IX

DYLAN

We arrived in our room minutes to 7:00 . I was in the living room when Ryan shouted from the kitchen, asking if I needed anything. I declined . Minutes later , he appeared in the room, all hyper and good looking.

" How do I look?" he grinned .

" Hot enough to melt snow" I pushed the glasses up my nose. " Going somewhere ?" I inquired.

" Yup. Dinner with mom. A little birthday celebration. I'll meet you guys at the bar. Lock up and don't be late "he said, making his way to the door . He left the room with a bang once I nodded.

I sighed,making myself comfortable. I tapped YouTube. I have subscribed to Psych2go . It talks about psychology of basically everything. Their videos are backed by research. The animation is interesting and their speaker, Amanda Silvera is pretty.

It was exactly what I needed to lift up my mood. Today's video is about how to tell if you like somebody. It was clear, by the end of it that I liked Alton . Well, emotions are emotions and there's nothing I can do about that. I do recommend the channel. It helps a long way.

By the time I was done playing with my phone, it was an hour to time. I took a quick shower and rode over to The Passion Club . Like all clubs , there was a bouncer at the gate. I went through the normal procedure. A thing about me , I am the legal age but I don't look the part. At least not very much. The guard gave me a hard time as he didn't believe I was 18 . He let me in when he felt like it. Just unacceptable .

I found a table at the far end of the place and sat. Just like the exterior, the inside is grand . Everything was in various shades of black. There was the stage, a bar, poles which had ladies working their way, disco balls literally blasting multicoloured lights. It was extremely noisy. Environment like these drain me.

What could I do. I'd already accepted the invitation. A waiter came over, asking for my order. I dismissed him. After a while, he came over with a glass of whiskey. I repeated that I made no order. The guys at the other end did, he persisted, handing me the glass.

I looked around and made eye contact with a group of guys who winked at me, raising their glasses. I looked away and rolled my eyes. The place was getting boring by the minute. I spotted Ryan at the bar. I waved my arm like a frantic madman. He noticed me and came over to my table. Minutes later, Alton joined us. He performed the ritual of ruffled my hair.

" You already ordered" he noticed the drink

" No. They did " I looked in their direction . " I haven't touched it though " I added . His lips drew a thin line.

" Have you eaten? " Ryan asked. I shook my head. " Don't get drunk " he warned. I nodded. The waiter came to our table, asking for our orders.

" A French 75 " Alton spoke.

" An Old fashioned " Ryan said. Both looked at me.

" A kirsch for him" Alton ordered. The waiter disappeared into the sea of bodies and returned a while later. He got tipped by Alton. The two clinked their glasses and started their drinks. It was almost an hour . I was drained, so was my glass.

" Hey pretty boy " I heard. Looking up from the bowl of chips , I saw three ladies and damn do they look wild. The one in the lead taking the crown.

The length of her costume ended right at her butt. She was in extremely pointed heels and a strapless black dress with almost all her assets on display. Lady 2 was in a black tank top with skinny jeans and shoes, the other, a black crop top with ripped jeans and ankle boots.

" Hey Alvira " Ryan smiled, dropping his glass on the table. " Looking gorgeous " he passed a compliment . To be honest, she appears sluttier than the actual strippers here. The effect is highlighted by makeup . She started the mission of being all over Ryan.

The other ladies targeted Alton. They kept shooting seductive looks. It was sickening , making a frown crease my face. I rose to leave when he held me by the arm then turned to the ladies.

" We've got dates who'll be here in less than 10. We don't need a brawl" he smiled. The air turned sour. They wore hurt expressions, especially Alvira who had somehow managed to settle in Ryan's lap. The latter, trying not to touch her. With deep frowns, they sashayed out.

If there was ever any inkling of liking she had for me, it's dissipated. The venomous stare said it all. DJ turned up the music and the place grew wild and explicit by the minute. My drink was done. Ryan ordered a bottle of whiskey. The waiter was out and in with our order and a glass of Daiquiri .

" For you , from the gentlemen there" he handed me the glass. The Moons stared in that direction. They were the same males that ordered the initial drink. They winked.

" A petty excuse of trying to game my person " Alton stated. I blushed. I know it's not the time but he called me his. I turned beet red at the thought.

" Be clam. Don't start a fight" Ryan ordered .

" Like hell I am when they're looking at him like his McDonald's served with Star bucks " Alton's voice reeked anger. He banged the glass on the table and walked up to them. Shit.

" Stay here. Don't move" Ryan pleaded and followed him.

From where I was, I could see one of them being held by the color, courtesy of Alton . And hell did he look freaking hot with his shirt partly opened and rolled up, muscles exhibiting. Damn.. Curse my thoughts. A punch was landed. I failed to see who got hit. Minutes later, guards rushed to the scene and people were thrown out.

Both males returned to our tables. Alton with a smile, the other,a frown.

" You knew better than to hit him. That can affect your quota" Ryan lashed .

" I don't care "

" You seem to lose all sense of reasoning when it has to do with him" Ryan retorted, serving himself a glass of whiskey. Alton shrugged and took his seat by me. The former served us.

Lights flashed in our direction. I noticed Alton's knuckles were red. He winced as I touched it. I apologized .

" You're cute" he chuckled. " It doesn't hurt" he smiled. Our eyes locked. And it felt like we were the only ones at that point.

All I could see was him. Sounds faded. Time stopped . My heartbeat picked. He tucked some strands behind my ears. Before his hands fell back on his laps, I held it, using my cheeks to caress them. Sparks flew as I massaged his arm. He held my gaze and inched forward, our lips inches apart.

" Ehem. Maybe you can leave room for we the singles" Ryan coughed. My cheeks filled with colour when realization hit me. We pulled away . I was damn embarrassed. Alton threw a chip at Ryan.

" What?. Y'all were literally rubbing PDA in my face. What did you expect me to _ "

" I'm going to the washroom " I announced. They looked at me. I moved in a flash. With the same speed, he held my arm.

" Should I escort you?" he smiled. Ryan coughed again. All I wanted was to get out of the embarrassing moment.