Are we really doing this?

It went by fast, but somehow, we were on our way to a club called HUE sf in a stretched limo with bottles of wine and glasses along the window. I felt so out of place with them—Rachel had her little black dress, Chloe had her ripped jeans and tank top. How she looked now reminded me of her old clothes, making me feel a little nostalgic. Even the jacket was the same one from before!

She found bottles of beer in the mini fridge under the dangling wine glasses, cracking one open right away. We watched as she chugged it down, tossed it, and then break another one open. Rachel's mouth hung open, holding onto Chloe's shoulders as she chugged the bottle down.

"Baby, baby," Rachel reached, hesitant, to the bottle and put it to the side by her feet, "We're not at the place yet. Wouldn't want you to pass out before we get inside."

I was cowering into the corner in the seats across from them, trying so hard to hide into the crevice of the door and seat. I was so uncomfortable with knowing I was not fitting in with them. I should just go... I had no reason to be here. I tried to decline her, but somehow, I don't remember, she convinced me to go along.

"Now, Max," Rachel came over to me, pulling me off the door, "You're going to be okay. Just give it a shot tonight and you'll never have to do this again."

I'm so nauseous. I'm ready to hurl all over this limo...

I've done many presentations and gone to crowds, I should be okay. My heart was going a mile a minute. "I'm willing to try!" I forced out. In a drunken state, even Chloe wasn't convinced. Rachel comforted me by rubbing my shoulders, smiling and patting me on the back.


Just like any other club, it had long lines, bright lights, and two tall bouncers guarding the door. Everyone was dressed in their best looks for the night out; there were some I recognized from school. It was random to go to such a place in the middle of the week, although everyone might be stressed or just want to forget everything for a moment. Or, they just love to party and that was also a valid reason. Rachel was leading the way and strutting with upmost confidence, while Chloe and I followed behind her like her groupie—she had to lean on me for support.

Stay cool. Stay cool. No one's looking at me.

"Rachel Amber!"
"Holy shit it's Rachel!"
"I love you Rachel!"

All eyes were on her. She waved at everyone and posed for pictures as we followed behind. My eyes couldn't help but start to look down her body, guiding me to the giant dragon tattoo on her leg. I'm sorry Chloe, but holy shit... I looked up at Chloe after, who had a confident grin on her face. She was proud of her girlfriend and I knew that grin meant as dominance over everyone around us. As for me, I was just trying my best.

She went up to the guards, both men were tall and incredibly muscular, and she crossed her arms, "Need an ID?"

They looked at each other, looked at her, looked at us, and then shook their heads. They opened the double doors for us, and inside, it was already packed, lit by blue light, and loud music poured out. We all walked in, nodding our thanks to them.

On the inside, my heartbeat was somehow louder and harder than the music filling the room. It vibrated through my feet and I could barely think one whole thought. This is a lot... This music could kill someone's hearing. I would've never brought myself here alone or just with Chloe. I stuck out like a sore thumb in this scene, sidestepping around everyone in my sneakers. Everyone was dressed so well and carefree.

"Max!" Rachel called out and grabbed my hands. "Dance with me!"

She caught me before I could run to the bar for food. With Rachel dragging me and Chloe pushing me, I couldn't go anywhere. I was guided blindly, everyone glowing in the blue lights, the hard bass hitting against my ear drums, and the shakiness of my legs were overwhelming. I took deep breaths. I've only been to one party like this and it was the Vortex Club party in Blackwell, and even that was a lot. Rachel and Chloe started to dance along to the music; their energy exerted onto me. I tried to copy their movements, their raised and waving arms and their swaying hips. Eventually, Chloe and Rachel were on each other, hands tangled in hair, bumping and grinding hips, and fingertips gliding over bare skin.

Some random girls did the same to me in a drunken haze, but I was gravitating away from the middle of the dance floor towards VIP seating and the bar. I finally escaped, getting on a bar stool at the end. My head hung down lazily, exhaling loudly as I got myself back together again. My breath and fingers were shaky as I tried to calm myself down. Breathe in. Breathe out. Come on...

The bar was full of alcoholic drinks, cups, and nozzles, all the while there was a door behind the tender was for the food. The wall was covered in bottles and white light.

"Hey, are you okay?!" The lady behind the bar asked me, her voiced raised just enough. Barely, I could see the worry in her eyes. Yes, I'm fine. Yeah, I'm fine.

"I'm fine. It's my first time in a club." I responded. My words were barely audible to myself.

"You can stay here for a bit." She told me. I smiled and nodded, but I was sure she couldn't see me. My eyes darted around. Drunk women were on stages and platforms, dancing against each other, VIP was full of men and barely dressed women dancing on them, and Rachel and Chloe, who were still dancing with each other. I don't understand how people could have fun here.

My attention went back to the bartender, seeing her outline in the white light. She had a pony tail, large hoop earrings, and a low, cleavage-revealing shirt. I blinked and squinted my eyes at her. By leaning over closer, the person was starting to become familiar to me. Did I know this person? Wait...

My eyes opened so large, it felt like they were bulging out my head. "Dana, is that you?!"

She got closer to me too. She had to take a minute to figure me out too, squinting and trying so hard to see. She fell back and gasped, "Max, oh my god!"

"When did you move here?!"

"I moved last month! I'm living with a new boyfriend right now and he always wanted to live in San Francisco!" Dana spoke to me as she made some colorful drinks. She hadn't changed much in a year. Her style was still the same and she was still a friendly person. Looking closer, there had to be a tattoo on her arm.

"Anyway," she slammed her hands down, leaning over and giving me an eyeful down her shirt, "Do you want to eat something? Can't let you drink!"

"Can I get one of everything?" I asked her. Rachel gave me some money in case this happened. By some, about two hundred.

"No problem!" She said, "One order of fries, nachos, wings, and mozzarella sticks coming up!"

The statement alone brought me back to life.


It was three AM. I wish I was able to talk to Dana more, but it was a busy night for her and she couldn't find time to talk for a few minutes. I almost forgot where I was from seeing her and eating so much. Instead, I finished eating and sat outside on the curb with my phone. The line was gone, the music was muffled, and the bouncers were talking about what to do tomorrow. Nights are pretty nice. Too bad I always miss it for staying inside.

"Max, there you are," Rachel messed with my hair, now out of the ponytail, "We thought you would be inside still." Chloe was depending on her, arm around her shoulders and leaning to keep her stable. She looked gone.

"I ate and left," I stood up again, dusting off my pants, "Is there a place open at this time?"

Now I remember what I was missing. That was the most food I've eaten in a while and I was ready to eat more. I don't even know where the food went! My stomach is an endless pit.

"Sure," Rachel chuckled at me, amused yet so disappointed in me. Rachel was tired, eyes droopy and words slowly but surely slurring together, but she helped her near-unconscious girlfriend to the limo parked on the side of the road. Opening the door, Rachel practically threw Chloe in.

"Excuse me, driver," Rachel walked to the window, knocking on it, "We need to go somewhere to eat. Can you find one for us?"

"Yes, ma'am, hop in!"

We did so, sitting on the side closer to the driver, as Chloe took up the whole seat to lie down. I can't complain. She really needs this. Rachel was next to me, leaning on me and resting her head on my shoulder.

"Oh Max," she said with a sigh, "I guess you needed to eat something fattening."

It was obvious I loved two things: taking pictures and coffee. If you asked me a year ago what I liked, I would have just said pictures. Although, I finally had food in my system again, so for now, I changed it from coffee to food.

"College did that to me." I professed. It was a good excuse.

"Honestly, better to be addicted to food than anything else." She chuckled, yawning and lifting her head off me.

"You're not gonna sleep?"

"Nope, I still have some fuel in me. That's just the model in me."

"Your body thinks it's working on modelling?"

She snorted, shaking her head, "Guess so."

"At least you had fun, right?"

"Chloe's so touchy. I hate that she's drunk, but I don't think her moves would be different if she was sober." She fell back on her seat, hitting her head on the rest, but not caring. "Did you see her hands? They were trying so hard to get into my dress."

"Was Chloe always like that?"

"I've been gone for nearly a year, she's hungry. Or, thirsty, as people say now."

"Sorry, I hate asking about your romantic life."

"Don't even! It's whatever. She hates talking about it, hearing about it too. So, I love to talk about it."

She looked at me like she was expecting me to ask more. I mean... should I? She clearly wants me to, but I'm their friend and now living with both of them! It's so weird to think about!

"Was it weird to see Chloe drink like that?" I looked towards Chloe, who was half on the seats and half on the floor. I had to change it before I pass out from thinking too much.

"Yeah..." her hands gravitated down, sighing heavily, "Thank god she didn't get any more but... it was just two, but she did it like it was water. Like, she was used to it." Should I tell her? She's already upset from seeing a small part of it. I shouldn't. It's too much.

"At least she stopped," I put my arm around her shoulders, pulling her in, "She never stopped when I tried." I felt like that was too much information.

She looked at me and had a tired smile, "This conversation's over, yeah?"

I couldn't reply, nodding.


We ended up at a McDonald's, a place just for drunk, high, or both people. The bright sign of the golden arches shined down at us through the window, filling me with excitement.

Fuck healthy food, this was what I wanted.

"You really want to eat here?" Rachel blinked up at the sign, yawning and groaning.

I nodded, swinging the door open. "I don't know about you, but I'm getting fries."

"Just give me ten minutes," she switched seats to Chloe's side, "I'm gonna try to wake her up."

"She might be out completely. It happens a lot on Saturdays."

She looked defeated. Even I remembered Chloe chugging those bottles down. "I',m still gonna try."

I left the car and walked in alone. There was something dystopian about going into shops and restaurants so early and so dark outside. Like, "I'm not supposed to here, yet here I am." There weren't any customers and there were only two workers. It had its typical gray-and-red color scheme, TV menus, and comfortable cylinder seats. Everything was definitely slightly creepier.

"You okay?" The cashier asked me.

"I came from the club." I sighed.

"I get it," She stopped me immediately, "What would you like?"

"I have a feeling my friends won't be able to leave the car, so I need about four large fries, fifty chicken nuggets, and three Big Macs."

"Would you like a drink?"

"Three Sweet Teas in your biggest cup."

I looked behind me and Rachel finally walked in, but she was fully aware and awake. Judging by Chloe not being next to her, she was unsuccessful in waking her up.

"Oh, my god, Rachel Amber?" The employees both stared in awe. Rachel was near fainting, but she still smiled and nodded.

"Yep, that's me. I'm hella tired, I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine! It's fine! We're happy to serve you at all."

"Max, what did you order?" She asked me, placing her hand on my shoulder.

"So, you want four large fries, fifty chicken nuggets, three Big Macs, and three large sweet teas." The employee named off.

Rachel turned around to reach into her bra and take money out.

"It's super late, can I just give a hundred?" She lazily handed the dollar over.

"You know what, this order's on us. No need to pay." The employees haven't stopped smiling so big. Yup, Rachel Amber's standing in your restaurant.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! Please, take a seat."

We thanked them for the free meal and took a seat at the nearest table. I noticed she was trudging barefoot.

"Oh, thank god," she fell into her seat with a hard thud, I'm barely living right now."

"Is Chloe out cold?"

"She woke up to give me the worst kiss of our relationship and then passed out again."

"I can only imagine."

"It was so slobbery and she almost missed completely."

That was the best drunk-Chloe-reaction I've heard. Chloe was unpredictable, constantly switching between being very depressed and a giggly mess, when drunk. The former was often, bringing whole packs and boxes home, only to be gone in the same night. I should tell her, but Rachel's so tired...

I sat down with her and started talking about something else, like how her shoes were gone. She laughed at that, at least.


Back home, we had to take two trips: one for Chloe and one for food. Rachel and I had to carry her, dragging her feet on the ground, to the apartment and throw her into bed. Luckily, the driver stayed put while we were figuring it out. When we tucked Chloe into bed, we changed into our pajamas, sat on the couch, and channel-surfed on TV. With only the kitchen light on, it felt like a night a college student should have.

"Oh, hey," I leaned over my crossed legs to grab some fries. "Do you remember Dana?"

"Dana Ward? Oh yeah, I loved her! She was so friendly and such a good dancer. How can I forget my fellow actress?" Rachel brighten up from the mere mention.

"She was actually the bartender at the club. She hasn't changed at all!"

"No fucking way, we have to go back. I need to see her again. She was the one that gave you all the food there?"

"Yeah, I wanted one of everything." I chewed on a chicken nugget. It tasted pretty good, though this food is taking the cake.

"Anything to pass the time, I guess." She continued to eat, chuckling into her burger.

Should I tell her now? She's feeling better. It's really late, though! She doesn't have enough energy to hear something like it. Could she handle hearing about Chloe and her drinking problem?

"You fucking hated being there, huh?" Rachel asked as she sipped her drink.

I was taken aback at first. The way it was worded, my mind immediately thought she meant it in an aggressive and mean way. My heart hurt, like it missed a couple beats, and words were caught in my mouth. I had to take deep breaths, convince myself she wasn't mad.

"You okay?" She put her food down and grabbed me, feeling my cheeks and looking into my eyes. "Did I say something?"

"N-no, I'm fine." I put her hands down, "I didn't hate it. I had fun, but it was a lot too fast." My body was ready to shut down, but it was expected. I hope she doesn't think I really did hate it.

"I should've started small." She shook her head, rolling her eyes as if she was mad at herself.

"Do you believe me?"

"I believe you," Rachel grabbed one of the containers of fries, "I'll just try harder next time."