The white Hummer limo pulled in front of The Renaissance, along side several other limos. The door opened and several guys wearing tuxedos got out, laughing and hollering. Brooke got out next pulling her dress up enough to not step on it. Her dark hair was pin straight with her bangs swept to the side. The faint light of the day played across her orange dress like tiny sparkles. Her date reached his hand out for her to take. She accepted smiling while rising out of the limo. Nicole, her hair falling past her shoulder in big curls was next. She waited slightly smiling at her fellow classmates as they all poured into the building. She looked over as Daniela stood next to her. Her dark blonde hair was pulled up tight with curls falling on top of her head. Thick bangs were pulled loose to the right. Her red halter dress was clinging to her chest then flared out slightly at the midriff. Nicole smiled as she watched Mike climb out of the limo. His tuxedo made him look even better looking then he was to start. His hair was done up in his usual messy do. His green eyes glittered from the settling sunlight. He smiled wide as he turned to help Rachel out of the limo. She took his hand smiling. Her long dark hair was flowing down her back in bouncy waves.
"Thank you." Rachel said to Mike as she got out of the limo. She looked over at her friends as they all walked up the long stairs. The music grew louder as they entered the room. Brooke and her date walked in first. Daniela, Rachel and Nicole followed with Mike behind them.
Rachel's eyes grew at the site of the party room. It was dark and filled with strobe lights, mirrored disco balls and dancing teenagers. Green aerial lights shown above their heads. The beams of light moved along with the heavy dance music being played. Bubbles rose from the floor rising above the balconies filled with dancers. Pillars that lined both sides of the room were covered with purple and black balloons, honoring the schools colors. Four flat screen TV's hung over the DJ's booth showing special effects and videos as the music played. The dance floor looked like a wave of dancing people moving perfectly along with the music.
"My God," Nicole said looking around the room." She squeezed Rachel's hand as a huge smile ran across her lips.
"Our tables over there." Daniela pointed to a big table to the left close to the middle of the floor.
"Whoo-Eeh! Right next to the dance floor. Exactly where I wanna be!" Nicole said dancing to the table. Rachel laughed following her friend. They all sat around the oversized table.
"Shall we ladies?" Brooke's smiled, raising an eyebrow at her friends. Rachel, Nicole and Daniela all smiled back. They ran to the dance floor. The DJ played 'Bad Boy' by Cascada as the girls danced together. Mike watched the girls and smiled. He looked over at Brooke's date.
"Mike." He yelled over the loud music putting his hand out.
"Steven." Her date said. They shook hands and looked back at the girls.
"That's some sight huh?" Mike yelled. He nodded to Rachel and Nicole as they danced together.
"So's that." Steven nodded towards Daniela and Brooke as they also danced together.
"Shouldn't they be dancing with us like that?" Mike asked laughing.
"Nah, girls tend to dance with each other like that before they even look at us." Mike and Steven watched as the girls danced for several more songs. The DJ requested for everyone to take their seats, that food was going to be served soon. Nicole was out of breath as she walked back to the table. Brooke had her arm around Rachel's waist. Daniela sat down in a huff.
"My ears are ringing so badly right now!" Rachel laughed as she sat down. She looked over at Mike. "Are you having a good time?" Mike's smile grew.
"You have no idea." He winked. The music went down and the lights grew as several men in the same uniform ran around the room with large rolling platters. They served food that Rachel wasn't even sure of what it was. But she was hungry and it smelt good. They all ate, laughed and talked about the past year. Rachel made several faces at the girls as they talked about parties she missed over the year.
"Oh, don't do that! While we were at our little parties you were in LA getting all tan and dating all those hot surfer dudes." Daniela said laughing.
"You dated surfer dudes?" Mike said Rachel raising his eyebrows at her.
"Yeah, I did. And?" She nudged his elbow with her own smiling. Mike laughed shaking his head.
"It's just a huge stretch." He continued eating. Nicole's eyes grew wide at him. He must have felt her glare. His eyes looked up to Nicole's. "What?" He said to her.
"What's a huge stretch?" Brooke asked. Rachel sighed. Mike looked around at the table. Some faces he knew some he didn't. Some he just met that night. The last face was Rachel's. Her eyes were narrowed in a sad expression. He knew he may have said something he shouldn't have.
"Ah…nothing…it's just…ah…," Mike cleared his throat "she just seems like she would like them a bit more rugged." He couldn't help but smile.
"How would you know what she would like?" Brooke asked sarcastically. "She hasn't been with anyone since she's been here." Brooke's eye fell on Rachel. "Right Ray?" Rachel's face turned hot. She wasn't ready for her friends to know about Billy. Especially not Brooke.
"Right. I haven't been with anyone." Rachel looked down at her food. She dug her fork into the meat. She didn't feel hungry anymore. She was now thinking about Billy and how she wished he was there with her.
"You know, you never did tell us how you two met?" Brooke asked pointing her fork at Mike and Rachel.
"They met through Joe." Nicole spat. "Now can we talk about something else?" Nicole was clearly upset.
"Sorry." Brooke said knowing she was pushing the issue.
"Alright class of 2008! Let's clear off those tables and get your bodies back on this dance floor. We wanna see you sweat! We wanna hear you pant! We wanna feel you dance!" The DJ ordered. He put his headphones to his hear and starting spinning some new dance music. The same men wearing identical uniforms from earlier ran around the tables grabbing all the uneaten food. Within minutes the tables looked how they did when they first arrived. The lights went out and colored laser lights bounced to the music. Instead of bubbles there was smoke. Mist clouds rolling around all the bodies as the moved. Brooke was the first to get up, grabbing Rachel and Daniela. Mike put his hand out to Nicole, nodding his head to the dance floor. She smiled and grabbed his hand. Steven followed them. They danced together as a group for the rest of the night. Having the most fun they had had all year. Rachel's mind cleared of Billy. She wasn't missing him, because she wasn't thinking of him. At least not yet.
--
"The Firehouse is the hottest night club in the city!" Daniela screeched. "I can't believe we actually got the place for the entire senior class."
"Can we drink?" Nicole asked.
"Yes, we can definitely drink." The limo pulled up to the club and stopped. Rachel looked out the window.
"This place isn't that big. How'd they pull this off?" She asked.
"The prom gets the whole top floor. The first floor is for the regular clubbers. Which is where we'll mostly be so we can get our drink on!" Daniela said. Nicole hollered and laughed as they got out of the limo.
They exited the limo and stood in front of the door to the club. The bouncer smiled at the girls and nodded to the other bouncer. "Get these girls and their dates orange bands." He smiled. "Let them have some fun tonight." They thanked the bouncer as he handed the orange bands over to them. Rachel and Nicole looked at each other with huge smiles.
"Now the party really begins." Nicole said. The club was loud with dance music. The ceilings were high showing part of the second floor. Rachel could see some of her classmates dancing upstairs. Nicole pulled Rachel's arm towards the bar that was along the entire left wall. The wall behind the bar glowed blue and white. The bartender was dancing to the music as she poured a few shots. Nicole found a table and sat down. Mike and Steven headed to the bathrooms with Daniela and Brooke.
"I need to drink. Like, now!" Nicole said.
"Ok, want me to go?" Rachel asked.
"No, I'll go. I don't know what the girls will drink, but what about Steven and Mike?"
"Just get the guys beers and get me Vodka and Cranberry."
"Of course, that's all you drink." Nicole smiled at Rachel then headed to the bar. The bartender was quick. She grabbed the drinks then sat down next to Nicole. Mike and Steven were already back. Nicole handed them their beers.
"Cheers fellas." Nicole said, holding up her drink. They all did the same. Rachel looked at Mike and smiled. Even though she didn't have feelings for him anymore, she still found him attractive. It was hard not to smile at him. He caught eyes with her and smiled back.
"What?" He asked after taking a sip of his beer.
"Nothing, I'm just happy you came." She laughed. "So, you think we're cool now?"
"Rachel, we were always cool." His smile fell. "I definitely liked you, but your Billy's girl now and I respect that."
"I just really felt that I needed to make it up to you. I just want you to know that I want us to be friends." She put her hand on his.
"We are friends." He leaned in closer to her. "And we're even better friends now that you introduced me to Daniela. She's hot." They both laughed.
"I'm so happy that you agreed to be her date. When I found out she wasn't going with anyone I grabbed the opportunity to help you both. Now you can't be mad at me anymore and she has a hot date."
"I wasn't mad at you. So let's not talk about it anymore." Mike winked at her. Daniela and Brooke returned from the bathroom. Daniela sat next to Mike putting her arm around him. She whispered in his ear making him smile. He looked over at Rachel.
"We'll be back." He shot up out of his seat and followed Daniela to the back of the club.
"Let's get this party started." Nicole raised her glass to Rachel. Rachel smiled and raised her's back. They took long sips of their drinks. And now the night begins.
--
The girls danced together and with others the entire night. The music was pumping the drinks were flowing and Rachel was feeling wonderful. Mike and Daniela had left several times throughout the night making Brooke say her usual comments about people having sex before they were married. Poor Steven didn't know what he got himself into. The song ended and Rachel had the sudden urge to use the bathroom.
"I drank too much." Rachel laughed in Nicole's ear.
"I did too." Nicole grabbed Rachel's hand and led her to the bathroom. They were laughing as they entered the door, bumping into a girl who was trying to leave.
"Damn, watch where the fuck you're going!" The girl hissed. Rachel stopped dead in her tracks recognizing the voice. She looked back but the girl was gone. No way. Can't be. She thought. They used the bathroom, washed their hands then headed back to their seats. Nicole stopped walking making Rachel bump into her.
"What the hell Nic?"
"You have got to be fucking kidding me!" Nicole's voice rose. Rachel followed her gaze which fell upon two girls. One was short with dirty blond hair, which Rachel didn't recognize. But the other girl, tall dark hair, good looks. She recognized her all too well. So I did hear her voice? Rachel thought.
"Jessica." Rachel whispered.
"Doesn't she ever go away?" Nicole asked as she headed towards the two girls. Jessica wasn't paying attention as Nicole walked up to her.
"Why must you always be where we are?" Nicole yelled over the loud music. Jessica's eyes widened when she saw Rachel.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" Jessica spat.
"This is our fucking prom night. Why don't you fucking leave?" Nicole was getting louder. Rachel grabbed her arm telling her she wasn't worth it.
"Oh that's right. I forgot you two were youngins'." Jessica laughed. This now irritated Rachel. Rachel leaned forward.
"Your nose looks better." She said. Jessica quickly put her hand to her nose.
"Fuck you Rachel!"
"No fuck you Jessica!" Nicole was in her face now.
"Don't take it out on me cause your man don't want you no more." Jessica said getting right back in Nicole's face. Nicole's eyebrows narrowed. "Yeah that's right. Word travels fast when you're a slut." Nicole pushed Jessica, making her fall onto the floor. Her friend knelt down to help her up. Rachel pulled Nicole back while they both laughed.
"Have a nice night Jessica." Rachel laughed as she pulled Nicole's arm, pulling her to the dance floor.
"Let's enjoy our night. Don't let her out of all people ruin it." Rachel said. Nicole nodded and followed her friend. Rachel began dancing with Nicole again when some guy came up behind her. Nicole laughed pointing past her. Rachel turned to see and was taken back by him. He was tall and muscular but not too big. He had dark hair and light blue eyes. He smiled down at her pulling her closer as they danced. She didn't see the harm in one dance.
Jessica pulled herself off the floor. She fixed her skirt and threw her empty cup on the floor. She ran over to the bar and asked the bartender for napkins to clean her drink off of her shirt. As she scrubbed the light pink liquid out of her shirt she mumbled curses under her breath.
"Who were those girls?" her friend asked.
"Some stupid bitches."
"They really don't like you. What'd you do?" Jessica stopped cleaning her shirt to look up at her friend.
"I didn't do anything!" She yelled. "The blond one's just pissed cause' her boyfriend broke up with her and the other one's mad cause' her man had a thing for me." She continued scrubbing her shirt.
"How'd she know about your nose being broken?" Her friend was irritating her.
"God damn it Tara! Why are you asking so many fucking questions?"
"I was just wondering that's all. Plus, you seemed to have backed down from them. This is something I have never seen you do before." Jessica stopped again. She looked up at the dance floor. Nicole and Rachel were laughing and smiling and having a great time. Wonder if Billy knows about the wonderful time his precious girl is having right now? She thought. She reached in her bag and pulled out her cell phone. She was going to be there bearer of bad news. She was going to let Billy know about Rachel dancing a bit too close to some guy.
--
Billy rubbed the square piece of blue chalk on the tip of the cue stick several times before placing it back on the edge of the table. He blew the excess powder off the stick then leaned over, positioned himself and was ready to aim. He squinted his eyes and let the stick flow back and forth slowly as he prepared himself to win this game. He pulled the stick back one more time then pushed it forward. The balls flew around the table exactly how he planned. He stood up smiling down at his soon to be victory. After shooting three more balls in their pockets he looked over at Bodie who had his head down.
"I tell you all the time not to ask me to play." He said with his hand out. Bodie slammed a fifty dollar bill in Billy's hand without looking up. Billy placed the stick back on the rack. He lit a cigarette grabbed his glass of Jack Daniels and walked back to his seat.
"You won?" Joe asked as Billy sat down.
"Don't I always?" Billy smirked. He looked around for the new waitress and signaled her to come to the table.
"Yes?" She asked. Billy placed the fifty dollar bill on the table.
"Keep'um comin'." Joe looked down and laughed.
"What happened to playing for twenties?" He asked.
"He only had a fifty." Billy smirked. Bodie walked to the table and nodded for Joe to move over. He pulled himself in the seat annoyed about losing his last fifty. Billy eyed him through the smoke of his cigarette.
"Don't be a bitch!" Billy said. Bodie shrugged. Billy rose from his seat as he heard his phone ring from his coat pocket. He reached in grabbed it and huffed when he saw the number. "Bitch's crazy." He said canceling the call. He walked back to his seat and placed his cell phone on the table.
"Who was that?" Joe asked.
"Nobody." Billy looked at his brother. "How much did you have to drink?" Joe looked up at Billy and smirked.
"Enough to make it all go away."
"Make what go away?"
"The pain."
"Give me a fuckin' break." Billy said annoyed.
"How'd you be if this happened with you and Rachel?" Billy clenched his jaw.
"It wouldn't happen."
"That's right. I forgot. You have the best girl ever."
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Billy sat up placing his elbows on the table.
"Nothing." Joe looked at his brother. He may have been drunk but he wasn't too drunk to see the anger rising in his brother's face. Billy's phone rang again and vibrated across the table. Billy picked it up cursing under his breath.
"What the fuck does this bitch want now?" He opened his phone.
"What?" He barked.
"Billy?"
"Yeah, what the fuck do you want?"
"Just thought you'd like to know what your girl's doin' right now." Billy's face hardened. He knew Jessica was after him still. She would call him every once and awhile asking if he was still with Rachel. He would tell her over and over again to stop calling. Yet here she was at the beginning of blowing up his phone. "She's grindin' on some hot guy right now all over the dance floor."
"Go kill yourself."
"You know what Billy I'm just tryin' to save you from embarrassment. The girl's too young for you. She obviously wants to have her fun." Jessica said trying to sound convincing.
"Go fuck yourself you dumb bitch!" Billy screamed into the phone then slammed it on the table.
"Who the fuck was that dog?" Bodie asked.
"That fuckin' bitch Jessica again. Tellin' me Rachel's too young for me and she's dancin' with some dude." Billy inhaled his cigarette then quickly let it out.
"You don't believe her, right?" Bodie asked. He knew Rachel would never betray Billy.
"No! She tries this shit all the time." Joe looked over at Billy.
"They're at prom tonight right?" Joe asked.
"Yeah."
"I was supposed to go with her." He whispered. Bodie and Billy laughed.
"I couldn't see you gettin' decked out for some dance." Bodie said.
"Well I was." Joe put his head down on the table. Billy's phone rang again.
"I swear to God if it's this bitch I'm gonna fuckin' strangle her." Billy picked up his phone. "Now the bitch is sending me pictures." Billy looked his phone. The message read 'Believe me now?' Billy opened it and waited for the picture to focus. There clear as day was Rachel dancing with a guy. She looked incredible, which made the anger rise that much faster. Billy stood up straight still looking down at his phone. He took a quick drag of his cigarette. His eyes were bulging from their sockets and his breathing became erratic. Bodie looked up at him and knew they were in for the worst.
"What is it?" Bodie said slowly standing.
"That fuckin' bitch." Billy whispered. "I warned her." Joe lifted his head.
"What're you talkin' about?" He slurred.
"I fuckin' warned her if she ever fucked around I'd kill her." Billy shut his phone and grabbed his coat. He threw it on and headed to the door. Bodie pulled Joe up out of the seat.
"Let's go dog. Something's fuckin' wrong." Joe got up and followed Bodie out the door. Billy was getting in his car and about to shut the door when Bodie stopped him.
"Billy, what the fuck is goin' on?" Billy's hands were squeezing the steering wheel so tight his knuckles were white. He was leaning forward and staring out the windshield wide eyed. He was pale and grunting under his breath.
"I gotta go. Where the fuck is she?" He said as he fumbled in his pocket for his cell phone. He grabbed it out and dialed Jessica's number.
"So you do believe me?" The bitch had the nerve to say.
"Where is she? Where are you?"
"The Firehouse Club." He slammed his phone shut.
"If you're fuckin' comin' let's fuckin' go!" He yelled. Bodie and Joe jumped in the car barley shutting the door as Billy sped out of the parking lot. His tires screeched as the left a trail of smoke behind.
--
"Look how sad she looks." Daniela had her head on Mike's shoulder. They were looking at Rachel from across the table. "What's wrong with her?" She said.
"She did drink a lot tonight." Mike didn't want to say that he knew what was wrong. She missed Billy and wanted to see him. She had told him several times tonight. She even told him how much she loved him and how loved her, which was something he never thought he would see from Billy Darley.
"Why don't you ask her to dance?" Daniela said looking up at Mike. He looked down at her and kissed her lips. He nodded his head and got out of his chair. He walked over to Rachel. He knelt down in front of her making her look over at him.
"You alright?" She pulled her head back and looked down at him.
"Why hasn't he called? Do you think he's mad at me?"
"Who's she talking about?" Daniela asked. Mike stood up and grabbed Rachel's hand pulling her to the dance floor.
"She doesn't know what she's talking about. She's drunk." Mike had to help Rachel start dancing which wasn't working. Then he started making her laugh, which was working. The song was loud and perfect for her to just let go. The lights were the same as at proms, strobe lights and laser beams. They flowed perfectly to the beat of the music. Rachel was starting to feel better, letting the images of Billy flow out of her mind as she danced. Mike was close to her she could feel him but she didn't care. She felt like she was in her own world. She thought nothing could take this moment away from her until she heard Nicole's voice scream Billy's name.
Rachel's eyes shot open as Billy grabbed Mike throwing him to the floor. Daniela jumped out of her seat screaming for this mad man to let him go. Rachel focused her eyes then ran over to Billy. She started to bend down to stop him when Bodie grabbed her pulling her away.
"Why is Mike here?" Bodie asked her as patiently as he could.
"What?" She was confused. When did Billy get here? How did he know she was even there?
"Mike! What the fuck is Mike doing here?" Rachel looked over as Billy was punching Mike.
"No, make him stop Bodie. It isn't what you think." Bodie looked at her for a second then ran to Billy, pulling him off of Mike. Mike crawled away from Billy running to the door. He opened it quickly falling out as he ran to the street. Billy followed him, walking in quick strides. Rachel ran out the door screaming Billy's name. Brooke and Daniela had followed her. Nicole was already outside paralyzed by the person staring back at her. Her eyes filled up with tears and she started to shake. She took a step forward. She didn't know what to say or even how to act.
"Nicole." Joe whispered. He hadn't seen her in weeks. And no matter how much it hurt not to be with her, this moment was the worst of all. She stood in front of him, tears falling down her face. She looked beautiful. She opened her mouth to say something but nothing would come out.
"Oh my God Billy no!" Rachel screamed breaking Joe's concentration. He looked back across the street in the parking lot to see his brother pointing a gun in Mike's face. He had him pinned up against someone's truck, his left forearm over his neck and Billy's piece was smashed in Mike's cheek. Joe turned and ran to stop his brother. He was no longer feeling drunk.
"Billy, put it down." Bodie said. Daniela and Brooke were staring in shock. Mike's eyes filled with tears as he looked at Billy. He knew Billy wouldn't think twice.
"You know not to touch anything that's mine." Billy hissed through his teeth.
"I didn't…" Billy shoved the gun harder into his cheek making him wince. Mike squeezed his eyes shut. Rachel grabbed onto Billy's arm.
"Billy, it's not what you think please, listen to me." Rachel begged. Billy's eyes wouldn't leave Mike.
"Listen to her Billy." Mike's words shook out of his mouth.
"I could kill you right here." He yelled.
"Dog, listen to your girl. Listen to what she's gotta say." Bodie pleaded. Billy leaned closer to Mike. His eyes peering into Mike's. He clenched his jaw and tightened his lips. It was taking every ounce of him to not pull that trigger. He wanted him dead. Dead for touching Rachel. Dead for feeling a moment with her that he could never feel.
"Billy!" Rachel screamed. "I've had enough. If you don't let him go I'm gone. For good." Billy's eyes squinted at Mike, and then looked over at Rachel. Her voice was stern and her words were serious, but her eyes still showed that fear. That same fear in her eyes that had given him chills once before. She was breathing heavy and her mascara was running from her crying. But she still looked beautiful. She was beautiful in that dress, with that hair and with that look. Billy wanted to grab her, kiss her. While another part of him wanted to hurt her. She wasn't going to get away with this.
"I warned you Rachel." He hissed at her. "I told you I'd kill you if you ever cheated on me."
"I didn't cheat on you. I told you this isn't what you think." She tried to be stern with her words but they quivered as they came out.
"I don't believe you."
"Mike isn't here for me Billy. He's here for Daniela." Billy looked over his shoulder to see Daniela crying. He looked back at Rachel.
"You're lying." Rachel knew there was no talking to him. He had his mind set. She hated him right now for what he was doing. The anger was building in her chest. She wanted to scream. She didn't like being called a liar, especially not by him. Suddenly she felt the outburst come and couldn't stop it. She reached over grabbing the gun, facing it to her chest.
"You think I'm a liar then fuckin' shoot me. Kill me like you said you would if I ever betrayed you." She raised one arm up, leaving the other on the barrel of the gun. Billy's eyes narrowed. His left forearm pushed harder on Mike's throat as Rachel tugged on the gun. Nicole took a step forward then stopped. She wanted to stop Rachel for acting this way. But she didn't know now who to be more afraid of.
"If you don't trust me then fucking do it!" she yelled. Billy smirked at her as he let go of Mike. He grabbed Rachel's throat pulling her to his face. She was now in Mike's place against the truck with Billy's heavy body pressed up against hers. She couldn't breath. He slowly raised the gun to her face.
His chest was heaving, his breathing hard against her face. His mind was racing, his hands sweating. She betrayed him. He warned her. He warned her if she ever did it he would kill her. Now she was asking him to. She must be guilty. The picture burned inside his mind. Her smiling, dancing. The guy's body pressed up against hers where only he should be allowed. Then to make matters worse, Mike who she taunted him with, was there dancing with her. Smiling down at her as she moved. His finger twitched against the trigger. He wanted to pull it. Let her know he wasn't fucking around. He needed the burning in his head to stop. Why did he let her in? Why did he have to love her? This isn't how things were supposed to be. He never let anyone in. Now she was making a fool of him, running around behind his back. He couldn't let this go on anymore. He had to end this. He pushed the gun closer to her cheek. His hand tighter around her throat. He ignored the fear in her eyes. She looked at him one last time before she squeezed her eyes shut. The tears fell down her face as she whispered the words I love you.
He looked at her mouth as the words escaped. His dark hard eyes suddenly became soft. His grip on her throat loosened. He unclenched his jaw as he took a step back. She opened her eyes feeling his release on her. He was staring back at her, blinking away the sudden wetness over his eyes. Joe grabbed his shoulders making him slightly jump.
"We gotta go." He whispered in Billy's ear. Billy's head tilted back as he looked at Rachel. The girl he loved. The girl he almost killed. He slowly backed away as Joe pulled on his arm. Bodie ran up to Rachel.
"You ok?" Rachel couldn't speak. She could barely breathe. The tears fell down her cheeks without help. Nicole grabbed her face trying to make her look her way. But she couldn't take her eyes off of him. She watched as he turned and got into the passenger's side of his car. Bodie was talking to her, but she couldn't hear him. Nicole told him she would take her home and to just leave. Bodie ran to the driver's seat and jumped in. They sped off, Rachel still watching as the car was no longer in sight.
"Rachel!" Nicole yelled. Rachel looked over at her.
"I knew it!" Brooke yelled walking over to Rachel.
"Not now Brooke." Nicole put her hand up stopping Brooke from talking. Brooke moved her hand out of the way. She grabbed Rachel's chin pulling her face towards her.
"I knew something was different about you. Never anywhere to be found, smiling all the time like you have this perfect little secret that no one else can know. Some fucking secret." Brooke turned walking back to the club. Rachel watched her leave. She suddenly remembered Mike.
"Oh my God where's Mike?" She looked around until her eyes fell on Daniela cleaning off Mike's face at the far end of the parking lot. She ran over to him grabbing his arm.
"Mike, I'm so sorry." His face wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. His eyebrow was cut and his nose was bleeding. He must have blocked most of Billy's blows. He looked over at Rachel pulling her into a hug.
"Don't be sorry. Billy can't help who he is or how he feels about you." He looked at her making her cry again. "You need to talk to him before he does something drastic." Daniela made a huffing nose. He looked over at her.
"Drastic? Like this wasn't?" She said, rolling her eyes.
"You don't know him. You don't understand." He looked back at Rachel. "You really need to find him." Rachel could hear Nicole calling a cab.
"I don't know Mike. This was really bad." She closed her eyes wishing this night had never happened.
"I've known him almost my whole life. I've never seen him act this way over a girl before." Mike said convincingly.
"Why are you telling her to go to him?" Daniela yelled. "He put a gun to her face!" Mike ignored her.
"Rachel, I won't tell you what to do." He smiled at her then grabbed Daniela's arm. They walked back to the club, disappearing through the doors. Rachel wasn't sure if going after him was the best idea. But she couldn't leave it like this. She was completely in love with him and terrified of him all at the same time.
"I can't believe what just happened!" Nicole was standing in front of her now.
"I pushed him too far. He never would have done that if I didn't grab the gun."
"Seriously, what the fuck were you thinking?" Nicole said
"I wasn't." Rachel whispered.