The three teens climbed out of the Uber’s backseat through the curbside door. She can feel the bass

“I feel like a fucking clown.” Roxy huffs as she unfolds herself. Diane throws her head back in a cackle.

“If I lose my five star rating,” Debbie says, “I’m going to kill you both.” She’s slapped a few times on the back by Diane, who’s giggling as she plays her like a bongo. Debbie’s dour expression morphs into laughter as her sister chants something stupid about Brooklyn and parties.

They’re on the sidewalk outside of a particularly decrepit warehouse complete with rusty doors and cracked bricks. It would look abandoned if neon lights weren’t shooting out of the tall stretches of grime - covered windows.

“Okay.” Roxy says.

“Okay?” Diane repeats questioningly.

“This is where I contract HIV.” Roxy says. ”Thank you guys, this is where I die, tell Helena Bonham Carter that I love her.”

Debbie blows a raspberry.

“It’s not that bad.” Diane says.

A rusted piece of scaffolding drops in front of them and onto the concrete.

“Yeah.” Debbie says slowly.

“Good character. Fun time.” Diane smirks and Roxy’s stricken expression.

The doors of the warehouse open and out pops Bella Kovac, a bright glow of assorted colors serving as avant-garde backlighting to her already odd charm. She has a devious grin on her face and her boyfriend’s hand gripped loosely in hers. Her boyfriend wears basic skate clothes and seems only mildly interested in what’s going on. Roxy would be affronted if she didn’t suspect that he was high out of his mind.

“My favorite lesbian!” Bell practically throws herself onto Roxy in an all encompassing hug, knowing she’d be caught. The air is thoroughly knocked out of Roxy’s lungs, but she does her best to keep her footing and hug back, grinning like a maniac. The music from inside the building is so unbelievably loud she thinks her ears will start bleeding.

Bella pulls away. “It’s been way too long, king.” She goes on to greet the Levy’s.

“Hey,” Her boyfriend starts. “‘Su?”

Roxy’s smile melts slightly and throws him a nod in acknowledgment. Her protectiveness if her friends often won out over politeness in social situations. She’d unintentionally bristle most times and give most an unsavory first impression.

A hand rubs the small of her back. She turns to see Diane, ever comforting, a silent we-don’t-have-to-do-this-if-it’s-too-much look in her eyes.

“C’mon!” Bella urges, pushing Debbie through the metal doors.

Roxy offers Diane her arm with a crooked grin. Diane chuckles and loops her left arm in Roxy’s right, leading into the warehouse.

The walls were covered in neon blue, pink, and orange lights and hung from the tall ceiling. A large island that Roxy recognized as a bar flashed orange and thrummed to the beat of the music. A few areas off to the side had black velvet, semi circle couches with matching black tables. People were spread out on the dance floor, dancing to the electronic music that seemed to be coming from every direction.

“Wow.”

“Like it?” Diane’s face said she knew the answer.

“Of course I do, idiot.” She laughs and knocks her body into Diane. “How does she even do this?”

“Oh, her dad owns like, a square mile or somethin’ worth of warehouses.” Roxy could only gaze at her surroundings in awe.

Diane tugs her on her hoodie’s sleeve. “Let’s get drinks.”

Roxy can only nod as her best friend pulls her away into the crowd.