Goths in Denim (I only dress like a Goth!) (3/5) By Jason Ince

(1/5), (2/5), (3/5), (4/5), (5/5).

Luckily I was smart enough to keep some money separate before I got here. No one wants to be stuck behind the guy fumbling through his wallet. I'll separate more money later. A barmaid comes over and I smile at her Simpsons name badge - don't ask - and I order my first drink, triple tequila with orange, pure nectar in alcoholic form, though many would disagree. I look at the dance floor, actually at the floor considering there is no one dancing at this time. Briefly I consider going there, I then hear the current song and continue on my search. I share various nods and winks and waves to people I know. I'll talk to them later, if I feel the need to be immature or ingest smoke. Opening the door to 'toilet alley' and I meet eyes with Lauren. She stares right back; my heart stops and literally I have stopped breathing and I can barely feel people push past me. She is the first to shout over the music: 'HI!'

'Err...hey, how are you?' I shout back at her. 'Good, you?' 'Sober.' She laughs, but I think it's only because I do. 'See you later?' 'Of course.' She quickly kisses my cheek and dashes off. I watch her walk away, leaning against the wall before the door closes on me and I reach out for it, I stop myself just in time. Suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to see Adrian. His hair is spiked six inches in the air and the biggest grin ever. 'There you are!' He shouts into my ear. 'Always late.' 'Where we sitting?' 'I'll show you.'

He leads me through the people playing with their phones to our usual table, near one of the bars. This one is near entrance, but you have to walk round the club to get here. And the gang is all sat around, from left to right is Clark (long hair, soul patch), his girlfriend Diane (short purple hair, long flowing dress) and Edward (Top hat). I sit down beside Edward and they all cheer a greeting, I return with my own and take a large sip from my drink.

We spend the next hour either talking about random stuff or going up for drinks, Clark and Diane are the first to feel the effect of theirs and are quickly trying to choke the other with their tongues. The rest of us nod to each other and slink away. As we turn the corner away I give one glance back at the couple, noticing a pair of guys, wearing glasses, take up the empty seats next to them, seemingly oblivious to the kissing pair, I recognise the one with long hair. When I can't place him I shrug my shoulders and follow Adrian and Edward. I decide to leave the other two and get myself another drink, the crowd is a little denser now and I have to fight my way to get into the crowd surrounding the bar. Which means I'm also fighting my way to get to the bar.

My eyes catch this girl who looks a little frazzled in front of me, I can tell that it's her first night and being the gentleman I am offer her a boon. 'What are you drinking?' I ask her, leaning close to her ear so she has a chance of hearing me. She turns to me in shock and replies with: 'what?' 'What drink do you want?' 'Why do you want to know?' 'So I can buy you it, you look a little lost, thought I'd help you.'

'It's a double vodka, lemonade and blackcurrant...you don't have to ' 'I want to, go sit down and I'll bring it over.'

Continued... Next Page (4/5)

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