by Lily Graison
He was the butt of jokes for weeks after that… all because of her. They laughed and called him names and Paige did nothing to stop them. She never defended him or offered to help and a piece of her died every time someone made his life hell because of her.
She liked Colin. Not as much as he liked her, but she liked him. He wasn't the quintessential jock with good looks and a body to go along with it. He was quiet and shy and, even if she admitted only to herself, had the most amazing blue eyes of anyone she'd ever met. He wasn't terrible to look at either, but at the time, anyone not wearing the latest fashions was considered less than desirable. His geek status alone put him in the no-touch zone. He never should have registered on her radar… but he did.
She never told anyone what she thought of him. Not even Meg. Her friends would have had her committed for even thinking it. Colin was a social leper at the time and even though her personal life was in shambles, she would have given anything to have someone actually hear what she had to say. Having someone around who actually cared about her would have been a Godsend. And she knew Colin would have listened. He would have clung to every word and offered her the world to make it better.
She tried talking to him after school the day he asked her to the prom, but the minute she approached him, he gave her a weak smile and said, "Don't worry, Paige. I know where I stand with you, now. I always thought you were different from them. I guess I was wrong."
He turned and walked away from her then. She stood there alone and watched him leave while she held the poem and rose he'd given her. His words stung and reminded her of the person she didn't want to be. She watched him walk away and knew she had finally broken him.
It was the last time he ever spoke to her.
No longer did she find him staring at her, or find the unsigned poems slipped into her locker. No matter how many attempts she made to talk to him, he walked past her like she didn't exist. Much like she had done to him. It hurt to be treated that way. She knew then the hell they made his life.
She never told a single person she called his house two days before prom, only to have his brother tell her to never call back. Their treatment of Colin was unfair—even hers. No one knew him. They never wanted to. And now, ten years later, they still laughed at the boy who'd worn his heart on his sleeve.
She sighed heavily thinking about it all. She hated treating people like inferior beings but when she heard the laughter coming from the other room she knew some things would never change, especially with her friends.
She turned and walked slowly back into the living room before making her way to the sofa and sitting down. She stared at her friends, their snickers over Colin having died down to an eerie silence. "Okay, what gives?" she asked, sipping her wine.
"Oh, nothing," Courtney said, flashing a completely fake smile.
Paige noticed the sly looks her friends gave her before she lifted one eyebrow and sat up in her seat. "Really? Because it looks like the four of you just found out your boyfriend cheated on you."
Megan smiled, turning her head towards Paige. "It's the King and Queen Prom photo," she said, quietly.
"Oh," Paige said, needing no more explanation. The memory of her and Lance posing for the picture and dancing to their song flashed back in her mind. She hadn't thought of him in years and she liked it that way. It took her a long time to get over him, but she did. Apparently her friends didn't think she had—or thought she shouldn't have.
Leaning back in her seat, she took a big sip of her wine, hoping to clear her mind of memories she'd just soon forget. She would have fun this weekend if it killed her. She needed this more than anything she could think of.
* * * *
Chapter 3
"Oh God, why didn't someone make me stop drinking last night?" Amy asked, covering her eyes to try and block out the light in the room.
"I told you to slow down on the wine," Courtney laughed. She pulled the curtains back, filling the once-dark living room with light and Amy practically screamed before ducking her head under a pillow on the couch.
"Geez Court, don't you get tired of being so damn happy all the time?" Kim asked, stumbling into the room. "All that smiling has to be bad on the complexion."
"Oh, actually I read smiling was very good for the facial muscles," Courtney smiled.
"Yeah, so did I," Megan said, raising her hand and covering her mouth before she yawned.
"Is Paige up yet?"
"I haven't seen her."
The front door opened and Paige smiled before saying, "That's because I heard of a stray being at the airport ahead of schedule."
She entered the apartment with Heather right behind her. She dropped Heather's numerous bags just inside the door, grunting in relief. She watched the prima donna stroll across the room like she didn't have a care in the world.
"Heather!" The room sang in unison.
"You're early! We weren't expecting you until later tonight," Megan said walking over and giving her friend a hug.
"Yeah well, I told Ben if he didn't get his shit together and stop screwing up my light, I'd kill him slowly by telling the world how dickless he really is."
"No way!" Amy yelled. "Tell me you did not sleep with him."
"No, I didn't sleep with him," Heather said rolling her eyes before she flopped down on the sofa and stretched her arms out across the back of it. Her long brunette hair was pulled into a complicated twist at the back of her head and her make-up flawless. The short black dress she wore exposed her long shapely legs and her spiked heels complimented the outfit. She looked every bit the star she was and she made sure everyone around her knew it at all times.
She looked at the faces around the room, making sure all eyes were on her before she smiled and said, "I just fucked him and left him lying there basking in the Heather-haze of love."
Laughter once again erupted and the girls sat down to hear how life in the Big Apple was treating their now very famous friend. Everyone listened intently, riveted to tales of the actors Heather had been romantically involved with, and the biggest point of interest, of course, was how well they performed.
"So, what have I missed?" Heather asked, slipping off her shoes and pulling her feet up on the couch.
"Not a whole lot," Amy informed her.
"So you haven't left me out of anything?"
"Nope, just multiple bottles of wine and scary stories," Courtney said.
Heather raised one eyebrow. "Scary stories?"
"Yes, as in Travis Hardy," Kim spat out, rolling her eyes.
"And Randall," Courtney reminded her.
"Ewww," Heather said, her face twisted in disgust at hearing the two names.
"Oh, and let's not forget, Colin," Amy chimed in with a giggle before everyone in the room laughed.
Paige smiled when every girl in the room turned to her and she found herself laughing along with her friends at the mention of his name. She couldn't understand why, after ten years, she still felt like a sixteen year old girl being pressured into being a royal bitch toward someone who was probably a really nice guy, no matter how dorky he seemed.
"Oh my God, I wonder if he'll be at the reunion?" Heather asked, smiling.
"We wondered the same thing."
"Hey Paige, you going to make nice with the dork if he's there?" Heather grinned.
Paige rolled her eyes. "You guys are impossible, you know that?"
"No, we're not," Kim grinned. "He was a dork."
"Says who?"
"Says everyone!"
Paige forced a laugh, shaking her head and averting her eyes. They would never change, that much was obvious.
"Hey, not to change the subject or anything, well, actually yes, but anyway… guess what I have for you ladies?" Heather asked before standing up and crossing the room to her luggage. She reached into one of her bags before turning with a huge smile on her face.
"Oh please say its Keanu's home phone number," Courtney belted out.
"No, you dork," Heather s
aid, shaking her head. "I have these." She grinned before waving the tickets in her hand back and forth.
"Tickets?"
"Not just any tickets," Heather said walking back over to the couch. She tossed them down on the coffee table, crossed her arms over her chest and smirked at them all.
Kim leaned over the table, looking at the tiny pieces of paper before letting out a squeal. "Holy shit, Heather! Who the hell did you have to blow to get your hands on these?"
Heather laughed and wiggled her eyebrows. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Hell yes I would!" Kim yelled, smiling.
"What are they?" Paige asked, straining her neck to get a peek at the tickets.
"Only the most delicious night's entertainment you've ever had." Kim said, smiling.
"Oh really?" Megan asked, curious.
Paige craned her neck, looking to see what the tickets were and her eyes went wide when she saw. "The Pleasure Dome! I am so not going in there!"
"Oh, yes you are!" Kim and Heather yelled in unison.
"What's the Pleasure Dome?" Megan asked, looking at her friends.
Paige sat back and rolled her eyes. "It's that new sin factory downtown they try to pass off as a club.
"Sin factory?" Courtney asked just as confused as Megan.
"Oh God, Paige, lighten up. How long has it been since you got laid anyway?"
"Excuse me?" Paige asked, shocked, before turning to look at Kim. "What the hell does that have to do with anything?"
"Because you're a prude, that's why," Kim yelled.
"I am not!"
"Yes, you are. You always have been. Look at precious Paige, with her virtue in tact. Are you still a blushing virgin?"
"Ladies!" Heather yelled before the situation got out of hand. "Chill the fuck out and sit down."
Paige crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Kim. She never wanted to rip her hair out like she did in that moment. They all sat back down and got quiet, all eyes on Heather.
"All right, for you less than worldly people," Heather said, smiling. "The Pleasure Dome is the most exclusive club on the west coast. It's invitation only and home to the most delicious, lick-able hard bodies you've ever laid eyes on!"
"Oh my," Megan said, grinning. "So, are we talking naked goodness?"
"Oh baby, we're talking about the best hunks of salty goodness this side of heaven!"
* * * *
Chapter 4
"Come on ladies, let's go already!"
Paige heard Amy's voice boom through her apartment. The biggest part of the afternoon consisted of getting dressed and primped to perfection and they were all ready for The Pleasure Dome.
Well, everyone but Paige.
She stood in front of her mirror, debating on her choice of dress. One look into Paige's closet almost gave Heather a heart attack. She'd insisted on giving Paige something risqué to wear.
She'd spent over an hour looking through Heather's vast collection of designer clothes and finally decided on a light blue halter dress.
The dress wasn't something she would normally wear but Kim's earlier comment touched a nerve. She knew most of her clothes were simple and looked more sophisticated than anything someone her age should own, but she was far from virginal. And she would prove it, if it killed her.
She turned to the left, trying to see the back of her dress before turning a complete circle. The dress was backless; the front cut low and emphasized her breasts. She tried for the tenth time to get the material to cover more with no luck. Her breasts looked ready to pop out at any second. She sighed before shaking her head.
She ran her hands down the front of her, watching the material glitter in the lights from her room. The dress had an almost metallic look to it and every time the light caught it, it shimmered like small diamonds littered the surface. It hung to mid-thigh and the skirt flared just enough to soften the whole look. Ultra-high strappy high-heels finished the look and made her legs look twice their length.
Giving her hair another toss to shake out some of the curls, she gave herself one last look before making her way to the living room. She spun on her heels before posing for the group.
"Well, what do you think?" she asked.
"Oh, look who's getting her naughty on now!" Heather said smiling big.
Paige almost blushed when the girls all whistled and shouted for her.
"You look fantastic, Paige."
"You don't think it's too… `I'm a ho, take me home'?"
"Of course it is," Meg said, grinning. "That's why it's perfect."
Paige giggled along with the others. "Well, what are we waiting on?"
Amy made a small whoop sound before saying, "Salty goodness, here we come!"
* * *
The atmosphere inside the Pleasure Dome was unlike anything the girls had ever experienced. They walked into the building and were met with silence… until they took the stairs.
The music started in a low steady beat, getting louder the further into the club they walked. By the time they reached the top of the stairs where the main stage sat, the techno beats blasted so loud they could barely hear each other talking. It thumped in their chests, the sound coming from every corner of the room.
Their gazes took in all the sights around them. The low lighting made it hard to see anything except the stage. Bright lights blazed on the dancer currently performing and gasps were heard from the girls when they got their first look at the half-naked men The Pleasure Dome offered. The only other men in the entire building were those who worked there, all wearing nothing more than what looked like a painted on pair of black spandex pants.
They were all beautiful. Hard sculpted muscles and warm smiles were thrown their way and the girls giggled in response. A very large, bare-chested man named Jett led them to a table right up front next to the stage. He smiled and flirted with them all before taking their drink orders and telling them to enjoy the show.
Paige looked around the room, amazed at what she saw. Women were everywhere. They were standing along the front of the stage, holding their hands high with a "tip" to offer to the current dancer. More women were sitting at the small tables scattered around the room while others hung around the bar. Almost all of them were screaming as the man of the moment strutted his stuff on stage.
"I can-not believe this place!" Megan yelled, trying to be heard over the roar of the crowd.
"I know, isn't it great?" Heather yelled back, eyeing the dark-haired piece of eye candy named Damien, who currently danced on stage, in nothing more than a scrap of cloth covering his bare essentials.
He danced and flexed his muscles for the ladies lining up to see him and his smile was intoxicating. He worked the crowd into a frenzy. Every woman standing at the stage got a chance to touch him, her tip accepted with a small kiss on the cheek, before he'd move to the next lady.
The girls all laughed and stared at Damien dance and they all knew the excitement of the night had only begun. Paige watched her friends get as animated as the other females in the room. They were standing, clapping and yelling Damien's name while he performed and even though watching half naked men dance had never been on her list of things to do, she had to admit the sight was one to behold.
Drinks flowed and laughter ensued as the evening wore. The whole group sat shocked when Kim paid for a very seductive lap dance from a man wearing nothing but a g-string and a cowboy hat. Paige thought she would die laughing when Kim grabbed his ass and pulled him down on top of her and started grinding her hips into him. They had all whistled and cattle-called. The dancer seemed to enjoy her practically dry humping him in front of one hundred and fifty screaming women. One look at his face proved that. He enjoyed the dance every bit as much as she did.
When the last dancer exited the stage, the girls all sat patiently, watching a man in a tuxedo walk onto the stage with a microphone.
"Ladies, if I can have your attention please," he said. "The moment you have all been waiting for is almost here, so ple
ase, take this opportunity to refresh your drinks and grab the smelling salts as our next performer prepares to entertain you!"
The roar of the crowd was deafening. The girls looked at each other when the entire club seemed to take the noise level up ten notches. They had no idea why, but as the crowd became more animated, their enthusiasm also rose.
Jett returned just in time to refill their drinks and Paige happily drank hers down before ordering another. The more she drank, the less embarrassed she felt. A good stiff drink was all it took to let her inhibitions go and she was having the time of her life.
* * *
Simon looked out from behind the curtain, scanning the crowd. The roar of applause for him floated to the back stage area and caused his smile to widen. He loved this part, the anticipation of his arrival.
"Rowdy crowd tonight," the announcer said stepping back stage and stopping beside him.
"Looks like."
"Better watch the brunette at table five. She's a little on the grabby side," the announcer said laughing. "But that's never been a problem for you, now has it?"
"No, can't say it has." Simon stretched his neck to look over at table five. He smiled when he saw the table of six women. All beauties from what he could see. They all seemed to turn towards the stage at once and he stared at each one, taking in the way they were dressed. They weren't your average crowd. These ladies knew how to dress-to-impress.
His gaze landed on one of the blondes and when she smiled, his heart nearly stopped. He'd memorized that smile. Seen it in his dreams a thousand times. He searched her face, his eyes widening before looking back at the others.
He knew them. Knew them all.
"Oh fuck!"
"Problem?"
"Depends."
"On what?"
"On if they recognize me or not."
Images he tried to forget flooded his mind. Images of their faces alight with laughter at his expense. The hateful words spat at him daily and the constant taunts and ridicule for the boy he once was paralyzed him. He stared at them, knowing his worst fear had just been realized.