The Coaster

 Ellie was busy in their dorm room, keeping her nose in her books.

 Occasionally, she'd let out a quiet snivel and push up her glasses.

 Tara was standing in front of their shared full-length mirror, examining her outfit.

 She wore a simple white T-shirt and booty shorts combo, amping it up with loads of accessories.

 Nate had informed her it may get hot in there, so she wore a light, black sweater that would keep her warm against the fall chill of outside but would be easy enough to take off and hold if she started to sweat.

 She wore three necklaces of varying length – all in silver – and diamond tennis bracelet.

 Her black fish-net stockings accentuated her legs underneath her knee-high black boots.

 Ellie would glance up and every now and then as Tara started to fix her hair.

 Tara pulled it up in to a high side ponytail, teasing it up and adding hair clips to emphasize the dynamic.

 "Where are you going? Your hair looks super '80s." Ellie commented, her eyes glued to the floof attached to Tara's head.

 "Nate's band is playing at The Coaster," Tara said excitedly, bouncing on her heels and ignoring the 80s comment, "you should come! It'll be tons of fun!"

 Ellie paused, looking Tara up and down.

 "That's off campus. We'd have to sneak out. That doesn't sound very safe AND I have a quiz on Monday."

 Tara twirled around and furrowed her eyebrows.

 "That's the fun of it! Come on Ellie! Are you going to spend your university life wasting away in your dorm room? Let's have some experiences! Come on, onetime thing! You never do anything fun. Please?"

 She shot Ellie puppy dog eyes before sitting down next to her on Ellie's bed.

 "Please, please, please, please, please~?"

 Ellie bit her lip.

 "I don't have a ticket and I don't have anything to wear."

 Tara jumped up and immediately went to her closet.

 "No problem! You can borrow something of mine! Besides, haven't you ever watched a movie? These things ALWAYS have scalpers if you can't get a ticket at the door. Or…we can just sneak in!"

 A small smile slowly spread across Ellie's face as she set her book aside.

 "Okay, fine."

 They spent the next few minutes picking out an outfit for Ellie and helping her get ready before heading off.

 It was already late at night, the sun had set, and most students had already gone back to their dorms, save the few night owls that littered the rest of the campus here and there.

 Tara and Ellie ducked down and headed towards the Courtyards. It was the place with the least security at night, far away enough from the faculty office and security guard station for anyone to be seen sneaking out.

 "If we get caught, I'm blaming you. I will NOT get expelled. You kidnapped me and I didn't come of my free accord. Make sure you memorize this story for if they catch us!" Ellie whisper screamed as Tara ran up and jumped to the top of the wall, hoisting herself up the rest of the way.

 "Yeah yeah." Tara said quietly, straddling the top of the wall before leaning down and holding her hand out for Ellie.

 It took some effort, but she managed to pull Ellie up and over.

 They walked through a small alleyway with Ellie clinging to Tara nervously, before emerging onto the main street.

 Tara pulled out her phone and stared at the GPS.

 "It's not too far from here, this way."

 Ellie continued to cling onto Tara as they walked down the street. It was bustling with people walking to and from bars and clubs, coming out of restaurants, and returning to their apartments.

 "It feels scary out here, Tara I'm not sure about this." Ellie said quietly.

 "It's fine, Nate wouldn't invite me somewhere unsafe."

 "You don't know that! You hardly know the guy!"

 Tara held her index finger up to her lips, furrowing her eyebrows.

 "I know him well enough."

 Finally the venue came into view. It was small and had a short line outside of it.

 There was a large neon sign that said "THE COASTER" with a coffee cup on top of a coaster right next to it – the establishment's logo.

 "Come on, it's right here!" Tara exclaimed, her voice full of excitement as she grabbed Ellie's hand and dragged her over there.

 They waited in line and Ellie continued to cling to Tara the entire time.

 "Ellie, let go! You're ruining my outfit!"

 "No it's scary out here. You convinced me to come out so you have to be responsible for me!"

 The line moved quickly and they were at the front in a matter of what felt like seconds.

 "Tickets and ID please." The bouncer said, his voice deep and gravelly.

 "I don't have a ticket, do you have any extras?" Ellie asked.

 The man pulled out his walkie talkie and asked another staff member.

As they waited for confirmation, Tara noticed a man leaning against the wall, staring at her intently. He took a drag of his cigarette, not making any effort to say anything or approach her.

He had short black hair, combed over to one side and stubble on his face.

A shiver ran down Tara's spine, but her attention to the stranger was short lived as the bouncer turned to face Ellie.

"No more tickets," He said, then turning to Tara, "Ticket and ID please."

Ellie looked at Tara frantically.

Tara gave her ticket and ID and as the bouncer placed an "UNDER 21" wristband on her, she turned on the charm.

"Can't you make an exception? Pretty please~?"

Tara shot him puppy dog eyes as she begged.

He considered a moment, then turned to Ellie.

"ID please."

Ellie handed him her ID and held out her arm for a wristband.

"Don't tell anyone I'm making an exception for you," he said, placing her wristband on.

With their wristbands attached, the two excitedly ran into the building.