Chapter 5

"ID," the bouncer demands with a blank expression.

"Nice hair," I blurt out. Through the corner of my eyes, I see Rubin performing a Catholic prayer.

The bouncer gives me a look than stares down at my ID.  "Next!" he yells.  I rush inside to where Rubin and Sarah stand.

"See, my advice was helpful," Sarah gloats with a flick of her hair.

"It's a busy night, he's probably just trying to get his job done. Otherwise, Holden would've got his ass beat," Rubin comments.

"I'm still here," I cut in awkwardly.

"I prayed for you, that's the only reason you got through, man," Rubin says.

"You okay?" I ask Sarah, who is rapidly texting on her phone.

"My friends are supposed to meet us here. I don't know where they are," she says, not bothering to look up from her phone.

I'm so distracted I don't notice the setting I'm in. The smell is evened out with sweat from the dirty dancing and alcohol from all the liquor people are drinking. It's a dark atmosphere with purple neon lights and blaring music.

"Sarah, we'll be at the bar," Rubin says walking past the crowd.

"Do you want me to wait with you?" I ask while starting to follow Rubin.

"I'll meet up with you guys when I find them," Sarah says, waving me off.

I quickly catch up to Rubin, as I push past the sweaty bodies. He sits down on the stool, leaning his elbows on the counter.  "Top shelf?" Rubin asks.

"What? Twelve dollars for one drink is ridiculous" I reply with an incredulous expression on my face, looking at the price on the upper rack.  Getting inside the club was the easy part. I was legally able to get inside but I was not legally able to buy drinks.  Either my heart is beating really fast or the music's too loud. It's sending waves through my body. I rub my hands together, twiddling each of my fingers while thinking.

"How can I help you two gentleman?" the bartender asks. His hands are occupied with a cup and a rag, wiping the cup down.

"Can we get two lemon drops?" Rubin asks with an overly sweet smile on his face.

"Sure, ID?" he asks, looking at Rubin.

"Wow, I can't remember the last time somebody asked me for my ID," Rubin chuckles, bringing out his wallet.  I'm so grateful he didn't ask for my ID.  Rubin hands his ID over to the bartender and he inspects it for awhile.

"Jazzy Jeff?" the bartender asks, "From Fresh Prince Of Bel Air?"  Why didn't I think to check Rubin's ID?

"May I see yours, sir?" He asks, now looking at me.  Rubin gives me a look and I know exactly what he's thinking. We're screwed.

I clear my throat before answering, "Sure. Here you go." I smile, trying to play it cool.  My smile actually probably ends up looking like an uncomfortable grimace.

"Will Smith, huh?" The bartender chuckles reading my ID. "You guys wouldn't happen to have a friend named Carlton, would you?"

"Our parents are big fans of the show," Rubin lies.

"I'll be back with your drinks." He smiles as he goes to the back of the bar.  I let out a sigh of relief.

"Everything's fine, chill out." Rubin says, slapping my back.

"You didn't think to tell me our IDs were characters from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air?" I say, clearly annoyed.

"Friendship goals," he says as he grins, clearly unfazed by my current state of irritation.

I stand up from the stool, straightening out my back muscles. "I'm going to get some fresh air, I'll be back."  I knew this was a bad idea, classes start tomorrow and I'm at a club? I feel so lightheaded and what makes it worse is the club is packed with so many people. Bodies rub against me as I make my way to the entrance.

I feel somebody latch on my arm and I whip my head back to see who it is.

"Jamie-," I begin before I'm immediately interrupted by her.

"Quickly. I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend," she rushes to inform me.

"What?" I ask, confused.

Suddenly a guy gets up close to Jamie grabbing her arm.  She twists her arm loose and yells, "Don't touch me!"

"Who's this guy?" He points to me, letting go of her.

"My boyfriend," she says wrapping her arms around me. An instant shiver goes through my body, her touch was warm. Her light perfume smells like flower and vanilla.

I'm so confused, but I think some dots are connecting... Nope.  Regardless, I arch my back up straight, holding my head up high, following her act.

"Whatever," he mutters as he fades into the crowd.  Jamie waits a couple seconds to make sure he's gone before she turns to face me.

"Sorry about that," she says before tucking her blonde hair behind her ears.

"Who was that guy?" I ask.

"Some creep that was feeling me up on the dance floor," she explains. I can't help but think that he's a lucky guy.

"I didn't think I would find you here," she laughs while changing the subject.

"Yeah, my friends invited me," I say, giving her a weak smile.  She smiles back and we stand in awkward silence.

"There you are!" Sarah yells, running up to Jamie, "We dialed your phone so many times, why didn't you pick up?"  Another girl came seconds later standing beside Sarah and Jamie.

"I was worried because I turned around and you weren't there." the new girl says in panic.

"Some creep was stalking me. I don't think I had my vibration on," Jamie replies, digging for her phone in her tiny pouch.  What useful things could possibly fit in there?

Sarah looks up at me, acknowledging my presence and then turns to Jamie and asks, "You guys have met?"

"We met couple nights ago," Jamie told her.

"Holden, this is my friend Quinn," Sarah says, pointing to the new girl.  Quinn smiles at me and I smile back out of politeness.

"Where's Rubin?" Sarah asks, before I could even answer, she adds,"Never mind, I don't want to know."

Oh crap, I forgot all about Rubin. I was caught in the heat of the moment with Jamie.  "Let's go dance already," Quinn whines pulling Sarah's hands.

"You coming?" Sarah questions, looking back at Jamie.

"You guys go, I'll catch up," she tells them.  We stare at the girls until they fade from our view before turning to each other.

"Thank you for earlier, I owe you one," Jamie thanks me.

"No problem," I say, stuffing my hands into my pocket.  Our body language was uncomfortable once again silence was in the air.

"You want to dance?" she blurts out.

"Sure."

She pulls my hand leading me onto the dance floor.  "Wait!" I yell, stopping her, "I'll get us some drinks."

She nods.  I quickly run up to the bar and look for Rubin. He's not sitting on the stool anymore, where is he? He probably thinks I ditched.

I see a finger being pointed my way, and see the bartender talking to security guards.

They walk up to me, I could run, but that would be more suspicious.

"Hey, Will." One of the security guards throws his arms around me, with a cheesy smile.

Before I could even contemplate what was happening. I was being thrown out the back entrance of the club.

The door slams as soon as my body lands on the ground. I groan in pain. I feel my knee take a hard bang on the pavement. I roll over clutching my knees.

"Holden?" a familiar voice calls out. I see Rubin getting closer.  I lean up against the wall to straighten my back.

"They didn't have to throw us out like that," I say through heavy breaths.

"The guy said he was going to throw me out like they do in the show, I never got what he meant until now."

"So what now?" I get up, dusting off my pants.

"Well, Sarah was kind of our way here."

"Great." I slowly lean down the wall, losing hope.

Why would I come out to a club the night before the semester starts? I'm finally wanted by people, and I jump to any invite I get. I was stupid and reckless. Fake IDs? What was I thinking?

"Shit...Jamie," I whisper out loud to myself, whipping a rock against the dumpsters.

I'm supposed to dance with her.  I finally get a chance to dance with a cute girl and I blow it. This night is a disaster.