Chapter Two Happy Birthday

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The class ended, students were returned to the school, and then they left to go home. She was walking to the parking lot when two voices yelled at her from behind.

"Crystal! Wait up!" She turned around to see Sam and Mikaela trotting up to her.

"Hey guys! What's up?"

"Oh nothing. Did you have fun on your trip?" Mikaela asked.

"Oh it was ok."

"Ok? You got to look at some neat jets and it was ok?" Sam asked a little shocked. "I thought you loved those things."

She giggled. "Yea, but it was actually kind of depressing. All they told us was how old they all were, and that they were going to be destroyed."

"Well that sucks!" Mikaela stated and looked at Sam.

"Yea it does. Beautiful planes too. They had an AV-8B single seater Harrier. Black paint. Just sitting there looking all lonely. So what are you two up to tonight?"

Sam smiled and looked at Mikaela. "Well, Mikaela is better at remembering this stuff than me. Someone has a birthday tomorrow."

Crystal eyed them with a grin. "And?"

"Well, you want to go to the movies or something?" Mikaela asked.

"Aww you guys. I'm fine really."

"Crystal, you never get out. You need to have some fun. Let's go to the club!"

"The club? Of all places. What is wrong with the movie idea?"

"Not enough men there."

"HA! I'm not looking for one Mikaela."

"I know I know. But you know I am bound and determined to find you one."

Crystal giggled and eyed Mikaela. She was a good friend. Ever since they all met when college started 4 years ago. Had it really been that long? Sam was really quiet around her at first; it was Crystal's humor that tended to be taken the wrong way. But Mikaela got it, and eventually Sam did too. She remembered Sam's car. Back then it was the new model Chevrolet Camaro, and now, being several years old, it still looked brand new. He kept it very clean.

Mikaela was pleading with her through her eyes. Crystal had a hard time telling her no.

"Alright alright. But I'm taking my bike if I need to leave."

"YAY!" Mikaela shrieked and wrapped her arms around Crystal.

"We are going to have so much fun!"

"He he Ok. When is this party starting and which club?"

"We are going to The Autobot. Is 8 o'clock ok?" Sam asked.

"That sounds good. I'll see you all there."

"Ok girl. And remember, dress sexy!" Mikaela shouted as the two walked away.

Crystal only smiled and shook her head.

She unhooked her helmet and climbed aboard her white Aurora Suzuki and started it up. She pulled out of campus and drove home.

Her small house was way outside of town. And with the way the gas prices were, she was glad she had her bike. Her small 2 bedroom house sat a small plot of land. Nothing fancy and she paid a kid once a week to mow the yard. But it was private, and comfortable. There was an old abandoned shed at the far end of her land. It was rusted and looked like it would collapse at the next storm that decided to come through every blue moon. One of these days she would have someone come out and take care of it. One of these days.

Her income was based from home. She only worked part time, giving customer service to those that didn't know where the power button was on their computer. But her savings account was filled from the death of her parents. Their life insurance left her with sweet comfort for at least the next couple of years. She hoped by that time she would finish school and finally figure out what she wanted to do with her life. It would come to her, she hoped.

She stepped into her house and was greeted by a meow. Diablo, her male black cat glared at her from the side table next to the door.

"Hi precious. What's that look for?" Diablo jumped down and ran into the kitchen, sitting next to an empty food bowl.

"Oh, sorry baby." She filled his bowl. He began to chomp away while she took off her shoes and took her back pack off, tossing it on the couch. She went to the bathroom and showered, selected an outfit that Mikaela would probably approve of. She didn't have 'sexy clothes' per say, but this should work. Hip huggers and a dressy black tank top. She laced up her boots and returned to the bathroom to mess with her hair. It was long and she normally kept it down or in a pony tail. Maybe she should curl it, no. If she were to meet a man, he should like her for who she is, not how sexy she can make herself. Besides, the cleavage she was showing should be enough for a guy to look at. Plus, her hair would get all messed up in the helmet if she did anything to it.

It was 7:30, time to go. She kissed Diablo, who had made her backpack into his bed again, and walked out the door.

She parked in the back of the new Club that had only been open now for a couple months. They say the owner named it after the giant robots that had supposedly saved the world years ago. There had been no sight of them since and Crystal missed out on all of it. Being sick sucked. But she had a lot of catching up to do on the TV later that week.

Mikaela and Sam were waiting for her at the entrance; they smiled when they saw her and waved her over. They entered to the assault of neon lights and loud rock music. Coal Chamber filtered through the walls with Big Truck. Crystal was the first to hit the bar and order a drink. Sam always had soda while Mikaela and Crystal went with something a little stronger this time and they found a table in the corner to sit at.

"This is a pretty nice club." Crystal started, noticing Mikaela looking around.

"Yea, hard to believe the guy named it after giant robots." Mikaela stated. Sam coughed and nodded.

"At least they play good music. That country music some of them played got annoying."

Mikaela nodded. "Oh I know. Lame. So how does it feel turning 26?"

"Why do you ask? You guys are only 2 years younger than me."

"Hahahaha. Old woman."

"Oh hush." Crystal stuck her tongue out at her and they laughed at each other. Mikaela scanned the room for potential males for Crystal. Her face barred one of disappointment when she couldn't see one that was alone.

The night hadn't even started yet when the lights flickered and the building shook. Happy Birthday to me.