Chapter: 2
Eight hours later after deboarding, collecting their luggage, and a taxi ride; Regan slid the magnetic key into the slot of their presidential suite and swung the door open for all of them to enter. It was lavish, and spacious. There was a full kitchen, dining area, wet bar, parlor, and two bedrooms. One was the master bedroom complete with King sized bed and jacuzzi bath, while the other was just a simple bed room with two Queen sized beds, and it's own bathroom. A large balcony was included, with screens to keep bugs out. In the taxi over the girls had decided sleeping arrangements. Regan and Betsy would take the master bed; of course. Tabby would bunk with Alison, and Kitty would bunk with Jubilee. The girls separated into their respective rooms and began unpacking.
Betsy flopped onto the king size bed, her purple tresses sprawled out against the white quilt. She stretched and yawned loudly. "One hell of trip that was." She said.
Regan was already beginning to sort through her luggage. She threw articles of clothing this way and that, trying to find the outfit she was looking for. "Well don't get too comfy. We've got dinner at Cafe Martinique in an hour, then drinks and dancing at Aura."
Betsy rolled over on her side, her head propped by her elbow. "Made the reservations in advance, have we?" She asked.
Regan grinned at her as she pulled out an Aidan Mattox cocktail dress, and YSL shoes. "You know I'm nothing if not prepared." She answered.
"Right-oh." Betsy nodded as she rolled over and got to her feet. "I'm gonna pop out for a fag." She called over her shoulder as she headed out the bedroom door.
Kitty entered immediately after Betsy's exit. "What's the plan for tonight?" She asked.
Regan answered without looking up from her task of unloading her numerous beauty products. "Dinner at Martinique in an hour, then drinks and dancing at Aura." She stopped for a moment when a thought occurred to her. She looked up at Kitty and added. "And for the love of god can you please convince Jubilee to wear something less, tacky?"
Kitty snorted a laugh. "I'll try but you know how she dresses."
Regan pulled a face. "Then at least see if Alison will lend her something. If I have to look at her all night I'd rather it not hurt my eyes."
Kitty shrugged, a broad smile still on her face. "I can but try." She said before turning to leave. Regan figured it was a slim chance that Jubilee would borrow an outfit from Ali. Oh well, as long as she had enough sense not to wear that damn trench coat Regan could live with whatever hideous ensemble she would undoubtedly don for the evening.
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An hour later, six smartly dressed teen-age mutants were seated in the lavishly styled Cafe Martinique. Regan; looking like a fashion model straight from a magazine. Alison; dressed in a simple but stylish white three-quarter sleeve top, black trousers, and black pumps; her wavy blond locks falling in cascades around her face and down her back. Kitty; in a red Bebe dress that actually showed off her figure, complete with open-toed wedge heels; her chestnut brown hair pulled back in a wind-swept ponytail. Tabby; still Gothic in style of hair and makeup, and still wearing black, but at least her black dress was modest; even if her spike heels were not. Betsy; looking like a much sluttier version of Audrey Hepburn, with a slit up her little black dress so far it reached mid thigh, and her purple locks pulled up away from her face. And finally Jubilee; whom, much to Regan's surprise, had managed to find a stylish pink strapless empire-waist dress. However the obnoxious, silver, sequent heels she was sporting still managed to solicit some disapproval.
They were in the middle of surveying their menus when the waiter approached the table. He was a young man, probably somewhere in his late twenties. He wasn't really Regan's type, but Jubilee and Kitty seemed to find him rather attractive. "Can I start you ladies off with something to drink?" He asked taking out his notepad.
Regan started first. "Dirty Martini." She answered flatly not bothering to look up from the menu. Betsy followed with a Vodka tonic, Alison and Tabby continued each with a Margarita and Kitty with a Pina-colada. Finally Jubilee, who couldn't seem to make up her mind, settled on a Mojito. The waiter stared at them for a moment his eyes narrowed. Then he asked the question they all knew was coming.
"Can I see some ID please." He asked bluntly.
Regan shot a look at Betsy. "Bets a little help here." She mumbled.
Betsy turned to stare into the eyes of the waiter. Reaching out with her telepathic mind she gently pushed a suggestion into his head. An energy signature resembling a purple butterfly flashed around her eyes for a split second then disappeared. The waiter blinked several times and suddenly flashed the girls a broad smile.
"I'll be right back with those drinks." He said pleasantly, before turning to head for the bar.
"Nicely done." Regan said and winked at Betsy.
Kitty shrugged. "I guess it is handy to have a telepath around."
Betsy's grin resembled the Cheshire Cat. "Init though."
Jubilee bit nervously at her lip and spoke up. "You think we should be doing this. I mean I don't think Professor X would appreciate you using your powers for underage drinking."
Betsy tuned her head away from Jubilee so the girl wouldn't see her rolling her eyes. Regan had supress the urge to do the same. Instead she simply glanced down the table at the irritating Asian. "Professor X isn't here." She remarked shortly.
Jubilee, unshaken by Regan's tone persisted. "But what if he's watching us right now? You know like on Cerebro or something." She asked her voice taking on a whining edge.
Alison decided to diffuse the tension by adding. "I'm sure the professor has better things to use Cerebro for than watching a bunch of teenage girls on spring break."
"God I hope so." Tabby interjected nose still buried in the menu.
Tabby's trademark randomness sent Regan and Betsy into a peel of laughter that had Kitty and Alison soon joining in. Tabby managed a small smirk at her own statement. Jubilee still wore a look of worry but it quickly faded once the waiter returned to set the Mojito in front of her.
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Once the group was well into their meals Regan lifted what was left of her Martini for a cheers. She cleared her throat loudly so the other girls would get the hint. Each of them raised their respective drinks one after the other. When Regan was certain she had their full attention she started a toast.
"Here's to fun in the sun, and week in paradise." She started with a toothy grin. "Drink up ladies, the fun is just beginning."
"Cheers luv." Betsy chimed in before chugging down the rest of her Vodka tonic.
"Here here." Alison and Kitty said in unison.
"Hurray." Tabby added in her usual monotone.
"This is so much fun." Jubilee finished, sounding a little slap-happy. "And this is really tasty." She said pointing at her drink. "What's in a Mojito?" She asked.
"Rum." Tabby answered, as she continued to eat her meal.
"Rummmm." Jubilee echoed, holding the the m at the end of the word a little longer. "Rum is yummy." She took another swig from the glass and then returned to eating the seafood dish she had ordered. "And this fish is delicious. Rum and fish, I wonder if they make a fish entree with rum." It was obvious to the other girls that Jubilee was now talking to herself.
Regan leaned over spoke quietly into Alison's ear. "How many of those has she had?"
Alison turned her head to whisper back at Regan. "Only one." She answered pulling an incredulous face.
Regan was now even more grateful that Kitty and Alison were on the vacation. At least when Jubilee inevitably made an ass of herself they would be there to deal with it. She let Kitty and Alison continue their conversation and turned back to speak with Betsy.
"So same game plan as usual when we get to Aura?" She asked.
Betsy cocked an eyebrow at her blond companion. "You think you can keep up?"
Regan pointed a finger at Betsy to accent her next statement. "I told you I was going to beat you one day, and tonight's the night."
"If you say so mate." Betsy stated leaning back in her chair and signaling the waiter for another drink.
It had been Regan's ambition to drink Betsy under the table since they'd become best friends back in sophomore year. So far the undisputed champion was still Betsy.
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An hour later the girls had finished with dinner and were well into dancing the night away at Aura. The hard pulsing beats of the techno music and swirling lights had put them all in a celebratory mood; except of course for Tabby, who's face still displayed no trace of enthusiasm. Betsy and Regan were seated at the bar slamming down their third shot of Patrone. Regan winced at the bitter taste of the alcohol and the burning sensation it caused running down her throat. She quickly bit into the lime wedge in her hand to chase the bitter taste away. Betsy had taken her shot without so much as a grimace. They placed their empty shot glasses on the bar surface. Betsy was starting to look a little blurry to Regan.
"Looky here." She slurred to her purple haired friend, and pointed at herself. "I'm gonna out drink you if isss' the last thing I do."
"Oi luv, if ya do, I reckon it will." Betsy replied. Whenever Betsy drank her accent always got thicker. She picked up the pint of dark lager she'd ordered and chugged a few swigs from it.
Kitty sat one seat over from Betsy at the bar, nursing a Corona and laughing at the ridiculous contest between her two companions. Tabby was standing on the outskirts of the dance floor sipping a Miller Light and bobbing her head to the music. Alison and Jubilee were cutting up a rug on the dance floor with dozens of other tourists. Alison had wisely decided to forgo any further alcoholic beverages and was riding the high of the energetic music as she danced. Jubilee however was on her fifth froufrou drink, currently a Blue Hawaiian, and dancing with wild motions as if in the throws of a seizure.
Back at the bar Regan turned her blurry vision back to the bartender. "Two more." She said holding up two fingers. Whether it was intended for her to understand how many she had ordered or for the bartender to understand; Regan wouldn't have been able to say in her inebriated state. Betsy realized that Regan was getting in over her head and signaled the bartender herself.
"Nevr' mind mate she'll 'ave a water." Betsy said pointing to Regan.
"Bitch don't tell me what I'll..." Regan started, but Betsy put her hand over Regan's mouth.
"Luv, you need water." Betsy chuckled. "Don't argue."
Regan rolled her eyes and relented. "Fine." She said, but address the bartender again. "But I want expensive bottled water, not that shit from the tap."
The bartender narrowed his eyes in annoyance. "Got it, no shit from the tap." He repeated.
Betsy needed a cigarette. She turned to Kitty and pointed over her shoulder at Regan. "Watch her yeah?" She asked.
Kitty smiled, amused that even drunk Regan could be a bitch. "Sure." She replied.
Betsy slipped out the back entrance of the bar to the pool and lit up a smoke. As Kitty watched her leave she noticed Tabby walking toward her. "Check out the Asian persuasion." Tabby said, pointing with her thumb over her shoulder.
Kitty glanced over her friends shoulder to see Jubilee was still bopping to the energetic music on the dance floor. The scene wouldn't have caused her alarm if Jubilee hadn't been firing off sparks from the tips of her fingers in time with the music. Kitty quickly rushed out onto the dance floor and grabbed a hold of her friend. She hoped that none of the tourists had noticed Jubilee's show off of her mutant powers.
"Jubes, wha cha doin?" Kitty asked. She kept a smile on her face so as not to look suspicious.
Jubilee pulled an annoyed face that Kitty had stopped her from dancing. "Oh come on Kitty, I was just having fun." She whined.
"We've talked about this Jubes, no using mutant powers capable of attracting attention in public." Kitty reiterated.
Jubilee rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah well what about Ali?" She asked pointing across the dance floor. Kitty turned to see Alison on the opposite end of the floor, twirling what appeared to be glow-sticks for a group of drunk tourists. Kitty was glad that the group was too drunk to realize that it wasn't glow-sticks Alison was twirling, but rather two colored lights she had produced from the music. At least she was making it convincing.
She shrugged as she turned back to face Jubilee. "Well Ali's power is more...functional." She answered trying to save face.
"Pfffff, whatever." Jubilee retorted. Suddenly the color on her face drained and her hand shot up to cover her mouth. She stifled a gag and managed to choke out. "Bathroom?"
Kitty looked around scanning for the nearest restroom to point Jubilee toward, but when she looked back to the spot beside her she saw that the other girl had already rushed off. She noticed a pink blur rushing out the back door.
Jubilee burst out the back door of the club to see Betsy still smoking a cigarette. She was definitely looking green around the gills. "B-bets, where's the bathroom?" She stuttered. Betsy pointed to a facility to the left of the pool. Jubliee dashed off in the aforementioned direction. A moment later Kitty ran out of the club.
"I saw Jubilee come out here, where'd she go?" She asked.
Betsy pointed to the bathroom, knowing full well exactly what had caused Jubilee to rush off. "She's yacking inta toilet."
"Awww poor Jubes, we shouldn't have let her drink so much." Kitty stated sympathetically.
Betsy took a last puff from her cigarette before crushing it out. "Yeah she's proper shit-faced. So is Regan. Better call it a night yeah?" She said.
Kitty nodded. "Good call. I'll get Jubliee, you round up Ali, Tabby, and Regan."
Upon entering the ladies room Kitty could hear the sickening sound of someone retching into one of the toilets. She stooped down to look under the stall doors and saw Jubilee's obnoxious silver pumps in the third stall. She knocked on the stall door and called to her friend.
"Hey Jubes you okay?" She asked.
Jubilee stopped retching for a second to answer. "Rum is awful! Why the hell do they put it in drinks?"
Kitty had to stop herself from laughing at her friends misfortune. "You know Rum wasn't the only alcohol you had tonight." She pointed out. "You also had Tequila, Vodka, and Gin."
"I'm never drinking again!" Jubilee moaned.
Kitty knocked again trying to get Jubilee to snap out it. "Come on Jubes, we're gonna go back to the room, you can sleep it off."
A few seconds later Jubilee opened the stall door. She didn't look as green but her eyes were watery and some of her hair was plastered to her forehead by sweat. Kitty slung one of Jubilee's arms over her shoulder and guided her out of the bathroom and into the bar. She met up with Tabby and Ali, and watched as Betsy dragged Regan away from the bar.
The girls stumbled their way through the foyer to the elevators. Once back in the suite Kitty helped Jubliee to bed, followed by Ali and Tabby. Betsy helped an unsteady Regan into the master bedroom and deposited her onto the king sized bed. By that point Regan was slurring unintelligibly. Betsy couldn't wait to rub in her face the next morning. Regan pulled the covers over herself and was asleep within seconds. Betsy flopped down onto the bed and a moment later was snoring away.