- 8 -
"Welcome to McDonald's. What would you like to order?" I speak through the device connected to my ear.
"I want a happy meal and a cappuccino." a woman's voice murmures in response.
Selecting the command on the smart computer in front of me, I answer, "Anything else?"
"No, that's all."
"Ok, that's $7.25."
"Thank you."
The car appears to the side of my window, and the woman gives me her debit card to pay.
I treat her kindly and dismiss her. I sigh, no more cars in the drive thru, I'm exhausted. Although I prefer this shift than working inside the restaurant.
I fix my hat that has the McDonald's brand mark. It's still an hour before my shift is over but I feel like throwing myself out the window already.
The sensor tells me that there is a new car in Drive thru and I curse myself.
"Welcome to McDonald's. What would you like to order?"
I hear a female giggle and then someone clearing their throat, "I'd like to ask for a Rachel to go."
I smile like a fool. "Go to the next window, ma'am."
In a matter of seconds, Dani is by my window, her hair perfect as always, looking all fashion with her nice sunglasses, "I can't believe you're spending the remaining of summer here."
"I need the money and you know it, what are you doing here?"
"I came to kidnap you."
"It's still an hour before I can leave."
Dani smiles widely, "What part of kidnapping do not you understand? The part of that of it being unwilling?"
"Dani, I can't."
"Yes, you can."
I open my mouth to protest when I feel someone behind me, I turn to see Gabriel, a co-worker. His red hair escapes from his cap. His eyes fixated on Dani.
My attention turns to my best friend, "What is happening?"
"Gabriel will cover the rest of your shift for you."
I narrow my eyes, "Why would he do that?"
Dani shrugs, "We do things for our friends, right, Gabo?"
He stares at her.
Dani's gaze falls back on me. "Now, look for your things and I'll wait for you in the parking lot. We have to go now."
And she's out of my sight.
A few minutes later with my little backpack, I jump inside Dani's car, "I can't believe it."
"I'm super cool, I know."
"Gabriel? Really? I thought you didn't like redheads."
"Ed Sheeran made me change my mind."
I sigh, I don't even know why I bother, "What did you do?"
"I promised to go on a date with him."
"You can't go through life using your... hotness to get away with everything."
"Of course, I can."
I fold my arms across my chest, "Where are we going?"
"To Insomnia." My eyes widen. Insomnia is the popular club of the moment, and Dani's favorite place on Fridays' nights. I've never been there.
"One, we're not old enough, two, you really don't expect me to go smelling like this."
"One, that's settled, two, we'll stop by my house to change but we have to sneak in and out. Mom doesn't even know I'm out."
I twist my lips, "I don't have any clothes."
"I'll borrow you some."
Does she have an answer for everything?
"So you can borrow me one of those dresses where even my soul is on sight? No thanks."
Dani laughs, "You're so exaggerated, showing your knees is not a crime, Rachel."
"Well, for your information, in some parts of the world it is."
"But not here."
"Green." I say when I see the traffic light turn green. Dani is easily distracted while driving.
"Relax, we only have two weeks of summer left and you've done nothing but work."
That soften my attitude. I know she means no harm. "Well, but I'm not spending a dime."
"That's covered, too."
"Of course, I forget your ability to get what you want."
Dani puts the sunglasses on her hair and winks at me, "Oh yes, now," she parks a few houses down from hers, probably for her mom not to hear her car's engine. She never parks in front of the house anyway, smart girl. "Time to get beautiful."
It felt like an eternity but it's actually an hour later...
We are already in Insomnia where we could get in easily. I know, I don't believe it either. The black dress I borrowed from Dani fits my body nicely, even though she's more voluptuous than me. The dress sticks to my shape as if it has been mine all this time. It doesn't reach my knees, it's like four fingers above it but after seeing what the girls wear in this club, I feel like the Virgin Mary.
The first thing I notice is that not everyone enters here, the admission line is very long and there are lots of people that get denied the entrance. Now that I am inside I understand why, this is not just any place, it is very fancy and modernly decorated. There are colorful lights and effects around us, the dance floor is wide and full of couples dancing to the beat of the music.
Music...
I vibrate with it. It's impossible to listen to anything other than music. How are people supposed to communicate in places like this?
As if Dani was listening to me, she said, "I'm going to get us something to drink!" She shouts in my ear, and disappears.
Shaking my ear, I take my time to look around, I see many beautiful and very well dressed girls. It doesn't surprise me. I know Dani doesn't go just anywhere. She has a thing for nice clubs.
But obviously there are not only cute girls, there are also very handsome guys.
However, nothing like my Ares...
My Ares?
I have decided he's mine without his consent.
Scrutinizing the place, I realize that there is a second floor that has tables overlooking the dance floor, and at that moment my eyes meet that pair of deep blue eyes that torment my days and my nights.
Ares.
My platonic love is sitting there, looking as beautiful as usual. He wears black pants and a gray shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He is playing with the piercing in his mouth, making his lips look wet and red, his black hair is in that perfect mess that only suits him.
Unconsciously, I'm moving toward him, like a metal towards a magnet. His eyes catch me, I'm under his spell. It isn't until I meet the security guard in front of the stairs that I look away from those blue eyes and wake from my daydream.
"This is a VIP area, miss." The guard speaks to me firmly. I shake my head to put myself together.
"Oh, I... uh..." I glance at Ares, who looks at me from up there all powerful and arrogant, "I thought we could all go up there."
"No, reserved access." He gestures for me to go and let him continue his stiff mummy work..
"Right." I snort, walking away.
Of course the cocky Ares is in the VIP area, he's too much to mingle with the sweat and pheromones of ordinary people dancing down here, notice my sarcasm, please.
Reluctantly, I go back where I came from and meet Dani on the way.
"I couldn't find you!" She shouts in my ear and gives me a pink fluorescent drink.
"What is this?"
"It's called Orgasm! You have to try it!"
A drink called an orgasm ...
Even a drink has had more sex than me.
Slowly, I evaluate the small glass on all sides. I smell it and the smell is so strong my nose gets drunk and sneezes.
Dani takes hers in one swallow leaving me stunned. She encourages me to take mine and for some reason, my eyes travel to that little VIP area. Ares raises his glass of what looks like to be Whiskey as if toasting with me and then sipping his drink.
Are you challenging me, Greek God?
I hold the glass and drink it all in one go. The bittersweet liquid travels down my throat, burning everything in its path.
This definitely does not feel like an orgasm!
I cough like crazy, and Dani pats my back gently. We go to the bar and Dani gets two more drinks and I thought it was one for me and another for her but no, both are for me.
5 drinks later, Dani pulls me to the dance floor and I have too much alcohol in my system to care.
"Dance!" she encourages, as we dance through the mass of people.
I follow her and it feels so good to be so spontaneous and not to care about what people think.
Oh the advantages of alcohol...
I dance and dance, everything around me is colorful and the music vibrates throughout my body. Out of curiosity, I look up at the stupid royalty sitting in the VIP area and I see him.
Ares follows my every move, like a hawk watching his prey from the heights.
Why do you keep staring at me?
Do you like what you're seeing?
Don't be delusional, Rachel. He has clearly told you he doesn't like you.
Then why stare, Ares?
I'll give you something to look at, Greek God. I start dancing slowly, moving my hips to the beat of the music. I pass my hands through my long hair, my fingers caressing through it. Then, I lower my hands to pass them at the sides of my breasts, my waist, my hips, until I reach the end of my dress to play with it and raise it a little.
Ares' eyes don't miss a second of my movements. He raises his whiskey to his lips, takes a sip and licks his lips. Those lips that have licked my neck and thighs, leaving me wanting more.
Ares has made fun of me twice, it's time he get what he deserves.
I'll show you I don't forget anything and that even a Greek God can have a taste of his own medicine.
Rachel seductive evil mode activated.
x-----------------------x
Author's note: I know it has been a while. I went to the Wattcon in Toronto, Canada and had so much fun! I'll try to catch up with this novel and update some chapters before Christmas break. Please, vote and leave your comments. I'd love to know what you're thinking.
If you catch a translation mistake or one in general, please feel free to let me know (But if someone has already pointed it out, no need to point it out again so we don't create a threat of the same, lol)
Love, thirsty Ares, and dancing.
Ariana G. (Twitter: Arix05, Instagram: Ari_Godoy)