Cling!
Came the soft clicks of crystal against each other, coupled with the gleam rippling of half-finished crimson that danced under the colourful disco lights.
"Cheers!!!" The half-drunk, half-sober voices followed, a vibrant, crowded yet simple group of full-blown mature individuals echoed, with a certain kind of familiarity only bonds built from long years of chaos and friendship could have.
It was obvious that even a blind man could tell that this particular clique of friends had already created their own space in this part of the club.
The vibe was clearly reeking of liquor, jokes, laughter, lethal face beats, beauty that could drop a full-grown human, sassy mannerisms, constant yells, playful jabs and most especially a safe chaotic space for this queer clique.
Their aura heavily contrasted with the simple and classy atmosphere and ambience of the club.
But they pay their bills, so nobody cared, 'had the guts to'
A soft classical vintage music came on, almost as if it was a signal to shut them up for the main time, and fortunately, they all caught the sign and settled harmoniously into their individual seats, but their murmurs never died down. It was absolutely full of lyrics of reunion in their chats.
"It's been really long"
"You look so fat now"
The waiter arrived with his little interruption to take their orders, and there came the flow of choices and preferences, another round of criticism for eachother's taste.
"I will also have one of those," Tyra, the hot emo-looking one amongst them, pointed out, with a sharp but seductive flick of his finger, his gaze fixated on the man holding his server pad like a serpent sizing prey.
"Tyraaa!" The others echoed knowingly
"Live the poor boy alone "
" Can you stop flirting,eeeyyuck!" Another one chirped in.
Tyra smirked, giving the waiter a cute wink, which the nervous man managed a nod in reciprocation, alongside a flustered smile and with that, he was on his way.
"It's not your fault boy, blush…God is gay too," Tyra teased as he finally leaned back to his seat , like he just accomplished his stupid mission of turning straight men gay, and also turning a deaf ear to the tsunami of taunts that came after.
" If he's blushing to your little naughty advances, what will happen when he sees Fedora!, huh?….. hypnotized"
"Hoooooo!" The others mimicked a hypnotised psych, as everyone burst into laughter.
That was when Tyra's gaze shifted to his bestie
Fedora!!!.
Fedora slouched sideways on the soft lounge chair, thumb fixated inside his teeth as he chewed on it like it was the most tongue-watering delicacy on the menu.
He didn't order anything, didn't join in their laughter and jokes, which was awkward, because he was unanimously the leader of this chaos whenever he was in town.
But today, this particular night, it was safe to say he was here all this while, but at the same time, he wasn't.
His gaze fixated towards the large windows that showcased the evening life outside. Away from the continuous chatters, away from these beautiful chaotic moments he never missed for anything.
His gaze just stuck on the steam that hugged those windows, the wet tars from the rain's aftermath and the cars that revved past under the glow of the street.
'pathetic' he thought to himself, this!, this whole thing he was doing now it was 'lame and pathetic', actually it was giving "how can I put the spotlight on me" he cursed inwardly, dropping the thoughts that made him feel this way.
'You are a bad bitch fedora, bad bitches party, they don't cry over a lame idiotic dim witt that doesn't even deserve you'
He was supposed to be drinking his intestine out here, having fun, considering this whole nuclear ticking bomb reunion was one of his orchestrations to forget why he suddenly came back from college abroad, unannounced.
He shook his head softly, in an attempt to ease his thoughts and also with a slow exhale.
But then something became off, no more chatters or jabs, not even the loud, piercing laughs, the bar's karaoke was heard clearly, and it dawned on him.
He has finally managed to make himself the centre of attention again.
" Dora?!" Tyra called out, voice soft and laced with concern, but that gained him a quick eye roll from Fedora.
Fedora never liked being called 'dora' but anyways…he blinked, flashing a smile that barely reached his eyes, and then his gaze swept across the faces that craned forward towards his direction.
" You know that was fake right?" One of the guys addressed the smile, and everyone burst into laughter.
They knew him so well, even more than his family, and it wasn't even their fault; the laughter from them was finally able to tug out a genuine smile from him.
" Exactly, that's what we need to see", Tyra cheered, and without hesitation, everyone was then sucked back into the vibe as if nothing happened.
'like no heartbreak from a situationship happened, like someone is not trying to hide the fact that they want to vent or punch something'.
The night progressed, with everyone finally getting a taste of liquor as they danced with their hearts on the floor.
After some hard minutes of the whole sport, everyone retired back to their individual seats gasping and laughing in between.
And then silence, everyone invested, it was clearly time for the gisting sessions, with the looks on their faces, from afar would be mistaken for an important, reasonable discussion, 'hell no'
This was the time for the wildest, juiciest escapedes of who is hooking with you, status on lavish lifestyles and most especially.....
"How is it abroad?" Tyra started, a sharp gesture for Fedora to answer.
The others nodded, eyes filled with anticipation, waiting for the 'group's beauty' to spill the tea or wine. Anyone, it was just spill.
Fedora's eyes narrowed in irritation. He wasn't going to spill shit! he knew this was their trap, and also, he was familiar with the drill: answer one question and see yourself telling your entire life story.
They were trying to ask him about the boy he never stopped flaunting in his Instagram stories and reels in the last few years; unfortunately for them,that tea is never getting spilt.
In fact, he gulped down the remaining whiskey in his glass, face souring briefly to its never-familiar gut-wrenching taste.
"Eyyyyyy!!" The group booed playfully, catching his signal.
"I'll go get another one," Fedora said huskily, raising his glass slightly before staggering up.
"Careful" Tyra warned, stretching out his arms in reflex.
"Is there a time I am not?" Fedora retorted, tugging the hem of his leather tank briefly and with that made his way towards the counter.
To be continued...