I deserved a nice break after all the hard work I'd put into the house so far.
Going out with Fiona would be a nice reward. Deep down I knew going out with Fiona was only my secondary motivation.
My true reason was to see Michael again. I couldn't get him out of my head. That night at Titan was crazy in so many different ways and it mostly had to do with that mystery man. I thought I could resist him. And I did. But only for that night. My mind was his prisoner ever since.
I could only hope that he would be there again tonight.
The dress I wore the last time wouldn't work again but that was all I had. I didn't have much money in my bank account and my parent's had all their money tied up in the house. I would have to find a job soon or sell the house just to survive.
There was one long shot but I wasn't sure my dad was still all crazy about banks. Kelly, you need to be careful about where you put your money. The government and banks are conspiring to take all our money.
Because of that my dad always kept loose cash around the house. In the cookie jar, inside tool drawers, and used bills as bookmarks.
I went first to the bookshelf in the hallway leading to the family room. I'd never seen either of my parents crack open a book before yet they had hundreds filling the shelves. I began combing through each one, flipping through the pages and shaking them for any loose cash.
When I finished, two flat one dollar bills were left on the wood floor. Not even enough for a cup of coffee.
I scoured the kitchen but came up empty-handed. The old cookie jar in the shape of a pumpkin wasn't even there anymore. My mom must've gotten rid of it during the move.
I went to their bedroom and assessed where the most likely hiding places would be. The closet was filled with my mom's shoeboxes but they were all empty. I was about to give up when I thought to check under the mattress.
Sure enough, stacks of small bills were bound with rubber bands. After all was said and done, I found fifty dollars. Not a fortune but I would be able to find something from a thrift store at least.
Spending my last bit of money on a gold shimmering dress didn't seem crazy at the time. All I could think about was seeing Michael again. I didn't think about needing money for food in a couple of weeks or how I would even finish renovating the house if I didn't have any funds.
Looking good for the club was the priority.
Fiona was all alone when I met her outside the Club Titan. A long line stretched around the corner of the building. Last time we just walked right in.
Her eyes scanned my figure. “New dress?”
“Oh this? I've had this for awhile now,” I replied.
She nodded with satisfaction. “You look good tonight.”
“Thanks!” I'd hoped I looked better. I spent about five hours getting ready as opposed to the twenty minutes for the last time.
We both took our place in line. “Hoping to see him again?” Fiona asked.
“Who's him?” I tried to act aloof like he wasn't the sole reason I was there.
“Don't bullshit me, Kelly. We might not of been that close during college but don't forget we grew up together.”
Fiona could always see right through me. “Well it wouldn't be terrible if he showed up tonight.”
Fiona poked me with her elbow. “Yeah I knew it. You wouldn't have dressed up like this unless it was for a boy.”
“A boy? What are we freshmen in high school again?”
“Remember Johnny Kingston?”
A flood of memories hit me. Johnny Kingston. Quarterback of the football team. That red letterman's jacket. I was absolutely obsessed with him all through high school. I couldn't even get a word out whenever he entered the room.
But I had grown a lot since then. Men didn't have that hold on me anymore.
“Whatever happened to him?” I asked.
“Designed some phone app that made him millions. I think he married a model and has a couple kids now.”
“Shit. I thought small town quarterbacks were supposed to work at the supermarket for the rest of their lives.”
“Yeah not this time.”
We inched our way through the line. I kept my eyes on the lookout in case Michael was in line or maybe passing by. I didn't want to miss my chance.
“Where are your friends?” I asked.
“From last time?” Fiona replied.
I nodded.
“They weren't really my friends. Just a few girls I met earlier in the night.” Fiona looked at her feet. “To be honest, I haven't really met a good friend since you.”
I couldn't believe the popular girl wasn't popular anymore. Nothing made sense anymore. “Well I never really had a friend in college either.”
After what seemed like hours in line, we finally made it past the bouncer after we showed him our I.D.
The club was packed to the seams with dancing bodies. There was barely any space to move about. There was no way I would get through the crowd to the bar. But it didn't matter because I was all out of cash.
My head swiveled from side to side, searching for him. My eyes fell on each man and moved on when I realized he wasn't my target.
There were too many people. My mission was seeming more and more hopeless.
“Think he's here?” Fiona screamed over the music.”
I shook my head. “I have no idea.”
We slipped through the mass of people and made it to the middle of the dance floor. I didn't want the night to be ruined just because I couldn't find Michael.
Fiona was lost in the music instantly. She danced with reckless abandon and didn't care how she looked. But I couldn't find my rhythm. I'd never been good at dancing but I could usually fake it.
Tonight was a different story. There were too many people. Every movement I made bumped into another person. I spent the night apologizing to everyone including Fiona.
After an hour of nonstop dancing, I needed a break. The club was so hot and I needed some air. Deep down I thought that if I went outside I might run into Michael.
I told Fiona that I'd be back but she didn't hear me. I was amazed at her stamina. She was going to dance all night and nobody was going to stop her.
I worked my way outside and took in a deep breath of fresh air. The night air was cold and it didn't take long for goosebumps to form on my bare arms. I wanted Michael to put a coat around me and warm me up.
But he wasn't here.
As the night grew on, I knew he wasn't going to show up. That one chance encounter with him was going to be my last.
I went to the bathroom to wash my hands and check my makeup before going out on the dance floor again.