It Will Come Back

Neon Escape

The club was alive with energy as I followed Ash, staying close to him to avoid getting lost in the throng of people. The music pulsed through the floor, vibrating my entire body, and the lights flickered in bright, blinding colors, almost making me dizzy.

“Is it always this loud?” I shouted over the thumping bass, trying to be heard over the chaos.

Ash nodded, grinning. “It’s a club. What’d you expect?”

I chuckled and looked ahead, squinting at the flashing lights that seemed to blur everything in their path. “I didn’t expect this,” I muttered to myself, but Ash didn’t hear me.

“Hey, cheer up,” he said, squeezing my hand. “You’ll grow to love it!”

I nodded uncertainly, unsure if I was ready to embrace this chaotic world. But Ash was right about one thing—I couldn’t deny the infectious energy of it all.

“What’s that?” I asked, pointing at the thick clouds of smoke that suddenly started filling the air. Looking up, I saw an air vent releasing vapor that draped over the dancers like a fog.

“It’s vapor,” Ash shouted over the noise. “It’s supposed to create a spooky ambient vibe.”

“Cool, cool, cool,” I muttered, still trying to make sense of everything. Before I could think too much about it, Ash grabbed my hand and spun me onto the dance floor.

“Woah, where did that come from?” I laughed, grinning at the sudden rush of movement.

“Why? You wanna know if there’s more?” Ash teased, his blue eyes sparkling.

I nodded, smirking. “Maybe.”

We danced, and I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming connection with him, as though we were the only two people in this entire club, lost in our own little world.

“This place is amazing!” I shouted over the music, laughing as the opening notes of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit blared through the speakers. Ash started head-banging along to the music, his energy contagious.

“I knew you’d like it!” he shouted back at me, his voice barely audible above the roar of Kurt Cobain’s voice.

I threw myself into the song, singing along at the top of my lungs.

Load up on guns, bring your friends

It’s fun to lose and to pretend

She’s over bored and self assured

Oh no, I know a dirty word

Hello, hello, hello, how low

Hello, hello, hello, how low

Hello, hello, hello, how low

Hello, hello, hello

With the lights out, it’s less dangerous

Here we are now, entertain us

I feel stupid and contagious

Here we are now, entertain us

A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido

Yeah, hey!

“This is amazing, holy s**t!” I screamed, jumping up and down. Ash mirrored me, playing an invisible guitar, his face lighting up with joy as I laughed along with him.

“I feel like I’m on the moon!” I shouted, my body weightless in the euphoria of the music, the moment, and Ash’s presence. For the first time in a long time, I felt completely free.

As the song hit its peak, the lights dimmed, and just as we were about to slow down, the chorus hit again. The energy of the room surged, and we bounced and jumped around like no one else was there, caught up in the music and the madness.

With the lights out, it’s less dangerous

Here we are now, entertain us

I feel stupid and contagious

Here we are now, entertain us

A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido

Yeah, hey

Yay!

And I forget just why I taste

Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile

I found it hard, was hard to find

Oh well, whatever, never mind!

“I’ve never felt so free!” I shouted to Ash, my voice hoarse from singing along.

He pulled me into a brief hug, his hand finding the top of my head as he pressed a quick kiss to my hair. My cheeks flushed instantly, the rush of warmth spreading through me.

“This is only the beginning, sweetheart!” Ash shouted, his eyes alight with excitement.

The world felt different now. Alive. For the first time in a while, I wasn’t burdened by my past. Here, in the neon glow, I was just me. And maybe, just maybe, I could let go and feel like this forever.