« Free drink before midnight » read the ticket. I quickly tap the screen of my cellphone with my other hand. 9:55. What an irresponsible, immature idea this whole plan is. I sigh and am about to turn around to go home when my ex’s voice comes to me like an echo : « we never go out !! everything’s so boring with you. All you do is study. So much it took you months to figure out I was seeing someone else ! » I close my fist in anger. « no, you’re gonna do this Angel. You’re gonna go and dance and get out of your comfort zone til at least midnight. » i say to myself. I don’t know why I was so fixated on midnight. I definitely blame Cinderella’s fairytale for that weird cut out time.

I look up to the doors and realize the bouncers have been staring at me funny this whole time. I must have come off a little weird, lurking and talking to myself in a corner of the parking lot. « hi » I utter, smiling and waving as I approach the two giant gentlemen. « have you consumed anything? Do you want any medical assistance? » « oh, I’m perfectly fine thank you. It’s just my first time coming to a place like this. » the bouncer checks my ID and stares at me for a while, remains quiet. « Just relax and I’m sure you’ll have lots of fun. Grab an additional drink at the bar… on me – tell the girls it’s on Gab’s » he winks. I push my hair backwards, confused, destabilized by his generosity. « Thanks Gab, I could grab you a little something too if you’d like : a water, Gatorade… » he smirks, looks me up and down. I walk in, nodding embarrassingly, realizing how naive I must be coming off. « I’ll see you around! Thanks »

I quickly get to the counter and order two pornstar martinis. Never had those before but my favourite pop singer dropped in an interview that it was the it girl drink of the moment. « Need help carrying those drinks? » I freeze, terrified. A man has his arms all around me, hands holding on to the counter, his body leaned against mine. « You’ll have to forgive me, there’s a lot of people around. I promise I won’t do anything weird though » I nervously giggle. « It’s my birthday tonight, what about you join me and my friends? » I finally look back at him. He’s older that’s for sure, got a bit of salt and pepper hair going on. « Come on » he whispers as he grabs my hand and pulls me away from the bar with him, both of my drinks in his other one. « Okay » I answer, blushing. He’s kind of… charming !

We finally reach a corner booth by the back door. There are a couple guys and girls, around my age or older given I did present a fake ID. « I’m Hector » he says in my ear, grabbing me by the neck to get me closer. « Angel » I say, looking down, too shy to maintain eye contact. That’s when I see it. This huge bulge in his pants. I try to pretend I haven’t seen it but as soon as I look up, he grabs my hand and puts it on top of my pants zipper. « It’s okay, I won’t hurt you. Feel how hard you’re making me » I freeze once more, staring him in the eyes shocked.