“‘Come on, Thomas. Live a little! Don’t you think you deserve a break from the real world?’”
Eli’s earlier suggestions reverberated in his mind and forcing any dubious thoughts from his head, he finally relaxed. Almost immediately, he stood, eager to meet the entrancing, pale flapper. His body moved as if it had a mind of it’s own and soon enough, he was surrounded by excited men, mere steps away from the seductive girl.
Screw this crowd, Thomas thought, as he neared her twirling figure. Perhaps Eli was right for once. I do deserve this night to myself. Three steps… two steps… one st--
Out of nowhere, an unexpected force collided painfully with Thomas’ side and he stumbled back. Now completely irked, he regained his balance and turned to see who his offender was. The alcohol sparked a feeling of anger in the pit of his stomach as he turned to see a burly white male glowering angrily at him.
“Don’t you dare lay your dirty hands on her, peasant ape,” the man said, rolling his sleeves up to his elbows.
Thomas scoffed, rolling his shoulder back to look bigger than his infuriating opponent. The nervous buzz around them faded to white noise as the two of them began to square off. Who was this man to get in the way of my long awaited night of fun?
“Ooh, look at him stretch,” the white man snorted, gesturing rudely at Thomas while some of the crowd murmured lowly in reluctant agreement. “As if this cotton-picker could take on any of us.” The man's arrogant guffaws grated at Thomas’ ears.
Thoroughly enraged, Thomas started towards the man, only to be stopped by someone's hand on his arm.
“Thomas,” Eli hissed, a. “Come on, ignore them. They're not worth the trouble. We'll find you a better lookin’ chick somewhere else.”
Thomas sighed roughly, relaxing his shoulders. Eli was right.
“I don't wanna fight you,” he spoke levelly, unclenching his fists. “Just let me-”
“Everybody STOP WHERE YOU ARE!” a loud voice boomed.
Every head in the room turned and every jaw dropped.
A sickening jolt reverberated up Thomas’ spine. He closed his eyes, praying to whatever god that was out there to please, please not be what the dead silence in the room told him was about to happen--
“Everyone in this illegal speak easy is now under arrest for participating in events that are strictly prohibited. This speakeasy is now closed.”
“Screw this hinkty, everybody scatter!”
Thomas was shocked to hear himself say that, Eli’s expression mirroring his exact feeling before it formed into a delighted grin. All at once the crowd surged, rushing towards the door like a stampede of crazed buffaloes and the air sizzling with a excited ambiance.
“Stop!” the voice yelled again, authority fading at the overpowering crowd. “I said HALT!”
No one in the room paid any mind as said commands were drowned out by the hollers of the people, and before Thomas could fully comprehend what was happening, Eli grabbed his hand. They bolted towards the exit with the rest of the intoxicated group.
“Stop laggin’, Thomas, and let’s get the hell outta here!”
And with nothing else to lose but the rest of his night of fun, Thomas ran, a drunken grin painted on his face. He just wanted to enjoy this moment, guffaws already escaping his lips, as he tightened his grip on Eli’s hand. They ran, laughter and feet in matching rhythm, as their bodies automatically drove them to their brightly lit neighborhood. Alcohol and adrenaline were driving his soul, his body it's outlet, as he caught the sound of jazz playing on a late night radio. He felt sweat pepper his forehead before slowing his pace, Eli following right after.
“I love this song.”
“Thomas, I’m pretty sure this is your first time hearing it.”
“Maybe, maybe not. Who's to say really?”
“True that, my friend.” Thomas readjusted Eli’s hand and faced the huffing male, liquid courage fueling his brain.
“Dance with me?”
Eli didn’t answer really, shaking his shoulder slowly to the beat before kicking his foot backward. Thomas followed with a kick forward and a warm grin. Their movements were lanky and stiff before the music and the exhilaration of the escapade allowed them to relax and move freely. Decade-old familiar steps suddenly felt so foreign to Thomas and apparently it showed as Eli gave him a lopsided smirk.
“Karma for being wet blanket? I’m glad I got you out of the apartment then.”
“Ha. Ha. Very funny, Eli. I can’t help it, 9 years is a lot of time for a stick in the mud.”
“So you do admit it?”
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t.”
Eli stuck out his tongue before doing a more complicated dance step as a tease. Thomas smiled and mirrored the same move with extra flourish, earning a loud ‘woah’ and a twisted backflip and split combo from Eli. Thomas shook his head at Eli’s game and followed with fancy footwork and a cartwheel, he wasn’t going to kill himself over a backflip. At least not tonight, not with Eli looking so happy. The music flowed, sweet and upbeat, and matched with each and every step made between the two companions, acting a magnet and bring them closer and closer. Somehow, Thomas found himself holding Eli’s hand and he also found that it felt really nice.
“...Thank you for not giving up on me.”
Eli just squeezed his hand and quickly twirled Thomas with a goofy smile. Thomas then did the same for Eli and surprised the male with a slight dip.