Chapter Two- Bella's POV
The inside of Melrose was like on big dancefloor with a few tables dotted around the outside, and a long bar stretched across the eastern wall. Music was blaring from hidden speakers as bodies twirled and grinded on the dancefloor, and multicoloured lights flashed, highlighting different groups of light. I felt a little overwhelmed and dizzy, but Rosalie pulled us towards the bar.
"Bella, do you want a drink?" She asked, pulling out her purse. I bit my lip, not sure if it was really a good idea. I had only ever drunken at weddings and birthdays, and even then never more than a glass of wine or two. Besides, what if we got kicked out for being underage?
"Bella, hurry up!" Alice said, gesturing at the waiting bartender.
"Oh, um yeah, I guess one won't hurt," I smiled weakly, digging around in my purse to find some cash.
"Don't worry, I got it," Rosalie said, ordering three drinks and handing over a crisp 50 dollar bill.
"How are you so loaded?" I asked disbelievingly as the bartender handed over her change and went to get our drinks.
"I have my methods," She grinned, winking at Alice. I decided that I was better off not knowing, and the bartender soon returned with three glasses of clear liquid. Alice handed me mine and I took a sip, grimacing as the liquid burnt my throat.
"Hurry up and finish your drink so we can go and dance!" Alice said, already placing her empty glass on the bar counter. Rosalie had finished too, so I reluctantly downed the rest of my drink and placed it alongside theirs, wobbling a little unsteadily as I followed them towards the middle of the dancefloor. Immediately swaying bodies pressed up against me, engulfing me in the hot, sweaty pack of people moving to the music. I kept a firm grip on Alice's hand, determined not to lose them amongst the chaos of the dancefloor. Rosalie found a small gap and started dancing, her long golden hair swishing around her as she moved gracefully, looking perfectly comfortable. Alice did the same, and I swayed awkwardley, not really sure what I was supposed to be doing. I watched other people and tried to copy their moves, but everytime I tried I felt so stupid that I gave up.
After awhile Alice and Rosalie took pity on me and we headed back towards the bar, where Rosalie ordered us shots. I considered refusing one, but hey, it was only one shot. It's not like I was going to get drunk. We sat by the bar, sculling our shots and then ordering more. I began to feel lightheaded after the fourth one, and Alice and Rosalie escorted me outside for some fresh air. The line had shortened but still trailed out along the footpath, and the waiting people threw us jealous looks as we stumbled to the curb to sit down. I felt better now that I was away from the stifling heat of the club and my head stopped spinning, but I still felt a little woozy. We stayed outside for awhile and then we headed back inside, sweeping past the envious people in line as Jake let us through ahead of them.
Instead of moving towards the bar or the dancefloor like I expected, Rosalie and Alice led me towards a small side door that proved to open up into the bathrooms. There was a small line outside the female bathroom, so we waited impatiently until we managed to get in. The basins in front of a long, rectangular mirror were crowded with wobbly girls, trying to fix up their smudged makeup or tangled hair, but Rosalie expertly nudged some girls to the side and made a space for us. I had no idea what we were doing there, none of us had said anything about needing the bathroom, but suddenly Rosalie pulled a small, clear bag filled with fine white powder from her purse.
"Is....Is that what I think it is?" I asked, shocked.
"Yeah, my room mate Angela is a dealer. Lucky me huh?" Rosalie grinned, tipping a small amount of the powder onto the edge of the basin and shaping it into a thin line.
"But that's illegal," I hissed, glancing around to make sure that nobody was watching us. To my suprise, Rosalie wasn't the only girl with a bag of cocaine.
"Hey, it's not illegal if the cops don't know about it right?" Rosalie winked at me. As the daughter of a police chief, I had to disagree.
"But Rosalie, that stuff is really bad for you...." I protested as she pressed her nose to the edge of the basin and inhaled the line of powder.
After a moment she stood up, her eyes watering, and wiped the powder off her nose.
"Ange was right, this is the good stuff," She grinned, handing the bag to Alice.
"Alice! What are you doing?!" I exclaimed as Alice made another thin line of powder on the basin edge.
"Chill Bella, it just perks you up a bit," Alice said reassuringly before sniffing up the powder.
"Do you want to try some?" Rosalie asked, offering me the bag. I could tell from the way she looked at me that she was testing me, waiting for me to chicken out and prove that I was just another nerd.
"Um, sure, I guess," I choked out, and with a sly smile Rosalie created another line on the basin. Steeling myself, I pressed my nose against the edge of the basin. The basin was cold, and I shivered. Taking a deep breath, I inhaled and moved my nose along the line of powder. At first I felt like I had been given an electric shock and a jolt ran through my body, making me tremble. My nose felt like it was on fire, and my brain felt numb. Suddenly a wave of energy seemed to wash through me and my confidence grew. I felt like I could do anything I wanted, nothing was too difficult or impossible for me to accomplish.
"Are you okay Bella?" Alice asked, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"I'm great!" I said brightly, taking her hand and pulling her towards the door. I glanced over my shoulder at Rosalie, who looked highly amused. She tucked the small bag back into her purse and followed us out, acting like nothing had happened. We went back to the dancefloor but this time I joined in as they danced, moving to the music and grinding against anybody who came near me. Several guys tried to lead me away to the bar but I stayed close to Rosalie and Alice, wanting to show them that I could handle the rush.
People started filing out of the club at around 4.00am, but Rosalie, Alice and I stayed until the manager told us that they were closing up. We staggered out, holding each other up as we giggled uncontrollably, finding everything hilarious. I had never had so much fun in my entire life. The sun was beginning to edge away the dark clouds when we climbed into Rosalie's car, and she sped off towards campus, swerving all of the road in an effort to avoid other cars. There were a few people already walking around the campus when we pulled up, and Alice and I bid Rosalie farewell as we walked towards our dorm.
People stared at us unashamedly as we stumbled our way to our dorm, and I realised through the haze in my mind that I would usually be one of those students, watching the drunken students stumbling home early in the morning while I made my way to the library. The thought made me giggle, and Alice laughed because I was laughing. We were nearly doubled over by the time we got to our room, and it took Alice nearly ten minutes to find the key in her purse. She twisted it into the lock with some difficulty and pushed open the door, nearly falling over as she tripped inside. I was suddenly ravenous, and I managed to get to the fridge and pull it open.
"Bella, what are you doing?" Alice asked, staring at me like I was insane.
"I'm getting something to eat Alice," I said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"I wouldn't do that. Eating makes you fat," Alice said matter of factly, and I frowned. Somewhere in my mind, that sounded somewhat truthful.
"Oh. But I'm so hungry," I groaned, shutting the fridge.
Alice rummaged around in her purse and then pulled out something small and white.
"Here, take this," She said, handing me the pill. "It'll stop you from being hungry, and you won't have such a bad hangover."
"Thanks," I said gratefully, filling up a cup with water and swallowing the pill. It only took a few minutes to kick in, and my hunger pains seemed to vanish. My head also stopped spinning, and I felt a little more....normal.
"What was that?" I asked, amazed at the effects of the little capsule.
"It's a secret. I can get you some more if you want though," Alice said, her statement sounding more like a question.
"Oh I don't know, I mean last night was a one time thing," I said, shrugging. I didn't want to get caught up in partying at the moment, I had too much work to do. Speaking of work, I realised that I hadn't slept in 24 hours.
"I need to get some sleep, I have to finish off a paper for tomorrow," I said apologetically, heading towards my bedroom.
"Sure. Oh by the way, if you need a little pick me up later I've got these amazing pills, they really help you concentrate," Alice said with a smile, perching herself on the arm of our worn out old sofa.
"Thanks, but I think I should be okay," I grinned, tottering into my bedroom. I had barely taken my heels off before I fell asleep on the bed, out like a light.
