Chapter 6- New York, New York
Brooklyn dreaded Tuesdays. She had nothing to ever do and would end up cleaning until everything was spotless. But as soon as Brian and Kyle came home, it would all be worthless. Brooklyn quickly found that Brian liked to host parties. Almost once a week, one of the two boys would have a noisy party with obnoxious men and skanky girls.
On Saturday, Brooklyn knew that Tuesday would come too soon. But Iris had other plans. As Iris turned the neon Open sign off, and Brooklyn began sweeping nothing, Iris asked, "Want to go out with me tonight?"
"Pardon?" Brooklyn asked, continuing to sweep, she had taken it wrong.
"All of my friends are busy, but I want to go out dancing, just a few clubs, nothing hardcore," Iris laughed, "although this one time my friend and I were club hopping--"
"Sure, I'll go." Brooklyn only wanted to stop Iris from another long story. Too Brooklyn's rudeness, Iris only grinned.
"It's at Arsenic," Iris said it like it was nothing, although Brooklyn wasn't fond of the name.
"I don't know where that is."
"Corner of Columbus and 68th, but I can pick you up, here, where do you live?"
Brooklyn was glad, Brian still hadn't given her a tour of New York. On a blank receipt, Brooklyn jotted down Brian's apartment number and street address."
"Fancy," Iris noted, but Brooklyn didn't understand what she meant.
"Wait," Brooklyn announced, "I'm only twenty."
Iris rolled her eyes, "it's fine, we're in New York. You don't know much, do you?" Brooklyn chuckled and shook her head. "Even 13 year olds with no boobs can walk into a bar and be served, because there will always be a bartender looking for a good time when his shift is over."
Brooklyn cringed her nose in disgust, but Iris said it so casually, Brooklyn knew it wasn't a joke. Sick, she thought of Jeff. . .but quickly pushed out the thought.
----
"Rave clothes, rave clothes," Brooklyn didn't have any. She ended up putting on her flashiest outfit, but she felt so uncomfortable and not ready to dance. So instead of her black short-skirt, she put her jeans back on. The shirt was one of those flashy-boho-chic tops with the sequins at the top. To add to the ensemble, Brooklyn put on a flashy sequined belt. Boho-chic, not hardcore raver. Brooklyn sighed, she didn't belong in a nightclub.
"You're not even of age yet," Brian nagged as Brooklyn put on extra make-up.
"Zip it," Brooklyn play-snapped.
"Nice outfit," Kyle said with a hungry smirk.
"Kyyyyle!" Brooklyn whined, putting on lip gloss. She then preceded to close the door so she could finish getting ready in peace.
A knock on the door meant Iris was here. . .ten minutes late. This was early for Iris. From behind the closed door, Iris was obviously flirting with Brian or Kyle, whichever one it was, he wasn't flirting back.
"Brookie!" Brian called, which was more like a cry for help.
Brooklyn smacked her lips and went out of the bathroom to meet Iris in the living room. Instead of the purple and bleached blonde of before, Iris's hair was black with red and purpled tips.
"Your hair!" Brooklyn shouted, running up to play with it, "when did you get it done?"
But Iris burst out laughing, "What are you wearing?!"
Brooklyn flushed red. "I don't have rave clothes!" But Iris couldn't stop laughing.
"They defiantly won't let you into Arsenic like that!" Iris, herself was wearing a red vinyl miniskirt with bondage straps and chains. For a top she was wearing a plain black tank top that exposed a bursting amount of cleavage. Iris pulled out a southern drawl, "Howdy y'all, I'm from South Carolina!"
"Shut up!"
"C'mon, let me look at your closet." Arsenic was a goth club, Brooklyn understood now. And was ten times more nervous than before, how could she fit in at a goth club?
"Fishnets!" Iris said triumphantly, "Now why aren't you wearing these already?" Brooklyn shrugged. "Black mini skirt! God, Brook, what were thinking?" Brooklyn hung her head in play-shame. Iris set her up with a red halter and told her to leave her black lace bra hanging out. Brooklyn also ended up with darker eyeliner before she went out the door. Before the door closed behind them Kyle shouted, "You're going to get knocked up in a second, Brookie!"
"So what, did you dye your hair and get a boob job after work today?" Brooklyn teased her friend.
Iris threw her head back and laughed insanely. Brooklyn felt slightly embarrassed. She wasn't aware how long the walk would be, but she prayed it would be short, for she was wearing polka-dot eighties pumps that she hadn't worn forever, and still wasn't used to.
The evening air was cool and crisp. Lights shone brightly, leading the way into the sleepless city. Iris was leading Brooklyn underground. Her heart jumped, she had never been on a subway before.
"You brought your subway card, right?" Iris asked, pulling hers out.
"Iris. . .I've never been on a subway before."
Seeing her fear, Iris got all wide-eyed, saying, "ooh, watch out, the monster may get you. God, girl, I can't believe you, are you sure you've lived in New York for almost a month." Suddenly Brooklyn was reminded that her first pay-check would be coming soon, excitement crawled over. But was quickly overtaken by the same nervousness as before as the subway car passed. A goth club. . .me? It was too late now, Iris headed for a subway car. It was practically empty as the doors shut. Brooklyn sat down next to Iris, looking at the black man reading a newspaper on the other side of the car. Jerked to movement, Brooklyn's stomach turned into knots. What am I thinking?
To Iris's guess, and Brooklyn's great surprise, they both got into the club just fine, Iris showed the bouncers her ID, but they were more fascinated with her cleavage. The club had dark rock music playing. Hard rock, the kind that you'd hear at a head-banging concert. The room spun around as Brooklyn looked around, hanging on to Iris's wrist. What am I doing here? I was right. . .
After a quick shot, Iris lead Brooklyn to the dance floor. It was all wrong, nothing felt right. I want to go crawl into a corner and cry. Brooklyn thought, her eyes forming into desperation. I should just go back to wear I belong. South Carolina.