The Penguin had once owned the Iceberg Lounge. However, by 2074, ownership had transferred to a distant relative—the Penguin's great-something nephew. Unfortunately, none of the patrons who came to the Lounge cared enough about the genealogy of Gotham's infamous criminal family tree.
They just appreciated the Lounge was still one of the most incredible adult nightclubs. The teens had their hot spots, but for adults? It'd always been The Iceberg Lounge. You did have to be eighteen or older to enter. Yet they still wouldn't serve alcoholic drinks to anyone below twenty-one.
Currently, two female college students sat at a table nearest to the synthetic iceberg. They happily enjoyed the seals frolicking about in the water. At the same time, the curly-haired blond seemed delighted to be dressed up. Her black hair green-eyed companion certainly did not.
The blond wore a light green dress with bell sleeves and a Bardot neckline. Her makeup and accessories were both flawless. Her impressive figure also caught a lot of attention from the male patrons.
Her friend, on the other hand? She, as clear as the water surrounding the iceberg, wasn't comfortable being dressed up. She was wearing an impressive iris purple dress with a light black overlay on the skirt. She kept squinting her striking green eyes and muttering something. Finally, her friend gave her a light jab. "Bryce! Please! Stop! You know how crucial tonight is to me!"
"I understand the reason why Cora. However, isn't nineteen a little young to become engaged? Also, I've repeatedly told you I don't like dressing up. Plus, you know my eyes can't tolerate contact lenses. At least, let me take them out and put my glasses back on," her best friend begged her.
Cora let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine, you can put your glasses back on. But don't wipe off your makeup! Again, it's of the essence. We both look perfect tonight!"
"Fine, I'll not get rid of the makeup. But thank you for letting me put my glasses back on," as the nineteen-year-old made her way to the powder room. Taking a deep breath, she removed the irritating contacts. She then pulled out of her handbag the case for her glasses. She did have a few different pairs. This one was her 'formal' style glasses.
Occasionally, Bryce wondered how she and her best friend could be opposites. Bryce had always been more of a badass lass who loathed feminine stuff. Cora, on the other hand? She worshiped all things girly. Yet, they'd been best friends since before they could walk. Bryce supposed it had to do with Cora's mother, Melanie had once dated her father, Terry. But, unfortunately, it hadn't worked out between them.
However, things changed once Melanie gave up crime and became a model citizen. Melanie and her older brother Jack had left law-breaking behind them. They ultimately saved enough to open their own restaurant called "The Blue Diamond."
It was an incredibly high-class establishment. However, their business partner William Conroy had entered into a relationship with Melanie at some point. Long story short? They'd gotten married and had Cora. And well? The rest was history.
Despite their different personalities, they'd been together through thick and thin. Cora and her mother were the only people in on Bryce's family secret. Her father, Terry, had confided in Melanie at one point. So yep, both kept their lips sealed. At any rate, the girls were hoping tonight would be a big night. Finally, satisfied she could wear her glasses, Bryce returned to the table.
Her best friend's nerves were getting the better of her. Whenever Cora was anxious, she couldn't stop swinging her right leg, which was going a mile a minute. "Cora, please calm down! If Hugh truly cares about you, I'm sure tonight will go well even if he doesn't propose. Again you've only been dating a year and a half!"
"Then WHY would he set up a date here? Also, why would he insist you come along?"
"I don't know the reason for the former. But the latter is we're best friends and are always together. So he likely wanted me to share tonight. Plus, he did say he was bringing his roommate with him. So he presumably desired his roommate Dylan to have a female companion for tonight."
"Okay, that is very plausible. I hope he shows up soon!" She looked like a bundle of nerves again.
"Again, calm down. They said they'd be here at eight. We still have fifteen minutes to go. So please stop freaking out!" Bryce tried unsuccessfully to get her best friend to calm down.
Finally, Cora settled down. Good thing, too, as the boys arrived. Cora's boyfriend, Hugh Talbot, was reasonably tall with ivory skin. He had thick glossy brown hair that matched his eyes. His dashing good looks could be attributed to his lineage descending from British aristocracy. From what Cora said, Hugh's family was still among the elite in the UK.
However, Hugh wanted a taste of America. So he'd come to Gotham University to major in computer science. From what the girls knew, he was quite intelligent in that field and one of the top students. Bryce then eyed his roommate Dylan. He was a good-looking chap who attended on scholarship. His major was visual and performing arts. Bryce believed he could pull off that one quite well.
"So, how are the two most stunning girls in the freshman year doing?" Hugh inquired as they sat down. One of the dining-room attendants gave each a tall glass of non-alcoholic cocktails. It's what they served all people under twenty-one. She quickly asked what else they like to have.
Cora, a health food nut, ordered the healthiest thing they had. Bryce ordered fish while the boys ordered steak. The server nodded and promised to be back shortly. With that out of the way, the college students could begin conversing.
They chitchat regarding school and how their studies were going. Each asked detailed questions about the other's major. Cora seemed tickled pink when she informed them she'd passed her exam. She was also studying science as her major. She dreamed of creating new meds and treatments to save lives.
Since both she and Hugh were majoring in sciences is how they met. Bryce had been quite happy with her friend finding such a fantastic gentleman. Still, love wasn't on Bryce's mind at all. "So I'm delighted we're all doing well in school. However, can we please talk about something else?" Bryce suggested.
"Well, what would you like to talk about?" Dylan inquired shyly. Bryce grinned, "Well, I'd love to talk more about the upcoming trip abroad since it involves all of us. A month away from this shady and murky city sounds entertaining!"
The university was paying for each year to go abroad for a month. The different years were going to other locations. The first years were heading to South America. They would even get to visit Machu Picchu! "I'm so excited about it since it will be the first time I'll be out of Gotham! I could use a change of scenery!" Bryce exclaimed cheerfully.
Dylan looked at her, perplexed, before questioning. "Is it because your adopted grandfather recently passed away? I mean, its impressive that he lived to be 114. But are you hoping a change of scenery will help you with your heartache?"
Bryce immediately got quiet. No one, not even Cora, knew Bruce Wayne had been her biological grandfather. Yes, Cora knew of their parents' shared past. However, Bryce's father hadn't informed anyone outside his wife and daughter about the truth regarding his lineage.
Instead, he'd made them swear never to tell anyone else. So people kept assuming that Bruce had been a grandfather figure to Bryce. Not that he, indeed, was her grandfather.
Finally, she spoke softly. "Yes, I want to escape this dreary city for a while. Yes, I think it will help my grief not to be stuck here. However, this trip was planned ages ago. Before he even passed. I only wish my and Cora's parents could leave their jobs to take a vacation themselves."
"If only, if only," Cora agreed. Then turned to her boyfriend and asked, "So Hugh is there something you want to ask me?"
He blushed before answering. "I was going to ask if you'd like to meet my family over the summer. I want to show you all the splendors of the UK. So would you like that?"
Cora seemed slightly down before beaming, "Yes, I'd love to meet your family. I'm sure it will be a true adventure!"
"Thank you! I'm sure my mum would agree with you!" After that, the two lovebirds started getting into an in-depth conversation. Therefore, Dylan asked Bryce if she'd like to dance. She was more then happy too.
So they got on the dance floor and began to have fun. Bryce was having fun, but she could see something was troubling Dylan. Hence she asked him during a slow dance what it was. "Would it make you see me differently if I told you I'm jealous?"
"Jealous? Of who?" Bryce questioned though she had a sneak suspicion.
"I've always liked Hugh. I've long accepted he's in love with Cora. Except I'm not sure how to get rid of all my envy. Of course, I'm happy for them..." when Bryce pressed her hand on his lips to silence him.
She smiled at him before replying, "Dylan, you don't have to say more. And no, I'm not disgusted by you if that's what your thinking. The truth is I'm also LGBTQ. Only I'm pan-sexual. So again, it's the personality I'm attracted to. Not the gender or whatnot."
"Well, it's nice to know I'm not alone. Also, I'm bisexual, but I always seemed to favor good look men. Nevertheless, I do find women attractive too."
"Hmm, well, if you don't think its outside your comfort zone. I know of a place where we can hang out with LGBTQ individuals. It's a club downtown called Fluid. Maybe you and I could go sometime?"
"Are you asking me out?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
She giggled playfully before replying, "Only if you see it that way. But if you see it as hanging out? Yes, we can do that too." Bryce never understood how dating was different then hanging out, especially regarding best friends. Whether they were the same sex or the opposite, she never understood why a date differed from hanging out.
"Does Cora know your pan-sexual?" he asked curiously.
"I've attempted to explain it before. She's not against anyone in the LGBTQ community. I think it only goes over her head slightly when you describe pan-sexual."
"Well, I told Hugh when we became roommates, I was bi. I didn't want anything awkward to come up," the dark-haired chap revealed.
She gazed merrily into his adorable gray eyes, "Well, at least we're being honest. But yes, let's go to Fluid before we pack for South America. I'm sure one date by myself will be perfect," as he spun her.
Pulling her close to him, he whispered into her ear, "I'd love to call it a date then."
"Hmm, well then, let's go out next Saturday," as she snuggled next to him, "You can pick me up at my dorm at seven. As long as we're back by ten."
"Sounds good to me," as the music concluded. They then headed back to have their meal. After they'd eaten, Bryce and Dylan chatted some more while Cora and Hugh enjoyed the dance floor. All in all a perfect evening.