“Did you see the bouncer giving you a once over?!” shouted Key over the loud music.

“He’s just wondering what a tranny’s doing at the front of his club,” I said, jokingly.

Key bellowed and replied, “Oh puhleaaaaaaaaase!”

Holding my hand, he pushed through a whole load of people, bringing me in tow. “Bar,” he mouthed and looked back to the front after my signal.

Upon reaching the bar, he orders 5 shots of butterscotch and signalled the bartender to serve it to me. Bending to my ear, he said, “I’m gonna look for Minho and be right back.”

Nodding while taking my 1st shot, he went off to look for his buddies. Sitting on the stool, I downed each shot, one by one. Slowly, I began to feel lighter and more at ease. Signalling for whisky on the rocks, I turned around and checked out the club.

Looks like fun, I thought, smiling. Taking my glass off the counter, I saw a piece of paper underneath. Looking at it, I saw a number scribbled on it with some words.

It says, “Your friend’s cute. Can you pass this to him?”

Looking up to the bartender, I saw him smiling and winking at me. Oh Kaaay.

Spinning back around to face the dance floor, I smiled and nearly burst out laughing. Wait till I show Key this!

Sipping on my drink, while rocking left and right to the beat, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I blinked. Once. Twice. Ok, make it 3 times.

I’ll be damned. What is he doing here?

Leaning against the bar counter, he was sipping on his concoction and looking at the crowd. Turning to look at me, he bend to my ear level, he said, “Hi there.”

Panicking, I blurted out, “My friend’s not gay.”

Taken aback, he gave me a surprised look and straightened up. I drank all of the whisky and quickly walked into the dance floor. Ok, that was weird.

Shaking my head for some clarity, I began to sway to the beat and walk further into the dance floor.

I’ve forgotten how to be carefree and relax ever since I came to Seoul. To not be conscious and do whatever you want to do. That is, until now. Dancing like the world is my oyster and not giving a care with what people think. Smiling, I danced and grooved to the beat of Taeyang’s latest track, forgetting my encounter at the bar earlier.

See! All you need is a confidence booster. And in my vocabulary that includes, 5 shots and a glass of hard liquor.

Then I felt a pair of hand around my waist and I froze.