Page 38 of Perfect Date
I’ve been at Club Rebel now for forty-five minutes. I was early, because that’s just how I am, I’m always early. But the thing is, Justin knows that. He’s watched me show up early for three weeks - let’s be honest - he was paying attention.
Now though, he’s late. Fifteen minutes to be exact.
I’d call him, or text him, but I didn’t realize until I was already on my way to the club, that I forgot my cell phone at home. I have no idea how I managed to do that, but I blame my nerves. Given how early I was, I contemplated going home to get it, knowing I could likely return and still be on time, but decided not to. I’m now regretting that choice.
You can bet I’ll never forget it again. I’ll probably obsessively check from this day forward to make sure I have it before I leave my house.
Draining my glass at the bar, I turn on my stool and look toward the dance floor yet again and watch everyone in envy, especially the couples. I contemplate how long I should wait. Trying to solely focus on anything but his absence, I realize if he doesn’t show I’ll be upset I didn’t get the opportunity to dance. I was really looking forward to that part of the evening as it has been a while.
Trying to shake off encompassing feelings of disappointment, I resolve not to allow him to totally ruin my Friday evening. Gathering courage, I determine I’m going to go out and move to a few songs or so before I head home. I smile inwardly, telling myself to make the most of being out and attempt to reap something positive in what looks like another disappointing date night. Even if it was ‘fake.’
One positive is getting to see this club, it’s pretty awesome. I can see why Justin selected it. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen and almost seems like it should belong in an exciting place like New York, London or Paris. It’s not just a night club, it’s an experience and clearly the place to be on a Friday night, bursting with energy and age-wise, is very eclectic - young couples on apparent dates, girlfriends having fun together, groups of both girls and guys drinking together at the bar.
The color theme of Club Rebel is red and gold. On one side of the large room, is the bar which is clearly the main focus of the space. It’s a stunner if a bar can be such a thing. The bottom of the bar itself, where patrons sit, is reflective glass; round gold stools line the space. Strings of lights that run just at the top of the bar, hang under a mirror top that is only over the space of the bar. Light reflects off the mirror and creates a beautiful effect. Somehow positioned like hanging shelves, bottles of alcohol make up the wall behind the bar. The rows upon rows of bottles glitter and shine in the lights. As I’m wondering if they use a step ladder to reach the bottles, some sort of mechanism appears to retrieve a bottle from its assigned space and lowers it to the barkeeper below. The entire place is a showstopper.
In the center of the room, but far enough from the bar, there’s a stage. Its structure allows people to fully surround it so the live band or DJ is at the center. It’s elevated in such a manner that the lights and reflections somehow provide the illusion that it’s floating.
On the other end of the room, there are gold tables and chairs that shine in the lights like the bar. The stools have red tops and there are some booths that line the wall as well. There are both high tops and lower tables of varying dimensions, able to accommodate different group sizes.
Currently, there’s a DJ on the stage and pop music blares throughout the club. One thing that catches my eye in the far corner which is super cool, is a large photo booth. There’s a sign above it that says, “Be Rebellious.” A constant flow of people have been going behind the closed curtain, emerging with smiling faces and lots of laughs.
I’ll definitely have to come back with Kimberly; she would love this place. I’m assuming she’s never been here before, or certainly she hasn’t told me about it. Though I wonder how either could be true; it’s just not like her to miss out on such a hot spot. I can’t wait to ask and to determine if she has committed an unforgivable sin of omission.
Standing from my seat, I decide to hell with it, I’m here, may as well make the most of it. When I tell Kimberly how this night went, I know without a doubt she will ride my ass if she finds out I didn’t at least have one dance, even if by myself, before leaving.
Upon further consideration, I can hear her telling me to do it in order to pick up another guy since Justin didn’t show, but I just want to do it for myself. At first, insecurity at going out there alone tries to make me sit back down, but as I make my way to the dance floor, I’m determined to be bold and fierce.
I look great tonight.
I can still have fun.
Even if it’s alone.
It’s Justin’s loss.
Plus, I need a new place to call my place since I’m clearly never going back to Greedy Goose. The thought momentarily bums me out a little because I do really like his place. That only makes him more of a jerk right now in my eyes. Not only did he stand me up, but in doing so he took one of my favorite places from me too.
As my feet hit the edge of the dance floor, a song I really like begins to play, and people cheer to show their approval. Their energy and excitement is contagious, so I decide to go all in.
Working my way a little bit inside the outer edge, I start moving to the music. At first, I feel a little self-conscious. I feel like there’s a spotlight on me and there’s a big sign over my head that says, “THIS GIRL WAS STOOD UP TONIGHT” and that they all know that I’m out here dancing alone because I’m a loser.
Then I realize, as I look at the faces all around me - all the smiling, happy, faces - that I’m being paranoid and bid my insecurity goodbye. Everyone else is letting go, having fun, enjoying themselves and don’t give a crap about me. They’re all focused on themselves or the person they’re with.
Closing my eyes, I raise my arms over my head and shake my stuff. I even laugh out loud, feeling joy. For a moment I have clarity and I realize that regardless of what happens in my love life, I really do love myself. And not in a narcissistic kind of way. I love that I know how to have fun, that I’m easy to get along with, that I’m a kind person, and a great daughter, and a good and loyal friend. I like that I can walk out here like this and take a chance and simply enjoy being with myself.
After Drew, taking those blows to my confidence was hard, but I think I’m really okay, and it feels pretty freaking fantastic.
No matter what, I’m going to be just fine. I know I want to fall in love, I know I’m in love with love, but I also know, that it will happen with time. And if it doesn’t, if it’s not in the cards for me, well I’ll deal with that when the time comes. But something tells me no matter what, I’ll be okay.
Suddenly, I feel hands on my hips and it jolts me out of my happy place. Momentary panic possesses me as I wonder who’s touching me. My body is turned around, and my eyes fly open meeting dark ones filled with relief.
“Charlie! Oh my god, I found you. I can’t believe I found you and that you’re still here.”
Justin stands before me and his face is slightly flushed and there are beads of sweat on his forehead.
And he looks good.
Really good.
