Dancing (Alexis PoV)

The bass pulsed through the air, thrumming against my chest like a livewire current. Strobe lights lit the crowd in fractured bursts of color, a swirling kaleidoscope of laughter and movement. Laser beams danced across the smoky haze, painting fleeting patterns on the throngs of bodies swaying, grinding, lost in the rhythm. The air hung thick with sweat, perfume, and the intoxicating tang of spilled drinks.

I was in my element. Yet I felt no rush to lose myself in the crowd. My attention was elsewhere. Chloe clung to my arm like a life raft in a storm. Her eyes, wide and sparkling with nervous excitement, darted around the room, taking in the scene with a mixture of awe and apprehension. She was so adorable right now, wide-eyed expression one of innocent wonder of someone experiencing something for the first time.

Wished that was the only reason I found my gaze glued to her. That dress… It wasn’t nearly as daring at what was on display with other women here. It was rather tame all things considered. Yet on her, I found myself unable to look away. How those spaghetti straps gave me a great deal to look at. The small swell of her breasts. The way her dark brown hair rested against her shoulders. How her eyeliner made those hazel eyes pop.

How much I wanted to kiss her.

What the fuck was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I just be normal? Chloe was my friend. Jake’s girlfriend.

I pushed all that aside. My fingers entwined with hers, the warmth of her fingers grounding me amidst the chaos. “Let’s go!” I shouted, pulling her into the throng.

The music shifted, the rhythm quickening. I moved with it, my body an extension of the beat, each step and turn a conversation with the invisible conductor of the night. Chloe followed, a little unsure at first, but gradually loosening up, her laughter blending with the music. By the time the chorus hit, she was lost in the flow, her face flushed with exertion and pure joy.

Victoria joined us. Her movements were fluid, effortless, each step imbued with a subtle sensuality that drew eyes like a magnet. As the music shifted, she offered Chloe a hand, pulling her into a graceful spin before holding her close. Chloe seemed unsure at first, flustered at the closeness of my beautiful friend. It only lasted a moment before she joined her in step, letting the music guide her movements. Victoria, sensing her newfound confidence, slipped her arm around Chloe’s waist, guiding her steps, her laughter echoing through the music.

I felt a pang of—something—as I watched them dance together. Whatever it was disappeared as I was drawn in, joining them in letting loose.

The hours dissolved into a blur of laughter, spilled drinks, and stolen glances. We navigated the crowded dance floor, a trio adrift in a sea of pulsing bodies. Chloe, her initial nervousness gone, danced with reckless abandon, a beautiful smile plastered on her face. Victoria was a lightning rod for men as always. She was used to it though. It was for the best, as it allowed Chloe and I to enjoy without some guy trying to ‘accidentally’ grab something he shouldn’t. Not to say we didn’t have a few guys join us. Chloe was a natural. It surprised me how readily she took to things—though the drinks helped. A few times I found her dancing happily, some guy rubbing himself against her from behind. For her part, she seemed to be having the time of her life, maybe even encouraging it?

I chased them off whenever I caught it happening. Frustrating behavior considering Chloe looked fucking hot with some guy running his hands along her—

But she was Jake’s girlfriend and I promised him I’d keep an eye on her. So that is what I did. God damn it. This was Natalie’s influence at work. I was fixated on playing mother hen. Keeping an eye on her… The small, sexy, euphoric girl who had a bit too much to drink.

Time blurred into a kaleidoscope of flashing lights, pulsing music, and shared laughter. We sweat, we laughed, we danced until our feet ached and our voices were hoarse. We were a **** of nature, three friends connected by the electric energy of the night, a memory etched in the pounding bass and the lingering scent of perfume and sweat.

We stumbled out of the club into the cool night air and I took a deep breath, grin on my face. Chloe, her face flushed and eyes sparkling, leaned against me, her voice thick with laughter and relief. “I... I think I had fun,” she said as she grabbed my arm for support. There was a slight slur to her speech.

Yeaaaah. Might have let her have a bit too much to drink. But it was so hard to say no to that face…

Victoria looked over at us. Her eyes rested on Chloe before looking to me. A grin formed.

Shut up. It’s not like that. Even if I wanted to—which I didn’t—Chloe was with Jake. They were happy together. I was perfectly able to have platonic relationships, thank you very much.

“My place?” she asked.

I looked down at Chloe, her face flushed as she gave me a sloppy smile. Probably the best to get some water in her. Didn’t want to drop her off at Jake’s drunk because I didn’t tell him we would be drinking, and I certainly wasn’t going to do that with her mom.

Victoria didn’t wait for my answer, already knowing what I’d say. “I’ll grab us a ride.”