Black Hole

Swing, Swing

Variety is one of the coolest places I’ve ever seen. I have no idea how I’ve never heard of it. Before even entering the place I could hear the music in the parking lot. I was slightly nervous about dancing. They moved so fast and I wasn’t sure if I could keep up.

Callan grabbed my hand as we entered. It felt like we were a couple and that made me smile like crazy.

“We’ve got a table reserved for us every Thursday night.” Callan said over the loud music and talking.

“That’s awesome!” I exclaimed, hoping he could hear me.

When we reached the table, everyone but Lucy and Howie were there, including a girl I had seen at school but never spoken to. I believed her name was Vanessa. She had brown skin, big beautiful green eyes and curly brown hair that in my opinion was to die for. When I saw her around school, I noticed she wore a lot of gold. She always seemed nice enough, but maybe she too had a crush on Callan and would hate me.

“Hey guys,” Callan said as we approached. 

“Hey!” Everyone chorused back. 

Vanessa smiled at me. Maybe I had nothing to worry about.

“It’s packed in here tonight.” Callan observed, looking around.

“Will we have room to dance?” I asked, feeling a little silly.

“Of course we will,” He assured me. “And the next song, I’ll prove it to you.”

“Okay,” I said nervously, smoothing out my dress. I think Vanessa noticed because she smirked at me. I was now quite confused about her feelings towards me. All too soon the song ended and a new one began. Callan pulled me out on the floor excitedly. We took our positions and then started.

I was at his will. He turned me, picked me up, jerked me around whenever he wanted to. He’d always whisper what he was about to do in my ear. Following his instructions was easy enough and by the middle of the song, I was having so much fun, I was laughing.

Callan’s eyes seemed to light up at the sight. It made me happy. We danced to at least five more songs before taking a break. I was exhausted. Only Josh and Vanessa were at the table when we returned. She patted the seat next to her, signaling me to sit down.

“Hi,” She said brightly.

“Hey,” I responded, smiling.

“I’m Vanessa.” She said. “You would have known that if someone was nice enough to introduce us.” She said, shooting a look at Callan.

“Sorry about that,” He said, looking embarrassed. 

I laughed. “I’m Jay.”

“Oh I know. You’re Miss Popular at school.” I was surprised by her tone. It wasn’t harsh and she was smiling.

“Yeah, that’s me,” I shrugged.

“But you’re nicer than the other golden kids. I like that.” Vanessa said, still smiling.

“Hey!” A girl’s voice called. I looked up and saw Lucy heading over with Howie.

“What’s up guys?” She asked, purposely not looking in mine and Vanessa’s direction.

“Well hello to you too, Lucy.” Vanessa said.

“Hello Vanessa,” Lucy said with disdain. “We were so sorry to miss you last night.”

“Yeah, I’m sure. But I had to work last night. You remember what work is, don’t you?”

“Play nice,” Howie said cautiously. 

“Lucy wouldn’t know nice if it came up behind her and smacked her in the back of the head.” Vanessa laughed.

“Arguing again, are we?” Adam asked, sitting down next to Vanessa. “What is it this time?”

“You,” Vanessa answered. “We were arguing over your love, Adam.”

“Bite me,” He said grinning.

“You gonna dance with me tonight, Vanessa?” Howie asked.

A genuine smile came to Vanessa’s face again. “Well since you’re the only gentleman besides Callan around here, sure why not?”

“Hey, I’m a gentleman!” Josh said.

“I said what I said,” Vanessa said dismissively.

“Howie is my date tonight,” Lucy protested.

“Don’t worry, I’ll treat him nice and give him back when I’m done.” Vanessa said, attempting to sound innocent.

“Let’s dance, Callan.” Lucy said, grabbing his hand. He looked over at me as though asking for approval.

“Go ahead. I need to rest more.” I said as Lucy pulled him away.

“Her crush on him is absolutely pathetic.” Vanessa said to me. “He obviously doesn’t like her and he never really did.”

“Can you blame her?” I asked. “Callan is smart, funny, so incredibly sweet. He has great taste in movies and he’s so good looking…” I trailed off thinking of how perfect he was. Vanessa had an amused smile on her face.

“What?” I asked.

“ Nothing. It’s just you guys talk about each other the same way. With those far away expressions and dreamy smiles. I swear you guys think the other is perfect.”

“Callan talks about me?” I asked, even though I already knew he did.

“All the time,” Vanessa chuckled fondly. “Says how you’re smart and beautiful and perfect. Drives Lucy nuts!”

“What a shame,” I said sarcastically. “What’s the story with you two? Why don’t you two like each other?”

“You mean besides the fact that she’s a b***h?” Vanessa asked. “We used to be really good friends. We both worked at Turntable, the record store near the observatory. We got hired at the same time. She and the guys were starting the band at that time and they asked me to be the manager. We were all great friends, until I got promoted and she didn’t. She felt she deserved the promotion over me and said I should let her have it. I said no. She got fired a few weeks later for her bad attitude and blamed it all on me.”

“Wow she’s even worse than I thought.” Vanessa nodded and we started watching the dancers.

I finally spotted Callan and Lucy. I was slightly jealous because they danced much faster than we did and it didn’t seem like he had to tell her what to do. The song ended and suddenly Lucy kissed Callan. He pulled away quickly, looking shocked.

“It meant nothing,” Vanessa assured me. I assume she noticed the expression on my face. “She totally forced it on him.”

“Whatever,” Was all I could say. 

I don’t know why, but I was immensely jealous. Okay I did know why, but I also know it was completely unfair to feel like this. I have a boyfriend. Callan and I were not in a relationship. He’s at liberty to kiss whoever he wants. Whether that’s me or Lucy. But does he just make a habit out of kissing girls? Did that kiss blow his mind like mine did? Probably not. 

“Seriously, Jay, don’t worry about it. I know it meant nothing to him, he’s like in love with you.” Vanessa said.

My head snapped to look at her. “What do you mean? Did he tell you that?”

“No, but I know he is. And although I don’t know you that well, I have a feeling you feel the same way about him.”

I laughed nervously. “What? No, of course not. I have a boyfriend.”

“Then why are you here tonight with Callan and not out with Leo?”

“Well I mean…” I started. “I mean it doesn’t even matter. Besides, Callan doesn’t feel  that way.”

“Well, what if he did?” She asked. “What if Callan wanted to be with you?”

“I-um- don’t really…”

“You are totally in love with him,” She stated with a smile on her face. “Aren’t you?”

“I don’t know!” I exclaimed.

“You are!”

“Am not!”

“You can tell me, Jay. I promise I won’t tell anyone. I’ll even tell you who I like.”

I bit my lip. Could I trust her? I barely knew her. But she was so nice to me. And she seemed to actually care. And I just had to tell someone about the perfect, earth shattering kiss between Callan and I.

“Well, something did happen between us…” I said.

“What? Tell me!” She said leaning in. 

Before I could answer, Callan is approaching us. “I’ll tell you later,” I muttered.

“Ready to dance again?” Callan asked me. He didn’t seem as happy as before.

“Yeah, sure.” I said getting up, giving Vanessa a look.

“Let’s dance Howie!” She said enthusiastically, pulling him up.

As we danced Callan seemed distracted, like there was something he needed to say. A slow song came on and Callan and I started swaying.

“You saw Lucy kiss me, didn’t you?” He asked quietly.

“Yeah,” I answered.

“It meant nothing,” He insisted.

“It’s none of my business,” I said. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me, Callan.” But really, he f*****g did.

“I know. It’s just that last night I told you I had no feelings for her. I didn’t want you thinking I just go around kissing girls because I don’t.” Callan rambled.

“Okay then,” I laughed slightly.

“That kiss between us was real. It was special.” He whispered, gripping me tighter. “Now kissing you is all I can think about. And I know that’s wrong because you’re with him, but Jay I can’t help it. I’m going crazy trying to keep everything inside.”

“It wouldn’t be the end of the world if you let it out,” I whispered.

“So maybe I will,”

The rest of the night things went well. Callan barely took his eyes off of me and I would be lying if I said I took mine off of him. Unfortunately I never got Vanessa alone to tell her about the earth shattering kiss that had Callan and I saying things we previously would have never said.

I promised her the next time we saw each other I would tell her. As we were leaving Variety, the boys and Lucy walked ahead of us, but they were too close for me to actually say what I wanted without them hearing.

“It was wonderful meeting you,” She said. “I like you.”

“Well I like you too,” I grinned.

“And I won’t be offended if I see you at school and I say hi and you don’t say it back. I know you have a reputation to uphold.”

“Vanessa, I’m definitely going to acknowledge you at school,” I assured her. “You’re my friend.”

She laughed. “God you are different. Callan was right.” She hugged me tightly. “I have a feeling we are going to be the best of friends.” She whispered.

I sure hoped she was right.