KATHERINE DAVIS ❤️‍🔥

CHAPTER 4: THE WEEPING WILLOW.

♦️ JUST FRIENDS ♦️

"So, you are telling my ass that it has been about two weeks you and Julian Blaine Anderson hung out?" Katherine asked, she was leaning against the locker before mine with a cocked brow. Katherine was wearing a pair of skinny black pants, a big ash shirt and some sneakers, her long braids were tied ponytail style.

I sighed and closed my locker, turning to look at her. "He has been...busy, and besides we always see in school, so," I shrugged.

Julian and I had not hung out since two weeks ago, after we had spoken on the phone, all we did was meet at school and say hello and smile and all that, but he never visited and neither did I because i never knew if he was home or not, and even at school he was always hanging with his friends.

I was his best-friend, yes, but I didn't have the social life he did. So that was my excuse.

"You sound stupid, no offence. You do know Lu keeps making plans with him, yeah? And hanging out with him literally all the time, you...you know that right?" Katherine furrowed her brows at me. I sighed and began to walk, she followed.

"She is his girlfriend, Katara, of course she can do what she wants with Julian." I said and Katherine gave me a look like I was stupid.

"Except if it is to stop you two from hanging out. You both grew up together, I don't think you should be letting a rich spoilt bitch ruin y'all's relationship."

"Listen." I stopped walking and turned to face her, she did the same and cocked her head to the side. "He is my best friend and if he wanted to hang out with me, then he would, I don't have to go look for him all the time, right? He is a grown man."

"Well," Katherine was about to speak when we heard a squeal and both turned to see Julian and Luciana making out against her locker. Lu had a smile on her face while she cupped his cheeks, his hands around her ass as his lips smashed against hers.

My chest was hurting again.

"That bitch, doesn't she see him like every fucking day?" Katherine scoffed and then looked at me. "Vincent," Katherine called softly.

"I'm fine." I flashed her a smile. "I'm not exactly so bothered.

"Vin-"

"Um, excuse me."

I turned and walked away, walking past my best friend and his girlfriend who were making out. I knew I didn't have the right to be mad, to be sad, but I was.

"Hey, Vincent." I heard Julian call, but I ignored him as I made my way to the boys bathroom, my throat was hurting like crazy. "Lockhart!" He called out, but I pretended not to hear him.

Once I got into the boy's bathroom, I walked straight into one of the stalls and I sat on the toilet seat. I closed my eyes as I counted to twenty and back to one while my heart raced, but it didn't seem to work as I began to cry. I put a hand over my mouth to stop me from crying out as the tears dropped like raindrops.

God, it hurt.

It hurt a lot.

"Fuck." I muttered.

"Vinnie." I heard Julian call and my heart stopped. "Vince, are you okay?"

"Um," I sniffed. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just head to class, I'll see you in class."

"You sure you're okay?"

"Yes, yes, I am. I just ate something bad, so you just go, okay?" I wiped off my tears.

"You sure you don't want me to wait?"

"No. Please go."

"Um, okay, I'll leave."

I didn't say anything and I just bursted into tears again, I had covered my mouth to avoid making cry sounds as I sobbed about a guy that wasn't even fucking mine.

Jesus.

I remained there for a little while, even after the bell rang. I just needed some time to myself, and when I felt a little better than I did, I left the stall.

I was crying for a man that was not mine.

A man that was straight.

Fuck me.

I was messed up.

Once I left the stall, I saw Julian resting against the wall with his arms folded. He looked up at me the second I was out, and then smiled softly.

"Hey,"

I was surprised to see him here, waiting.  "You're here."

"Did you really think I would leave your ass here?"

"I mean," I shrugged. "I thought you would."  I said as I approached the sink and turned on the tap, washing my hands.

"Come on," he walked over to me. "I know when something is wrong, tell me."

"Nothing," I shook my head.

"Vinnie, we have been friends since forever, I know when you are not telling me something." He said and I just continued washing my hand.

Julian turned off the tap and I then looked up at him. "I'm fine, really."

"I can tell you were just crying."

I sighed. "I am just exhausted, Vinnie, that's all. I'm mentally stressed out." 

Was that a lie?

Not exactly.

"Why didn't you let me know?"

I chuckled. "Jules, you've been super busy these past few days, I don't wanna have to be a burden or stop you from having fun with your friends."

Julian frowned at me. "Vinnie, what are you saying? I mean, I know I have not been around but you are never a burden to me."

"What I mean is you do have a life that does not revolve around me." I said with a smile. "And that's not a bad thing, really. You deserve to be free and go on dates with Lu, and I am your friend, your best friend, why the fuck would I stop you from having fun and laughing?" I patted his cheek lightly. "It's okay that you have been busy."

Julian gave me a despondent look. "I have been an awful friend the past week, haven't I?"

"Oh, no, no you haven't." I faked a smile at him. I hated seeing him look this way, sure he hadn't given me any attention the past week, but his life didn't revolve around me anyways.

"Yes. I have."

"Julian, stop. You are an amazing friend and I do love you." My heart began to beat a little bit faster once I said that. I swallowed hard and faked another smile at him. "So, you go out and have as much fun as you want, okay?"

"Do you want to hang out tonight?"

I should say no, right? If I needed to get over Julian, I couldn't be having him around so maybe this was a good thing.

"Mmhmm."  I nodded. "Sure. But, don't you have like date night?"

Julian shook his head. "Nah, it would be just the both of us, we would be at mine and we can have my mom make something for us. I mean, with you there, she would gladly make your favourite." He pouted and I laughed. "And Olivia will probably bug us, but oh well."

"Well, I love Olivia."

"Oh, she loves you alright?" He laughed.

"So, is that a yes, Lockhart? Am I forgiven?"

I scoffed. "Yes, Decker, you are. And I will come to yours tonight, now, let us head to class or we will be in big trouble."

"Don't worry, I think we can come up with some lie." Julian said with a chuckle as we left the bathroom.

We walked into class together and everyone's heads turned and looked at us. I pouted as I turned to our teacher who was looking at us with furrowed brows.

"Bell rang about five minutes ago."

"I know," I nodded.

"I am sorry, sir. Vincent wasn't feeling too well and someone had to take him to the nurse's office." Julian said and I nodded.

"That is so cute." A girl said and we both turned to see her and the girl sitting next to her grinning.

Huh?

"Well, get back to your seat."

"Thanks." Julian and I said in unison, we looked at each other and held back our laughter as we made our way to our seats.

"I'm guessing you all settled your shit?" Katherine asked as I took a seat beside her.

"Yeah," I nodded.

"You look all sparkly again." She whispered to me.

"Shut up." I said, with a slight chuckle.

♦️➿♦️

"What are you doing after school today?" Katherine asked as we walked down the hallway together.

"Uh, study."

Katherine frowned. "That's all you do? Study at school and then at home?"

I shrugged. "Remember I need all the good grades to get into a good college."

"Your life is really boring."

I smiled. "Thank you."

"No wonder you are a virgin." Katherine scoffed.

"Can we not talk about me being a virgin?"

"Please." She rolled her eyes. "Don't come tell me it is because our town don't have no gay men, because they do. They are literally everywhere and even in this bloody, dumb school."

"Our school is homophobic."

"I like to make homophobes look stupid." Katherine said as we got to her locker.

"Do people know you are bisexual?"

"I don't need to go tell them that I am, but I also don't hide that I am." She shrugged.

"I wish I was as tough as you."

"I think you are sweet."

"Not the same thing."

"Hmmph, true." She shrugged slightly and unlocked her locker.

"Well, hello there, Vincent." A familiar voice greeted.

I turned around to see Tae walking towards me, I smiled at the sight of him.

"Tae. Hey."

"Now that we are friends, it's weird that I see you everyday, which means I probably used to but didn't care." He said and I chuckled.

"Same here."

"Is he your new love interest?" Katherine asked in a whisper. "Damn, you are really the main character."

"Shut up." I whisper yelled.

"Um, Tae, this is Katherine, my friend. Katherine, meet Tae, he is my friend too."

"You have a friend other than me?" They both asked at the same time, not in jealousy, but in surprise.

"Y'all don't be mean."

"Sorry," Tae chortled. "I am just a little surprised." He said and smiled at Katherine. "Nice to officially meet you."

"Officially?"

"I've heard tales about how ruthless you are, I'm a bloody fan of the stories that have travelled far and wide." Tae said and Katherine smiled.

"I like this one." Katherine said, and then eyed him from up to down. "You do kinda look like a douchebag."

"Oh, I am a douchebag." He said and put an arm around my shoulder. "I am not gonna hide the fact that I am."

"Hm," Katherine cocked her brow. "You can keep him." She told me.

"So, what are you all doing after school? Any plans tonight?" Tae asked.

"Why is everyone asking?"

"Cause it's Friday." Tae scoffed. "Any plans?"

"Our boy here has to study." Katherine said as she closed her locker.

Tae grimaced in disgust. "Study? Babes, it's Friday."

"And I have to study."

"How about you study on Saturday."

"I can't, Tae."

Tae sighed and looked at Katherine. "What about you?"

"It always depends on who is asking. What do you have in mind?" Katherine asked him.

Tae shrugged and relaxed on the locker behind him. "We could all go to a diner since we can't do club or something fun, cause Vincent has to study."

"You all are really trying to make me feel bad right now." I told them.

"Is it working?" Katherine asked and I groaned.

"Not at all," I shrugged. "Listen, y'all." I said as I moved from my spot and stood to face both of them.  "I would really love to hang out with you both tonight, but I also have to go meet J-"

"Hey!" A very familiar voice said and immediately, someone jumped on me.

"Heeeeey, don't fall my ass."

Julian chuckled and wrapped his arms around me from behind, and rested his head on my shoulder. "Hi, guys."

"Julian. Well, hello." Tae smiled at him, while Katherine just gave a small wave. She looked at me and closed her eyes for a brief second before shaking her head slowly.

We heard a squeal from two girls and when we all turned to them, they began whispering to each other and  as they walked past us with a smile, one of them said;  "You both are so cute!" And they dashed down the hall.

"Well, seems like you both have some shippers." Katherine said, wiggling her brows at me.

"Shut up." I told her.

Were those girls really shipping us?

"So, what are we talking about?" Julian inquired.

"Nothing that concerns you." Katherine replied and I shot her a look.

I knew why she was being mean to this time, and that was because of me.

"Well," Tae spoke. "I wanted to invite Vincent out, but he says he has to study tonight. It would be nice to go out with my new friend."

"And I said I am sorry, guys." I shrugged.

"We could go out tonight."

"Huh?" I titled my head to the side to look at him.

"Yeah," he pulled away from me and I felt my stomach sink cause I didn't want him to move away. 

"I mean, we were gonna hang out today anyways, so why not the four of us."

"I would gladly pass." Katherine said.

I frowned. "Why?"

"Because next thing we know there is a Luciana in the corners,"

"And then the boys from the football team." Tae shook his head.

"Then the devil, Xavier."  I muttered.

"Ugh, I hate that waste of 2000s sperm." Tae grimaced in irritation at the thought of Xavier.

My eyes widen. "You hate him too?"

"I don't have the energy to hate anyone, Vincent. Let's just say if he got into a car accident, I'll save the car instead." He said and Katherine chuckled.

"Why do you guys...not like him?" Julian asked, confused.

"It's Xavier, what is there to like? He is a full ball of lies and pretence and evil." Tae answered.

"A scumbag too."

"Exactly what I told Julian but he somehow doesn't see it."

"How will he?" Katherine asked as she moved away from her locker which she had been resting on. "He's his friend. See you losers later." She said and walked away.

"Well, I'll see you after school then, Vincent. Text me." He said and looked up at Julian, flashed him a smile and walked away.

"Um, I don't think your friends like me." Julian said as he watched Tae walk away.

"Don't be silly, they do."

"How did you even become friends with them?" Julian asked with a chuckle. "Katherine? She hates everyone and somehow, she likes you."

"I'm a beautiful charm." I smiled at him.

"And Tae? He literally doesn't have interest in anyone, except you."

I shrugged. "I guess, we are all alike in some way."

"And what way could that be?"

"I don't know," I shrugged again. "Maybe they all need someone too."

"You have me, you know that right?" He asked as he gently pinched my cheek.

Do I?

"I know." I nodded.

"Now, let's walk to class together."  He said as he put an arm around my shoulder.

Will I ever fall out of love for him if we were this close 24/7?

♦️➿♦️

It was five in the evening and I was getting all dressed up and packing a bag so I could sleep over at Julian's when I got an Instagram video call, from Tae.

"Tae." I answered as I placed my phone on my desk while I packed my bag.

"Your ass is really not coming out tonight?" He asked me.

"I mean, I am going to Julian's to study."

"Oh fuck that, Vincent." Tae rolled his eyes.

Tae was a beautiful boy if I have forgotten to say, he also had quite the follow on instagram. He had twenty thousand followers and I used to have just four hundred, but ever since he clicked the follow button and started following me, I started getting a lot of follows and it increased to  three thousand. Made me a bit worried and insecure because I started to worry about my previous posts and if they were okay for his.....fans ?  He was just popular for being rich and cute and he was also a teenage influencer because he did some ads for some products.

An Instagram model.

"I am gonna add Katherine to this call, one second."

"You follow her?"

"No, she's not my friend, she's yours but in this case we might as well have this conversation with you." He said and seconds later Katherine appeared with a frown.

"Why am I being called?"

"Because Vincent here is dressing up to go to Julian, when he could be hanging with us."

I sighed. "Tae, stop. I haven't hung out with Julian in like an entire week, today we get to catch up."

"You haven't hung out with your best friend because he was busy hanging out with his other friends and girlfriend, which well is valid because he isn't bound to you. But that also goes for you, love." Katherine said.

"You come hang out with your friends because why the fuck not? Tomorrow's Saturday, you can see black Arthur tomorrow, Merlin." She said and I bit my bottom lip.

"What she said," Tae smiled. "You need a night out. It's been a bad week for me, and probably for you and I am certain it has been a bad week for Katherine because it probably is always a bad week for her."

"He's not wrong." Katherine replied.

"So?" Tae's brows rose.

I remained silent and then sighed. "So, let's say I say yes, where would we go?"

"Diner."

"Club."

We all went silent.

"Diner." Katherine and Tae said in unison.

"Okay, okay, fine. What diner are we going to?"

"Stop asking stupid questions, Vincent." Katherine said.

"Get dressed. Drop your location in my DMs and then I'll come pick you." Tae said.

"Not necessary."

"I'll get him, don't worry." Katherine said.  "Just let us know where we will be meeting you."

Tae grinned. "Okay then, bye losers." He said and hung up.

Now it was just Katherine and myself, I let out a deep sigh.

"What? Say it."

"I feel bad."

"Cancel. He doesn't have the right to feel bad."

"What do I tell him?"

"That you are hanging out with your friends and your friends said he is not invited." Katherine shrugged. "Because I know he will want to come."

"But-"

"This night, you're having fun. You. With your friends. You probably haven't done that before so let's make a first."

"Um, ouch."

"I said what I said." She smiled. "Now get dressed, I'm coming to pick you in ten."

"Get dressed?" I looked down at my outfit. "I am dressed."

Katherine remained silent. "T-That's what you were gonna wear to Ju-," she trailed off. "Change it."

"I-"

"Bye, loser." She said and hung up as well.

I began to bit my fingernails as I thought about what to text Julian, I took out my phone and iMessaged him.

"Hey, ugly. Sorry, I'm gonna be a little late today. Don't eat whatever you mother made for me."

I clicked the send button and went to my mother's contact to let her know I wouldn't be home tonight.

"Hey, mom. How's work? I hope you're good? I am gonna be studying at Julian's, so don't wait up for me. I'll be home in the morning. Love you. ❤️"

I sighed and locked my phone. I walked over to my mirror and looked down at my outfit which Katherine had asked me to change.

"Is it really that bad?" I asked myself before taking it all off and going to my closet to pick out a new one.

After three tries, I finally decided on one. "This should work." I told myself as I looked at myself in the mirror, I was wearing a black turtle neck, black skinny jeans and a pair of black sneakers. My phone began to ring and I quickly went to it and answered once I saw it was Katherine.

"Yes, I am on my way down." I told her before hanging up, I picked up a red jacket of mine and rapidly threw it on, picked up my phone, some money and as I ran out of my room, I ran back in.

My hair.

I took the hair brush on my desk and quickly fixed it, put on some perfume, a necklace and I was rushing down the stairs and out of the house.

"Sorry, sorry." I told her as I ran into her car. "Hi!"

"Well, you look dashing."

"You think?"

"Yes," she chuckled. "Cleaned up nice."

Katherine was wearing black leggings and some six inch stilettos, a black crop top and black leather jacket. It was safe to say -

"We are twinning."

She nodded as she drove. "We look like something out of the secret circle."

"And that is not a bad thing cause I fucking adore that show."

"Me too. Fucking sucks it got cancelled."

"Ugh. My heart still bleeds." I said as I dramatically placed a hand on my chest, and she laughed.

Katherine had two necklaces on and two rings on one finger and three on the other, a silver bracelet and her makeup was stunning. She looked expensive.

"So, where are we going?"

"We are meeting Peter at a Diner."

"Who's Peter?"

"Tae."

Oh, right.

"Why not just call him Tae?"

"Cause I like to do things other people aren't doing." She said as she took a left turn.

"Makes sense." I mentally nodded. "You look stunning by the way. Sorry, I forgot to say that earlier."

"That's okay, I know I look stunning, but thank you for noticing about five minutes later."

"Ughhh," I groaned, and she laughed.

We got to the diner some minutes later, and my brows knitted once I saw the name of the place.

"The Weeping Willow?"

"It's one of the best diners here."

"It looks.....expensive." I said as we got out of the car.

"It's not. Don't worry." She said as she walked over to me and we made our way inside.

Katherine opened the door and there was a little bell sound, we walked in and I looked around the place. It was pretty, the walls were painted white and blue, the booths were red and white in colour, some blue and white. It sort of gave the nineties vibes and that was what I suddenly liked about it, it gave horror movie nineties slash early two thousands vibes. There were vintage music discs on a part of the wall, The Weeping Willow had some lights on it and was also on the same wall and it sparkled. There were pictures on another part of the wall, pretty lights and the waiters looked like they were part of a cult.

I loved it.

"There's Peter." Katherine said and I looked around for him before seeing him with an arm raised and a small smile on his face. He was wearing a black huge sweater and big white pants.

We walked over to him and sat across him on the booth he was. "I am glad you came."

"Well, you both guilted me into coming, so." I flashed him a smile.

"And I am glad we did. You both look good."

"Thanks," I replied.

"So, what are we getting?"

"Ah right," Tae called out to one of the waiters and he brought us all a menu each. "Since I invited you all here, I will pay this once."

"As you should." Katherine said as she read the menu. I was also reading the menu and it was a bit of a shock because this place really was not all that expensive like I thought it was would be.

"I told you it wasn't expensive here." Katherine said and I chuckled.

"I am shook."

"I like it here. I came here once on a bad date and the only good thing about this place was the food, ditched the person but not the diner." Tae said as he began going through his phone.

His face suddenly went full villain mode as he looked at his phone, like icy and mad.

"You....okay?"

He looked up at me and dared to fake a smile. "Yes, I am."

"Didn't....look like it."

"Well, when you have a witch for a mother, will you ever be okay?"

"You hate your mother?" Katherine questioned.

"Who wouldn't? Even my twin didn't want to do anything with her."

"You have a twin? I didn't know." I said, gobsmacked.

"Oh, I ate him in the womb." He said and my brows shot up.

"Oh." I blinked.

"Cannibal much?" Katherine said.

"Well, now that I think of it, he probably begged me to eat him cause he could sense how vicious and vile our mother was, but I was slow on that or I would have come out dead." He said and grinned.

"Wow. You really hate her." Katherine said, astonished.

"Anyways, we are not here to talk about my own mother. How are your mothers?" He asked as he rested his back on the booth he sat on.

"Uh, she's.....great." I shrugged.

"I heard some hesitation there." Tae said.

"No no, I do love her. She is working so many jobs just so I can go to a good college, make her proud and....well, get married to a woman." I forced a smile.

Tae made a face, looking a bit confused. "You say that like it is a bad thi-" he trailed off. "Wait, did you just....come out to me?"

"I—" I blinked. "What? No." I scoffed.

Shit.

What if he was a homophobe?

"Yes, you did. And that's okay, my ass is pansexual." He shrugged.

My brows flew up as I instantly got a sense of relief. "Oh."

"So, you mean, every one of us on this table is under the LGBTQ?" Katherine asked with a chuckle.

"Wait, you are a lesbian?" Tae asked her.

"Bi." She corrected.

"Well," Tae picked up his glass of water and took a sip from it. "Who exactly is straight in this time and day?"

"Amen." Katherine replied and I laughed.

Was this what felt like to have friends?

We all ordered different things and we had one of the most amazing conversations I have ever had with people who were not Julian. It wasn't even anything much, just talking with them was...a breath of fresh air.

"I cannot believe you've never left this town." Tae shook his head. "I feel sad for you."

I shrugged. "Where exactly am I going to?"

"Um, the next town?" He responded.

Katherine laughed. "Leave him alone. I know you have a goal and need all that scholarship and shit, but sweetheart, do not lose yourself." She told me. "I love that you are hardworking and focused, but be a little bit of you. Give you an identity, babes."

"I d-do have an identity."

"You know what she means." Tae rolled his eyes. "You know what? We're going out." He said as he got out of his seat.

I scowled . "Where are we going to?"

"Out." Tae said as he pulled out his wallet and took out some money, he placed it on the table. "Come on," he said.

"We are gonna take my car."

"I drove here. I can't leave my car here." Katherine said.

"Great. Vinnie can ride with you," he said and walked over to his car.

"It's like....he's charming sometimes and other times he's—, I can't find the word." I said.

"Whatever you mean, I completely understand that. Come on, white boy." She said as she walked to her car, and I followed.

♦️ JUST FRIENDS ♦️

"Guys, this is....this is a club."

"Thank you for pointing that out, Sherlock Holmes." Tae said as he put an arm around me. "Would you like to tell me what those are?" He asked as he pointed at the bouncers.

I shrugged his hand off me and scowled at him. "Why are we at a club?"

"Cause it's Friday." Tae replied.

I looked away from him and at Katherine. "Did you know about this?"

"Would you like the truth or the lie?"

"The lie." I answered.

"No, I didn't."

"Oh my God, Katherine!"

"Whaaat? You asked for the lie." She shrugged.

"Relax, Lockhart." Tae said. "We are just going to dance, shake off some shit, have some drinks and that's all."

"I have never been to a club."

"We know." Katherine nodded. "We could tell from how you just freaked out." She said as she took off her jacket and put it into her car.

"I told Julian I would be coming to his later."

"Plus, it's like....nine?" I said as I took out my phone to check the time. "9:15. What fucking club opens at 9:15?"

"This one does."

I suddenly saw two text from Julian, one replying to the old one and a new one asking me where I was. I was about to reply when Tae grabbed my phone. "'No texting, babes."

"Give it back."

"After we get you to loosen up. Now, let's have some fun and by 1am or 2am, we should be leaving and heading home." Tae said.

"I can't go to my house at 2am."

"Then go to Julian's." Katherine said.

"I can't go to Decker's house at 2am."

"Then you can come to mine." Tae shrugged. "I have a guest room. Multiple. So, let us just....have some fun. Remember what Katherine said about identity." He cocked both brows.

"What Tae is trying to say is live a little." Katherine said.

"Thank you. What she said." He nodded.

I sighed and took in a deep breath. "Fine." I let it out.

"Good. Now take off that red jacket." Tae ordered.

"What? It's nice."

"Take it off." Katherine said. "I took mine off."

"But Tae is literally dressed in over fucking sized clothes." I said, pointing at him.

"Am I?" Tae said and took off the big black sweater he had on, and underneath it the whole time was an armless, net top with so many neck pieces, about four of them and an arm bracelet. He combed his hair with his hand as he put the sweater in Katherine's car.

"Is this better?"

This boy was one beautiful man.

"Wow." I blinked, shocked by his beautiful and beautiful skin.

"Okay, he's hot." Katherine said. "He's taken it off, so do the same." Katherine said with a blank stare and I sighed.

I took off the jacket and put it into Katherine's car. "That okay?"

"Erm," Tae hissed.

"What now?"

"One sec." He said and walked over to his car, he opened the backseat and went in, searching for God knows what while Katherine and I watched with folded arms.

Tae came out and closed the car door, he walked back to me with a pair of black ankle shoes that had some heels on them.

"Wear these." He said handing them to me.

"Um, I don't—"

"Just wear them."

"We probably are not even the same size." I said as I took it from me.

"We are. I could tell from your shoes."

I sighed for the hundredth time today and took off my sneakers, I wore his shoes and he was right, we indeed were the same size.

I got on my feet and the shoe had given me a little more height, he smiled. "'Now, that's better."

"Hmmph," Katherine gave a look of approval. "I like it."

I looked down at the shoes.

I also did like them.

"Now, let's go."

"W-We are minors, would they let us in?" I asked as we followed Tae.

"I almost always come here." He said and smiled at the bouncers at the entrance. "They are with me." He said and with a small nod in response, they just let us go in.

"Just who exactly are you?" Katherine asked.

"Tae. Just Tae." He answered.

We got into the club and let me tell you, it was exactly like the movies. The neon lights, people dancing against each other sexily, the club was not so full but it being past nine and having this amount of people?

Wow.

Rihanna's work was blasting through the speakers as we made our way past the crowd of people and towards the bar, but then there was something I had noticed as the lights kept going beautifully flickering.  There were girls dancing with girls, and boys dancing with boys.

Wait a sec-

"It's a gay club."

"Ding ding ding!" Katherine said as she looked back at me while we walked.

"Why are we at a gay club?" I asked once we got to the bar.

"Why else? We are all fruity." Tae replied as he smiled at the bartender. "Hey, Tony."

"Tae. My second favourite person."

"Aw, stop. Wait, second?" Tae frowned.

"There's a boy with white hair who's my favourite." He winked.

Tony was hot, like really hot. He had really long hair, and this man was ripped, like his muscles and his six packs were about to make me drool. He was shirtless and wearing black skinny pants that showed that V-line. A dragon tattoo on his right arm and a scorpion tattoo on his neck. He should be in his mid twenties if I am not mistaken.

"Whatever," Tae said. "Anyways, these are my friends, Katherine and Vincent. Katherine, I can call you my friend now, right?"

Katherine snorted. "The second you paid for my food we were friends." She said and he snickered, while I smiled.

"First time in a club?" Tony asked me.

"Hmm? Um, yeah." I nodded.

"If you face any troubles, let me know and I'll handle it if any jackass is bothering you." He said and winked at me. I smiled at him and gave a small nod before looking away because I was starting to feel hot, and not cause of any heat, because this sexy ass man literally just winked at me.

"So, what can I get you guys?"

"Vodka." Tae replied.

"Whiskey sour." Katherine responded.

"Um, sprite." I said and they all looked at me like I had grown two heads.

"Get him a margarita." Tae said.

Tony chuckled. "Sure."

"I don't want to get drunk." I told them.

"Why would you order a sprite at a club?" Katherine gave me a look.

"You guys are fucking driving? Someone has to stay sober."

"You think three glasses of whiskey sour would get me drunk? Please." Katherine snorted.

"And I can handle my alcohol, sweetheart." Tae said. "I'm not a novice."

"Well sorry, my ass was just worried."

"Your ass should be getting fucked." Katherine said and my eyes widen.

"Bitch."

"We at a gay club, Kurt, calm down." Katherine said with a laugh.

"Loosen up, Vince." Tae said.

"Here you all go." Tony said as he returned with our drinks. "Vodka, whiskey sour, and a margarita." He said and looked at me.

"Thanks." I said and took the glass.

Tae took down his own in one shot and so did Katherine while I was literally sipping mine like it was Capri-sun.

"Wow."

"Drink all that, and let us start the real run." Katherine said.

"Um, I'm not s-"

"Come on." Tae clapped.

I sighed. "Okay." I said and drank it all.

Tae jubilated. "Tony, give us all whiskey! We gonna do shots."

"Maybe tequila?" Katherine suggested.

"Tequila? Nuh uh. Doesn't it taste like suffering?"

Tony laughed. "You all remind me of some kids from my old town."

"Where are you from?" I asked him.

"Uh, Eastwood. I went to school in DC, dropped out, went back to Eastwood, bartended and then left Eastwood and came here in 2018 October." He answered.

"Wow. My mom was born in Eastwood, but i have never been there."

"Why?"

I shrugged. "I have never left this town."

"Well," he began pouring us a shot. "Eastwood is fun and all, but there is never ending drama in that place. So, maybe you are better off here than there."

"You think?"

"I mean, I don't think you are a Dylan, so you probably are safe."

"Who's Dylan?" Katherine and Tae asked at the same time.

"My favourite person before you. You know, you three kinda remind me of their friend group, except y'all have more diversity in yours. You guys best friends?" He inquired.

We all looked at each other. "Friends." We all said.

Tony laughed. "Well, you three are one interesting friend group."

"Thank you." Tae replied.

"Now, if you'd excuse me." Tony said and walked over to some other guys.

"Now," Tae picked up a glass. "A toast." He said.

"To what?" I asked.

"Let's give a toast to something, but something shitty in our lives? How's that?"

"I can do that." Katherine said and picked up her own glass.

"Um, okay." I picked the last one.

"A toast to my shitty life because my beloved mother blames me for all her suffering." Tae rose his.

"A toast to being the school's wolf." Katherine said and I laughed.

"A toast," I rose mine. "To always hiding who I truly am and not knowing who I even am." I said and they both looked at me, they gave me a reassuring smile.

"Well, heads up." Tae said, and we all gulped it down together.

"Ugh! Hot! Disgusting!" I cried.

"Wow!" Katherine shook her head while Tae made a stink face.

"This shit is....wow." I said and they both laughed, and before I knew it I was laughing.

We had a couple more drinks and then Tae took out a small transparent plastic nylon from his pocket that had some colourful pills in it.

"What is that?" Katherine asked.

"MDMA." He replied.

"What's MDMA?" I curiously asked.

"Methylenedioxymethamphetamines." Katherine answered.

"Or for short, Molly." Tae shrugged.

"Nuh uh, alcohol is one, but I don't do drugs."

"It's just one pill."

"Are you crazy? I could get arrested?"

"For what?" Katherine asked him. "Who's gonna arrest you here? Tony? The white boys dancing?"

"Are you really on his side?"

"I'm not gonna force you to take anything, love." Tae said as he took a yellow pill and put it in his mouth, swallowing and gulping down another glass of whiskey.

"Give me one." Katherine said and opened her mouth, Tae took out a blue one that had a cartoon drawing on it and placed it in her mouth."

I was watching my friends do drugs!

Katherine swallowed and turned to me. "Oh come on, don't look at us like we are sinners."

"What does it do? The...molly."

"Makes you be in control." Tae answered as he walked over to me slowly. "It makes you feel....better. Like you are the magneto of your story, so good, so powerful, so....badass." He replied.

I swallowed, looking at it. "I am feeling a sense of peer pressure right now."

"And that is why you are off limits for this then," Tae said and kept the pills back in his pocket. "I am not letting you do what you don't want to do because Katherine and myself are doing it."

Katherine nodded. "We not that kind of friends who will force you to take Ecstasy."

"Ecstasy?" I asked.

"It goes by many names." Tae said with a shrug. "Just have your drinks and that's all, we'll dance in a bit." He said and ruffled my hair. "One more glass, Tony my love." He said and turned to Tony.

Now it had kicked in, the feeling of peer pressure, of wanting to feel what they would feel. I wanted to be included, just this once. To try things that I haven't thought of trying before. A gay club. Alcohol with friends who were not Julian , I had had alcohol once and let me tell you, it was hell and Julian laughed at me the next morning with my headache, that was years ago.

"Give me one." I told him.

They both turned to me and gave me a look, they exchanged looks for a couple seconds before looking back at me.

"No." Tae laughed.

"Yes."

"Are you sure?" Katherine questioned.

I shrugged. "A first time for everything, right?"

Tae smirked. "Okay then, Lockhart." He said and took out the tiny plastic nylon again, he took out a pink drug and I stretched out my hand for it.

"Open your mouth." He commanded, and I did. He placed the drug on my tongue and I swallowed it, gulping a glass of disgusting whiskey with it.

"Ugh. Whiskey is definitely not my drink at all."

"No more whiskey for pretty Vincent anymore." Katherine told Tony.

"Roger that."

"How long does it take to kick in?" I inquired.

"Five minutes max?" Tae shrugged.

"I think I'll be okay, I may not even feel anything." I told them.

♦️ JUST FRIENDS ♦️

I felt nothing but peace as I danced in the middle of my friends, Katherine in front of me and Tae behind me. I don't know how long we had been dancing but it was not enough, I felt the happiest I had ever felt. I don't know what song was playing but it was almost like I could see it, there was something it did to me and made me feel and being here with both of these people was the best decision I could make.

We danced freely, laughed, it felt like we were in a movie, we were all hyper. At the beginning before the other sensation hit, like I was in control, exactly as Tae had described. I was not magneto, but more like knowing I could blood bend?

I felt Tae's hand trail down my arm and it sent a wave of shock down my entire body as we danced, every touch felt like I could feel every of his energy, the vibrations. Watching Katherine dance was thrilling, she was beautiful while she moved and swayed her hips to the song. She looked like she could feel the music in her bones, her soul yearned for it. I didn't care about anything except this moment, Tae's hands were on my waist and every touch from him was intense.

Tae's hand found it's way to my chin and he slowly turned me to face him, it was almost like he was shinning in the dark, he was beautiful, I must have said that a hundred times already. His eyes were pretty, he pulled my face up as he moved closer and then I felt his lips on mine. I was shocked at first, taken aback, but then I didn't pull away. I was not completely high, I was well aware of what was happening and I didn't want to stop it. I could still smell his fragrance and the alcohol he had been drinking, the kiss was soft at first and we stopped for a second before going back at it again, it had graduated into some sort of intensity that made me want more. I didn't know if I was kissing right, but he did not complain, he stuck his tongue into my mouth and while shocked, I let him in.

We stopped, just staring at each other and then I was spun around and looking at me was Katherine with a smirk on her face, she looked extremely beautiful and then she pulled me closer and placed her lips on mine. I was astounded, but I kissed back and we just made out as well, she pulled away seconds later and smiled before looking behind me and them, they both kissed.

And it was hot. The way he caressed her while he kissed her and the way she gripped his face while they kissed, he was gentle and soft with me but with both of them, it was a sharp go.

I had been sexually aroused from kissing my friends.

Tae looked at me and he stretched his hand towards me, I looked at it and gave him mine, he pulled me closer and his lips were back on mine.

And being on that dance floor with them, was the last thing I remembered.

🔷Author's Note🔷

Hi, babies.

You must have noticed that I changed Katherine into a black girl, I just had more ideas and I thought it would be better and then it hit me that this friend group was diversity itself afterwards. I then made a note of the main characters of this book and I gave myself a pat on the back because it had all the seasoning in it, when I said this book was gonna have some diversity I really didn't know it would go this far, until i did some outlines of the characters and then I saw how it was and I'm happy with the results, and I think Katherine as a black girl is way better in my opinion, so yeah.

Anyways, I really liked this chapter, I hope y'all did too.  And i know some y'all were excited to see Tony, cause i was excited to add him in. And he is just the first. 😌

And for everyone who forgot who he is, he was the bartender from the time Dylan, Raven and Jaxton all got drunk. Chapter: "A Night To Remember."

Love, Snow ❤️‍🩹