Once I was dressed after a brief shower, my ears got assaulted by the loud sound of someone pounding on my door. Sighing, I went to open it, already knowing who it was. 

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite traitor! What’s going on bitch?” I frowned at my friend, Joel. I could see his smirk through his thick beard, mocking me as he leaned against the door frame.  

“You heard huh?” I grumbled, moving aside to let him into my dorm room. He entered and quickly collapsed onto my bed, without taking his shoes off. Disgusting. 

“Bet your ass I did. Hell, the whole college knows, even my boyfriend does and he’s not even in this State. Word travels fast young Dean.” I rolled my eyes as I closed the door and sat at my desk near the bed. 

“Come here just to make fun of me? You’re on your own in bio now by the way, I’m sorta banned from classes for a while?” He sat up with a start. 

“No shit? Who the hell is gonna help me with the weekly lab assignment?” I shrugged. 

“Time to make new friends then.”  

“You asshole!” Joel laughed, he’d be okay, he was smarter than I was after all. “Seriously though, I came here to save you from your woes.” I sighed. “Now now, don’t give me that. I am taking you...to the club!”  

“We went to the club last week, it wasn’t my speed dude.” I groaned.  

“Hear me out, it’s a Bevusian club,” he said with a gleam in his eye. “Don’t you want to see how the ‘superior species’ parties? Besides, I noticed Claire changed her relationship status to single, so you my friend need to find some strange.”  

“And Sean is totally okay with you going to the club with that in mind?” I teased. Joel chuckled at my jab. 

“You know I never let things get that far, plus I’m going with you to help you, aren’t I a saint?” I hated to admit it, but maybe he had a point. I’d been with Claire ever since high school and never considered we’d split like this. Maybe it was time to expand my horizons a bit and distract myself from the inevitable breakdown later. 

“Fine, I’ll go. But only to get out of my dorm. It’s a little depressing in here, you win man.”  

“Great!” Joel jumped right up and went to the door. “I’ll text you the details, dress sharp, you’ve got some alien ladies to impress.” I flipped him the bird to which he returned in kind with a smile and left.  

I felt my phone vibrate against my thigh and unlocked it to find a flurry of texts from an unknown number.  

Dean, it’s Freyja. I am very sorry for earlier. 

Dean, please allow me to make it up to you. 

Are we alright? 

I read a few more messages like those as my phone continued to vibrate in my hand. Wow, she really must feel terrible for going all Kaiju on me. I quickly sent her a text letting her know that we were cool, even apologizing for a certain word that I called her. Very quickly, she responded. 

Are you busy tonight? I’d like to make it up to you. 

I shot back that I was hanging out with a friend and let her know I was free the rest of the week. 

Understood, have a great night. 

“Welp, that’s that. Time to do some maths.” 

A few hours after trying and failing once again to pin down proofs, I received a text from Joel letting me know to meet him at eight at some place called ‘The Gilded Stable’. Odd name, but it was probably a rough translation of the Bevusian language. Checking on my maps that it was only a ten-minute drive away; I took my time getting dressed for a night out.  

After a while, I settled on a pair of jeans, a white T-shirt, and a brown bomber jacket. Simple enough. After gathering my things together I headed out, taking a second to take in the pink sky, the autumn breeze and the pain currently being pushed to the back of my mind.  

“New beginnings huh? Sounds like rubbish to me.” 

*** 

I pulled into the parking lot, muffled beats of music assaulting my senses even from outside. Upon seeing Joel posted up against his car, I parked next to him and promptly got out, the chill air nipping at my face.  

“Eight-o-clock on the dot! That’s a Reyez man for ya.” Joel joked as he slapped my shoulder, I rolled my eyes. Looking over at the nondescript building and the faded neon gold sign that said ‘OPEN’ I briefly reconsidered this little trip of ours. Sensing my hesitation, Joel pointed a finger in my face. “Hey now cowboy, don’t you go all yellow on me okay? You need this, trust me. At least for tonight, indulge me, okay?” Seeing how uncharacteristically serious he was, I agreed and off we went.  

Standing outside the door was a single Bevusian woman, standing as tall and proud as ever, a bored expression painted her face. When she saw us, her demeanor changed slightly as she zipped down her leather jacket, exposing her ample cleavage.  

“Hello, is there a-” Joel started as we approached, but was cut off by what I assumed was the bouncer as she raised two hands. 

“If you’re looking for the human club, it’s a block East, sorry boys. Unless you’re interested into coming inside a Bevusian club?” She smirked, bending over to give us a good look at those yellow mounds of hers. I felt my face heat up a bit, but Joel continued on unphased. 

“Actually, we are.” He said with a laugh, causing the woman to shake her head in surprise.  

“W-Wait seriously? I’m so gonna get a bonus for this, two men!” All four of her arms did a quick fist pump. “Human men get in free,” she said with a predatory glint in her eye as she opened the door, dubstep music blaring in the doorway. I wanted to say something but Joel bobbed his head to the beat and feeling as though I didn’t have a choice, I followed in behind him. Before I could step through the doorway, however, the Bevusian woman placed a hand on my shoulder and her chest as though she were appraising me.  

“Yes?” I nearly shouted over the music.  

“If any of those ladies give you trouble...don’t worry, just come find me, okay sweetie?” She squeezed my shoulder too tight for my liking before releasing me. I nodded, eager to get away from her, and nearly jogged after Joel. The door slammed shut behind me and I found Joel waiting for me at the interior entrance down a long, dark hallway. 

“Ready dude?” He shouted. God, I could barely hear him. I smiled and gave him a ‘hell yeah!’ Right as we stepped inside, I could feel dozens of Bevusian eyes on eyes. 

What’s more, there wasn’t a single male in sight.  

There was only a room filled with Bevusian ladies of different shades of yellow, wearing extremely flattering and revealing outfits. Some wore micro bikinis beneath sheer tops and shorts, others had on dresses that left very little to the imagination. Those who were dancing cared little that they were giving us peaks of their very jiggly assets bouncing around.  

Truth be told I found myself readily turned on but felt a surge of guilt, I’d just broken up with my girlfriend after all. Shaking me from my thoughts was an elbow to the ribs from Joel who pointed over to the bar, practically dragging me over to it. I nervously waved and muttered hellos to the women around us as they indicated their interest. 

Fuck, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.