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I gulp “Thanks – again”

“See you later,” he says and then practically disappears into the crowd, his words sounding like a promise

When I take a peek back at the bar I see that Judy had been watching the entire exchange I feel like running ho away for a month when she s me off and her smile into a scowl I look away and stare atin the world

While Nicky and the others go to the bar I have a look at the VIP section Delilah’s there wearing a long li with several ner suits I wonder what exactly it is she does here I mean, she seems to work here, but I just can’t tell at what It looks as though she’s carrying out some kind of business deal, and it unsettlesdone in the VIP section of a night club other than sos or criminality

With irls Dillon and A their way toward e in their eyes They put their drinks down on the table I’ it so as to shove ht in irls, so I accede defeat and step aside

I lean against the blackaround the steps that lead to the dance floor andain to see if Delilah’s business dealings have progressed This ti at any of the people around hiered He irls bully me out of the table, he raises his brow as if to ask why I allowed the and turn away from him

My bullies are the usual kind of girls you’d find in a place like this, faces full of e hair of a variety of colours, stylish tattoos and stylish clothes The sad thing is that I used to be one of the is that I’irl I once was Empty

It’s not like I’ve outgrown the Goth thing, it’s more like I’m still Goth but without any kind of conviction or belief in what I am I have no zest for life, or to be different, and the only reason I look half decent is because Nicky chooses all of my clothes for me and does my hair and make-up

I used to love to read, but now all I do when I’m at home is sit and stare dead eyed at the television Even at the new job I’ve started, before I would have been excited by the fact that Marcel and Gabriel believe I have soh I don’t believe in it, before I would have revelled in the attention But now I just want theet on with their lives

The funny thing is that Ethan’s advances are the only exception to the deadness I feel inside When he looks at ht bulbs have been switched on inabout in my chest It puzzles me How can I be nuer, or a sign that I should be with him?

Nicky bringsoff my Bacardi I ht and that’s to get drunk It’s the only way to stopof why it is I feel the way that I feel Maybe it’s because the o, says a tiny voice in my head

I join Amanda on the dance floor and Nicky and Dillon follow A, she’s the one II still plan on introducing her to Lucas Perhaps they’ll bond over their unusual shared interest Dillon puts his arm around me as we dance to Adam and the Ant’s “Stand and Deliver”

When I spot Lucas standing at the steps that lead to the dance floor I take the opportunity to ask if he’d be interested inAmanda I tell Nicky I’ll be back in a minute and pull my way out of the crowded dance floor When I approach Lucas he grins in that usual predatory fashion

“Hi,” I say nervously

“Hello, what can I do for you Tegan?” He’s still wearing the ear piece alongside a black shirt and slacks, which probably ht