PENELOPE.
The night air was thick with anticipation as Daphne and I managed to sneak past the guards, tiptoed down the side corridors, and slipped out the mansion's back door, the cool breeze brushing against our skin. Our hearts pounded with excitement, adrenaline humming in our ears. We had mapped our escape route carefully—through the garden maze, past the staff entrance, and straight to the black SUV waiting just out of sight. It was reckless, yes, but so worth it.
We slid into the car, the mansion's grand gates closed softly behind us, sealing in the last of the night's secrets. I felt a rush of freedom surge through me. The city lights flickered past the windows, promising unpredictable adventures ahead.
The whole building was alive when we arrived. Outside the club's grand entrance—an enormous, neon-lit fortress pulsing with life.
"Once we go in, there's no turning back. Are you ready?" I whispered, glancing at Daphne with a grin.
She took a deep breath, her eyes shining with a mixture of adrenaline and mischief. "Absolutely. Tonight, we're partying like it's our last night."
With that, Daphne's hand held mine tight as the guards pushed open the heavy doors, and the bass hit us instantly—the kind of bass that vibrates through your bones, making everything else fade away. The dancefloor was packed—people swaying, jumping, losing themselves in the rhythm. Smoke machines added a hazy glow that made everything seem surreal. Colored lights streaked across the room like lightning, illuminating faces full of joy, anticipation, and a little bit of reckless abandon.
We made our way toward the VIP section, a raised platform overlooking the dance floor, roped off with sleek velvet barriers. The bouncer recognized us immediately—probably because we've been here many times before—and nodded us through with a smile.
Inside, the VIP was a world apart. Plush leather couches, shimmering champagne bottles, and a dedicated bartender mixing drinks with a practiced flair. It was quiet compared to the chaos on the floor, but the energy was just as electric.
"Wow," Daphne whispered, her eyes wide as she looked around. "This feels…different from the times we came with the boys."
I flopped onto a couch, patting the seat beside me. "Let me introduce you to a life without boys, babe." I teased with a grin. "Here, we're the only royalties around."
Daphne sank down beside me, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "I can't believe we're actually doing this," she whispered-yelled, her voice almost drowned out by the music.
I leaned back, taking in the scene. The club's DJ was spinning something hypnotic—an electronic beat with a seductive rhythm that made the whole room sway. Everywhere, people were lost in their own worlds—dancing, laughing, raising glasses, and just living in the moment.
"Look around," I murmured. "Everyone here's chasing the same thing tonight—freedom, fun, maybe even a little escape. Tonight, none of us have to worry about tomorrow or what's waiting at home."
Daphne nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah. It's like… I can feel all the stress, all the nerves—just melting away already."
I reached over, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "That's what tonight is for. You're twenty-two now, Daphne." I said nodding towards the wall clock before giving her a tight hug. "Happy birthday! Let's celebrate you. You're going to live a little, get out of your head."
She looked at me, her expression softening. "Thanks for dragging me out tonight. I needed this more than I realized."
Just then, the DJ's set shifted into a song I recognized—an upbeat, infectious remix of an EDM hit that made my hips sway before I even realized it. I looked over at Daphne, who was already bouncing her knees, her smile bright and unrestrained.
"Come on," I said, "Let's dance. Like nobody's watching."
She laughed and pulled me up. We headed to the center of the VIP area, where a small dance floor had formed. I felt the heat of the lights on my skin, and heard the pounding beats echoing through my chest. The world outside the club, the worries about tomorrow, melted away in that moment.
We danced fiercely, losing ourselves in the music, our bodies moving freely in the glow of the club's vibrant lights. Daphne's laughter rang out over the beat as she threw her arms up, her body swaying freely. She looked radiant—her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright, her smile unstoppable. I couldn't help but mirror her energy, feeling the music pulse through my veins, making my worries feel distant, almost irrelevant.
Then, the crowd parted slightly, and a few guys from the other side of the room caught sight of us. One of them, tall and confident, grinned and nodded in our direction. Daphne caught my eye and raised an eyebrow, a playful spark igniting in her gaze.
"Let's see what they're about." she said, a mischievous grin curling her lips.
Before I could respond, they approached, offering us drinks and joining our dance circle. We moved together, lost in the moment, the world shrinking down to just us and this wild, intoxicating night. Daphne was in her element—her laughter infectious, her body perfectly in sync with the beat. I could see her glow, the kind of glow that only comes when you're truly living free. At one point, she twirled into a guy's arms, her hair flying as she spun.
After a song or two, Daphne collapsed onto the couch beside me. She looked over at me, her cheeks flushed, breathless and beaming
"Okay," she panted, "this was exactly what I needed. I feel like I can breathe again."
I nodded, smirking. "See? I told you tonight was going to be unforgettable."
She leaned back, her fingers tracing lazy circles on the cushion. "Sometimes I forget how much I need nights like this—where I just let go. You know, no expectations, no plans, just… living."
I reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "That's what girl's nights are for. I'm sorry we haven't done this in a while."
The DJ switched tracks again, this time to a softer, more sensual tune. Daphne looked at me, her eyes a little mischievous.
"Dance with me." she said softly.
I hesitated for a moment, caught unawares by the unexpected spontaneity. And then I stood up, offering my hand, and she took it eagerly. We moved closer, our bodies swaying gently to the music, sharing a quiet, intimate moment amid the energetic chaos around us. The night stretched out before us like an endless ribbon of possibility as we danced under the shimmering lights.
Eventually, the music slowed, and we sank back onto the plush couch again, breathless and grinning like teenagers. Daphne looked over at me, her cheeks flushed, her eyes shining.
"Thank you, Pen." she whispered, voice full of emotion. "For tonight. For this."
I smiled, feeling a warmth bloom in my chest. "Anytime, babe."
After a while I raised my glass. "Here's to us—living, blooming, loving, and making more memories."
We clinked glasses, the champagne fizzing over, and time slipping by in a blur. We danced, sipped more cocktails, took countless selfies with new friends, and laughed until our sides hurt.