Chapter 6

Bass-heavy music filled the air as the door swung open into the dimly illuminated club. Teens bobbed to the rhythmic pulses on the dance floor, as others sat around tall tables or lounged on couches socializing. To Tara's left was a series of pool tables, where still more youth of Sunnydale joked and shot pool, guzzling cups of soda. This place was pretty crowded, but in a more casual, comfortable way than at school. As she followed Amy and Michael further into the Bronze, her eyes wandered over everything possible, ranging from the physical structure to the décor to the students themselves.

Michael led the way up a set of stairs to the club's upper level, which was reasonably more quiet and secluded than below. "So," the dark-clad young man said, dropping down on a deep red couch against one wall near the overlooking balcony, "what do you think?" Amy took a seat next to Michael, looking down over the crowd.

"I think, wow. I thought the Espresso Pump was pretty much the only place people went to hang out," Tara admitted. "My place is kinda close to this, I'm surprised I didn't know about it before."

Amy turned back to Tara, who sat in an overstuffed matching armchair opposite the couch. "The Bronze is one of the more choice night spots around here. The adults usually like the Espresso Pump at night, after they get out of work, so it's more common for us to head over here after dark."

Tara nodded. "You know, I had noticed that. About the high school students being a little more scarce at night, at work." She peered down as Amy had been doing, watching for a moment the almost hypnotizing motion of the dancing crowd. Shaking her head slightly as if to clear it, she turned her attention back to her friends. "So what do you two like to do, for fun?"

A smile tugged at Amy's lips. "Well, lots of things. We sometimes hang out here, and on Wednesday nights, the Sun plays these really cool old black-and-white monster movies from the 50s. They let everyone in for really cheap, too, so it's a good deal. Then sometimes we shop together…."

"There's a bunch of little shops on Main Street, I'm sure you've seen them," Michael added. "Since you work at the Espresso Pump and all, they're pretty close together. We like the shops better than the mall, usually. All the mall has going for it is Hot Topic."

"And lots of boys," Amy laughed, Michael nodding his head in amused agreement.

Tara grinned. "That sounds neat. The, the shops. I haven't had a lot of time to check them out yet, besides a couple of the second-hand stores where I bought stuff for my apartment. But I have tomorrow night off, too. Maybe we could all…? I mean, if you want to?"

"That sounds cool," Michael said agreeably. "We could show you some of the more interesting places to go. We know a couple of the owners of the better stores, 'cause we're kind of regulars there." He tilted his head questioningly, his dark brows drawing together. "Wait, your apartment?"

Tara bowed her head a bit, arms loosely folded around her middle, looking across at Michael, then Amy. "Yeah. I um, kind of moved here on my own. My mom…" the blonde sighed, "my mom passed away a couple years ago, and my dad, well, he's less than fun to be around, if you know what I mean." She absently rubbed at the little scar on her elbow, the last one he'd ever give her. "So, I um, pretty much took off. Had the money to make it this far, and I got a little place for myself. Cheap, small, but my own." She looked expectantly at the pair seated on the couch as music continued to thrum around them.

"Wow," Amy murmured. "That's amazing. You're really brave, Tara. I don't think I'd have the courage to take off like that as young as we are."

Michael gave a minute nod. "Yeah, completely. Amy's mom, um…." He turned to Amy, his lips forming a thin line, as if asking if she was ready to talk about it with Tara.

Amy swallowed, meeting Michael's gaze, then turning again to Tara. "My mom's gone now, too. It's been almost two years. My dad and mom weren't together then, hadn't been for a while, but he lives in Sunnydale, too. So I live with him now, but it still feels kind of weird to be there. We were never really close, so it's always sort of awkward and tense being there. That's why it's so good to have Michael," she smiled at the boy gratefully. "He's good at making me smile and getting me out of the house when it gets to be too much."

The Goth shrugged. "I do what I can."

Tara smiled reassuringly at the two friends. "I'm glad you have him, too." She was silent a moment, deciding how much to tell them. She didn't know them very well, but both of them had been really nice so far. She felt like she could trust them, which was a lot for her. It took a while before people could earn Tara's trust, since in the past most people she had trusted turned on her. "I … I didn't really have anybody. At school, everyone either teased me or completely ignored me. I didn't fit there, n-not with anybody. I felt really alone most of the time, and at home things were even worse. That, that's part of the reason I left. I didn't really have a way out, besides this."

"Well, you're here now. Amy and me, we look out for each other," Michael said. "And now we'll look out for you, too." Amy nodded happily, glad her social circle had broadened ever so slightly.

Tara brightened, somewhat in awe that she had been accepted so fully. It was really amazing to have actual friends. New territory, but very welcome.