“That’s great.” Someone mumbles sarcastically, marking a turning point in everyone's attention. The conversation picks back up in the line, and eyes fall away from us. I begin to laugh under my breath as Scout punches my ribs over and over.
“Stop.” I laugh and look down to see her trying to hide her grin.
“You’re going to pay for that.”
“You loved it.”
She rolls her eyes and turns back to the line as we wait for the doors to open.
The second we’re let in, the crowd stampedes in, though we’re told to slow down. Once we get our wristbands like an assembly line, we go on a very serious hunt for coffee, so we don’t pass out on the floor somewhere. Pulling an all-nighter wasn't the brightest idea, and yeah, maybe we’re running on steam at this point. Well,that, and delusion. But we’re having a great time, laughing and wandering around the building that looks like a multiverse of anime dreamlands.
It becomes clear to me as the day goes on that we’re going to be here well into the evening, which means we definitely need to get drinks at some point.
“There’s a bar around the corner,” I mention after she manages to buy the most outlandish Totoro backpack I've ever seen, sparkles and holograms covering its strawberry-scented exterior.
“You want to get drinks now?” she grabs my wrist to look at the time on my watch.
“Oh shit, it’s already eight. Should we tell Van?”
“Already told him to circle around for a while longer.” she nods.
“Then, yeah. Let’s get drinks.” She nods, and I take her hand, weaving us in and out of the crowd until we’re at the counter of a space-themed bar. There are blacklights illuminating glass tabletops and bar counters, glow-in-the-dark stars on the black walls and ceilings, and a mirrored floor that I think it's probably a hazard considering the number of thongs I’m seeing. Whatever, though. The only one I keep glancing at is Scout’s.
“Two of the special things–” Scout is ordering for us while I'm in a daze admiring her ass. The bartender helps her out by following her finger to neon ink on the back wall.
“Oh, you mean the Green Glowing Goose Juice?” She raises her furrowed brows back at me, and I shrug. How the hell am I supposed to focus on anything when she’s so fucking hot and her ass is reflecting up at me?
“Yes.” She quickly shouts over the music. “Double.” She adds with her delicate finger wagging in the air, and he gets to work with a nod. She leans against the bar as she looks around, and all I can do is look at her. I’ve seen enough of this room, but I don't think I could ever see enough of her.
“This is cool.” She grins, her cinnamon skin glowing in the dark room like she’s her own source of light. I fight the urge to touch her skin, but I don't know why. I'm way overthinking what’s acceptable, and I guess the drink will help with that. Give me a bit of confidence so I can at least kiss her. Damn, I really want to kiss her.
She turns her attention to the bar, and I quickly toss a hundred on the counter before we both grab our drinks.
“Should we try to find a seat?” She squints into the dark crowd. I don't even see the tables anymore. Everyone must have had the same idea as us, to get drinks after a long day. I notice the exit to a deck outside, and I grab her hand before she can find a seat, pulling us through the congestion and straight to it.
The door is slightly open, and I feel a cool breeze as we step outside. The deck is empty, and I don't really know if we’re supposed to be out here, but I needed a break from the crowd. It was suffocating.
“This is better.” Scout breathes before taking a sip. I take a sip of mine at the same time, and we both have the reaction I would expect anyone to have after drinking what tastes like gasoline and unripe fruit.
We’re coughing before I reach for her drink to take it back and ask that the bartender make us something else, but she pulls the cup out of my reach.
“I thought you didn’t like it.”
“It’s awful.” She nods, so I reach for the cup again, but she pulls it back. “I want to chug it.” She holds her hand up, so I don't attempt to take it from her.
“What?” Why do I feel like this is a challenge?
“Yeah. I’m going to chug it.”
“Scout, I don’t think that’s–” before I can finish my sentence, she’s already taking the straw out and preparing herself.
“Good luck.” I raise my brows as she brings it to her lips. She stops after I say this, a look in her eyes I don't quite get until she points to mine.
“We’re chugging it together. So I guess I should wish you luck too.”
“Uh, no thanks.” I shake my head, but her entire face changes into a pout that makes me wonder how she hasn't robbed a bank with a look like that. She could get her way with anyone just by batting her long lashes. I’m hypnotized and slightly fearful of my luck with her lips if I don't obey. So, I bite the bullet, pull the straw out, grit my teeth and take a deep breath.
“Three, two, one. Go!” She chants, and we raise the rancid drinks to our mouths, proceeding to chug the entire thing in less than fifteen seconds. She finishes first, but barely. We’re coughing and dry heaving, tears in our eyes as we shake our heads in a collective decision that this was a horrible idea.