4, Part 1

It's an understatement to say that Lime Light is a very popular place.

The line of people outside wrapped around the corner and finding a decent parking spot was pure hell. Even from several feet away I could hear the music blaring from the inside of the club. Nervousness settles over me as we approach the entrance. I'm a bit out of my element tonight, but I said I'd come, so here I am.

"These heels are already killing me! When does the fun start?" I complained to Angela as the three of us walked straight up to the bouncer who stood guard outside the club's entrance.

People were looking at us hard, probably wishing that they were in our position. Some will definitely be out here for hours waiting to get in. Luckily for me, I'm best friends with Angela, which makes her connections my connections. That should make me feel more secure, but it doesn't. I actually feel a little ungrateful because part of me wishes I was home in bed. Not out walking the streets dressed in a skimpy purple dress and black pumps.

God, the things I do for my friends.

"Suck it up, Sierra. You look like sex on a stick! And everyone knows beauty is pain," Angela replied.

The way that she walked, you could tell that she was a woman soaring with confidence. She really knew how to work that little red dress on her tight petite body and she made sure everyone noticed.

"Hey, Matt!" Angela grinned at the mean-looking bouncer after we finally reached the front of the line. It felt like we'd been walking for an eternity, so I was relieved to finally be at the entrance. "Is it crazy in there tonight?"

Matt's cold expression changed within seconds as a bright smile crept onto his face "It's always crazy, gorgeous." He pulled back the rope to let us in and I guess that was that. "Have a good time tonight."

"We sure will, handsome." Angela winked at him, and then we all entered the club.

The place is a lot bigger than it looks from the outside. It isn't as packed as I had expected it to be. There were definitely a lot of people around, but it wasn't so tight that we were all body to body. But with all those people still standing outside, I'm positive the club will fill up before the night is over.

"Our area is in the back over there!" Angela shouted over the music while pointing to our own little restricted VIP area. Carlos and I followed closely behind her as she led the way.

"Are you serious with this?" I gasped in shock.

"Yeah, how did you set all this up?" Carlos asked.

I looked at him and he was smiling from ear to ear. He seemed so excited about tonight. I had a weird way of showing it, but I was happy to be here, too.

As we made our way to our VIP area, Angela replied with a wide grin, "I have my connections. And now that we all know where to go if we get separated later, let's first go to the bar and get some drinks!"

With a little shoving and cussing out some random guy who grabbed my ass along the way, the three of us eventually made it to the bar. I'm inexperienced when it comes to alcohol, so I had absolutely no idea what to order. I happily let Angela do all the talking.

And while she did that, I kept my eyes on the sexy tatted-up bartender.

"I'll have one sex on the beach and a strawberry daiquiri for my hot and single friend here..." Angela nudged me. When the bartender looked my way, I blushed. "Carlos, what do you want?"

"Anything! I don't care." Carlos shouted over the music. He was too busy eyeing some busty blonde out on the dance floor to pay any attention to Angela and me. "I just want to have fun and get wasted tonight!"

She and I laughed him off and then started chatting with one another while the bartender fixed our drinks with quick and talented hands.

"Will I remember my name after I get done drinking this?" I asked Angela.

In all seriousness, I genuinely wanted to know because I'm not trying to get completely fucked up tonight. And I really didn't want to potentially do something stupid with some random guy I know I'll wind up regretting as soon as I wake up hungover tomorrow morning. Yes, I want to have fun with my friends, but in a safe and responsible way.

"If you drink it slowly and not in a rush, you should be okay," answered the hot bartender as he handed us our drinks. His deep blue eyes made contact with mine and it instantly gave me butterflies.

"Thanks for the advice..." I smiled shyly, taking a quick glance at his name tag. "Michael."

Okay, scratch that.

If I were to make any bad decisions tonight, I wouldn't mind him being one of them. Just saying.

"Maybe I should leave you two alone for a while?" Angela leaned over and whispered in my ear.

Meanwhile, Carlos had already taken his drink and ditched us. He was now on the dance floor hooking up with that blonde haired chick.

"Oh no, I don't think so," I laughed nervously in regards to Angela's question, unsure of what I'd even do if I had the chance to be alone with someone like Michael.

I'm terrible at conversing with men, especially those that I find attractive. I get all awkward and clammed up as most girls do when they're in the presence of an attractive looking man. I always wind up making a fool of myself. I mean, when you're so distracted by a person's looks, how can you force your brain to form coherent sentences at the same time without sounding or looking like an idiot?

All that I can do now is to try to play it cool.

Angela and I sat at the bar for a while sipping on our drinks as we chatted with Michael, whom I've come to find out is also single. I wouldn't have been able to be so lax with him had Angela not been near me.

"This is my shit!" Angela blurted out after a loud techno sounding song came on. "We have to dance!"

She didn't give me a chance to respond and instead grabbed my hand and pulled me out onto the dance floor. The music was booming, bodies were touching and bumping against one another. The strobe lights were moving all over the place, everything in here tonight was so hype! It's hard not to get lost in it all.

"Come on, girl! You need to loosen up! You look so tense," Angela shouted at me over the music while she grinded up against some random guy.

I was swaying from side to side trying not to look awkward, but I just couldn't fake it no matter how hard I tried. Maybe it's because the song sucks? I don't know. Either way, I'm not feeling it.

"I can barely breathe in this dress let alone dance in it!" I shouted back at her.

"Hey, sexy." Some drunk pushed up against me from behind. The smell of alcohol on him was overpowering. Not only that, but he was aggressive as hell, placing his hands tight on my hips before I could even respond. "Can I get a dance?"

"Uh, no, but you can get your junk away from my ass, you creep!" I turned around and pushed him off of me. I was a little disappointed to discover that he wasn't the least bit attractive. He was no Michael, that was for sure.

"Damn, you don't have to be such a bitch," the stranger snapped, later drifting off into the crowd.

I rolled my eyes after him. Angela and her guy were already tonguing each other down. I decided not to disturb them as I walked back to the bar to have Michael make me a new drink, then I made my way over to our VIP area. Knowing that I shouldn't have, I downed the rest of my beverage in three big gulps.

As I sat looking out into the crowd, I saw so many people smiling and laughing, having such a good time. Why couldn't I be the same? I have all this fun happening around me, yet here I am sitting alone after getting my vibe killed.

This is the worst place for me to throw a pity party.

I truly wanted to have a good time tonight. I was trying hard to, but for some reason, things just weren't working out for me. Story of my life.

This was a waste of time. I should have stayed home.

I leaned my head against the back of the seat as the music vibrated throughout my body. I don't know if it's the alcohol or if I was just imagining it, but I felt more and more relaxed as the seconds rolled on.

"What are you doing over here all by yourself?" Shouted a drunken Carlos as he stumbled into the seat next to me.

"I haven't been out in a while! I think I'm just a little overwhelmed," I admit. "I'm still trying to get used to this environment."

"Well here, have a shot! It'll help loosen you up real good."

I looked at the tiny glass in his hand and debated on whether or not to take it from him. I was already feeling a little buzzed and I really didn't want to get shitfaced drunk tonight, then again... I could use the help in boosting my shitty mood.

"C'mon, Carlos, baby!" A skinny redhead came up and tugged on his arm. He smiled back at me, leaving the shot on the table as they both drifted off back onto the dance floor.

"Fuck it. What do I have to lose?" I sighed to myself and took the shot. It burned a little going down my throat, making me hiss and cough.

I can only have fun if I stop being such a lame ass, I thought as I stood up to go back on the dance floor to find Angela. She wasn't hard to locate, not with the bright red dress that she had on.

"Hey, you! Finally ready to have some fun?" she asked, smiling.

I nodded and then we danced through the next three songs together. The whole time, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched.

...