My Life After Now

4

Out Tonight




“I’m going method, guys. For the rest of the night, Lucy Moore will cease to exist.” I held up my fake ID. “Tonight, I am Samantha Porter, twenty-two-year-old college student from Philadelphia.”

It was nine p.m., and we were on the Metro-North train, barreling toward New York City. Max and I both told our parents that we were sleeping at Courtney’s—which we did plan to do eventually, but not until close to dawn. Courtney’s mom worked nights at the hospital.

“What brought on this sudden sense of adventure, Luce?” Max asked. We were more of a play-going, movie-renting, coffee-shop-frequenting kind of group. We weren’t exactly clubbers. The only reason we even had fake IDs at all was because, continuing with a long-standing Eleanor Drama tradition, last year’s seniors had passed them down to us after graduation.

“Are you talking to me?” I asked pointedly. “My name isn’t Luce. It’s Samantha.”

Courtney and Max rolled their eyes in unison. But it got them off my back. They had no idea that Lisa was back, and I wasn’t about to talk about it. Tonight I was vacating my life.

“Whatever you say, Samantha,” Max said.

We got to the club in Chelsea at ten o’clock, ready to dance our feet off, only to find out that they didn’t even open until midnight. My heart sank. Probably should have done my research a little better.

“Now what?” Courtney asked.

I held my head high. “Now we just find someplace better to go.”

We walked for a while, until we came upon a place that looked promising. There was a velvet rope and an enormous bouncer outside, and there was live music escaping through the open door. I took the lead and confidently flashed my Pennsylvania ID. The bouncer looked at it, chuckled, and shook his head. He knew it was a fake. But I couldn’t let him send us away. At this rate, the night was never even going to begin.

I stuck out my boobs and flashed him a coy smile. “Is there a problem, sir?” I asked sweetly.

The bouncer looked me up and down—my hair was tumbling past my shoulders, and I was a vixen in all black: dressed in a low-cut tight tank top, tight jeans, and ankle boots with a stiletto heel. I’d bought the boots for a theater camp production of Cabaret, but tonight was the first time I’d ever worn them in real life. To my amazement, the outfit did the trick—he handed the ID back to me, stamped our hands, and waved us inside without even asking Max and Courtney for their IDs.

“That was incredible!” Courtney said as we made our way to the bar. “I thought we were goners for sure.”

I bought three Long Island iced teas and slurped mine down before my friends had even finished half of theirs. I promptly ordered another one.

“Um, you okay, Luce?” Max asked me. I wasn’t usually much of a drinker.

“Samantha,” I insisted, pointing to my chest. I finished my second drink and slammed the glass down on the bar. “Let’s dance!” I shouted, and began to move to the music.

“Lu—Samantha—I don’t think this is the kind of place you dance at,” Courtney said.

She was probably right. The band up on the stage was playing acoustic alternative rock, and the most anyone was doing was moving their heads or swaying the tiniest bit in their seats. But the drinks were strong, and my body was warm, and I didn’t care what anyone else was doing. I wanted to dance. So I did.

And guess what? Other people followed my lead. Soon there were at least a dozen people out of their seats and dancing. After a few songs, the band’s lead singer spoke to the crowd.

“We’re going to mix things up a little for you guys. This next song is for the girl in black.” He pointed to me.

He switched from an acoustic guitar to an electric one, and the band started playing a new song. It was loud and it was fast and it was the best dancing song ever.

“Woooo!!!” I screamed, jumping up and down. I wanted another drink, but I didn’t want to waste time at the bar, so I just grabbed Max’s drink out of his hand and chugged it down. My head was beginning to get fuzzy and spinny. But that was exactly what I wanted. I wasn’t able to think about anything but the music.

Courtney and Max joined in at last, and the three of us danced the night away.

After the band’s first set, the singer came over to get a drink from the bar. He was gorgeous—flawless hair, totally sexy stubble, vintage tee that showed off the tattoos on his perfect arms. I was shocked as all hell when he approached me.

“Your band rocksss,” I slurred.

“Thanks.” He grinned and extended his hand to me. “I’m Lee.”

“I’m Lucy,” I said. Crap. Samantha. Oh well, too late now. I made sure to wipe my sweaty hand on my jeans before I shook his.

“You gonna stick around for the next set, Lucy?”

“Absolutely.”

“Cool,” he said, and hopped back up onto the stage.

Courtney, Max, and I stared after him.

“That is one beautiful man,” Max said.

“Amen,” Courtney said.

I didn’t say anything. I just watched Lee retune his guitar, a smile playing at my lips, knowing I’d just found a surefire way to forget all about Ty.

• • •

One incredible set list and three tequila shots later, Lee found me again, his guitars slung over his back.

“Hey Lucy,” he said. “Wanna get out of here?”

I giggled. I’d thought people only said that in the movies. I nodded.

I got up to leave, but Courtney grabbed my arm. “Lucccy, wait…you sssure y’wanna go withhim?”

I laughed. “You’re so drunk!” That was the only answer I gave her. Max didn’t say anything because he was passed out on the table.

I took Lee’s arm, and together we left the club.