An hour later I was all made up, thanks to Nicole's help, and ready to go, little pink purse in hand, even though Nicole insisted I didn't need it (where else was I supposed to keep my ID?) and were, as usual, hopping into a Taxi.

"Do you even know the name of the place we're going?" I whispered to Nicole. I knew the driver was going to ask us where we were headed soon and it wasn't going to be good if we didn't have an answer.

"No," she whispered back, looking worried. "But, I'm hoping that if I just say we want to go to that new club over on Broad, he'll know where I'm talking about."

"Let's hope."

"Where to, ladies?" The driver asked, not even a second later.

"That new club over on Broad," Nicole repeated. "You know, the one with the music."

"Ah. You're talking about the Salty Bitch?"

"I guess I am," Nicole said with a laugh. "I wasn't sure what it was called, but that sounds right now that you mention it."

"It's no trouble," he said, his eyes fixated on the road as we finally took off. "No trouble at all."

When Nicole pushed the door open to the club, the first thing I noticed was the smell. Instead of the sweat and vomit smells I was used to. An unidentifiable fruity scent mixed with the overbearing smell of alcohol danced into my nose while fun and bouncy, yet not annoying music like the kind on the radio filled my ears. The third thing I noticed made my happiest of all:

"There aren't any teenagers here," I grinned at Nicole as I showed my ID to the man standing right inside the door. "It's just adults!"

"Of course, Reina," she replied, her eye on the bar in the back. "You didn't really think I was going to take you just anywhere, did you? I do have some taste."

"Of course you do!" I teased her.

"Now, you go find a seat. I'm going to go grab you one of those nice margaritas with the umbrella in them that you were always excited about when we were younger. Go. Shoo!" She waved me off and disappeared into the thick crowd of people dancing leaving me with no choice but to do what she suggested.

I couldn't lie. I actually was enjoying the music and felt a pull towards the dance floor, but I knew it was dangerous to be alone, so instead I pushed down my urge and chose a table. One that was near the dance floor, but where I also had a clear pathway to the door just in case of an unforeseen emergency. You never could be too careful. I pulled out one of the white folding chairs and sat down, pressing the edges of my skirt firmly against my chair and staring at my heeled shoes. They were already a source of paid for me so I undid the straps and slipped them onto the chair next to me.

"Hey," Nicole smiled, slipping into the chair beside me and sliding a pink concoction over towards me. Just as promised, there was a little pink umbrella perched in the top.

"What is this?" I asked her, eyeing it skeptically.

"It's good, that's what it is," she replied. "I already had one."

"Ok, thanks." I shrugged, picking up the cup and bringing it to my lips for a small sip. She was right. It was good.

As we chatted the night away, I made an extreme effort to keep an eye on how much I was drinking. I knew that both Nicole and I, depending on the drink, could get drunk pretty fast. This didn't stop us from making frequent trips to the bar (and sucking down our drinks), but eventually, Nicole was totally and utterly wasted.

"I'm sleepy," she complained rubbing her eyes. "I'm tired. Take my home."

"Of course," I told her, without a second thought, and began gathering our things. As we got closer to being ready to leave, however, I realized that I did not want to go home yet. I was always doing things for others and never spending enough time for myself. This was supposed to be my night. My break and I was giving it up for a friend again? Not this time, I thought to myself, and grabbed my cell.

"Hey."

"Hey, Rob. I know you're probably busy, but—"

"I'm not. What do you need?" Rob asked.

"Ok great. Nicole is drunk and wants to go to bed. Do you think you could swing by and take her home?" I felt guilt building inside of me, but just for tonight, I forced myself not to care.

"Sure," Rob answered, not missing a beat. "Where are you."

"Oh thank goodness for you. Thanks so much Rob. And we're at that new club on Broad. Smelly Bag or something?" I was trying so hard to remember, but it was just too hard.

"Salty Bitch?" Rob laughed.

"Yeah!" I shouted a little louder than I meant to. I looked around to notice that a few people were now staring at Nicole and myself. I glared right back.

"I think I can be there in five. Can you get her out by yourself or will I need to come in?"

"I can get her to the parking lot, I think," I said, remembering some benches outside the door. "Thank you so much, Rob."

"Of course. See you in five?"

"See you!" and he hung up.

"Alright let's get you outside," I said, changing my attention to Nicole who was grumpily covering her ears and pretending to sleep. "Seriously, why do you turn into such a baby when you get drunk?"

"I don't," she growled. "You're bossy."

We argued the whole way out the door and into the parking lot. Just as I got her onto the bench I saw Rob's car pull into the lot. "Thank goodness," I sighed in relief. "Please take her away from me."

"Of course," Rob laughed, lifting Nicole, bridal style into his arms as she moaned at him. "We'll get you home soon."

"Thank you again," I said, turning around and ready to go back in.

"You're not alone now, are you?" he asked, concerned.

"No of course not. I've got some friends inside."

"Can I meet them?"

"No," I replied. At the same time I felt an arm on my shoulder and a deep voice say,

"She's with me. Don't worry." I whirled around to see a tall, man with curly black hair and kind eyes. His long nails rested on my shoulders. There was something familiar about him, though I couldn't quite place it.

"Reina, do you know this man?" Rob looked extremely skeptical.

"Yes," I lied. Not missing a beat. I knew this wasn't smart. Maybe this guy was dangerous. He could want to rape me or sell me into human trafficking or murder me or... or maybe he wasn't. There was absolutely no way for me to know.

"Ok. I'm going to choose to believe you. Be safe, Reina, and call me if you need a ride home."

"I will." My heart was pounding in my chest, struggling to escape. I just wanted to Rob to leave.

Rob gently loaded Nicole and her items into the car. The nameless man kept his arm on my shoulder the entire time. As Rob pulled out of the lot, I watched him. And he watched me, not taking his eyes off of me until it was literally impossible to do so. I knew that he was worried but...

"So, you're Reina?" the man asked.

"Yeah," I replied, coming to my senses. "Who do you think you are."

"I'm Rin." He pulled out his ID to show me. Rin Yamizawa. He was legit.

"Why did you follow me out here?" I asked.

"I've been watching you and your friend all night. You just looked like fun and I thought, maybe, I could get to know you?"

"There's not much to know," I laughed.

"Yeah?" he said. "Then who's the protective guy? Your boyfriend?"

"Hell no," I laughed. "Rob? He's just a friend."

"Thank god." Rin looked relieved, running his hand through his hair. "You want to head back in?"

"Lead the way," I replied with a smile. I knew it was the same old cliche I'd been reading since I was twelve and got my hands on my mother's romance novels, but maybe, just for tonight, things were finally looking up.

As the night progressed, we moved away form the alcohol, opting, instead for sodas, danced, and played a Question. A game where we took turns asking each other questions to learn about each other.

"So, Rin," I asked, curling my hair around my finger, deep into our game. "Where exactly are you from?"

"I'm from here," he replied. "I know, I know, no one ever believes me. My parents are from Japan, but moved to the states right before I was born."

"So, you can use chopsticks?" I asked, teasingly, my hand running over his tight chest. This man had some serious abs. "I've never been able to use them myself."

"Hey, that's cheating!" he declared sticking his tongue out with a wink. "Only one question a round. But honestly, I don't anymore. My parents were such sticklers for things like that and, I got made fun of a lot in school, being the only Asian I knew and all that, that when I moved out, I decided I wasn't going to do that anymore."

"No offense," I replied with a cock of my head, "But that's kinda dumb. You should just be whoever you want to be, do what you want to do, and not let anyone hold you back." I poked him in the stomach for emphasis.

"I guess so," he laughed. "Hey stop! That tickles!" he whined. I stopped. "Do you do that, though?" he asked, his tone becoming serious now.

"Yeah," I said immediately. "I work so hard for me and Nicole so that we can do whatever we want to do."

"It sounds to me like Nicole is the one who gets her way, not you," he said. "Are you sure you're happy?"

"I am," I replied, but now I wasn't sure. "But I know something that might make me happy. You already know I'm single. But are you?"

"I am," he whispered, lifting his hand and resting it against my face, lifting it up closer to his. "And I'm looking for someone for tonight. Someone beautiful, kind, pretty funny who loves the little umbrellas in her drinks. You know anyone like that?"

"I think I do," I whispered back, stomach tingling, begging for this distance between us to be eliminated.

"Me too," he whispered, finally closing the gap, pushing his lips gently against mine. They were so warm and soft. And big. The kiss was slow, and delicate, the opposite of the outward appearance of Rin. I wanted more, so I opened my mouth, allowing him access if he so desired. He did.

Rin lowered me down to his bed, his lips not leaving mine since we left the car and entered his mouth. He climbed up on top of me. My fingers fumbled around, trying to unbutton his shirt. The smell of sweet vanilla consuming my senses.

"You promise you're not drunk," he asked seriously, staring hard into my eyes.

"I had some drinks earlier in the night, but I promise this is all me," I repeated for the umpteenth time that night."

"Ok," he lowered his head to my ear, nibbling it slightly, before his hands traveled to the skirt of my dress. I shivered, willing him with my mind to tear it off. "Are you sure you want this?" he asked.

"Yes," I whispered.

He lifted my dress, kissing my stomach now. My hands, one pressed against the bed, the other, tangled in his hair.

"Are you totally sure?" he asked again?

"Yes," I whimpered, as he tore the wrapper open.

"You're sure?" he asked one last time.

"Yes." And then, we were one.