After picking a playlist, I start it, and Enigma’s “Gravity of Love” comes on.
Denise gestures for me to put my feet in while she puts a timer on. The warmth of the water instantly soothes me, and I close my eyes, enjoying the peaceful bliss of normalcy.
Just like everything lately, though, it doesn’t last long. That urge I’d felt at the club is back. The connection that makes its way through my body with an intensity I can’t begin to describe. I feel it everywhere and shift a little in the chair. Small blips of memories invade my peace. But these are not of the torturous kind.
Lips that I’ve felt before graze my own. Hands that have explored my curves in another lifetime. The warmth of a body I’m so familiar with, but I can’t make out his face. My hands begin to tremble, and my breaths are shallow. I open my eyes to break the spell.
Just as I look out the window, I see a tall figure dressed in black walking slowly past. His hoodie covering his face from view. He pauses, and I swallow hard. A surge pulses in waves through me. There’s no fucking way he’s feeling the same thing I am.
He starts to scan through the window of the salon, and I grip the armrest of the chair. When it seems like he’s looking in my direction, I freeze. All I can make out is the bottom of his jawline. The small uptick at the corner of his lips sends a longing within me to reach out to him. He continues his walking, and I bolt out of the small tub and make my way to the front door, my wet feet slipping slightly on the tile.
“Myssa, are you ok?” I hear Denise yell.
But by the time I’ve opened the door to look around, he’s gone.
The intensity of emotion ebbs away, and my heart beat finally starts to slow down.
What the hell was that?
Once again, I’m left with more questions than answers. What I do know is I’m so tired of holding all this in. It doesn’t matter if they believe me or not. I need to tell someone what’s going on. Vix and Knox are the closest to family I have. Tonight, after the club, it’s time to come clean.
“Yeah,” I finally answer, defeated, and Denise and I head back in.
An hour later, after walking back into my apartment, I throw my keys on the table in the entrance and set my take out on the coffee table in the living room. After grabbing water from the fridge, I sit down on the couch and dig into the salad I’d picked up from a restaurant down the street. Curiosity is getting the better of me about tonight and what the story is behind “Wet Dream” night. Since Vix is so tightlipped, I decide to go another route and text Knox, hoping to get a little insight.
Me: Hey Sunshine, you gonna be at Frequency tonight?
I mindlessly start to watch shorts on social media to keep me entertained as I wait for a response.
It only takes a few minutes.
Knox: Already here, what's up?
Me: Vix didn’t go into detail but told me to come tonight for “Wet Dream” night. What the hell am I getting myself into?
Knox: LOL, oh you’ll see. What time are you coming? I'll put you on the list.
Me: Knox, you don't have to give me special treatment.
Knox: Um, your family. Give your name at the door. If I’m not there, they will let you in.
Me: Knox.
Knox: Don’t Knox me, woman, I’ll see you tonight.
Me: Fine.
The fact that these two won’t tell me shit is annoying as hell. I can’t lie, though. I’m excited to find out what this is all about. I need tonight. I need the escape, the mind-numbing music and the drinks. Just what the doctor ordered.
I decide the smart thing to do is to Uber tonight, so after pulling up the app, I order for one to get here in twenty. Looking in the mirror, I make sure my long-sleeved white button down is secured at the cuff. Last thing I need is questions about where this cut down my arm came from. I have a gut feeling that once I open this pandora’s box, nothing will be the same again. Just for a few hours tonight, I would like some normalcy.
Adjusting the harness I have on; I inspect my makeup to make sure it’s in check. After adding a little more lipstick, I givemy lips a pop and smile, making sure there’s none on my teeth. I grab my backpack off the bed, which is already packed with extra clothes, and toss my converse in before heading to the kitchen. My phone buzzes, letting me know my Uber has arrived. I slip on my boots, grab my keys, and head out the door.
As we pull up to Frequency, I’m still in awe of the line that stretches down as far as the eye can see. After slipping out of the car, I thank the Uber driver and walk past the people who have been standing in line. I keep my head down, trying not to make eye contact with anyone. I feel a little guilty being able to cut through and get right in. As I walk up to the bouncer with the iPad, I give him my name.
I watch as he scrolls down the list on his iPad, and he nods, giving me permission to go in. The moment I step through the threshold, that gripping pull within my chest washes over me, but not as intensely as before. I continue through the first floor to the elevator and make my way in. When the door opens, I step out, only to stand there with my jaw dropped as I take in the scene before me.
The roof has been retracted, exposing a glass ceiling, and the full moon illuminates the room with a subtle glow. The fencing that was there the last time around the dance floor has been replaced with a metal pipe banister, matching the one on the balcony. The dance floor is only slightly risen from the floor, with large grooves surrounding the edging. As I take a few steps in, I notice the people on it. Confused, I take a few steps further, noticing no one has shoes on, and everyone is well soaked.
