Bootsie and I had been at the club for about an hour at the club so far, drinking and dancing in our own little dark corner. Frankie was oddly absent for a Friday night, but we were so tipsy and into our dancing we didn't even think about it at the time.

After a bit, Bootsie nudged me and thumbed over to our left with an intoxicated giggle, "That bloke over there's sizin' you up, love."

I ignored her and just kept dancing; I was having a good time out with her and wasn't interested in much else. Besides, if I got off track now I would start thinking, and right now, I didn't want or need to think.

A remix of 'Lights' was playing, and when its chorus played the lights from where the DJ sat blinked rapidly. This was new. Ever since New Years apparently, the club had been bringing in an in-house DJ, which I thought was a pretty cool move.

I bounced and bobbed along to the music, and I remember faintly hearing Bootsie say she was headed to the 'loo.' Suddenly out of nowhere an attractive guy came into my vision.

"How 'bout a dance?" I could smell the alcohol on his breath, and while I realize I had been drinking quite a bit that night myself, this was worse.

"No thanks, I'm happy on my own," I replied, turning slightly away and continuing my little bouncing dance.

"Aw come on, luv, we could 'ave so much fun!" he side-stepped to where he was in front of me again, taking hold of my shoulders and trying to back me into the corner.

"Hey, let go!" I struggled against his grip and loosened it just enough to try and shove past him, but he fell against me, effectively pinning me back against the wall.

"Oy, get the fuck off of her!" I heard the shout, felt the weight lifted away from me, and saw Noel with his hands on the guy's collar, throwing him toward the opposite wall.

"S'alright, mate, we were gettin' along just fine, weren't we, luv?" the guy asked me with a slur.

"The hell you were! Get on, then! Stay away from me girlfriend!" Noel snarled, sounding more menacing than I had ever heard him sound.

The guy rolled his eyes, which seemed to have thrown off is equillibrium enough for him to almost tip backwards. He chose then to stagger away.

"You alright?!" Noel asked frantically, coming forward and taking a gentle hold of my shoulders and looking me over, with his eyes finally meeting mine.

I shrugged him away, despite the fact that I was shaking, "I was doing just fine."

"I don't think so. You're not much better off than that bloke was," he retorted, referring to my intoxicated state.

"What're you doing here, anyway? Isn't it detrimental for you to be seen in public with me?" I barked, keeping my back braced against the wall.

"Oh Kelsey, stop it already! You bloody well know that wasn't what I meant!" Noel rolled his eyes and glared me down.

I growled, pushed past him, and made my way toward the door.

"Where are you goin'?!"

"I'm going home," even though more than anything I wanted to stay, my stubborn, and now drunk, pride wouldn't let me.

"You are not walking home leathered!"

"Fucking watch me!" I stormed out before I could burst into tears and Noel followed.

"You just gonna leave Bootsie here?"

"You and Raymond can drive her home!" everything was now spinning.

He caught up and grabbed hold of my arm, then pinned me against the side wall of the club and leaned in. "Kelsey, I can't let you walk home like this..." his voice softened, but it was still firm. His eyes said it all. They were bloodshot... from tears or the result of him trying to numb his feelings, I couldn't tell. But they were still there, behind the redness and slight puffiness.

I sighed, looking away so I wouldn't cry or kiss him. "Fine..."

"Okay. Get in with Raymond here, I'll go get Bootsie," he commanded gently, then walked over and opened the door to the back of Raymond's black car.

Begrudgingly, I climbed in. He shut the door and I closed my eyes to avoid watching my world spin.

After about ten minutes of seeing the back of my eyelids, I heard Noel get in with Bootsie. "Would Marcus be asleep now?" I faintly heard him ask.

"No, he's sick," Bootsie replied.

"Hmm. Alright. Raymond, let's take the girls home."

The next morning, I awoke in my sofa-bed. I groaned, stretched, and absolutely felt like I had been hit by a truck.

"How are you feeling?" I heard Noel ask quietly from the armchair in the corner, which caused me to jump a bit.

I thought about this a moment and let the memories of what happened the night before wash over me, then let the air out of my cheeks, "Like I slept extremely hard."

"You're not hung-over or anything?"

"No. I've never had a single hang-over in all of my time of drinking. God's honest truth," I replied simply, but then began smacking my lips. Dry as the sahara. I rose to get a drink, but lost my balance and fell back onto the bed. Noel had sprung up and was hovering.

"Drink?"

"Yes, please."

I watched him navigate our kitchen, try to find the cups, then look to see what we had to drink. He gave up when all he saw was milk, as he knew I was not a milk fan. Water, it was. When he brought it back, I thanked him. He hesitated for a moment, then sat down next to me.

I was ready for this awkwardness to be over. I was ready for us to be us again. I felt ashamed for my behavior the night before. "I'm sorry about last night, Noel."

Noel sighed, "I'm sorry too, Kelsey. For everything. All I every want is for you to be happy... I don't like the idea of a bunch of people who don't even know you to sit and judge you, possibly say cruel things... Because let's face it, even the most perfect person has something wrong with them according to the rest of the world."

I nodded. "I know..."

He turned to face me, and I to face him. He took a breath before he spoke, "Kelsey, I realized yesterday just how much it would absolutely kill me if I didn't have you in my life. When you basically told me you thought it was best I didn't see you anymore, then hung up, I - I didn't know what to do. I fell apart. Then I came here to find you and couldn't, that's when I knew you might be at the club. I walked in, trying to find you, and there that guy was, all over you. I almost lost my mind. Then there you were, knackered, and spittin' angry. Alcohol has a funny way of bringing out the honesty in a person. I knew you were livid then. All I wanted was to hold you, to tell you I was sorry... but I had to wait it out. I stayed the whole night. I don't think I slept at all."

My eyes were brimming with tears, as were his. Then he pulled me into him and he held me close. I felt a wetness on my shoulder blade and held him closer as my own tears quietly fell. Then we pulled away; Noel turned to wipe his face, I presumed, then he turned back to me.

"Come stay with me this weekend? I've cleared my calendar for you. I need you."

I nodded and smiled. "Okay."

We let the relief wash over us for a moment before we heard groaning behind the screen that separated us from Bootsie's 'room.'

"How is Bootsie after a night of drinkin'?" he asked.

I sighed, "She's a bit clumsy and crazy for the first few hours, but once she's able to eat she bounces back."

"So we've got our work cut out for us fer a bit, aye?"

"Just a bit," I smirked.