"Hey, it's me, again. I know you may not want to talk to anyone at the moment, but I just want you to know that I'm here for you. Please call me as soon as you get this. Even if you just want to vent, you can trust me with anything."

Mulan had just left a third voicemail for Aurora. Hopefully it didn't seem too frantic, though Mulan was seriously concerned for Aurora's safety. What if something horrible had happened to her? Wincing at the very thought, Mulan picked up her phone again, and began to dial when Ruby's name flashed upon her screen. Reluctant, she answered. "Hello?"

"Where the hell are you? It's 9:35." Ruby's voice barked on the other end.

Shit. Mulan had completely lost track of time. She examined herself. She was still in her bathrobe, while her hair was soaking wet in a towel. Freaking out, Mulan struggled to think up a lie. "I'm just running a little late, that's all."

"Less talking, more moving, then! God, Aurora already cancelled on us, I don't want another girl turning us down."

"Did she say why she had to cancel?" Mulan didn't want to appear over-concerned about Aurora, but her immediate response clearly gave it away.

"Just said she wasn't up for it. She's such a partypooper. I bet she's tucked up in bed now watching Desperate Housewives, or something, bingeing on a mega box of chocolates. Ugh, I'm starving. Could you pick up some fries for me on your way?"

"Ruby, I'm not bringing fries to a nightclub."

"Fine, forget it. You suck. See you in a few."

After Ruby hung up, Mulan realized that she could have wriggled out of going to the stupid nightclub the second she picked up the phone. Instead, she had only gone and told Ruby that she was running late. Cursing at herself, Mulan dropped her phone back on the table, and hurriedly continued to get ready.

Mulan arrived at the nightclub at a fashionably late time of 10:15. It didn't have the most glamorous of locations, for it was in the middle of nowhere and frankly, the area had a strange scent of fish. The club itself wasn't so much mind-blowing, not a place you would be made speechless of when passing. It was an old building, seeming pretty rundown. Although, according to Ruby it was 'the hottest club in town.' Of course, as proved on several occasions, Ruby was always right.

After passing the bouncer, then entering the club, the casual girl immediately felt out of place. She was wearing a plain black dress with little sequins or bows like the many other girls around her, complete with black leggings and two inch heel boots. A matching bag was over her shoulder, which merely contained her purse, cell phone and keys. On first sight, she had expected the club to be pretty empty. It was clear she had been proven wrong. She couldn't help but feel anxious nearby the hundreds around her. As per usual, loneliness was her best friend.

Vibrations of the booming music made the whole room shake. Purple spotlights beamed from every corner, blinding Mulan every so often. Every girl seemed to look the same when Mulan began the search for her friends. Just by the look of some of their faces, she knew that some were definitely not twenty-one. Maybe it was their lack of decent clothing that got them past the bouncer. Thankful, Mulan's worries flew away when she spotted Ruby and Belle at the bar. Belle spotted her first, then called her over.

Belle looked both sexy and striking in a purple tight-fitting tube top and a plastic looking skirt that barely covered her rear. Tights, ridiculously high heels and a messy bun finished her look.

On the other hand, Ruby also stood out for being quite eye-catching. A sleeveless alarmingly red dress exposed cleavage. Her straight hair was loose, donning its usual red streaks of color. Unsurprisingly, Ruby's heels were a few inches taller than Belle's.

Once she had taken a huge glug of her drink, a wide tooth grin spread upon Ruby's face as Mulan approached. "Mulie!" she exclaimed, immediately grasping her friend and giving her a bear hug.

All the while, Mulan looked baffled. "Is she drunk already?"

"We may have had a few shots," slurred Belle.

"You look beautiful!" cried Ruby, when the hug ended. "Your makeup- wow!"

"I'm not wearing any makeup," said Mulan.

"You know what else is beautiful? Lemons. Lemons are beautiful."

Mulan and Belle exchanged glances.

"When life gives you lemons… uh… eat them!" Ruby stood, almost losing her balance as she did. "I may have to go visit the lemon throne! By that, I mean the restroom."

Judging by her failure to walk a few steps away from the bar without tripping in the process, Mulan guessed that Ruby had definitely had more than 'a few' shots.

When she was out of earshot, Belle turned to Mulan. "If that's her at quarter past ten, I can't wait to see her on the way home."

Mulan laughed, before gradually looking down at her feet.

"Are you OK?" asked Belle. "Sorry, it's just… you seem a bit down."

"How can you tell?" Mulan wondered.

"I just can. Your eyes, they seem distracted. Like you laughed then, but not all of you was laughing. And body language. You absentmindedly look away whenever anyone talks to you. In short, you don't really want to be here."

"I do," protested Mulan.

"No, you don't."

Mulan sighed. "I guess I don't. Belle, how do you do that?"

"I'm quite an expert at reading people. I also know the reason why you don't want to be here, and where you'd rather be."

Knowing what she was going to say, Mulan just shook her head in denial. "I'm fine, Belle. Honestly."

Belle chuckled. "Ok, I believe you." The tone of her voice suggested that she didn't 100% believe her.

"If you want to distract yourself, you know how, right?"

"How?"

"Drinks are on Ruby tonight. Get drunk, live tonight, worry tomorrow. It's exactly what I'm going to do."

"Thanks."

"Any time. Just to assure you, I'm certain our little 'Rora is fine, anyhow."

Ruby staggered back to the pair, waving her arms around as if they were going to fall off. "What are you just standing there for? Let's dance!"

"I'll pass," said Mulan. "But Belle would be honored."

Ruby beamed at Belle, while Belle glared at Mulan. She gave her a look which basically read 'I- cheer-you-up-and-this-is-how-you-repay-me?' Before Belle could argue, Ruby pulled her towards the dancefloor. Straight away, Mulan turned to the bartender and ordered a vodka and coke. It was going to be a long night, so she thought no other reason but to try to enjoy it. Even if that meant drinking the night away.

"Did you know that lemons have enough power to work a small digital watch? Fascinating, right?"

Uncomfortable, the man who Ruby was attempting to chat up slowly slid away from her.

"Call me!" shrieked Ruby, despite the fact no numbers had been exchanged.

Belle approached her drunken friend. "Sweetie-"

"Hello my little Bellie Baby!" Ruby gave her friend a bear hug. Her grasp was tight, squeezing Belle close. "Where have you been?"

"I was in the restroom with you, before I went into a stall, and later discovered you had gone."

"You're so obnoxious!" Ruby released Belle, and scrunched her face. "Learn to let it go!"

Rolling her eyes, Belle knew there was no use to argue with Ruby when she was drunk.

Amongst giggles, Ruby extended her hands towards Belle's breasts. "Let me squeeze your lemons," she whispered in a low, seductive voice.

Belle slapped Ruby's hands away. "Inappropriate."

"Come on! Live a little." Ruby tried again, but Belle stopped her for the second time.

"I'm welcome to help you to get laid, but you won't be getting lucky with me tonight."

Ruby pulled a fake pouty face. She then looked to the sky, placing a finger to her chin, in consideration. "Fine. But first, let's hit the bar. I want to see if they have any lemonade. With extra lemon."