《Short Recap》

"Ok, I should get going then." I replied quickly, making my way into the building lobby.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply.

Let the party begin!

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"We're here." Neel announced, navigating the car into the driveway of the club.

Roshni and I slid out of the backseat and waited for Neel to park the car and join us before we went inside.

"Now remember you look amazing tonight. Don't you dare curl up in a corner and watch like a bloody raccoon, okay." Roshni said, her version of my pre-first-party pep talk.

"Wasn't planning on it." I replied, curling my lips up into a determined smile.

"That's the spirit, girl!" she laughed.

All the students of our batch had pooled in money to rent this club for the evening. Obviously, it was going to be a strictly no-alcohol event since none of us were of age yet, but the idea of having a party at a dance club was far more appealing than having it at the senior citizens club three blocks away from college.

After the bouncer had checked our names off the roster, we needled our way through the already thick crowd that was swaying to the upbeat music blasting from the speakers.

"Do you guys want something to drink before we join Tarun and Siri?" Neel shouted over the music.

"Yeah, I guess." Roshni replied, already bobbing her head to the beat.

"I could do with one too." I nodded in agreement.

We made our way to the juice counter, where an array of colourful drinks were kept out.

It was dark inside the club, and neon lights flickered overhead.

Although mild air freshener wafted through the air, released periodically by special ducts in the ceiling, the smell of sweat hung heavily in the air.

Some people sat on couches in small groups, laughing gaily, but most were dancing. Their gyrating bodies swinging in sync with the EDM.

The entire setting of the place was enough to set my heartbeat off into a frenzy, and my feet started moving of their own accord.

Tugging Roshni's hand, I pulled her into the crowd with me.

"Let's dance." I said to her, shaking my hips and throwing my arms in the air.

Roshni shook her head at my newly found enthusiasm, "Was there something in your drink, Akira? I never in my wildest dreams thought that one day you'd drag me to the dance floor and not the other way around."

Throwing my head back in laughter, I replied, "Never thought that either. But I've decided to let myself loose tonight and have fun. So just humor me, will you."

And so we danced. Our faces were shining as the neon lights reflected on the layer of perspiration that was slowly forming.

This felt good. The blood hummed in my veins as adrenaline coursed through my body and I started feeling giddy. Honestly, I never thought dancing would make me feel so lightheaded and free, but somehow it did. Guess I found a new hobby!

After a good half an hour of fooling around on the dance floor, Roshni and I pushed through the crowd, making our way to the place that Neel had said our friends would be waiting.

They were sitting in a small closed off area with a good view of all the action.

"Look who's here!" Siri, engulfing me into a tight hug.

"Hi guys!" I screamed over the music, "Is it always this crazy?"

"Nah, it's actually pretty tame at the moment. Wait for about half an hour more, people are going to start going wild." Answered Tarun, a lazy smirk making its way onto his face.

He passed me a plate of greasy fries and nuggets.

"What do you mean?" I asked, leaning closer to hear him properly.

"Don't worry, you'll see. I don't want to spoil the show for you now, do I?" he smiled, sharing a knowing smirk with the others.

I shrugged.

"Anyway, do you want something to drink?" asked Siri.

"I already had strawberry juice before dancing." I replied.

"No not the juice they're serving here. She means do you want a hard drink?" Tarun explained, as Roshni, Neel and Siri guffawed at my stupidity.

"Oh." I said as realization finally hit me, when Tarun dangled a flask in front of my face, "What if someone sees?"

"We just have to be careful and make sure they don't." Siri smirked, her eyes glinting mischievously, "Besides, it's not like we're the only ones."

I licked my lips, staring at the flask in front of me and held out my hand, "Ok, let's do this."

The strong smell of liquor hit my nose when I twisted open the cap, and I slowly brought it up to my lips. Closing my eyes, I took a quick swig and the bitter taste burned through my throat.

"Yuck!" I spluttered, my face contorting with disgust, "How do people even drink this shit?!"

Everyone laughed at my reaction.

"You get used to the taste after a while." Tarun reassured me, "Go on, take another sip."

"No, I don't think I want anymore of this tastebud-serial-killing liquid today. I think I'm just going to stick with fruit juice." I said, pulling a face as I passed the flask back to him.

I sat back and munched on the chicken nuggets as my friends started chattering animatedly amongst themselves. Their voices were soon drowned out by the music as I fixed my gaze on the dance floor.

The club looked more crowded now which seemed impossible. Thank God I do not have claustrophobia because I'd probably have been in one of the outer realms by this point.

The gyrating bodies on the dance floor were sweater now, their movements becoming increasingly sluggish and uncoordinated as the time passed by. It was quite obvious that strawberry juice wasn't the only thing that they'd been having.

A group of boys suddenly picked up a fellow by his arms and legs, and swung him in the air as another group of boys caught him.

People cheered on as the activity instantly became the most sought after entertainment and both boys and girls alike started lining up for their turn.

I grimaced. Ok, wow! I clearly wasn't expecting that to happen.

"Come on you guys, let's go try that. It looks so much fun" Siri got up excitedly.

Roshni and Tarun nodded in agreement, and the three of them turned expectantly towards Neel and me.

"I think I'll pass. I ate too much." I said, shaking my head.

"Yeah same," Neel agreed, "You guys go ahead. We'll be right here."

I whipped out my phone as the three of them walked over to join the rapidly growing line, to film them.

"So, are you going to go talk to her?" I asked Neel without shifting my gaze from my camera screen.

"Talk to who?" he asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

"That girl you've been staring at longingly all night, of course." I replied, a goofy smile playing on my face.

Neel blushed in the darkness of the club.

"Was I being that obvious?" he questioned, scratching the back of his neck.

"Not really, it's just my special agent skills I picked up from all the spy movies I watch." I answered.

"Seriously?!" Neel raised his eyebrow.

"Just kidding. The perks of being a wallflower, I suppose. So are you going over to her now?" I chuckled.

He shrugged, fiddling nervously with his fingers in his lap.

"But I don't even know who she is." Neel said, buying the inside of his cheek.

"All the more reason for you to go there and introduce yourself, don't you think." I deadpanned.

"Are you sure?" he asked again, as he slowly rose from his seat.

"Well, you did stay back here because you didn't want that girl to think of you as a stupid thrill-seeking college boy so you might as well go." I replied.

"How do..." he started.

"Just go you numbskull!" I cut him off, pushing him roughly.

I shook my head in disbelief. Boys these days were honestly bigger over thinkers than girls and that is saying something.

Suddenly, a muffled crash sounded from near the entrance. No one seemed to have heard it, they were all busy with their own things. But my eyes shot up instantly in the direction of the sound.

Seconds later, a furious Vinay thrashed his way into the club as two bouncers tried to restrain him. He pulled away with force and broke into a run.

My eyes widened in alarm, as I anticipated his next move.

The crowd stood shell shocked and parted on seeing him, the bouncers close behind.

Vinay who looked visibly drunk, came to an abrupt stop in front of an unfamiliar looking boy who was talking to a fellow classmate and grabbed him roughly by his collar.

'Oh my God! What the hell had gotten into him?!' I gasped, frightened for the other boy.

The onlookers broke out into muffled whispers as they just stood there and watched.

Before the bouncers grabbed hold of him, Vinay drew his hand back and punched the poor boy square in the jaw.

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I know the last couple of sentences don't hit right but I didn't know how to end so if any of you have suggestions do feel free to tell me.

Otherwise keep up with usual vote, comment and share drill!!

Hope everyone's healthy and safe!
Happy Sunday! (All days feel the same in lockdown but still...)