Chapter 4: Club Zero

Gemma and James stood awkwardly off to the side of the dance floor as they watched Nicky(who they thought was Alex) dance up on a few different girls. He wasn't acting like the Alex they knew nor was he dressing like him. Nicky was wearing a blue polo shirt with a pair of white-washed jeans and blue converse. Suddenly, Nicky left the girl he had been dancing with and came over to Gemma and James.

"Come on, you guys. Don't just stand there!" He yelled over the loud music, the flashing strobe lights hiding his slight drunkeness.

Nicky grabbed Gemma's wrists and pulled her out into the middle of the dance floor where he left her. Gemma looked around awkwardly for a way out but she found none. That's when Alex(who she thought was Nicky) appeared in front of her.

"Hey." Alex said with a smile.

He had just watched his drunk brother drag Gemma out onto the dance floor and had decided to come rescue her. Gemma looked Alex up and down curiously, her arms crossed over her chest. She was shocked at what she saw. He was wearing a black ACDC t-shirt, a pair of loose jeans and black DCs.

"What do you want?" Gemma asked, raising her eyebrows.

"I just...you want to dance?" Alex was surprised at what he had just said.

"Are you serious? Why would I want to dance with you?"

"Just give me a chance. What could it hurt?"

Gemma glanced over at Nicky, who was grinding up on yet another girl, and then back at Alex. For some reason, the thought of dancing with this new punk-looking Nicky intrigued her.

"Fine. But I swear, if this is some sick joke, I'll kick your ass into your senior year." Gemma snapped as she began to move her hips slowly from side to side, easing into the dancing.

Dancing wasn't really one of Gemma's strong points, in fact, she was a terrible dancer. And the only one who knew that was Alex. That's why Gemma just moved from side to side awkwardly, trying to keep her distance from who she thought was Nicky. Alex moved up close to her, putting his hands on her hips and guided her into swaying to the music beat.

"Just relax." Alex whispered to Gemma, "Close your eyes and feel the music. Like when your performing. Let it flow through your body."

Gemma closed her eyes, draping her arms gently around Alex's neck as his hands guided her hips from side to side. She listened only to the beat of the music and let herself be lost in Alex's touch.

"That's it. Just relax. Let your body sing like your voice. Let yourself flow like your fingers across your guitar." Alex whispered into Gemma's ear as hers and his body moved closer together, without actually touching.

Gemma listened to Alex's words and felt as if the real Alex was dancing with her instead of Nicky. She felt herself move smoothly with the music and Alex's hands as her guides. Though hers and Alex's bodys didn't touch, there was an emotioinal connection between the two. Nicky had always come across to Gemma as a guy more attracted to physical appearances and just physical actions all togehter, but what was happening right then changed everything she thought of him. He was more sensative and insightful. And Gemma felt like he knew everything about her. Her every thought, every dream, and every fear. Gemma opened her eyes and locked eyes with Alex. Her heart skipped a beat. This was Nicky she was dancing with, not Alex(or so she thought), and it didn't feel right. She pulled away from Alex, finally coming to her senses.

"I-I have to go." Gemma stammered before pushing her way through the thick crowd and running out the front door of the club to the sidewalk, where she sat down on the curb.

A few seconds later Alex came running out of the club as well. He spotted Gemma sitting on the curb and sat down next to her.

"Gem, what's wrong? I thought we were having a good time."

"Don't call me Gem, Nicky. Only your brother can call me that. Only him." Gemma snapped, not looking at Alex as she ran her fingers through her hair.

"Okay, Gemma, what's wrong?" Alex sounded as if what she said was no big deal, but inside he felt his heart smile.

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Because you'll find some way to use it against me. That's why. I don't even know why you wanted to dance with me in the first place."

"I won't ever use what you're going to say against you. And the reason I wanted to dance with you is because you're beautiful and a great person." Alex couldn't believe what he was saying. Why were the words suddenly coming so easily?

Gemma laughed, leaning back on her palms, and stared at Nicky, "Quit screwing around with me. I'm the farthest thing from 'beautiful', you don't know anything about me, and do you really want to know what my problem is?"

Alex nodded.

"Well," Gemma stared up at the star-scattered sky to avoid making eye contact with whom she thought was Nicky, "I was starting to have feelings for you when we were out there dancing and it scared me to death. I got to thinking, how can I have feelings for my best friend's brother? I like Alex, a lot. And I'm not talking about as just a best friend either. But lately Alex has changed and when we were dancing just then, I felt like I was falling head over heels for you instead of him. And I can't take that. It's just too confusing."

Alex stared at Gemma, his jaw partialy open. He couldn't believe. All this time Gemma had liked him. Really liked him. A few minutes passed in silence and finally Alex just laughed. Laughed. He was so happy and relieved that it just slipped out. Gemma jumped up and glared at Alex.

"God damn it Nicky! I just knew you weren't going to take this seriously. Now you're probably going to go and tell all your stupid friends, making me a big freakin joke!"

Gemma turned her back to Alex and stormed off, crossing her arms over her chest. She kept scolding herself for even believing she could trust Nicky. Nicky of all people.

"Gemma wait." Alex ran after her.

"Why should I? So you can laugh at me again? Or so you can make some lame comment?"

"No." Alex stopped a few feet away as Gemma turned to face him, her face was hidden in the shadows so he only had the tone in her voice to tell her emotions, "I want to say I'm sorry. I really am. You just caught me off guard."

"Whatever, Nicky. Just go back to your friends and leave me alone. I don't know what you're trying pull, coming off all nice and sweet to me when just last night you were ready to have your buddy choke me to death."

Alex remained silent. What could he say to that that wouldn't give him away? Gemma stared at him for a few moments before turning and walking off. This time, Alex didn't follow her. He just stood there and watched as she disappeared around the corner.

End of Chapter