Dating : How we met (a short story that changed everything)

Someone wants to head to a club. She asks if I am coming. I say yes immediately, I hate nightclubs and my sister’s boyfriend has no ID, so they can’t go. I ditch them without hesitation and head to the nightclub, I kid on that I want to go, really I am following her. If she suggested a crack den or the gates of hell I would probably follow blindly.

We get in, and the music is so loud I feel it in my chest. It’s dark, hot and crowded. The walls of the dance floor are lined with male predators, they look severe, I wonder if they come because they enjoy it? I get the impression it’s more serious than that, like a hunting trip, coordinated rather than fun. I down drinks quickly and spend most of the time at the bar rather than having to dance.

She appears suddenly and drags me outside to the smoking area. The cool of the night air hits me like a wave of relief. We talk, and I am drunk at this point. Things come out far more confident than I intend them to, she doesn’t seem to mind. She says something about how far apart we live, I protest that it isn’t that far. I spend 5 minutes on a presentation about how the distance isn’t something to be concerned about, I’m not sure my points are clear, but I make them anyway. Out of nowhere, she leans towards me, we kiss. The shock sobers me instantly. I can’t believe what is unfolding, my mind starts to race, thinking about what this could mean. Maybe I have a chance, perhaps she does like me. I don’t want to think about these things and try to quiet my mind. More drinks.

I am buying another round of drinks, and the annoying friend manages to find me. The music is loud enough to make talking difficult, and the effect of him is drowned out. He screams something to me over the music about why he wouldn’t bother with her, and she only goes for black men. I say ‘yeah sure’ and what I think is, go fuck yourself. I know if he had half a chance, he would be following her like a bloodhound around the club. As I stumble around trying to find a face I recognise, that isn’t his, I see her through the crowd. She is dancing with someone I don’t know. I feel crushed and go back outside for a cigarette, convinced I’m being ridiculous and never had a chance in the first place. Of course, someone like her will be in high demand, what could I possibly have to offer? From the mayhem outside, she appears by my side smiling, and we talk more, kiss more, my hope is restored. She saves her number in my phone, I’m glad when she puts her name in, Mariolina. I repeat it in my head a few times to see if it will sink in.

We are back inside, and suddenly she asks if I want to leave. She tells me to wait outside the toilet, and I stand there using a wall for balance, not comfort, a necessity at this point. What seems like an eternity passes, I think she may have jumped out of a back window or used a side exit to get away from me. This scene plays like a movie in my head, and I dismiss it. Finally, she emerges, and I’m glad I waited. We head out into the night.