Later that night, when I got off shift, Abby too me out for a drink at a local club. Got all skanky dressed; something Abby insisted would make me feel better but only left me feeling incredibly awkward…until of course the drinks begin.

"I can't feel my legs!" I shout above the large crowd, the music pumping loudly. A few people close to me cheer and someone claps me on the back. I grin and continue to move to the music, until I spot Abby sitting at a nearby table, looking incredibly worried. I dance my way to her, a big grin on my face.

"Common Abby!" I shout over the music "Shirley your condition doesn't forbid you to dance...actually, I'm a Dr, and I know you are fine to dance…what's wrong?"

"I'm worried about a friend of mine." She responds, standing to her feet and walking to me, setting a hand on my shoulder. "Neela, this isn't healthy for you…and I'm not speaking as a Dr, I'm speaking as a friend…"

I shake my head and pull away. "What's unhealthy? Me trying to move on with my life? Michael was a mistake; Ray isn't ever going to happen so I'm accepting it and moving on."

"No Neela your not. You are getting drunk and trying to cover up the pain you are in. I know what it's like I've been there…" She begins, but I interrupt

"Abby I'm not you. I'm not an alcoholic. I NEVER get to have fun! I'm always working or got my nose in some book…obsessing over Michael or trying to hide my feelings for Ray…I NEED this I DESERVE this."

She shakes her head and takes a breath. "Well I'm sorry Neela. I tried to help but obviously you don't want it and I don't want to be around when you self destruct." She turns to grab her coat then turns back to me, as she begins to walk away. "Call me when you want advise from an alcoholic…"

She turns and leaves me standing there, a frown on my face. Don't know what her problem is, I'm just having some much-deserved fun. I'm not going to self-destruct or become an alcoholic…it's only one night. I shake my head and turn back to the busy dance floor, finding myself a cute guy to grind into…

As I gyrate my way around the dance floor, I seem to make enemies fast. Girls glare at me as I dance with or near the men they had come with, but I am beyond caring by this point. A rather large blonde woman steps out in front of me, her eyes so narrowed I had no idea of there colour.

"May I help you?" I slur out, licking my lips and blinking rapidly, trying to only see one of this girl.
"Yea you can help me." She responds nastily "You can stay the hell away from my boyfriend."

I frown and look around "Which one was he?" I look back to her "Look I'm not here to make trouble…just to have a little fun so I borrowed your boyfriend for a dance or two…don't really want him for much else…"


The girl's glare somehow deepens and I see less of her eyes, and more of her fist. She strikes me hard in the face, sending me backwards. The crowd parts slightly as I fall, but lucky for me, someone hadn't heard what had been going on, and was standing in my path. I plummet into the girl, sending her to the floor; miraculously I don't fall with her.

"Hey…watch it…" she starts until she sees who I was, as I turn at the familiar voice. She frowns and shakes her head, pulling herself off the floor and dusting herself off "Neela…you really need to quit knocking me over. If you want to talk to me, all you gotta do is ask…"

Before I get a chance to respond, another familiar voice sounds form behind her.

"Hey Sam I got us a table in the back nice and private so we can…Neela?"

I swallow and smile weakly "Hello Ray.."