Penny

Standing in front of my full-length mirror, I stare back at my reflection and for a second I don't recognize her. My light brown hair reaching down to about my shoulder blades in loose ringlets that I used my newly purchased curling iron on. My hazel eyes sparkle in the dim lighting, largely due to my dark winged eyeliner which is the sharpest I've ever gotten it. Brooke convinced me to borrow one of her more revealing dresses where my chest is the main focus. The dress is tight and black, hugging my hips and stopping around mid-thigh.

I'm not going to lie, I look good. But at the same time, this version of myself is someone I never thought I'd see. That may be my mom's inner monologue playing in the back of my head, my subconscious always seems to want to make me consider her opinion. I cringe at the thought of my mother and turn away from the mirror.

I quickly reapply my lip gloss while grabbing my purse and jacket. I lock my door and run across the carpeted hallway barefoot, my heals dangling from my fingertips.

I knock softly on Brookes's door and push it open revealing her lush interior. I think I'll always be shocked by her amazing interior design skills.

Laughter echoes down the hallway as I drop my jacket, purse, and heels by the front door before following the sound to the source. Brooke's friends—I guess my friends now—are all sitting on her couch with drinks in their hands, they all look up when I walk in.

"Penny!" Marlee exclaims hopping out of her boyfriend's arms and running over to give me a hug.

"Hey, guys!" I exclaim over Marlee's shoulder.

My eyes meet Connors, and I almost burst out laughing at his expression, as his eyes roam over my body, before meeting my eyes and smiling.

"You look gorgeous," He says.

His words make my cheeks heat up from the attention.

"Thanks, Con" I look back at the group who's eyes are darting between Connor and I.

"So who's got the booze," I say loudly breaking the silence.

Marlee laughs as Jack holds up a bottle of Captain Morgan. My toes tingle at the thought of the liquid burning down my throat.

I quickly go to sit in between Brooke and Connor on the couch and accept the shot Connor passes to me.

We all cheers in the center of our small circle and shoot the drinks back, The burning feeling awakening my senses.

-

We are huddling together in a circle as we stand in line waiting to get into this club.

"What is this place, Brooke?" I ask turning to look at the massive warehouse we are standing in front of. It's ginormous like I'm not exaggerating when I say that three pirate ships could fit inside. Okay, maybe not that big.  But believe me, it's huge.

The line spans from the end of the block to the entrance which is now only about ten people away from us. Connor has offered me his coat multiple times while we've been waiting but I said no, lucky enough to have brought mine. It's freezing outside September air is not kind.

"This place is where its at.. I've never been inside its like super hard to get into, but I scored us tickets from someone on the team who couldn't go... you know because they've got that bank" She smirks, and rubs her index and thumb together as she says this.

"This place doesn't look too exclusive" I say, smiling and rolling my eyes, what can be so special about an old looking warehouse. It's creepy that's all.

"Just wait until you get inside, It's like a fortress," Brooke whispers into the cold night breeze.

"I've heard that they use this abandoned warehouse so that people who walk around during the day won't know what's inside." Marlee quips, she is standing huddled against Jack, who has his long arms circled around her body.

"Yeah, this whole thing is run super secretively, no one even knows who owns it. But they have you sign before you go in to make sure that you'll keep your mouth shut about what is actually inside. Girls on the team say you can only call it the Den when talking about it in public," Brooke says rubbing her hands together to keep them warm.

I cant't even comprehend why a place like this needed to exist with all the other competition that there was around Manhattan, there seemed to be a new club on every street.

A shiver runs through my body and I wrap my arms around myself to keep warm. Strong arms wrap around my waist and I am pulled into Connor's warm chest. I relax as a wave of his cologne and warmth consumes me and I find myself leaning further into his embrace.

"Thanks, you didn't need too" I mumble, tilting my head back to look into Connor's blue eyes.

He gives me a look, "You said no to my coat, not my arms, I couldn't just let you stay cold." He rubs his arms up and down my back, sending shivers through my body.

After another 20 minutes of waiting we are at the front of the line where two bouncers stand, one points a flashlight at us, pointing it directly into our faces, "Ids"

We all fumble to pull out our ID's and show them to the Bouncer who waves each of us in after scrutinizing each card, jeez super strict here. It doesn't seem like the kind of place where you could just flash the bouncer to be let in, like I've seen Brooke do multiple times before. They don't accept that here.

We walk through what seems like a lavish maze, the walls and floors are covered in a deep red velvet material, only the sound of our footsteps echoes in the empty hallway, which is dimly lit by the pot lights lining the ceiling.

As we come out into a wider corridor, I hear the thumping of the base vibrate up through my feet which feels like it's reverberating all through my body.

We walk up to another bouncer, a girl this time, who asks for our tickets and then stamps each of our hands proceeding to pull out a list copying each of our names down. After that, she reaches into a binder and pulls out five separate sheets which, as Brooke said, is a contract you need to sign.

The contract states;

That we understand the terms of this business and to keep its true identity a secret. Everything you witness inside must  only be discussed between people who have entered the premises.

You can only refer to it as 'The Den' when speaking about it in public. Secrecy is the only policy.

By signing this you understand that if any of the rules stated above are broken you will be held accountable and be held at a deep cost.

I read it all and sign at the bottom before handing it back to the bouncer, but not before I notice a small emblem of a red snake coiled on the top corner of the page. The bouncer scans the page and smiles waving me towards the door behind her, Brooke and Connor follow close behind. I reach back to hold Brooke's hand as we step through the metal doors.

My heart literally explodes out of my chest as we step through the soundproof doors. The sound that is blasting around the large space, rattles me to my core.

I gasp and look around, there are people everywhere, and what I thought to be a simple club wasn't just a club.

It was like a whole other world here, The Den, was anything but. 

"Holy shit," Brooke says speechless.

"Agreed" Connor mumbles, stepping closer to me, placing a hand on the small of my back.

From what I can make of this place is that there are different sections spread throughout. I was right, it was a warehouse but like if the middle was carved out and this was put in its place. It was luxurious and bright and colourful, it seems like a whole little world was brought into this space.

From where we are standing I can see a section that has stripping poles and women and men dancing around on raised platforms while a whole crowd is gathering around the base cheering and clapping, throwing bills up to the performers.

Further down there is a gambling hall that goes deeper into the building, with tables and machines that people sit at laughing and playing cards, while waitresses walk around serving drinks.

Then on the opposite side is where the dance floor is, hundreds of people are crammed up close to the massive stage that has a live DJ playing, giving way to the base that is crawling up my skin.

Then there is also a VIP section that is cut off from view of the main floor by a velvet rope blocking the path to the inner section, which I can see leads up to a high platform on the second floor.

There is also multiple doors that lined the exterior walls leading to god only knows where. This place seems like an indoor city or an amusement park for grownups. I am surprised there isn't a carousel.

"what the fuck is this place" Marlee exclaims from next to me, I look from her to Jack, who's jaw is open so wide.

"I don't know but how the hell are they able to keep it secret, like I would love to tell people about it," I say.

"Just make sure to call it the Den and you'll be fine, But we need to make the most of tonight because we sure in hell won't be able to ever have enough money to make it back in here," Brooke giggles, her eyes are so bright it looks like she's already drunk off of the music and the atmosphere.

We all nod and walk towards the dance floor, the strobe lights flash multi-colours off of every surface. I look over as the lights bounces off of Connor's cheekbones casting one half in shadow, the other is glowing, his eyes flash to mine and glint from the lights.

The music flows throughout the crowd where some people are dancing alone, feeling the music whilst others are basically on top of one another, mouths, hands everything.

I look back at my friends to see Marlee and Jack dancing along to the music, Jacks hands splayed on Marlee's ass as she shakes and wiggles her hips.

I notice Connor staring down at me, he holds his hand out and I smile up at him taking it. I look back towards Brooke but she's already focused on this cute girl with a dyed blue bob cut.

I leave them to it and follow Connor out onto the dance floor.

-

A/N

Okay, guys, they have arrived at the Den, I know you may be confused about what exactly it is and honestly, I am not even sure, kind of like if you mixed a casino, concert, bar, strip club, restaurant and everything else wild and fun into one.

But don't be fooled it gets a lot more complicated ;)

if you have any questions leave them and I'll answer the best I can!

Enjoy!

-TJ