Leave it to me to pick the one night to go to the club where the theme is... GIRL POWER. Seriously? I've been feeling trapped and have already let another week go by without dancing. I could go to another club, but The Galaxy is my home. Henry's working tonight and I know for a fact from Henry that Jace has off. I'm praying that because he's off he won't be there. I haven't seen him since he showed up at work. Crazy to think it's been almost three weeks since then.

The minute I walk in I'm greeted by Frank. He's standing by the door watching each guest that comes through. He sees me and immediately waves me down. Nicole and I walk over to him.

"Miss Montgomery, it's nice to see you back," he says with a smile on his face.

"I've missed dancing," I admit smiling at him.

"Well I promise you, I will take every precaution tonight..."

"He's still in jail," I whisper.

I'd heard from the officer two nights ago, that he's got a court date next month and will be held in jail until then. From there we will find out whether or not he will stay behind bars for a while. I'm praying that he's there for life, but I don't think harassing someone will get you in prison for life.

"That's good to hear, I hope everything works out," he tells me.

"Thanks."

He excuses himself and heads back upstairs. Nicole and I head over to the bar right away to say hi to Henry. I know things with them have been getting serious, but since they've been walking on egg shells around me lately they've kept it to themselves. Henry smiles giving us each other drinks. I down mine quick and ask for another. I am going to need a lot of liquor in me if I'm going to dance tonight.

"You better slow down," Henry warns.

"Yes mommy," I say smirking.

Henry shakes his head and hands us each another one. Nicole is pretty much halfway gone, she's such a light weight. She probably wasn't expecting me to go all out tonight. I wasn't really expecting it either, but now that I'm here I need to let lose. I've been cooped up in the apartment and at work for too long. I'm stronger than that and I know that I can get over everything that's happened.

According to the DJ tonight "girl power" means playing lame nineties songs from girl groups like The Spice Girls. Although when one of their most popular songs come on Nicole screeches like it's the best thing she's heard all day. She grabs my hand and we head out to the dance floor. Hand in hand we twirl around each other like two girls in love. She spins me and I come to a stop facing the DJ. Just under his set up I see a familiar head of blonde hair. A red head is feeling him up as they dance together. I swear it looks as if they were having sex on the dance floor.

"What a pig," Nicole yells.

"Right?" I yell back.

I roll my eyes and ignore the fact that my mind is racing with thoughts about wanting to go over there and rip her out of his arms. I keep trying to tell myself that it's because their little show on the dance floor is making me want to vomit, not that I'm jealous or anything. I've decided that I think I just want to forget the whole Charlene plan and just move on with my life. I think Charlene is okay, although she's seemed a little distant the past week.

Continuing with some more nineties girl power is a song I'm actually obsessed with. I used to run around my room in plaid pants, chunky shoes and a white tank trying to be her. Gwen Stefani before she was just Gwen Stefani back when she was in No Doubt. No Doubt was the first group I fell in love with, even though their first album was released well before I was born.

Nicole and I aren't the only ones singing along, half the club is. The DJ pauses the music so that we can all sing the chorus. Girls are screaming and singing to each other. I turn and Nicole grabs my hips as we dance together. She's singing in ear and then spins me around. She takes my hand and we jump to another round of the chorus.

In the corner of my eye I see Jace and the girl. Once again she's grinding up against him and now it's just annoying me. I roll my eye and bump into someone. At first I'm nervous, but as my eyes focus a familiar face comes into view. I hear Nicole scream his name, "Brendon Michaels!" she yells nearly knocking him over with a hug.

"What are you doing here?" I ask happy to see an old classmate.

"My buddies getting married this weekend," he says nodding his head towards a group of guys in the corner.

Brendon Michaels was another friend of ours from college. He was part of our little group, but once we graduated he moved down to Delaware and we haven't heard much from him since.

"Girl power night for a bachelor party?" I yell over Britney Spears singing about tasting toxic lips.

"You know it!" he yells.

I laugh, Brendon always did have an interesting sense of humor.

"Let me guess your idea," I yell.

He looks at me with a smile that reaches his eyes, his amazing blue eyes. Nicole and I had a bet going that his eye color wasn't real. His eyes were like the sky on a clear day, not a cloud in sight. He looks at Nicole briefly, but his eyes fall back on me. We had a small thing when we first met, but it never went anywhere.

Lady Marmalade invades the speakers throughout the club, and girls all over the club scream. I can hear half of them off pitch attempting to sing the lyrics, but they are totally botching it. Brendon touches my shoulder, I jump slightly but I don't think he notices. Another set of eyes lands on me the minute I jump, looking up I see Jace staring over the blonde's shoulders at me. I shake my head and turn my attention back to Brendon.

"Dance with me?" he questions.

"Of course," I say smiling.

I can do this, I've known Brendon since freshman year of college. My chest tightens but I attempt to let it go. Nicole tells me she's going to get a drink. I nod as Brendon takes my hand in his. His hand is like twice the size of mine. Brendon is a big guy, I know I've seen him without a shirt. He pulls me into him and my heart literally stops for a brief moment causing the ache to increase. It's making no sense to me why dancing with him is causing such anxiety. His touch is familiar so it's not that. I've touched his arms, his hands, his .... Well yeah. I should be okay with this, but as my world starts spinning I know I'm not okay.

Brendon turns me to face him and I look up into his eyes. They stare down at me like he's on a mission. His hips grind against mine as we sway along to the music. I turn and lift my arms as his hands glide gently down my arms. I close my eyes and shiver with his touch. It's not a good shiver either. I spin and he tugs me into his chest. I now literally feel like I'm in a vice and can't break free. I lose sight of Nicole and I know I'm about to crash again.

I feel another set of arms wrap around my middle. I gasp as I'm pulled away from Brendon and into warm arms. Brendon looks angry, and although I can feel the pressure in my chest slowly vanishing I'm angry too. Brendon reaches out for me tugging on my arms. It's a little rough, I don't think he means to. I yelp, but he doesn't seem to notice.

"What's your deal man?" Brendon questions his voice is a low rumble.

"My deal is she doesn't like to be touched like that," Jace says.

I turn and look at him. Anxiety fades as anger completely takes over. He has no right to come over here and start a fight with a friend. Did he not notice that I was actually dancing with him? I may have been feeling anxious because any touch from a guy makes me feel that, but that didn't mean I wanted to stop.

"You don't know shit man. Now if you don't mind I'd like to finish dancing with Faith," Brendon says.

He may be huge and look like a fighter, but he liked to reserve his fights for bigger things. Brendon pulls me towards him holding onto the same wrist that was injured a few weeks ago. The burn looking mark healed up nicely, but the emotional scar is still there.

"Actually I do mind," Jace interrupts again.

Oh my god why doesn't he just give up? Brendon is getting so annoyed that he lets go of me and heads for Jace. I step between them putting a hand on both of their chests.

"Enough! Jace go away," I say.

"I can see it in your eyes Faith, he makes you nervous!" Jace yells.

"What the hell do you know? Go back to your girlfriend she's waiting for you," I tell him.

I turn back to Brendon, but he's vanished. I look around and see him walking back towards his friends in the corner. I spin to Jace and shove him hard in the chest. He stumbles back a little. Tonight he doesn't seem high, but maybe slightly intoxicated.

"Why did you do that? It's been so long since I've seen him," I yell.

"He wanted to do more than dance with you Faith!"

"And if he did that's not of your damn business!" I scold.

"You looked like you were about to have another panic attack, he touched you the way you don't like..."

"So what now you're an expert on what I like and what I don't like?" I scream.

"I know for a fact that you were about to have another panic attack right here on the dance floor. I also know that the second I touched you your body calmed down," he screams back.

"Did not!" I yell like I'm five.

"Did too!" he yells back.

"Whatever Jace, I already told you that whatever this was is over. Get a clue," I say turning.

He races around me to stop me from leaving. Most guys would have grabbed my wrist or touched my shoulder to get me to turn around. Jace doesn't, he's now staring me down waiting for permission. I'm trying my hardest not to look in his eyes so I stare down at my boots.

"Galaxy girl," he says.

"Don't call me that," I say gritting my teeth.

"Faith," he reaches out his hand but never touches me.

"Don't shut me out," he says.

"Shut you out?" I ask.

"Faith I'm sorry, I was angry," he yells.

"Angry about what?" I still keep my eyes on the floor.

"Angry that you wanted Nicole over me that night," he admits.

"That's childish Jace. She's my best friend, she knows me better than anyone of course I'd chose her over you," I yell. My eyes have now slowly crept up and I'm staring at his broad chest. He's wearing a tight black short sleeved shirt. His tattoos are on display for all, he's got so many they all kind of blur together.

"I know that now," he says lowering his voice.

"You should have known that then. I was hurting and scared and you are making it seem like I'm the bad guy!" I yell letting my eyes fall on his lips.

"Faith I'm apologizing for my shitty behavior," he says.

"Yeah, well it's a little late for that don't you think?" I question.

"Faith god damn it just look at me, I'm being serious right now," he yells stomping his foot like a child.

"And this is me not accepting your apology," I say trying to maneuver around him.

I wish he'd stop, I'm trying so hard to push him away but nothing is working. I tried pushing him away when we first met and now here we are weeks later and I'm still trying. You'd think he would have gotten the hint, but he just won't give up. Sure that's what I wanted, it was part of the plan to make him want me, but not like this. He showed me a side to him that showed that he actually had real human emotions, so I guess that's good enough for me. Maybe this can be his heartbreak.

I make my way towards the door I need air and now. I'd head for coat check but that would give him plenty of time to catch up. I weave in and out of the crowd trying to get out before it's too late. I can feel the cold winter air pushing through as I near the entry way. I make it through the threshold and finally out of the building. I feel like I might hurl so I put my hands on my knees. I hear my name being called, I pull myself together and start walking towards home. I know I didn't tell Henry or Nicole and they are probably wondering what the hell is going on, but in this moment I just want to get home.

I stop short as Jace jumps in front of me. I back up into the cold brick wall and stare at him. He still hasn't touched me, but I know he wants to. He closes in the distance and carefully places both hands on the wall behind me cornering me in.

"Please listen to me," he says his tone returning to normal since he doesn't have to yell over the music.

"Why should I?" I question.

"Because I never apologize to anyone, not even my friends. I do what I want and don't give a shit, but for some ridiculous reason I care how I act around you," he says.

"Bullshit," I say as a puff of smoke leaves my mouth from the cold.

"You drive me crazy Faith, you know that though don't you? Since I met you that night on the dance floor I've been trying to figure you out," he says.

"You sound like Edward Cullen, let me guess and you can read everyone's mind but mine so it's making you want me more," I say rolling my eyes.

He laughs, actually fucking laughs. I throw him some shade and that's when he continues to blab on about how I'm different.

"Look, I don't ever pursue a girl unless I want sex from her," he starts to say.

"You're treading on thin ice buddy," I say.

"Okay that came out wrong," he says. "What I meant to say was I've never wanted to get to know a girl like I want to get to know you. I'm a one night stand kind of guy, not a relationship guy," he says.

I look at him trying to figure out if he's just saying this because that's what he does or if he means it. He sounds like every guy in one of those damn YA novels, and I refuse to fall for it. I watch him closely, he's not smiling and his eyes haven't left mine. I'm not sure I want this, I can't want this. He's a bad person he's hurt so many girls, there's no way he could be telling the truth. One girl can't just change everything.

"What do I have to do to make you believe me?" he questions leaning in.

I watch his lips as his tongue gently glides along the bottom. I worry that he wants to kiss me, because I don't know how I'd bounce back from that. I'm supposed to hate him and ever since that day at the diner I've worried about what I'd do if he wanted to kiss me. I knew I'd have to kiss him to break his heart, but thinking about it makes me nervous. What happens if I actually like it? Will I still be able to follow through? Will I be able to get revenge for Charlene? All these thoughts plague me.

I'm so wrapped up in my own thoughts I don't realize that his lips are hovering just over mine. I can feel his breath on my mouth. I may be cold, but my whole body feels warm as it reacts to him. He reaches up to touch my face and stops, his eyes never leaving mine. I finally make eye contact and he's waiting for me to respond. Waiting for me to tell him it's okay to touch me. My eyes must defy my heart which is screaming to make him stop, because before I can react his thumb rubs my cheek. I suck in a breath as butterflies dance in my stomach. His lips are even closer and I can feel them on mine.

"Don't think kissing me will work," I say, my voice shaking with nerves.

"Are you sure about that?" he asks against my lips.

"I never said you could kiss me," I tell him.

"You're eyes tell a different story," he whispers into my mouth.

"Well my eyes have no idea what they're..."

"Faith," he says.

"Mmm," I respond as he presses against me.

"I never said you...."

"Faith, just shut up and kiss me already," he says.

Without a doubt my whole body is defying me because the minute the words leave his mouth, I throw my arms around his neck and press my lips into his hard. The whole world around me fades away and I don't even remember that I'm freezing in my short sleeve dress. His lips move in sync with mine, as the warmth from them spread throughout my entire body. I've been kissed by boys before, but I've never felt it from my lips down to my toes. They tingle as other body parts follow suite. I pull back just enough to look at him. Dark eyes find mine and I'm not sure what to say or do from here.

"Let me make it up to you, please."

"Convince me," I tell him.

"And how can I do that?" he questions.

I raise a brow as one side of my lips turn up into a half a smirk. He leans forward hands steady on my hips. I jump into his arms and without missing a beat he holds me up against the cold brick wall. His lips find mine again and I can't help but lose myself in him. This will not end well.