Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Aside from Jem and Bret, I did not make up these seedy, strange characters, you can blame that one on Emma Neal. However I did make up some of their dialogue, so yeah, basically just need to say that I don�t own the novel �night swimming�. Also really NEED to apologise to Jem: Sorry you�re kinda seedy and a bit perverted with the whole spying on people thing�but I had to write about the event first person not main character�also, sorry for making you a bit trashy with the whole �smokes� thing� Oh yeah and I guess I�d better say tht I also do not own Jemaine and Bret, although I�d like to (joking!)�so don�t sue me please :D.
Part one - Blake's Perspective
Looking back the morning after, I wondered exactly what I had got myself into. I can picture them now, two eighteen year olds, sitting together at a table trying to appear calm and unconcerned as we sat down opposite them. I didn�t pay much attention to them, brushing them aside as teenage girls wanting to act like adults but not quite sure of themselves. Russell got out a packet of cigarettes and was about to light up when the pretty one with red hair who was sitting across the table from him leaned over and asked if she could have one of his smokes. He looked up in surprised amusement, but offered her and the girl sitting next to her the pack of smokes all the same. Her friend didn�t take one and looked up at the red head nervously before raising her wine glass to her lips then realising it was empty.
�Can I get you another drink?� I nodded at her glass trying to break the awkward moment, �I�m going to the bar anyway.� I added as I looked at the unsure expression on her face.
When I returned with more drinks for everyone they seemed to relax and the red head girl introduced herself as Jenny and her friend as Marie. We gave them our names and as they gained self-assurance they started asking us questions about the night-club and about music, which lead on to us telling them about our band.
�You should come jam with us some time.� I suggested.
�As in traffic?� Said Marie with an innocent look on her face that made us all laugh. Their questions were quite na�ve but they flirted with us with confidence and we were soon asking them to dance, Jenny with Russell and Marie with me. As the night grew on each couple kept to them selves and at one point I can vaguely remember brushing back a loose strand of Marie�s hair when it fell out from her ponytail.
Now that night is no more than a blur of music, dancing and unclear conversation passed over the loud beat of the club. Marie�s number is in the back pocket of my jeans and I�m sitting contemplating what to do with it. I had a great time but it was no more than that, no more than a fun night out.
Part Two - Jem's Perspective
It�s a normal Thursday night at the club when I enter through the back door; the rhythmic beat of music blending into the chatter of people as they sit together at tables or lean against the bar waiting to be served drinks. The dance floor is so far empty as it is only nine PM and tonight�s DJ, Bret hasn�t started yet.
As I gaze across the busy room I notice two of my mates, Russell and Blake, sitting opposite a pair of young girls, about 18 years old or so who look like this is the first time they�ve been into a night-club. Standing up Blake nods at the girls� glasses, offering to buy them another drink. He turns around, approaches the bar and doing so catches site of me as I wave him over to where I�m standing. �So who are the kids?� I ask inquisitively with a smirk.
�Haven�t asked them their names yet. Think this is their big night out though.�
�Heh, well I�ll leave you to them, better be going now anyway, I have to help Bret set up the gear, we�ll be starting in a while.�
�Yeah, I�ll see you later.� Blake nods and turns away to get the drinks for his table.
I head up to the stage where I spot Bret setting out his records. He greets me, �Hey Jem, glad you�ve finally decided to show up! Saw you talking to Blake, looks like he and Russell have found themselves some friends!� I laugh in agreement and together we watch their table while we set up the stage. It looks like the girls are relaxing after their drinks, even starting to flirt with the guys and when Bret starts and people move to the center of the room and begin moving their bodies in time with the music looking altogether like a giant sea of motion, the four take to the dance floor.
I join the crowd dancing, every so often glancing over my shoulder to see Russell dancing with one of the girls and Blake with the other. They appear to be getting closer and closer to each other and the girls, in particular the one with Blake are really getting into the night. Later on I turn around to see Blake standing close to the girl he�s been dancing with and he brushes a stray piece of her hair out of her face. I wonder if he realizes how drunk she looks? This is definitely something I�ll have to remind myself to tease him about the next time I see him.