pass in your car?"

"I do," Angelina said as she grabbed some clothes.

Emilia nodded her head and closed the bedroom door. She walked downstairs and into the living room. Derrick sat on the couch, watching tv and eating some pizza.

"Is Dad back?" Emilia asked.

"He's taking another late shift, so it's just us two. Are you and Angelina leaving soon?" Derrick asked.

"We are. She's staying the night too."

"I remember. Have fun and please stay safe. We don't want your picture hanging above the BX cashiers," Derrick joked.

"We'll be careful," Emilia said. She went back upstairs and knocked on her bedroom door. Angelina opened the door. She wore a light pink dress and white cowboy boots.

"Cowboy boots? I didn't know you had them," Emilia said.

"I bought them a few months ago. Are we ready to go?"

"We are!"

Angelia walked out of the room and closed the door. They both walked down the stairs. Emilia grabbed her purse and a jacket. Angelina fixed her makeup by the mirror. Emilia opened the front door and they both walked out of the house.

Glasgow was transitioning into spring, so the night air was mild. The light from the base illuminated the sky in a cloudy glow. Angelina and Emilia got into Angelina's car and Angelina drove away from Emilia's house.

"I thought you lived with yer dad," Angelina said as they drove.

"My brother and I do. My dad's a workaholic, so he's never around," Emilia explained. "It's always been my brother and I."

"What about yer mum?"

"I haven't seen her since I was six. My parents went through a nasty divorce, and my dad wanted custody of my brother and I," Emilia said. "She hasn't stepped foot in a base in years."

"That sucks. I'm sorry," Angelina said.

"It's okay."

The rest of the ride was quiet. Emilia stared out the window and thought about what she told Angelina about her parents. She hadn't seen her mom in three years even with scheduled visits. Since her family's move to San Antonio and Glasgow, her mom never tried to contact her or Derrick.

When they reached Glasgow, Emilia fully noticed the nightlife scene. When she was in Glasgow for dinner and bowling, the city wasn't that busy. Because spring was on the horizon and temperatures were going up, people were out and headed to clubs or eating dinner outside.

Angelina parked the car, and they got out of the car. Emilia locked arms with Angelina, and they both walked to the club. The streets were filled with people, hen and stag do's, and college students club hopping.

Emilia saw Logan waiting outside the club. He waved and Emilia tried to suppress the urge to jump into his arms.

"You alright?" Logan asked as he pulled Emilia into a hug. 

"I am. You?"

"Alright. Let's head inside. Everybody's waiting."

Logan grabbed Emilia's hand and led her inside the club. Loud pop music and smoke wafted across Emilia's face. The lights were off and it smelled like cigarette smoke and sweat. Logan paid the attendant and guided Angelina and Emilia into the club. Inside the club, groups of people crowded around the bar or danced on the dance floor. The bass from the music blasted underneath Emilia's feet.

Emilia walked to the bar and ordered a blue WKD. They became her favorite drink and she could drink around 3 bottles before getting tipsy. Logan stayed behind her and ordered a beer. Angelina pointed to one of Logan's friends and left the two of them. Logan guided her to the dance floor and they started dancing. 

 The DJ was playing early 2000 and 2010's hits. The crowd screamed along with the songs, and danced in partners or in groups. Couples sat in chairs that lined the dance floor to catch a break. Every few minutes, the DJ would play a song and everybody would fill the dance floor in record time.  

Emilia danced with Logan and took sips of her drink. The alcohol made her feel adventurous and she placed her arms on Logan's shoulders. Logan placed his hands on her waist and they danced to the music.

It's now or never.

Emilia giggled and pulled Logan into a kiss. The kiss was sweet, and surprisingly, Logan kissed her back. As they pulled away from each other, Emilia decided to take another opportunity and kiss him again.

When your lips touch mine. Like the kiss of life. We might as well be playing with lightning.