Delphinia stood on the sidewalk, her eyes wide as she stared at the building before her. It was like something out of a dream—or perhaps a nightmare, depending on how she felt about places like this. The nightclub, called The Heaven, shining under the city lights. The neon signs flashed in blue and violet, lighting up the crowd waiting outside. The muffled bass of the music thumped through the walls, vibrating the very ground beneath her feet.
She glanced down at herself, tugging nervously at the hem of her black dress. The silky fabric hugged her figure but wasn't as revealing as the ones Adalaine used to flaunt at every chance. Still, it was far from her usual modest wardrobe, and she felt exposed. "I knew I should have protested more," she muttered under her breath, earning a soft chuckle from Valerie beside her.
"You look stunning," Valerie said, giving her a reassuring smile. Her friend was dressed to kill, in a shimmery silver dress that caught the light every time she moved. "Trust me, tonight's going to be amazing. You'll thank me later."
Delphinia wasn't so sure. She hesitated, grabbing Valerie's arm before they reached the entrance. "Wait."
Valerie stopped, turning to face her. "What's wrong?"
Delphinia leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper as she asked, "Are you sure this is okay? I mean… me coming to a place like this?"
Valerie raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips. "Delphinia, you're not sneaking into a top-secret government facility. It's just a nightclub."
"I know, I know," Delphinia said quickly, her cheeks flushing. "But I've never been to one before. My father would've had a heart attack if he even caught me thinking about it." She glanced around nervously, lowering her voice even further. "I feel so out of place."
Valerie softened, reaching out to hold Delphinia's hand. "You're not out of place," she said gently but firmly. "You deserve to have fun, to let loose for once. And I promise, nothing bad's going to happen. I'll be with you the whole time."
Delphinia hesitated for another moment before sighing and nodding. "Okay," she said quietly. "Let's go."
"That's the spirit!" Valerie grinned, tightening her grip on Delphinia's hand as she led her through the entrance.
—
The moment they stepped inside, Delphinia felt like she had been transported to another dimension. The room was dim but alive with flashing colors bouncing off the walls. The heavy beat echoed through the room, making her chest shake with the sound. The dance floor was a sea of moving bodies, people swaying and spinning in a rhythm that seemed both chaotic and hypnotic.
Delphinia's eyes widened as she took it all in. "It's so loud!" she half-yelled, leaning closer to Valerie.
Valerie laughed, her voice barely audible over the music. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it!" She tugged Delphinia toward the bar, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease.
Delphinia followed, clutching her friend's hand like a lifeline. When they reached the bar, Valerie turned to her, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Okay, first things first—a drink!"
Delphinia hesitated, watching as Valerie signaled down the bartender. Within moments, two small glasses filled with amber liquid appeared in front of them.
"What's this?" Delphinia asked, eyeing the drink a suspicious look.
"Whiskey," Valerie replied with a grin. "Don't worry, it's just a shot. One quick sip, and you're good."
Delphinia raised an eyebrow but decided to trust her friend. She lifted the glass, gave it a quick sniff, then took a slow sip. The liquid burned as it slid down her throat, and she coughed, her eyes watering. "Oh my God!"
Valerie laughed, patting her back. "The first one's always the hardest. You'll get used to it."
Delphinia set the glass down, shaking her head. "I don't think I want to get used to it."
"Too late!" Valerie teased, sliding another glass toward her.
Delphinia rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. She took the second shot, bracing herself for the burn. This time, it wasn't quite as bad.
After a few more drinks, before long, then Valerie excused herself, leaning closer to Delphinia to say, "I need to use the restroom. Stay here, okay? I'll be right back."
Delphinia nodded, waving her off. "Go ahead. I'll be fine."
As soon as Valerie disappeared into the crowd, Delphinia turned back to her drink. She knew she shouldn't keep going—alcohol wasn't exactly great for her health—but tonight, she needed something to help her forget for a while. She raised her glass again, drinking quickly before the doubt could creep in.
Minutes passed, and Delphinia began to feel a strange warmth spreading through her body. Her head felt light, her limbs loose. She fanned herself with one hand, trying to shake off the heat. "It's so hot in here," she muttered to herself, standing unsteadily from the stool.
She looked around for Valerie, her gaze darting through the crowd. "Valerie!" she called out, but her voice was swallowed by the music.
The heat was becoming unbearable, and the room felt stuffy, like all the air had been sucked out. Delphinia stumbled forward, her steps unsteady as she tried to navigate the maze of people. She bumped into a few, muttering quick apologies before moving on.
Finally, she spotted a door on the far side of the room. Thinking it might lead to the restroom, she pushed it open, desperate for a moment of quiet.
Instead of a restroom, she found herself outside. The cool night air hit her like a balm, instantly soothing the heat that had been suffocating her. She stepped out onto a small terrace, the city skyline stretching before her in all its glittering glory. The was quieter here, reduced to a faint, almost unnoticed beat.
Delphinia leaned against the railing, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. The wind brushed against her skin, carrying with it the faint scent of rain and city life. For the first time that night, she felt a sense of calm.
She opened her eyes, gazing out at the city lights. "So this is what freedom feels like."
A small smile tugged at her lips as she let the moment wash over her. Maybe Valerie was right—maybe tonight really could be the start of something new for her. And she just hoped it would be something good.