CHAPTER THREE

For someone who doesn't enjoy the clubbing experience, I'm itching to get inside. We arrive at the club just before ten, which is a part of the whole clubbing rules, whatever they are. The music is already blaring and the line to get inside is snaked around the building.

"We're on the VIP list, so don't worry," says Kade. "That's just the general public line."

"Oh, general public... you say that like they don't mean anything," I reply.

"Don't read into my words like that, Lydia." He frowns.

Kade's limo stops in front of the club entrance, which makes me shift in my seat. As I get ready to climb out, Kade places his hand on my knee.

"Wait," he says, "it's the driver's job."

"Oh, sorry." I blush. This lifestyle will take some adjusting, it's been a while since someone's opened my door, or fussed over my presence.

"It's just a formality," Kade explains. "It's also easier to have someone hold the door when you're wearing a dress." He eyes me off.

"That's a fair point," I add. The idea of the door closing on me as I try to get out consumes me mind. People laughing also haunts my mind. Perhaps formality is also a good thing.

The door opens, and Kade is the first person to climb out. He stands to the side, then leans in to offer me his hand.

"Ready?"

"As I'll ever be." I bite my lip.

The nerves start building up in my stomach, but I push them to the back of my mind. I slide across the back seat and slowly place both my feet on the ground before taking his hand and climbing out. As I stand up straight, I smile at everyone. Kade wraps his arm around my waist to tug my body closer to his side.

The paparazzi standing on the footpath instantly start taking our photos. Their bright flashes aren't easy on the eyes, but I manage to push through and walk without fault.

"You look beautiful," he whispers into my ear.

"Thanks." I smile back.

Kade places his hand on the middle of my back as we walk down the carpet and through the front door. There's a side section where the bouncer is leading people to have their ID's checked and their photos taken - but surprisingly, we don't get signalled to go there. We're directed through another door and past a person stamping people's arms.

"Welcome Mr. Taylor, and Alessia, it's nice to see you," the guy says. He's a short man, with spiky black hair, and is wearing a nice button up black shirt.

"Hi Kieth, it's nice to see you again! I'm excited to see what you've done with the club," Kade replies. He then delicately unbuttons the cuff of his shirt, and roles his sleeve up, offers his wrist to Kieth.

"Thanks man, I'm glad. It's only possible because of you." Kieth stamps his wrist. I offer mine out and Kieth grabs my wrist and softly presses the stamp against the skin. "You look beautiful Alessia, as always."

The intense stare Keith is giving me, makes me shiver slightly. I think he's trying be seductive, but it's still weird. I smile if off, and tug my wrist away from him and hold my dangling clutch purse.

"Have a good time," Kieth says smoothly.

"Thank you." Kade and I walk forwards and into the club.

There's a bouncer standing near the entrance watching the growing crowd. This place is rather spacious and big for a club. There's two floors. One the ground floor is a large dancing space, and a raised section for the booth and bar. I can see stairs that lead up to the second floor - which I presume is for people to rest, perhaps?

"I can't believe he just let us in..." I say.

"He's a close friend," Kade replies.

"I'm not twenty-one yet," I whisper. Honestly, I would hate for this poor club owner to get into trouble over me being accept into the club, upon thinking I'm the legal age here.

"You're twenty, that's two years over the legal age to drink in Australia - you're alright. The only thing you should have been worried about is trying to show an identification card with Lydia on it, instead of Alessia," Kade explains.

"I had no idea about the age thing," I confess. "Now I'm worried about needing ID for something."

"You're Alessia Louis, you don't need identification." He shrugs. "Now come, I'll buy you a drink." A charming smile appears on his face. Nodding my head, I follow him over to the bar and wait in line for a free person to serve us.

I can't hear what Kade orders, but I watch as the bar tender dash back and forth as he makes the drinks. I get excited when I see the bottle of Jack Daniels, but then I see the vodka, and realize that Alessia only drinks vodka orientated cocktails.

When he finishes mixing them, the man places them on the bench space in front of us. Kade offers some money, but the man shakes his head and points at Kieth near the door.

"Drinks are on the house," he explains.

Kade frowns, and then nods his head. He tucks the money in his pocket and picks up the glasses. Mouthing a 'thank you,' to both Kade and the bar tender, I take my drink and follow Kade over to a small area with stools and tables.

We sit down and I take spit from the glass. I can taste a hint of vodka, but overall, it's just a fruity taste.

"Jenna isn't here, but when she gets her, I'll take you to her," Kade says.

"Thanks." We sit off to the side and sip on our drinks and I watch as people filter inside. It's interesting to see how many people run for the bar or wander onto the dance floor to find friends.

Because we are tucked away in a corner and the dark lighting, it makes it hard for anyone to notice we're here. Thankfully, I've been able to relax and soak in my surroundings without any interruptions. I'm also hopping the buzz from the drink will make me a bit more courageous.

Over a passing span of twenty minutes, Jenna finally arrives. I thought I wouldn't be able to pick her from the crowd. I've never seen a picture of her - but as Kade had said, she's an 'out there' type of person. I'd assumed she'd be on par with her clothing choice. She's the first girl to walk in the room with a bright orange dress with black stripes that almost resemble the Flintstones era.

"Jenna's here." He points to the girl same girl I'd been eyeing off previously.

"Okay." I skull the remainder of my cocktail and place the glass on the table before clambering to my feet. There's a slight dizziness to my head, but I focus on the girl in front and start walking forwards.

Kade manages to take the lead, steering me through loose sections of the crowd. As soon as Jenna's eyes catch mine, she starts screaming and dives in for a hug.

"Alessia! You're here, I was getting worried when I couldn't find you. How come you haven't messaged me? I thought we were going to get ready together? And you still need to tell me about your holiday - you little sneak!" she chirps into my ear.

"Let's get a drink, I want to dance." I dismiss all her questions, and walk towards the bar. I'll leave Alessia to answer all of these later. I don't hear Jenna respond, but from the corner of my eye, I see her eagerly following behind me.

I lean my arms against the bar and look at the different drinks listed behind the bar. Considering all of my drinks are on the house tonight, I desperately want to try something else. But it would seem out of place for Alessia to drink whisky. "I'll just grab a vodka and lime, thanks."

"I'll have the same," Jenna adds.

The drinks are simple to make, so we have them in our hands within minutes. I take the glass and head directly for the dance floor. Taking a large gulp out of the drink, I start dancing and Jenna joins in. As I move my body to the overly jumpy beat, I scan the room for Kade.

Panic slowly sets in when I can't locate his familiar face. When I see him sitting at the table where we were before, the nerves slip away. Kade is beginning to become a comfortable person to be around at the moment, so I don't want to slip out of his radar.

A few guys join our small dance group - there's even a few people who start getting overly excited when they see me. I smile and dance - even stopping on the occasion to take a photograph with them.

Within the first hour of staying at the club, an ache begins to form in the sole of my feet, and a small buzz clouds my mind. This is my first time out at a club - I'd never been of age to go to any of the ones at home. So the experience is exciting.

"Bathroom. Now." Jenna grabs my arm, yanking me from the group of dancing people. Instead of going to the downstairs bathroom where there's a significant amount of people, she pulls me up the stairs.

"Where are we going?"

"Special bathroom, I'm not waiting in a line," explains Jenna.

The top floor is small, and really a balcony overlooking the bottom floor. If you lean over the metal banister, you can see directly over the dance floor, and even inside the bar. On this top floor - there's a large area for people to sit. This floor also features another busy bar and bathroom, that appear to have no lines.

As we approach them, there's a tough looking bouncer standing near the door with the words 'STAFF' written across in bold white font.

"We can't go in there," I say.

"Kieth totally has the hots for you, I'm sure he's told the bouncer guy its okay," Jenna shouts over her shoulder.

As we move forwards, the bouncer steps in front of the door and raises an eyebrow up at us. "Staff only girls," he says.

Immediately, I chirp a, "I'm sorry." However Jenna straightens her back, and crosses her arms over her chest.

"This is Alessia Louis, I think she can get past." The way Jenna says my name, it's like the two words imply something other than a given name. They've become a rite of passage, a key to going to places others couldn't.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Louis, I almost didn't recognize you." He steps to the side allowing me past. But when Jenna goes to follow, he prevents her from passing. "Just Ms. Louis, Kieth's orders." I can't see the bouncers face, but I bet there would be some kind of smug, pleasant look on his face.

I can't blame the poor guy, I'd be the same if someone was all up in my face about wanting to use a toilet. There's a small voice inside my head telling me to walk back out and wait in line with Jenna for the toilets down stairs. However, the two drinks I'd quickly drunken have gone straight through me.

"I'm sorry, but I'm busting." I put on a small smile and wave at her, then charge off in search for the toilet cubical.

When I return, Jenna is nowhere to be seen. I thank the bouncer and walk downstairs. Standing at the bottom is Kieth. He's talking to another person - a staff member by the looks of it. I don't want to catch his attention, especially if he's supposedly got the hots' for me.

I try creeping down the stairs, but when I make it to the bottom, Kieth dismisses the girl and stands by my side.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" he pleasantly asks.

"Yes I am," I say. "And thank you for the free drinks, that's very considerate of you."

"Anything for you." He winks.

I smile back and nod my head. "I must find Kade, do you know where he is?" I ask.

"Stepped out, asked if I could keep an eye on you."

"Oh." I frown.

"Would you like another drink? I could make your favourite." With nothing else to do, I nod my head in agreement. I'd rather stick to faces I kind of know instead of wandering around the place in search of people.

Kieth leads me to the bar, and starts making my drink. I have no idea what he's making, but he's putting a whole lot of alcohol inside the small glass.

"There you are!" Jenna stands next to me. "I had to wait in line, so embarrassing," she grumbles under her breath.

Kieth places the two classes in front of me. "One each for the lovely ladies."

"Yum, I love these." Jenna knocks her drink back. Not really knowing what this drink is, or how I'm supposed to drink it. I take the glass, smile at the two of them, and knock it back myself. I instantly feel the drink hit my head. How much did he just put in this drink?

"Kieth, what did I drink?"

"Too much?" he swiftly replies.

"I think so," I agree.

***