Chapter 28
Back in the RVs Brittany, who'd been in the back room, let out a cry.
Alvin shot up from the lounge and went in to see her, "What's wrong?" he asked concerned.
Brittany had emptied her suitcases onto the bed and looked at the pile, "I have nothing to wear, nothing!"
Alvin scratched his head, folded his arms and pointed at the pile, "Surely you have something in amongst all that?"
Brittany sat on the edge of the bed, and shook her head furiously, "No I have nothing at all"
Alvin spied the corner of the pink and black gift bag and a smirk crossed his face.
He walked over and picked it up, "What's this then?" and took a peek inside, his eyes widening.
Brittany's mouth opened, "Alvin gimme that!" she reached out and swiped at the bag, as Alvin twisted his body away, and whistled, "When do I get to see these on then?"
Brittany scowled, "Never if you don't gimme them back, right now!"
Alvin pulled the bra out and held it against him, "This is kinda hot" he winked at her as Steph poked her head in, "Britt what's the prob-"
She took one look at Alvin holding the bra up against him and collapsed in laughter as Alex and Bruno came to the doorway and looked at Alvin.
Bruno looked over at Brittany who went as red as the bra.
Alvin's eyes widened and he looked down at the bra before hiding it quickly behind his back; Brittany groaned and covered her face.
Bruno and Alex started laughing as Alex added, "Dude, I know red is your colour and all, but seriously?"
Alvin quickly stuffed it back into the gift bag and pushed it into the pile of Brittany's clothing, "Not mine, totally not mine" he laughed a little.
Steph pulled herself back up and wiped a tear from her eye, "Oh %$# , oh ow my stomach..oh man" she looked at Alvin and laughed again and pushed her way past Bruno and Alex, who followed her back out to the main cab.
Brittany narrowed her eyes at Alvin, "This is all your fault"
Alvin shrugged her off smiling, "Well if you didn't hide it from me"
Brittany shook her head, "Ya didn't need to hold it up for the world to see"
Alvin came and sat next to her, kissing her on the cheek, "No dramas" he looked back at the pile of clothing, "Look, it'll take us about 20mins or so to get into Tucson, if we head off now, we may be able to catch the shops before they close, ok?"
Brittany looked up and smiled, "Is that your way of trying to make me feel better?"
Alvin nodded a little and smiled back, "In a way, yeah"
She leant in and kissed him on the lips.
Alvin headed out and took his seat in the driver's chair, radioing Simon, "Si, you know the way?"
Simon radioed back, "I know a way"
Alvin shrugged, "Good enough for me, lead on...oh and Britt wants to get in some shopping before we head out" he looked back at her as she sat on the lounge next to Bruno, "Apparently she has nothing to wear"
Brittany smiled back at him as Simon radioed back, sighing, "Fine, so long as we don't have to come too?"
Alvin turned back to Brittany who rolled her eyes, and radioed back, "Nope, we're off the hook" he started the ignition and followed Simon out of the car park and onto the road into Tucson.
They guys were all ready and sitting, bored, around the table of 'Einstein' waiting for the girls to hurry up so they could get to the club.
Alvin pressed his hands together and presented them towards Theodore, "Slapsies Theo?"
Theodore looked at Alvin, who smirked and pressed his hands together, touching fingertips to Alvin's and frowned, "Not too hard"
Alvin smirked and raised an eyebrow, "Would I do that?"
Simon nodded, "Yes"
Alvin shrugged, "Ok, yes I would...I'll try and be nice, your turn first"
Theodore looked down and concentrated.
He jerked his hands a few times to put Alvin off, but Alvin was honed to his strategy; he knew Theodore's moves were going to one of three predictable possibilities; he'd either start by waiting about 20 seconds and then go to strike, or he'd lash out straight away but seeing as how he didn't do either, Alvin concluded he was going to do three false strikes and then attack for real.
Which was true.
Theodore swiped his hand out as Alvin jerked his away, laughing, "Strike one"
Theodore frowned and bit his bottom lip and attempted again, this time waiting, about 20 seconds and swiped again; Alvin jerking his hand away again laughing, "Strike two Teddy"
Theodore wiped his brow and settled his hands and looked at Alvin, who smiled wickedly and swayed his head a little, "Your move Theo, but remember, three strikes and I get a free hit"
Theodore groaned, "That's the part I hate most"
Alvin shrugged, "Rules is rules"
Theodore swiped out as Alvin jerked his hands away a final time, "Ooooh, so sorry Theo, now I get a free hit"
Theodore sighed and rested his elbows on the table and closed his eyes, "Hurry up would you Alvin?"
Alvin smirked and raised his hand, "But the anticipation is just as fun"
Theodore opened one eye, "Alvin!"
Alvin laughed and began striking his hand down as Theodore closed his eyes quickly.
There was a sharp slap as Alvin's hand struck Theodore's.
Simon, Alex and Bruno all reeled back, Alex adding, "Ahh, even I felt that one"
Alvin laughed as Theodore shook his hand and tried to rub some feeling back into it, "Dammit Alvin! You said you wouldn't hit so hard!"
Alvin rested his hands behind his head, "I said I'll try, I didn't say I would for certain" Theodore frowned at him, "I'm out"
Alvin positioned his hands again, "Who's next?"
Simon tapped the table, "Isn't there another game we can play to pass the time?"
Alvin shrugged, "Knuckles?"
Simon looked at him, "That doesn't involve smacking the crap outta each other"
Alvin laughed, "But those are the best kinda games"
Bruno nodded, "I'll take you on"
Alvin smiled, "Ahh, a willing volunteer"
Theodore traded seats with Bruno, as he positioned his hands.
Alvin frowned a little, "Aw sh*t, I don't know your tactics"
Simon smiled as Theodore laughed and added, "Ha, you're at a disadvantage Alvin"
Alvin looked up at Bruno, who kept a straight poker face and simply smiled and raised his eyebrows a little.
He looked at their hands and announced, "I'll go first"
Bruno shrugged, unfazed, "Sure, whatever"
Alvin took three strikes, but Bruno judged them each time and jerked his hands swiftly away.
Alvin lowered his head, "Oh %$# " he groaned and looked up, putting on a brave face, "Ok, lemme have it"
Bruno gave a curt smile and struck at speed with such a force, Alvin's hands hit the window of the RV.
"%$# IN' HELL! I'm out, I'm out!" he hollered out, the others laughing.
Bruno looked around, "Any takers?"
Simon shook his head as Theodore rubbed his hands, "Um...no thanks"
Alex nodded, "Bring it on"
Alvin slid out letting Alex take his place and ran his hands under water, "My hands are burning, man!" he sucked in a deep breath and gritted his teeth in pain.
Bruno laughed, and positioned his hands, with Alex positioning his hands touching fingertips with Bruno.
Bruno looked at him with a straight face, "You wanna go first?"
Alex shrugged and kept a straight face also, "Let's make it interesting, we'll take one for one, see who knocks out first"
Bruno nodded, "O-k, you can take the first shot"
Alvin, Simon and Theodore all watched eagerly to see when Alex would make his first move.
Bruno braced himself, as Alex lifted his hand and whacked it hard on his.
The others reeled back, but Bruno didn't even bat an eye, simply responding with "My turn"
Alex's expression questioned him a little as he repositioned his hands again.
Bruno struck out quickly, making a loud, sharp slap and leaving a pinkish mark.
Alex lowered his head, took a breath in and lifted it back up to see eye to eye with Bruno, "Another round?"
Bruno shrugged, "Why not?"
Alex lined his hand up and added speed and power to his next shot.
Bruno flinched at the strike and shook his hand a little.
"Out already?" Alex asked, a smirk creeping over his face.
Bruno shook his head, "Nah, still good to go"
Simon stared intently, "This is insanity"
Theodore covered his eyes with his hands, peeking through his fingers, "I can't watch"
Alvin leant against the bench, looking at the guys and flexing his own hand a little, "It's all fun and games til someone gets hurt...or in this case til someone's hand is as red as my cap"
The guys lashed out on each other another seven rounds; each time increasing in strength and power.
It was back to Bruno's turn, and by now he was fair jack of taking all this crap from Alex and decided he'd let him know he wasn't backing down through the next hit.
Bruno stared at Alex, with no emotion in his eyes; reeled his hand back and let it smack into Alex's, making Alex holler out in pain, "%$# man! I'm out, no %$# ing way"
He shook his hand and rubbed it; Bruno packed a hell of a wallop in his attack.
They all turned as there was a knock at the door and the girls entered, "We're ready" Brittany announced, and then frowned, looking at Alex glaring at Bruno.
She also noticed Alvin's, Theodore's; Alex's and Bruno's hands were differing shades of pinks and reds.
She put her hands on her hips, "What's going on?"
The other girls piled into the cabin; Steph rolling her eyes, "What the hell, Alex?"
Simon coughed and smiled at the girls, "Just a friendly game of slapsies...right guys?"
The other guys nodded; Alex grunting a response.
Steph shook her head, "Whatever, I don't have time for this sh*t" she smiled, "Come on I wanna go shake my ass around and see if I can't score some free birthday drinks"
Alvin nodded and lead the way followed by Simon, Theodore, Bruno and lastly Alex.
Steph stopped him at the door, as he smiled at her, "You look amazing"
She was wearing a tight fitting little black dress which sparkled in the light and that was quite short and haltered round her neck, pushing her breasts together creating an alluring cleavage.
She had her hair out and Eleanor had done some soft curls and she wore heavy eyeliner and mascara and glittery lip gloss.
She wore a pair of glittery black stilettos.
She tilted her head and folded her arms, "Don't change the subject"
He laughed at her, "From what?"
Steph nodded at the dining table, "What was going on?"
Alex looked at Bruno and back at Steph, "Like Simon said; friendly game of slapsies" he leant in and kissed her on the cheek, not wanting lip gloss all over him and smiled, rubbing his hand a little.
Steph nodded a little and looked over at Bruno, who just opened and closed his hand and thrust them in his pockets, lowering his head.
Steph stepped down to the others, "Ok, 'Hot Damn' isn't that far away, so we can leg it there and hopefully we'll all be standing at the end of the night to walk back home" she looked at the guys, "I may need some help" she smiled and lead the way.
Brittany looked at her, "Stephi, babe, where's your bag?"
Steph looked at her, "Pfft, why do I need a bag?" she pointed to the group, "You're all buying me drinks and" she reached down into her bra and pulled out a plastic card, "ID's safe and secure baby" she smiled and stuffed it back down, "Ready to go?"
Alvin scooped Brittany around the waist and checked her out, whistling, "Foxy lady"
Brittany slapped him playfully, "You like?"
Alvin nodded approvingly, "Oh I like".
She wore short hot pink dress that was tight around the bust and flared out to the end, teaming it with high pony tail of curls and glittery pink make up and finishing it off with a pair of silver heels, flecked with pink glitter.
She flicked her silver handbag over her shoulder and proceeded to walk, following Steph and Alex, who'd already headed off.
Simon smiled at Jeanette, who blushed back, and leant in to kiss her, "You look beautiful too"
She smiled and held her dress out.
Rather than buying a new dress, she and Eleanor had packed the dresses from the premier, seeing as how they didn't really get a chance to wear them the whole night.
Jeanette had left her hair in its natural wave, but pinned the sides back and wore soft violet makeup with a cherry gloss.
Steph had, however forced her to put some glitter on.
Eleanor's hair bounced in loose soft curls around her shoulders as she kissed Theodore on the nose.
Theodore smiled at Eleanor and walked up beside Simon, "Ready to rock out?"
Simon smiled, "As ready as I'll ever be" as they headed off, leaving Bruno to trail at the end.
He sighed and watched the couples in front of him, held his head up high and followed behind.
At the entrance of the club, Steph hurried Bruno to come next to her, "OK, so the way we get you in, is I will be your distraction, if needed"
Alex shook his head, "You're not gonna flash anyone are you?"
Bruno raised his eyebrows as Steph shook her head, "Nah, can't whip 'em out in this number, I'll just start chatting 'bout my birthday and sh*t, and you slip in"
Bruno nodded and then pointed out, "Or we slip in with another big group?"
They looked and saw a large group about to enter, Steph nodding, "That'll work too, c'mon"
They all tail-ended the group and managed to get in without anyone checking their ID's.
Standing on the top step and looking down to the dance floor Steph bounced up and down, "Oh I am home baby!" she turned to the others, and squealed, "Best birthday present ever!"
Simon smiled and called out over the pumping bass, "We've got a private room somewhere" he looked about and found someone who worked there and enquired.
The others watched as Simon dealt with that and looked around the club.
It was impressive, and Steph wasn't kidding when she said there were fish under the floor.
'Party Rock Anthem' started playing into the mix as Steph squealed again, "Love this song!" she turned and grabbed the nearest hand, which happened to be Eleanor, and dragged her to the dance floor.
Eleanor, a little stunned, threw her bag at Theodore who caught it and watched as Steph and Eleanor squeezed onto the edges of the dance floor; Steph proceeding to bust a move with Eleanor, who quickly felt the beat and joined in.
Simon came back and laughed as he saw Steph already getting into it, and the fact he'd managed to drag someone else with her, "Ok, we're in the first room up here" he walked up the stairs and headed into a room overlooking the bar and the dance floor.
Simon handed out wrist bands, "When you wanna get in, hold the wrist band under the scanner til the light turns green, then the door will open"
Alex nodded, "Pretty high tech" he called out and caught Steph's attention and motioned for her to come on up, which she did so reluctantly.
"What? I was dancin' here" she pouted as she and Eleanor reached the balcony.
Alex nodded and twisted her arm round, as Simon gave her and Eleanor wrist bands; they'd been given 10 so he gave Steph a second one, "That way you can use either wrist to open the door" he explained.
Steph laughed and put her hands on her hips, "So you reckon I'll get that plastered I'll forget which wrist opens the door?"
Simon smiled and shrugged, "You said it not me".
She looked at her arm and back at Simon who demonstrated how to use the wrist band.
Steph smiled and nodded, "Ahh, that's smart, I like it...can I go dance again now?"
Alvin grabbed her round the waist and pulled her down the stairs and onto the dance floor, "Let's go babe, it's your birthday!"
Steph laughed started krumping and popping her booty at Alvin, who in turn pretended to slap it.
Alvin opting to sing along while he danced, as they were soon joined by the others:
I'm running through these aisles like Dredo
I got that devilish flow
Rock 'n' roll
No halo
We party rock!
Yeah that's the cru that I'm rappin'
On the rise to the top
No lead in our Zepplin
Hey!
They all formed a small circle and clapped as the Chipmunks broke into their routine, with the girls shaking themselves around, and Alex and Bruno did their own thing, which for the time being was just doing some guy stomp-point-in-the-air-clap-thing.
At the point of the song where it called for
Everyday I'm shufflin'
Alvin broke into a sweet routine of shuffling round, adding a few MJ moves into the mix and causing some attention.
Brittany laughed as Steph danced closer to her, putting her hands on Brittany's hips as she loosely hung her arm round Steph's neck, and they started bumping and grinding together.
Alvin, who was more than mildly turned on by this spectacle turned to the other guys, "Seriously, that vision right there, oh man, I'm in heaven...it is like every guy's fantasy right there"
Simon raised an eyebrow, "Yeah, ok"
Alvin laughed and ran his fingers through his hair, "C'mon, am I the only one loving this? It's girl on girl action!"
Bruno smirked and nodded a little as Alvin lifted his hand, with Bruno reciprocating his high five.
Alvin laughed as Steph and Brittany looked at the guys; Brittany puckering her lips together and Steph pulling Britt close to her.
Alvin went and grinded behind Brittany, "Dammit I want in on this!"
Brittany laughed and turned round, locking her arms round Alvin's neck and swivelling her hips, working her body up and down.
Alvin tilted his head back and smiled widely, gripping Brittany on her hips.
After a solid 10 minutes of dancing they all flowed into the room.
The glass on the door was tinted so they could still see out, but no one could see in.
Inside there were lounges and a karaoke set up too, on request.
The room slightly sound proofed in that you couldn't hear the noises from the outer club pumping on, but music still played, at a slightly lesser volume.
Simon had organised drinks on arrival and there on the table was an array of cocktails, beers and wines and an unused bar with stools over along the side wall.
Simon shrugged, "I wasn't sure what everyone liked in particular, so I just got a bit of something from all the lists"
Steph eyed the booze, "Oh Si, you did good" she picked up a cosmopolitan and took a sip, "Oh I wanna have a Quick %$# later too...I'm telling you all this now in case I'm 'forget' later"
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked directly between Steph and Alex (who wasn't sure whether to laugh at the situation or hide his face) as Alvin choked on his drink and spat it over the floor, coughing; Simon patting him on the back as Steph burst out laughing, "It's the name of a shot" she laughed again and fanned her eyes, "Sorry, sorry I should've said a QF; We need to do QFs later"
She smiled and flopped on the lounge next to Jeanette, and laughed, "Jen get one into ya!"
Jeanette smiled and picked up a glass of white wine, taking small sips.
Alvin and Theodore were inspecting the karaoke machine, trying to figure out how to get it working.
Steph stood up and danced over to Alex and Bruno, "How 'bout you boys? Having fun yet?"
Alex smiled and nodded, kissing Steph on the cheek.
She closed her eyes and took another sip, opening them and asking Bruno, "Fun, yes?"
Bruno smiled and nodded, "So far" and took a mouthful from one of the cocktails.
Steph looked around at each of them, "I want a dance with all of you before the end of the night" she looked back and forth between Bruno and Alex, "Everyone. See, I'm how inclusive I am?" she emphasised and threw the rest of the cocktail down her throat, smiling at the two guys.
Alex and Bruno exchanged a look; Alex's clearly stating, "Do not touch my girl".
Bruno just shook his head and walked away; he wasn't about to let Alex and his petty jealousy ruin his night, and sat on the lounge next to Brittany as she called out to Alvin, "Just go get someone, you're gonna break it"
Alvin shook his head, "Nah I won't" he pressed a few buttons and the machine hummed to life, "Ta-da!" he took another mouthful of beer asking, "Who's up first?" he stepped back towards the lounges as Steph put her hand up and came closer.
She bent over to look at the playlist; and thus showing off her butt in her black lacy cheeky underwear.
Brittany and Eleanor burst out laughing, "Nice ass Stephi!"
Steph didn't turn around, instead kept looking through the playlist, but opted to bounce her butt up and down a little.
Bruno felt a smile creep over his face; Steph did have quite the ass, it was hard not to notice it and it just so happened he had quite the view of it from his angle.
He didn't, however, have to look at Alex to feel the daggers being hurled at him.
"%$# it" he thought, "Everyone else can see it, and she's not hiding it...I'm not gonna let some jerkass ruin my night" he took another mouthful and relaxed back in the lounge.
Brittany stood, pulling her dress down a little and came to stand behind Steph, looking over the playlist; careful to hold the back of her dress down.
It didn't stop Alvin trying to tilt his head to see up it though; Simon punching him, "Stop it Alvin"
Alvin laughed and finished his beer, leaving the bottle on the table.
Steph stood up, "Nah I need to have a lot more booze in me before I sing karaoke"
Jeanette looked puzzled, "You sang in front of a random crowd earlier today though...it's only us now"
Steph rolled her eyes, "I was trying to make the point I need another drink" she put her glass down and skulled another cocktail before sliding up and down Alex and heading to the door, "The dance floor is calling me" she announced dramatically, "Who's coming with me?" and she pushed the door open and headed towards the dance floor.
Over the course of the night they'd had a few more drinks, a few shots (Steph found it hilarious watching everyone trying to down Tequila shots and cheered when she managed to get everyone to have a QF - thus claiming she was now in possession of claiming everyone's drinking virginity...whatever that meant ) and some finger food was ordered to the room.
It was clear Steph was getting on her way to being tipsy, but the girl could hold her liquor, knocking back a fair few and was still able to walk relatively upright.
She pulled her dress down and adjusted her boobs as she stood and, picking a spring roll up from the platter, walked over to the karaoke machine, "Ok now let's get this party really crankin' with some god ole' karaoke" she threw her hands up and looked at the others, "Who wants to go first?"
Brittany stood up, adjusting her dress and tapped Jeanette and Eleanor on the legs, "Come on girls, let's show em what we got"
Jeanette looked a little dumbfounded, "But they already know Brittany"
Brittany smiled and rolled her eyes, "Oh Jen, just get up and sing with me"
The girls ended up singing 'Teenage Dream' by Katy Perry; which managed to get the guys quite amused and Alvin a little more than slightly turned on.
When they'd finished he leant over to Brittany asking, "So was that song a hint then?"
Brittany just smiled and slapped him playfully on the leg, as Alvin held his hands up, "What? I'm asking seriously here...Britt, tell me, c'mon..."
Brittany just laughed as he stood, "Fine, my turn"
Alvin chose to sing none other than Michael Jackson and chose two songs, back to back; 'Bad' and 'Dirty Diana' later confessing he dedicated that one to Steph, who responded by hurling a scrunched up napkin at him, "Thanks a lot, bitch" she laughed as Alvin simply flourished a bow and tipped his cap at her.
"Ok, my turn to pick someone" Steph said, standing up.
She covered her eyes, holding her finger out and waved it back and forth a few times before stopping and opening her eyes.
She was pointing to a corner of the room.
The others looked where she was pointing and then back at her as Steph laughed, "Ok so obviously Mr Corner can't sing...but Bruno, you're closest, you're up!"
Bruno raised his eyebrows as the others looked at him, Alvin cheering, "Whoo! Go Bruno!"
He stood hesitantly and looked at the karaoke machine, "Uh, I'm not really a singer you know"
Steph laughed, "And you think I am?" she popped another samosa in her mouth.
Bruno smiled, "You can at least hold a tune" he approached the microphone and looked through the playlist.
Simon shrugged, "It's just a little fun"
Jeanette nodded, "Isn't it better if you can't sing and try and belt it out like you can?"
Alvin laughed, "Only if the rest of the audience if completely blind drunk" he laughed and stuffed a handful of curly fries in his mouth.
Bruno smiled and picked up his drink, holding it up before taking another mouthful.
Alex piped up from the back of the group, smirking, "Look, man, if you don't think you can..."
Steph rolled her eyes at him, "Oh shut up Alex" she turned to Bruno, "Go on, sing me a song for my birthday...wait it is still my birthday yeah?" she leant over and twisted Simon's watch her way, smiling, "Yep still my birthday for another couple of hours"
Bruno smiled at her, "Ok, ok, lemme find something I know then"
He scrolled through and settled on a song he knew pretty well.
Nervously he picked up the microphone and hit play on the machine.
The intro to 'Without You' by David Guetta and Usher played over the speakers.
I can't win, I can't reign
I will never win this game
Without you, without you
I am lost, I am vain,
I will never be the same
Without you, without you
I won't run, I won't fly
I will never make it by
Without you, without you
Alvin was tapping his leg to the beat as Eleanor pointed out, "He's got a great voice, huh?"
The others nodded as they smiled and continued watching Bruno's performance.
I can't rest, I can't fight
All I need is you and I,
Without you, without... You!
Oh oh oh
You you you
Without
You you you
Without you..
Can't erase, so I'll take blame
But I can't accept that we're
Estrange
Without you, without you
I can't quit now, this can't be right
I can't take one more sleepless night
Without you, without you
I won't soar, I won't climb
If you're not here I'm paralyzed without you, without you
I can't look, I'm so blind
Lost my heart, I lost my mind without you without... You!
Oh oh oh
You you you
Without
You you you
Without you..
Alex took threw down another shot and hunched himself over at the bar.
Bruno had a great voice, he'd admit that, but what was with the song?
Was he singing to Steph?
About Steph?
Was he hoping his great singing would somehow woe her over?
Little did he know Bruno was singing more about his passed mother than for Steph.
I am lost, I am vain,
I will never be the same
Without you, without you, WITHOUT YOU
Steph stood and applauded, sending Bruno's face a little pink as he smiled and took a small bow before sitting back on the lounge.
Theodore stared the compliments, "Wow, Bruno, your voice, it's actually really good"
Bruno took a mouthful of his drink and tilted his head a little, "Really?"
Theodore nodded, "Yeah, no joke"
Brittany nodded too, "Yeah, you've got this, um, kind of smooth voice that suits those soft R&B songs...I liked it" she smiled as Bruno's smile grew a little more.
Jeanette looked at Steph, "What about you? Gonna sing a song for us too?"
Steph smiled and sighed, hauling herself up out of the lounge, "Oh if I must" she laughed and pondered through the playlist, settling on Shania Twain's 'Man I feel like a woman'.
She called the Chipettes up, "Girls, I'm gonna need back up here"
The girls smiled and happily provided back up to Steph's quite suggestive rendition of the song.
After a few more solo and group songs, the girls decided they wanted to head back to the dance floor.
The guys opted to stay and have a sing off.
Alex headed down towards the ground level too, needing to make a bathroom break.
Bruno took the opportunity to take some time out and left the room, standing at the balcony overlooking the dance floor.
He held his drink in his hand and waved to the girls as they shimmied on the dance floor.
Steph looked up and decided now was a good time to see how Bruno was doing.
She danced all the way off the dance floor, up the stairs and came to lean on the balcony next to Bruno.
Nudging him and smiling she asked, "How you doin?"
Bruno laughed and nodded, holding his drink up, "I'm actually having a really great night" he took a drink and looked over at Steph, "Actually it's the first really great night out I've had for ages...I haven't felt this relaxed in ages too"
Steph smiled and rested her elbows on the balcony, tilting her head back, thus sticking her chest out, "I'm glad...I'm glad you're having a good night...and I hope Alex hasn't been a dickhead to you?"
Bruno shook his head, as Steph nodded, "Good, good to see you boys getting along then"
Steph turned back around and leant on the balcony railing, "So...your song choice...about anyone in particular?" she looked up at him.
Bruno nodded slightly, "Kinda how I feel about my mama...it always reminds me of her, ever since I first heard it" he looked at her and gave a small smile, "You remind me of her too you know"
Steph blushed, looking down at the dance floor, "Aw, really?" then she frowned and looked at him, "In a good way I hope?"
Bruno laughed, "Yeah, yeah...she was always so kind and was always there for me. She never judged anyone and had such a kind heart towards everyone. She'd do anything, for anyone" he looked at his hands, "And she was the only one who could help me control my anger" he looked over at Steph again, "Until you came along...Mama would've loved to meet you"
Steph laughed a little and sipped her drink, "A mother who'd actually love to meet me, hmm?"
She finished her drink and put the glass on the floor near her feet, "I wonder if I can get one of the girl's attention to get me a refill from up here" she leant forward over the railing trying to call out.
It was then her heel slipped and she felt herself fall forward, heading over the railing.
Bruno acted quickly, dropping his own glass to the floor and reaching one hand to grab Steph by the arm, the other he pushed down on the back on her thigh, leveraging her back to the balcony floor.
Once she had her footing back, Steph looked at Bruno, in a state of shock, "Oh %$# ...I could've...I mean...I'd have been" she looked over the edge and shut her eyes, opening them again to look at Bruno, who came and held her by the arms, "You ok? You need anything?"
Steph looked at him, "You saved my ass just then" she came in and hugged him tightly.
Bruno hugged her back and stoked her hair comfortingly.
She pulled back and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Thank you"
He looked a little taken aback by the gesture but managed a smile, "No problem"
Alex had since come back from the bathroom and had looked up and witnessed the whole aftermath on the balcony; the hug and the kiss, although from his angle, it had looked a little more incriminating, as if Steph and Bruno were making out up there.
Steph took a step back a laughed a little, "Whoa I need a drink after that" she started towards the stairs, looking back at Bruno, "You want anything?"
Bruno looked at his glass, spilt on the floor, "Sure, surprise me"
Steph laughed, "Ok then" and turned, heading down the stairs towards the bar.
Alex, meanwhile had come up the back stairs, thus missing Steph.
He marched over to Bruno and gave him a shove, "What the %$# man?"
Bruno looked at where Alex had shoved him and looked up, frowning, "What are you on about?"
Alex pointed at him, "Oh don't act all innocent, you making out with my girlfriend!"
Bruno raised an eyebrow, "What? We weren't making out!"
Alex shook his head, "Now you're %$# ing lying to me, I saw you, just now, don't deny it, you've been after her this whole %$# ing time"
Bruno rolled his eyes and turned, swiping his wrist band under the scanner, opening the door, "I'm not doing this Alex" and walked into the room.
Alex swiped in after him and shoved him, hard, "Just admit you've got something going on with Steph?"
Alvin stopped singing and he and the other guys looked between Alex and Bruno, trying to figure out what was going on.
Bruno closed his eyes and turned, trying desperately to keep himself calm.
His fists balled up in frustration as he opened his mouth to try and explain what had happened.
But Alex wasn't in the mood to listen and threw a punch into Bruno's jaw, sending him down to the ground.
"Get up! %$# ing get up!" Alex yelled, holding his fists up.
Bruno rubbed his face and glared at Alex, thinking, "Ok, you wanna play it this way then, fine by me" and got himself to his feet.
He swung out at Alex and added a swift kick to the side of Alex's leg, making him buckle and fall to one knee.
It was a fact Bruno hadn't yet told the group that he was a trained kick boxer.
Simon shoved Alvin, "Do something!"
Alvin looked at the two guys, "What do you want me to do Simon? Spray water on them?" he watched on in a panic, trying to think what to do.
Theodore just hid behind Alvin and Simon; he'd never liked confrontation.
Alex lashed out and threw a fury of punched at Bruno's head and torso.
Bruno managed to block most of the ones to his head, but copped a fair few to his upper arms and chest.
Alex threw another punch as Bruno grabbed his fist and twisted it, making Alex holler out and step back.
He looked up at Bruno, and each saw a different level of anger and determination in the other's eyes.
Bruno launched himself at Alex and brought him down on the ground, getting up quickly and kicking into his ribs; if Alex wanted to play dirty, he'd go beyond the expectation.
Alex howled in pain and rolled away, getting to his feet again and taking one look at Bruno, who was holding a defensive stance, and lowered his head and ran at Bruno, tackling him to the ground, where he sat up and lay a few more punches, making Bruno yell out.
Simon shoved Alvin forward, as Alvin looked at the fight unfolding before them, "Hey! Alex! Bruno! Guys, c'mon, quit it!" he turned to Simon and Theodore, "I'm not getting involved in that, no %$# ing way"
Steph and the girls came up carrying drinks; she'd just finished explaining the heroic story of how Bruno had pulled her back to safety.
She swiped her wrist band and pushed the door open.
Then she watched in horror at the scene presented before her eyes.
Alvin, Simon and Theodore were all huddled in the back corner near the karaoke machine while Bruno and Alex were rolling around laying into each other, covered in blood and sweat and not looking like they were going to stop.
The other girls stepped into the room and gasped as Steph dropped the glasses she was holding, "WHAT THE %$# IS GOING ON?"
The guys stopped mid punch of each other and looked at Steph.
Alex, who was under Bruno at this stage shoved him off and between panting for breath managed to stand and stumbled over to Steph, "Babe, let-"
She held her hands up, "Don't you %$# ing 'babe' me!" she stepped past him and stood in the middle of the two guys, "Someone better explain what's going on?"
Alex was about to open his mouth when Steph held her hand up, "No! I don't even wanna %$# ing hear it, Alex" she bundled her fists up and shook her head, "I am so disappointed and pissed off at you. Not only did you say you'd let all this jealous sh*t go, but you've gone and started a %$# ing fight!"
Alex looked at her then Bruno then lowered his head and closed his eyes ashamed.
Steph closed her eyes and stepped over to Bruno, "Don't think you're off the hook either, mister" she opened them and looked piercingly into his eyes, "I am equally disappointed and pissed off at you too...I thought you'd be able to rise above this bullsh*t...for your mama and for me" She said the last part only so Bruno himself would hear it.
Bruno didn't know what to say and instead just looked away from her.
She shook her head and held her hands up to it, "Why the %$# is it so hard for the two of you to get along?"
She looked back and forth between them; this time Bruno tried to reason with her, "Steph, look-"
She closed her eyes, and covered her ears, tears forming in her eyes, "I don't even wanna %$# ing know, this is your problem, you sort this sh*t out" she growled and headed towards the door, "I'm done" before she left she turned and addressed them all, "Happy %$# ing Birthday Steph" and headed out the club.
Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor bypassed the guys and came to stand next to the Chipmunks.
Eleanor, holding onto Theodore, asked "What happened?"
Alvin shook his head, "I don't even know...one minute we're singing the next Alex lashes out at Bruno...and then...it's on"
Alex looked at the others and then at Bruno before making a dash out the door, calling out, "Steph wait!"
Bruno looked to the others; his face screwed up in what appeared to be hurt and pain.
He yelled as he upturned the bar stools, sending them hurtling to the other side of the room and ran out of the club.
It took them a minute or two to register, but soon Alvin and Simon were bolting out the door; the other's following.
They ran out and looked up and down the street, Alvin stomping his foot, "%$# it! Where'd they all go?"
They looked again frantically, before Alvin slapped his fist in his other hand, "OK, girls, you go find Steph. Simon, Theo, go find Alex, try and find out his side of the story and figure out a way to calm him down" he breathed in, "I'll try and locate where Bruno's gone"
They all nodded and ran off in opposite directions.
