“How does this look?”

“Turn around again.” Nina looked you over from head to toe and you did another spin. “You’re going to a nightclub, right?”

“That’s what popped up when I looked up the address he sent me.”

“It’s either gonna be hella high class or hella .”

“I know!”

“In that case, I think you’re fine. Keep your head up, shoulders back, and you can pull off classy. Or take off your shoes and dance like a hoe and you’ll fit in.” This was her form of encouragement. Which you gladly took.

“You sure you don’t want to come?” you asked again, pleading. She shook her head.

“I’ve got tests and essays to grade. Plus, he asked you out, not me.” She smirked folding her arms across her chest. You smiled and looked in the mirror again. You were sporting a soft smokey eye and a deep red lip. You didn’t bother with much else because you figured you’d probably end up sweating it off anyways.

Your dress was super short, but not like I’m-a-cheap--short. The spaghetti straps held up the black layered sequin dress that swayed with you almost the way fringe does. You wore your favorite black boots that way you wouldn’t have to worry about your feet hurting. The heel was tall and you were hoping you wouldn’t be taller that Minseok. You let out your hair as high as it could go and put a sleek headband instead of your usual bandana. You small black clutch completed your outfit.

“Okay, call my uber.”

୪

You walked up to the bouncer, who was intimidating in every way possible. Minseok had texted that all you had to do was say you were in “Mr. Kim’s party” and show your id. “Your name will be on the list.” Your name had never been on a list before. It was oddly exciting as the bouncer opened the rope and let you pass everyone else waiting in line.

The music was deafening. The club was luxurious, with a long bar, elegant tables, and private booths. You held your clutch a little closer to your leg, not exactly sure where to go. But that didn’t stop you from starting to move to the music. There were so many people that it was getting hard to tell one person from the next. The lights were dazzling and confusing at the same time. And there wasn’t enough to clearly see someone’s face unless you were at the bar or in a booth.

You walked to the bar and sat down. The bartender quickly came up to you and asked your order. He laughed at your water request but nodded anyways. He brought you a water bottle and asked if you wanted a designated driver wristband. You thought about it, but since you ubered it here anyways you declined. You might want to have a few drinks later.

You slowly started drinking your water. You turned to look at the people on the dance floor, trying to find Minseok. But it was no use. You felt yourself slipping into insecurity.

“Hey!” The bartender called to you over the music. You turned to look at him. “Who ever it is you’re waiting for, just forget it and go dance. If they show up cool, if not, I’ll give you a drink on the house, yeah?!”

The phrase Damn, boy you right had never resonated stronger. You yelled back a thanks and got off your chair. Luckily your clutch came with a strap that your slung over your shoulder so you could free your hands. A new song had just started. The beat was slowly building. You swayed and bounced seamless falling into the crowed. When the beat dropped the entire dance floor moved as one and you almost forgot why you came. You danced with a random girl who was maybe putting the moves on you but you weren’t looking for that, not at that moment at least.

You kind of wished Nina had come with you. You knew she’d get a kick out of this. But on the other hand, dancing by yourself and yet not alone, was feeling so good that you didn’t mind. Suddenly, at the beginning of the fifth - maybe sixth- song by yourself, you felt someone come up behind you. It wasn’t the first time. You felt his hand on your hips and you just went with it. You pressed your back into his chest as the both of you grinded to the music. The beat dropped and you were both jumping to the beat. You had danced with strangers before but this guy was strangely in tune with you.

You turned to face him but you couldn’t get a decent look at his face. But you were too deep into the it mentality that you kept your eyes closed for most of the song anyways, just feeling the music and feeling him move in sync with you. When the song was done, so was the dj. She said some thanks for letting her perform. And while the dj’s switched, your dance partner grabbed your hand and lead you out of the crowd. You made it to the bar before you could see his face.

Honestly, you know where this is going.

Minseok’s face was flushed and he flashed you brilliant a smile. You couldn’t help yourself and laughed.

“I didn’t know you were so willing to dance with strangers!” he yelled over the music into your ear.

“I didn’t know you were so willing to grind like that!” you yelled back, really happy that the loudness forced you to be so close.

“I thought you weren’t gonna show!”

“I couldn’t find you when I came in, so I started to dance!”

“You look really great, by the way!” He even made the point to look you over.

“Come on then! I’ll introduce you to everyone else!”

You took his hand again and he lead you to one of the private booths. The booths were so deep into the wall the music was considerably lower once you were sitting in one. He let you slide in first and then followed after you. There were seven other people there. In total there were nine: five guys, four girls. They all looked at you with anticipation. Except for one person.

“Everyone!” Minseok started. “This is Tylar! She’s the newest employee at my shop. She’s pretty chill, let’s be friends, yeah!” Everyone except for one person excitedly agreed. She was sitting at the edge, directly across from Minseok.

“It took you a while to bring her!” One of the other girls stated.

“Tylar,” Minseok stated, casually putting his arm around your shoulder. You wanted to be like, ‘who the hell does this kid think he is?’ But it was then that you noticed all the bottles of alcohol on the table. You let it slide. Though he wasn’t drunk, he was probably a little buzzed.

“That’s Charlotte, of course,” he started with introductions with the person directly in front of him, working his way to his left. “That’s Chanyeol - we call him Channie. That’s his sister Yoora. That’s Sehun. Then Luhan - he’s the reason we’re here! He just got promoted! Then we have Jenny, and that’s Junmyeon next to you!”

“It’s nice to meet all of you!”

“So, you’re Tylar, huh?” Luhan asked with a raised eyebrow, side glancing Minseok. “I’ve heard a lot about you!”

“All good things I hope!” you responded.

“He hasn’t really shut up about you,” Junmyeon added. You blushed and looked at Minseok who was also blushing. With one arm still around your shoulder, he tried to playfully punch Junmyeon with the other. In doing so, he squished you into his side even more. Junmyeon not-so-gracefully avoided the attack and ran his shoulder into Jenny who was trying to take a drink. The sudden impact caused her to spill her drink over her chin and a little onto her lap.

“Ah! Look what you did!” The rest of the table burst out in laughter.

“You haven’t started drinking yet, have you?” Yoora asked you. You shook your head in response.

“Hey, hey, poor her a glass!” Sehun called out. Once not only you, but everyone had a full glass Chanyeol raised his.

“To new friends!” Chanyeol toasted. Everyone followed except for Charlotte who bitterly chugged down her drink in silence.

“To new jobs!” You toasted after another round was served. Everyone gladly cheered with you. After a few more rounds of drinks, the lights became less confusing and more entrancing. Through the power of liquid courage you had place your hand on Minseok’s thigh during the course of drinking and talking.

You were quickly learning a lot about Minseok and his friends. Apparently they used to all live in the same apartment complex. Most of them had gone to the same middle school or high school. You were amazed at how such a larger group of people could stay in contact for long. Junmyeon had admitted that there were a few years after high school that they all sort of broke apart. Sehun said that they slowly found each other after college.

It might have been just because you were fresh ears, but everyone was eager to tell embarrassing stories about each other. During this time Jenny had laid her head down on the table when suddenly a new song started playing. She sat up so quickly everyone was caught of guard.

“Whyyy are we still sitting!?” She slurred.

“What do you want to do?” Yoora answered back.

“You damn lightweight,” Sehun teased.

“Literally no one else is as drunk as you are,” Channie added laughing.

“Shhhut- up!” Jenny slurred, her head lolling to the side. She rested her head on Luhan’s shoulder. “Take me dancing!” She pleaded holding onto Luhan’s arm.

“Tylar’s a dancer!” Minseok added. Everyone was immediately impressed, casting a chorus of “ooh’s” and “omg really’s.”

“Why don’t you show us some of your skills?” Charlotte asked, the first time in the entire night she had addressed you. Her sudden question took you off guard.