Stacey and I danced to something upbeat for a while before the beat changed to something a little slower in tempo. She spun me around like we used to do as little girls.
“So, you and Ashton seem to be going well,” I said, trying to make small talk. I had to keep her mind off the incident in the bathroom.
“Yeah. We’ll be going into the Rendezvous Club when he gets off stage later,” she said, smiling.
I smiled in return. “Oh, good. I’m happy for you.”
“What about you and Dane?”
“Yeah, we’re good. I don’t know if Dane is going to ask me there or not, but he told me about it, so he might.”
She nodded. “Good. I don’t want you to hear the whispers before they start.”
“What do you mean?”
“You should know that Dane has kind of a… reputation at the Rendezvous Club.”
I shook my head. “I don’t care what he’s done in the past. He’s with me tonight. He’s my date.”
“I know. But I just thought you should know. People might say things.”
“I’ve got a thick skin. I’ll be fine, Stace.”
The next song was also slow, and Dane chose that moment to cut in.
“Hey, do you mind if I interrupt?” he asked Stacey.
“Sure. I’m going to find my Rockstar before he goes on stage. See ya, love birds.”
When Stacey leaves, Dane hands me my drink and stands closer, placing his hands on my hips.
I noticed he didn’t have a drink.
“Where’s yours?” I asked, gesturing to the red solo cup in my hand.
“Oh, I drank mine. I found one of my friends over by the drinks table.”
I nodded and took a sip. It was fruity, fizzy, with an obvious alcoholic after taste that numbed my tongue.
“Oh, what is this?”
Dane laughed. “It’s the famous punch. I warned you, didn’t I?”
“You did. But I didn’t expect it to be like that.”
He laughed again. “You’re welcome. So, are you having a good time?”
“Yeah. I danced with Stacey. She and Ashton look cozy.”
He nodded. “Yeah, Ash seems content with Stacey.”
“What do you mean?”
“I just mean that Ashton doesn’t do serious. But for him and Stacey… they’re different. He seems serious about her.”
I nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I noticed that too.”
“So, um… the Rendezvous Club. Are we… do you…”
“Wanna go? Nah. Maybe later. I mean, I kind of wanna dance out here with you.”
I took another sip of my drink and nodded. “Okay.”
One Strikes’ set had begun not long after that, and everyone formed a mosh pit in front of the stage. I joined Stacey at the front, jumping up and down and dancing with her. But partway through, Dane tapped me on the shoulder and held out his hand. Confused, I took it, and he led me out of the school hall.
It was quiet in the corridors of Summervale High.
“Where are we going?”
“Where do you think?” he replied, looking over his shoulder at me with a wink and a smirk.
The Rendezvous Club.
“Oh. Okay.”
Didn’t he say he wasn’t interested? But it didn’t really matter. I went with him willingly to the private speakeasy within the confines of the school.
Strands of fairy lights were hung from the ceiling, and little tealight candles were set on each table throughout the room. Each table was covered in black tablecloths, and the windows were also covered to create an underground, secretive club-like feel.
“Welcome to the Rendezvous Club.”
“Wow. It’s gorgeous.”
“And it’s ours… for the moment. So, let’s make the most of it.”
There was a red velvet love seat on the far side set up under one of the windows, and we made our way over to it. Dane pulled me down onto it and moved in close. I reached for him, and we kissed for the first time that night.
We moved to a laying position, and Dane moved on top of me and kissed my neck, like a vampire feeding on its prey.
I was meant to be the vampire tonight, but I was now the prey, and Dane, my killer.
I arched my back and moaned.
“Mm. Dane…”
“This is nice. We can finally be together. Alone. it’s like an illicit affair we’re having.”
I paused and sat up, pushing him away a little.
“What’s wrong?” he hesitated, searching my face.
“I don’t know about this. What if someone walks in?”
What if the rumors are true?
What if this is where he takes all his girls?
“No one will walk in. they’re all out there enjoying One Strike. Why did you think I picked now as the time to bring you here?”
I sighed and slid my arms around his waist, then moved into his lap. He groaned, and his hands found the ties to my corset. He began loosening it, tugging and pulling, freeing me from the barrier between us. I stopped kissing him and slid back a bit so my groin wasn’t pushing against his.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing. I want to be with you, I do. It’s just… I think we should be out there with the others dancing.”
“I know, but this is what this place is for. Come on, baby.”
He moved to kiss me. But I’d had enough. The rumors were finally digging their claws into my brain. I got off him and readjusted my dress.
“Darcie?”
“I… I can’t. I’m going back out there.” And I turned and fled back into the darkness of the empty school.