The Mess that is Tess

Chapter II: The Party

The day flew away, between phone calls and work, and the odd message from Tony, Tess found herself at the end of the day, getting ready to go and celebrate her birthday out in the club with her friends and siblings.

She was choosing her outfit, even though she had the perfect dress to go with. But she was browsing the closet, as she always does, just in case something else “spoke” to her. Mia was there as well, browsing Tess’s closet, because you never know when something speaks to you from your friend’s wardrobe and tells you to take it and make it yours:

-         Look at this dress, it yells Mia, save me! Tess is mistreating me, she never wears me, I didn’t see the sunlight in such a long time.

-         Well, if you are going with Mia, you won’t see the sunlight, but the disco lights!

-         I don’t think she minds, said Mia and took the dress for a try.

-         How weird is that Tony bit…guy! How many messages did he send you today?

-         I honestly stopped opening them. It was I hate you/I can’t live without you all day long. I lost track on which one was the dominant message. I answered two of them, apologising for ending things like this. It was just not going anywhere, not from my part anyways. Why would I prolong the misery?

-         Yeah, you should have not dated him in the first place.

-         Well, I had no idea he was like that. And you never know where this could have gone towards.

-         Yes I always knew it would be a disaster! He was always like that. It’s just you don’t see it at first.

-         Maybe I don’t…maybe I should let you in charge of my love life.

-         Maybe you should. You would have a hottie next to you. With a to-die-for bod, a smile that stopes even Banderas in his track.

-         Why would it stop Banderas? He’s not into men!

-         He would be with the one I am picturing for you!

-         Thanks, Mia, but I think I am done dating for now. I was never a relationship chaser, so I don’t need anyone for a while. It’s just not for me the whole boyfriend thing.

-         Yeah, sure, you are a lonely wolf.

-         She wolf.

-         She wolf, concluded Mia.

The club they were going was one of the oldest in town. She just realized she was going there for over 15 years now! Yeah! That’s something. Should she feel old? Neah, not really. She was never the person to cry her age. Not yet, at least.

It used to be an 80s club, but because time past, it became an oldies but goldies kind of dance club, as songs from the 2000’s where now considered oldies and goldies. Heck, even from 2010 felt quite old. So the music adapted through time, but the DJ, and owner of the club, was the same one. He was in his early 40s, running the show and entertaining the crowd with his tunes and mixes since he was in his 20s. He knew Tess well, since she was just a child, a teenager.

Tess felt in her element there. She knew almost everyone, she knew she was protected and she felt confident nobody will hit on her tonight, because she was wearing the No Go face, only enjoying her friends, not looking around for any other faces but people on her group.

DJ Boom-Boom, as that was his stage name, was a tall, broad shoulder guy. With long hair and dark blue eyes. He was intimidating by size, looking like a body builder, but also by the way he was scanning the crowd in front of him. He did not look friendly or approachable. While he was all smiles with the ladies, he was keeping an eye out on all the guys, making sure none of them does something stupid. And while some tried, in the 17 years he had the club opened, they all ended up escorted by Boom Boom all the way in the street. Depending on how bad they behaved, they were either nicely sent their way, or thrown their way out of there.

So it was a safe place, for Tess and for everyone. She felt good. Like she didn’t in a while. Maybe it was the wrong relationship she was in and ended, maybe it was just the music, the familiarity, being with her dearest people. It just felt right. She felt free and happy. And she was filled with so much energy and love, and she realized she didn’t even eat chocolate today. As that always brings her in the greatest of moods.

She was dancing her heart out, when she realized, she loved dancing as much as she loved chocolate. But why couldn’t she love someone else, a person, a partner, a life partner the same? She jumped from one relationship into another, not driven by love, not even l**t, mostly because the society pressure made her. She was happy on her own. Really happy. She didn’t think she will need someone ever. Was she broken somehow? Was she incapable to love someone?

But there’s no time for those thoughts today. She just wanted to dance and focus on the things and people she loved.

She was on the dance floor, feeling the music, eyes closed, her body was flowing with the music. She didn’t know if she was a good dancer and she couldn’t care less. She loved dancing, and she loved chocolate, she knew that much about love.

When she was in the middle of the dance flow, hands in the air, eyes closed, body moving the way it pleased, she heard on the speakers: “Here’s to the best person I ever met, best dancer and best friend. Happy birthday, Tessy! This one is for you!”. DJ Boom Boom outdid himself this time. She didn’t like being the centre of attention, but somehow she was pleasantly surprised by his gesture.

Then, You’re simply the best by Tina Turner, a very energetic remix of the song, filled the dancefloor, and Tess was simply stunned. That was her favourite song, that remix of it to be precise, which was Boom Boom’s artwork. She looked at him, made a heart shape with her first fingers and thumbs and blow a kiss to him. Then she signed him to meet at the bar.

She didn’t get the chance to say hi to him the whole evening, as he was busy there and he had people coming and going, asking him to play certain songs. She thought for a second that he forgot about her birthday, but she knew he wouldn’t, as she celebrated her birthday there every year since she turned 16. He couldn’t have forgotten that.

They met at the bar and she went around it, to meet him, yelling enthusiastically: -Thank you, Bonbon! You are simply the best! Je t’aime! Then hugged him tight and planted a quick kiss on his lips. He was one of her best friends. He was her confident, and he helped her, especially when she had boy problems, which was always, since she could remember.

She jumped up and down full of joy, then off she went on the dancefloor to sway on the tunes of her favourite song. She was so into the music and the moment, that she did not notice the tall thin, dark haired stranger that was leaning against the bar and witnessed the whole scene. The stranger looked at Boom Boom, lifted an eyebrow in surprise and said:

-         Bonbon?!

-         You know nothing, mind your own business, you freak!, said Boom Boom laughing.

-         No, really, Bonbon? You look nothing like a chocolate candy!

-         What? Why not?

-         Haha! You have no sweetness in you!

-         Yes I do! Not for you for sure!

-         Or are you like her sugar daddy or something?, asked the man, pushing his luck.

-         You are lucky I know you for so long, and can handle your jokes, otherwise, you would be meeting my right best friend, Boom Boom said, showing off his fist.

-         Well, that’s what I am saying, bro, I know you forever, and I have never heard anyone daring to call you like that.

-         Well, Tessy is allowed, she is one of my dearest friends.

-         What?

-         One of my dearest girl friends.

-         That’s better, said the guy. Then he turned around so he could see Tess better. She was stunning. Her dance moves were so in rhythm with the music that her whole body was mesmerising. Beside being hot, she was hot, but there was more about her. The way she moved, the way she felt and enjoyed the music. She looked like performing a dancing act. He zoomed into her image dancing, focusing on her only, till the rest of the people on the dancefloor simply disappeared. He felt he could just watch her dance forever. He heard Boom Boom clearing his voice so he turned around to face him.

-         Don’t even!, Boom Boom said.

-         What?!

-         Don’t even, said again Boom Boom, this time his tone sharp and eyes threatening.

-         Is she your girl or something? What’s the story between the two of you?

-         There’s nothing happening between the two of us, but I know you well. You are a predator, you attack and you leave. I said don’t even think of that! I am serious.

-         But, you are the same! Why would you have her?

-         I don’t want to have her! But she is too precious to allow you to hurt her in any way. So don’t even!

-         I am going to try my luck, you either like it or not! You’re not my dad, and even if you would be, I would still don’t care!

-         Well, then, at least let me give you some pointers, said Boom Boom.

-         I don’t need pointers! I have charm!

-         She’s different, you know!

-         I can see that.

-         Ok, just a heads up, she likes sweet talk, said Boom Boom and off he went back to his music.