Celestia's P.O.V.

As the cab drove, my eyes scanned my surroundings. I compared my view to that of the photo Caylie had shown me, almost dumbstruck by the vast difference.

Tall grey buildings towered over the tiny vehicle, all looking mostly the same. As the car moved, so did my viewpoints, and yet everything looked identical - concrete here, concrete there. Occasional people dotted the sidewalks like little insignificant specks of dust amidst the concrete jungle and my heart sank - what a world I lived in.

In no time, a cab had taken us to the club and we were inside the stuffed room, lights flashing and the thick rancid odours of cigars, alcohol, chemicals, sweat, drugs, etc, filled the air, making me want to gag.

It was overwhelming, but holding Caylie's hand tightly I followed her through the crowds. Exhausted yet energetic people surrounded us as lights flashed colours through the room and songs played, their heavy bass making me unable to hear Caylie's words.

We came to an abrupt stop at a bar and the man standing behind it poured a glass of something undoubtedly alcoholic for another stranger.

I allowed myself to admire him while his gaze was focussed on the alcohol. He was cute, with tousled long strands of brown hair and a little dimple when he smiled.

The faintest remnants of a mustache adorned his otherwise flawless skin and I realized that any normal woman would be crushing hard right now. And yet, the fear of what he could really be like kept me far too afraid to flirt and as such I kept my distance, realizing that despite the way I was dressed, I didn't want to be noticed. No woman finds her prince charming anywhere - let alone at a club.

Seeing us he asked the obvious question; "What would you like?"

Was his question directed at me or Caylie? Or both of us? I didn't care. I knew it was a normal thing for him to ask, in the normal context in which you would ask it, and meant nothing at all... Yet I was feeling overwhelmed, especially at the sight of him.

I wasn't afraid of men, but my experiences weren't all too pleasant and with the chaos around me, I couldn't keep myself calm. I needed space, a moment to regain my composure without random strangers bumping into me and loud music assaulting my senses.

"I'm gonna find a bathroom." I breathed shakily.

"Do you want me to come?" Caylie asked.

"No, no I'll be fine. Just order us something, I don't have a preference." I breathed.

I was about to take a step when something held me back. I froze in fear, until my nerves allowed me to realize that it was simply Caylie's hand that I hadn't realize I was still holding.

Letting go of Caylie, I stumbled through the crowd until I finally found a doorway to what I assumed would be a washroom. Pushing the door open I was surprised to find several people making out.

Awkwardly, I exited the room, turning to see a tall man. His eyes were an intense green and though he didn't look like a creep, I was still uncomfortable as he stared at me.

"That bathroom is kinda occupied." I mumbled, not sure whether I was telling myself or him that.

"There's another over there." He told me, pointing in an unhelpfully general direction.

"Thanks." I replied.

My brain told me to not go that way and to instead return to Caylie, so I did, deciding my nerves would do better with the comfort of someone I knew, rather than a bunch of strangers.

Pushing through the crowd of people I found the bar again and saw Caylie, already making out with some random guy.

"Why did you choose this place?" I asked her.

Realizing I was back she told the man to go away and passed me a drink I hadn't noticed her holding. Much to my surprise, he listened, nonchalantly wondering away as though this was common practice between them.

"Yours." She smiled.

I eyed the yellowish green liquid sceptically. How well had she been paying attention to the drink during her make our session?

"I think I'm actually okay." I replied. "And I think I'm gonna go home."

"Oh, you're leaving already?" She asked, looking disappointed.

The next song began to play and I could hardly hear what she said, but I gathered enough to answer. "What's the point of being here? I don't want to get drunk, I don't want to get laid, I don't want to make out with strangers, and I don't want to be here alone."

"What?" She yelled over the music, obviously not hearing what I had said.

"Nothing, nevermind." I sighed.

I turned, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. I knew this is what I had signed up for when I came here, but somehow it hadn't quite registered. Really though, why was I here? This was just a bad idea.

"Hey, hey, why don't we dance?" She yelled to me.

I nodded. "Okay."

Grabbing my hand she pulled me to the dance floor and I attempted to dance, something which I was rather bad at that quickly made me only more anxious.

As we stumbled around in what was apparently dance, Caylie passed me her cup again. "You needa relax a little, loosen up."

I sighed. Why not? I was already poisoning myself with the treatments, why not throw in a little alcohol? At least that would maybe permit me enjoy the night.

Someone bumped into me despite my best (not very good) efforts, the cup fell from my grasp, hitting the ground. The contents spilled out and reason reentered my brain - it would have been a bad idea anyways.

"Caylie, I want to leave." I told nothing but the air, as I lifted my gaze to see that where Caylie once had been there was now a random blonde.

Panicked, my eyes scanned my surroundings as I pushed through the dozens of people. Suddenly, I heard her voice behind me. I spin around, only to see her taking a drink from a man.

"Thank you." She smiled.

She was already tipsy, that much I could tell. How well did I actually know this woman? Why was I trusting her? Just because she had trusted me?

I headed in her direction but she was already stumbling away, somehow getting through the crowd in her not-so-sober state quicker than me.

I tripped on a shoe and fell to the ground, but I quickly stood again, looking around. But once again, I couldn't see her anywhere.

I was terrified - maybe without reason, maybe for good cause. I ran to where I had last seen her, hoping she would suddenly appear and everything would be fine, but she wasn't there.

"Have you seen a redhead?" I asked no one in particular.

"Have you seen a redhead?" I asked, again.

A few people glanced at me but no one said anything, returning to their various preexisting activities with no regard for my panick.

I pushed through the sweaty people and my mind went to the bathroom - I was where that guy had told me the bathrooms were.

I rushed to the wall, walking along it and trying to find a door. After a moment, I saw one. Running to it, I opened it, mildly afraid.

I saw several stalls, but no Caylie. I stepped into the room and heard the sound of puking. Following the direction of the sound I walked to the furthest stall.

Caylie was alone, leaning over the toilet and vomiting. I walked to her, drawing her hair back in a ponytail, slightly relieved while my heart beat at an incredibly quick pace.

"Were you drugged?" I asked.

She shook her head, leaning against the wall. I grabbed some paper towel and passed it to her, despite the anger gathering within me.

"What happened?" I breathed.

"I was drinking, that's all. Alcohol, it makes you vomit sometimes." She shrugged.

"But I saw you with a guy, he gave you a drink. How do you know it wasn't drugged." I questioned, mad at her for being so irresponsible.

"I didn't drink it. I needed the bathroom, so I went and found one. That's all." She told me.

"We should go home." I sighed.

She shook her head. "I'm fine."

I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to be here, but I didn't want to ruin her night either. Though, I also didn't want to participate in whatever she planned to do here.

"I don't want to leave you here, but I don't want to be here." I told her.

"Why? It's fun." She smiled.

"No, not to me. I don't like this." I replied.

"If you don't wanna be here that's okay, you gave it a try and I appreciate that you came, we can go." She said, standing.

"Thank you." I sighed. "I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry for, this isn't for everyone." She breathed, taking my hand and walking with me.

As we passed the bar she stopped, a sheepish grin forming on her gentle features, the red lights of the room making her already red hair appear even redder.

"Can I have a moment to give him my number, pleaseeeee." She smiled.

I looked at the bartender. He didn't seem crappy, but it was stupid, he wouldn't call anyways and she was better off single.

I shrugged nonetheless. "Whatever."

"Yayyyy!" She laughed. "You can wait outside if you want, I'll only be a moment."

I nodded, heading to the exit. Once outside, the sickly warm air enveloped me. It was better than the inside of the club, but still, I wished that I could have experienced what seemed like an entirely different planet - the old earth.

I heard the door open and figured it was just Caylie. Turning, I opened my mouth to greet her, but I didn't have a chance to speak, as two hands pulled me to a hard body.

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