The dance floor glows as party lights pitch in and out below the VIP lounge. The lounge is separated from the dance floor below by soundproof glass. We can feel the bass of the dubstep/techno jams the DJ was playing when we entered, but luckily the loudness isn't an issue. Still, the place has a vibe that I won't necessarily say is good, yet not a total disappointment.

I'm sure most people only pretend to enjoy clubbing, and I am one of them. There aren't many perks to clubbing except getting laid and having a potent drink. I usually drink moderately, but I have had a high dependency over the last day and a half.

I'm working on it.

Luckily for me, I didn't have to wait until I was 21 to enjoy it because as soon as I turned sixteen, I bought myself a Fake ID:

Thomas N. Gomez | 300 E Bellevue Dr, Pasadena, CA 91101 | 02/18/1997 | M | 5'11 | Hazel Eyes

I, for one, am not an Aquarius but a Scorpio, born at the beginning of October; the only downside is that I'm still seventeen and not eighteen, which Luena and Carmen love hanging over my head since they're older; by a few months.

I care little for astrology, but Luena and Carmen live by it, hence the influence.

As for getting laid, I'm undecided.

Given a choice between meeting women at a club or meeting women anywhere else, I'll go anywhere else. The whole generic getting sweaty and grind thing is not for me. I don't do casual hookups, and I'm what people would call a romantic; I'd never admit it out loud, though.

Calabasas is no different from the hundred-plus nightclubs in LA, but for my pleasure this evening, I'm making an exception and going for the gin & tonic.

"Where the hell did Klay go?" Can says, "he needed to take a leak thirty minutes ago."

I shake my head and take a sip from my glass. "He probably found someone on the dance floor." I glance over the countless strangers below us, grinding against one another.

Nori chuckles, "oh, he found someone alright." She points to the crowd, below and amongst the bodies. I manage to spot Klay's reflective bomber jacket in the crowd as he dances with what seems to be a tall blonde in red.

Klayton (or Klay) always finds someone. As long as I've known the guy (three years now), he always finds someone to "dance" with him; he doesn't do serious relationships, only casual flings, which he explicitly states to anyone he is or will be involved in—and I mean, literally, in. The guy doesn't believe in love, and I guess that's okay; it works for him.

Once I asked him why he prefers hooking up to casual dating, and he answered:

"A night with a stranger is simpler. No expectations. No commitments. Only independence. I don't have to know their soul or their heart or even their mind, and I can enjoy the fact that they want a fun time for a short time. No harm, no foul."

I guess that's a good enough reason, but who am I to judge? I couldn't get my shit of a relationship together.

Hooking up is not for me; If I connect with someone, I prefer a more casual approach. There's no pressure, I can get to know someone, as many someones as I want, and if I deduce in the end to take the next step, I will, although my recent breakup has me rethinking the whole dating thing. Taking my time with the right person takes time, and after the result of my last relationship, I don't have the patience or energy to do it all again.

Can whistles to Klay, who, of course, doesn't hear him, but he receives a playful slap from Nori. He laughs, cuddling her into his side.

"Is Luena joining us tonight? I haven't seen the girl since her speech." Nori asked as she finished the rest of her long island; it was her second one of the night.

"I'm not sure 'cause she hasn't replied to me. She isn't herself today."

Nori and Luena met in PHDC (Preston High Drama Club)—Nori was director, and Luena, was president. Anytime they were together, all they would talk about was their love for the theatre and playwrights. It's no surprise that Nori plans to major in Drama at Julliard.

As for Can, él es un loco del béisbol (he's a baseball nut) that wishes to go pro, but his parents argue that it's a pipe dream and have persuaded—more like demanded— him to study the medical field; any choice of doctor will do as long as he becomes one.

He surrendered to their requests because he knew withstanding them was a losing battle. In his reasoning, his sexuality has already been a point of contention in their relationship.

Most hardcore Muslim families would disown their child for being bisexual, so he believes the least he can do is go pre-med, go to medical school and so on...ergo him going to Columbia in the fall. He thinks if he does this, they'll finally come around, but I know that won't make a difference. Regardless he's my friend, and I support him one-hundred per cent.

I, however, am expected to pursue a Hotel and Tourism Management Degree when I enroll. Dad expects me to take over the family business when he retires, but that isn't my dream. I'm still figuring out what I want to do, but taking what's his, isn't going to be it.

I live to do the opposite of what I'm told, and when I make up my mind, it's unchangeable.

"What's up with her? She alright?" Can asked, biting into an hors-d'oeuvre.

The canapés comprised arancini with pomodoro sauce, caramelised mushroom tarts, and chicken skewers with satay. Most of which was consumed by Can—him and his bottomless pit stomach.

"She's just behaving standoffish today, but I'm sure she'll come around."

I hadn't had the chance to say goodbye to Luena when I left, but I feel if I did, she'd still be...withdrawn. I don't know what's wrong with her, but I hope she comes around. It feels weird... usually, we're so open about everything, but somehow we've entered a different territory.

Who knew a breakup would change things outside the relationship circle?

"My drink is finished. You guys want another?" Nori and Can answer with a nod.

I press the call button attached to our table that addresses the waitstaff to serve or, in my case, refill my glass.

Eventually, our waitress comes by; her name tag says, Josie. She's a red-head with rose tattoos trailing down her pale arm and dressed in a black skintight dress and heels that look uncomfortable as she wobbles in her stilettos. She friendly smiles with a memo pad in hand.

"Can I get a refill of gin & tonic, and for my friend, a few more napkins." I gesture to Can, who has gotten pomodoro sauce on his hand. "And another serving of arancini, please."

She nods, taking away the now empty side of pomodora sauce and our empty glasses.

"More long island, please, and a bottle of water," Nori added, smiling at the waitress. She returns a tight-lipped smile as she trudges away.

"I'm giving her an Atlantic business card when she returns. The poor girl needs a better job than this shitty one." I remove a sleek black card from my wallet and place it on the lounge table.

"At least the food is good," Can replied, grabbing three chicken skewers to eat. Nori snatches one out of his hand before he can consume it.

I tuck my wallet back into my jeans and feel my phone buzz. Quickly I check my cell, hoping it's Luena replying but to my dismay, it's Livia; another call me out of the countless thirty she's sent since last night.

I'm not responding.

I blocked her two times, but that hasn't stopped her. If there is one thing I once admired about my hot-headed ex, it's that she's dedicated and persistent in any endeavour she puts her mind to; it used to be cute, but now it's just fucking annoying.

I told her at that party that she was dead to me. I warned her to stay away. But that wasn't for her benefit; that was for mine. I knew if I heard her out, I would let her in again, which I didn't want to do. I know she's controlling and manipulative, which is how she constantly gets her way.

She's toxic, and I never wanted to admit it, but now I have to. Sadly, I never had enough self-respect for myself to say no. When did it start? I do not know, but now, after two years, enough is enough.

I block her again. It won't do much, so I guess I'm changing my number tomorrow.

Fortunately for me, she isn't going to NYU; she got in, but her first choice has always been Duke University. Marine Biology is her passion; no surprise there. Her mother wants her to pursue fashion, so she has a problem on her hands. A controlling mother breeds a controlling daughter, I guess.

"I need a smoke break," I quickly tell Can and Nori. Jan waves me off as he and Nori are passionately making out.

At least love is thriving somewhere.

I sigh, tucking my phone back into my pocket. I pass the many VIPs to the smoke room at the end of the hall. As I step through the red geometric upholstered doors, welcomed by an overwhelming smell of cigarettes and cannabis. It doesn't deter me, so I pass through the semi-crowded room to the balcony. I can hear the crowd of people below, lined in, waiting to enter the nightclub.

I wonder what it's like to be a club owner?

I take out my metal case holder and wood lighter. Feeling it in my hand, I trace my fingers over the carved Andalusian Horse in its center. It reminds me of my maternal grandfather's horse, Orianna, in San Juan. I recall riding her every other day during the summer I was fourteen.

Lighting my blunt, I inhale the smoke; I added blue lotus to my roll-up before leaving home, and I have to say I like it, but I'll never admit that to Luena, though.

"Hello, lover."

Mierda (Shit).

I recognise that voice all too well; facing the voice in question, I am met with familiar deep-blue eyes that I've drowned in for two years.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Livia smirks, sidling her soft body next to mine. "I missed you. You haven't returned any of my calls or texts."

Annoyed, I burn more smoke from my blunt before returning it to my metal case holder.

"There's a reason for that." I growl, "how the fuck did you find me?"

"Nori's insta, it showed you four having a great time without me. And here you are...brooding," she eyes me up and down, "and sexy as ever."

Livia grabs onto my arm and rakes her fingers through my hair. She knows it's my weak spot, but tonight I won't fall for her charm, so I yank her hand off my head.

"We," I motion between us explicitly, "have nothing to talk about. We're over, which I made perfectly clear last night."

She folds her arms defiantly, "I made one mistake, and I've apologised. What more do you want from me?" Livia peers into my eyes, "don't you miss me? Don't you miss us?"

Invading my personal space again, she wraps her arms around my neck and grazes her lips against my left ear—the action prompting me to shiver involuntarily.

" 'Cause I miss you," she whispers.

My member twitches at the contact, and it takes every ounce of strength I have not to give in. My eyes slide over her body as I pull away from her; she seems like sin in her black Versace dress. For a second, I want to reach out and pull her close, feel her soft body against mine, slap her ass and kiss her into oblivion.

She knows what makes me tick and what turns me on; it's like she's studied me. Like right now, she's wearing Chanel no. 5—a scent of heaven mixed with her chemistry; her soft strawberry blonde hair I used to play with is in a ponytail, signalling her true intentions for tonight.

She's a temptress, but I'm beginning to understand her true nature is a viper because she knows what she's doing, and I refuse to give her the satisfaction.

"What I want..."I remove her arms from my neck and step back, "is never to see you again. Your act will not work. Now, stop stalking my phone and me and run back to the asshole you were sleeping with," I firmly say.

She scoffs, "so that's it? After all the time we've been together, you're breaking up with me? Did you ever love me, or is this a grand opportunity to go after what you truly want?"

"What the fuck are you on about?"

"Your precious Luena. The bitch that you truly want," she rolls her eyes. "I guess now that you think we're over, you can finally be with her?"

I can't believe that she's twisting this. If I ever loved her? All I've ever done is love this girl, and now she wants to manipulate our breakup and make me out to be the bad guy?

"You're fucking unbelievable, Liv. You cheated on me, not once but twice and—"

"Oh, please. I never cheated on you the first time, alright. I only wanted to see what you would do if I told you I did. I wanted your attention and finally received it. You were the asshole that broke up with me and rebelliously refused to talk to me, but just like then, we can overcome this now. I love you and refuse to lose you to your fucking second fiddle, Luena. I told her she won, but really, she didn't. You'll never see her that way, and she knows it, but she's delusional in thinking she has a chance. It's pathetic how doe-eyed she gets when you're around."

"Are you fucking joking?" I bewilder. "How can you be so callous?"

A first offence is one too many.

How could she lie and hurt me like that? A normal person would feel bad, but I'm beginning to understand she's not normal. This is all too much; I can't take it anymore.

I step forward, clasping Livia's shoulders, tightening my grip lightly to avoid hurting her.

"You are...a conniving, narcissistic, she-devil that doesn't care about anyone but herself," she smirks. "All I ever did was love you, and it wasn't enough, but you know what, Liv...." I release one of my hands and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and lean in, whispering coldly, "you were never deserving of my love in the first place."

I let her go, watching as her face turns into a crestfallen one. She eyes me quietly, tears welling in her eyes, but carelessly I turn away from her and make my way out of the smoke room.

It was a horrible thing to say, but I know a small part of me meant it. She lied to get what she wanted, with no concern in the world for the heart she broke twice. I've heard somewhere that love brings responsibility. So, am I responsible for my broken heart, or is she?

Yes, I said I feel cowardly and weak to say I've suffered a broken heart, but I'm human, and her actions pained me.

For someone so empathetic about sea life and the planet, her personality doesn't match. I thought she was genuine with me, but she's changed; the girl I fell for isn't the girl that cheated on me.

No matter how much I'm tired of her and want her out of my life, I wish her the best. I loved her better than those that didn't, but it wasn't enough. And when something isn't enough, sometimes the only choice you have is to let it go.

Nonetheless, I can't help feeling a certain way about her observations.

I know the bitch would say anything, but is it true that Luena like's me? Has she been harbouring feelings for me this whole time? If so, how long has it been?

I don't want to believe her. I don't. But this revelation...is too much not to ignore.

Livia told her she won? Is that why Luena's been so distant? Is that why she cried? If what she says turns out to be true, what will I do? I already had a burning question, but now I have three:

What did Luena mean by her drunken statement?

Does she like me?

And am I ready for the answers that will follow?