Chapter 31

The car ride buzzed with the same kind of electricity that always came with the six of them together. Dani had the music blasting – something bass-heavy and unapologetically loud – while Lara and Megan argued over who had stolen whose lip gloss. Sophia leaned against the window, humming along, her phone camera catching everyone in bursts of laughter and light.

You sat between Dani and Yoonchae, pressed shoulder to shoulder in the back seat. The city glowed outside – Los Angeles, alive and restless – and Dani’s perfume, soft vanilla and amber, wrapped around you like warmth.

“Are you ready for this?” Dani asked, leaning closer so only you could hear. Her voice was almost lost under the music. “You’ve been quiet. Don’t tell me you’re nervous.”

You gave her a look. “Me? Nervous? You’re the one who made us fifteen minutes late because you couldn’t pick between two tops.”

“She’s got you there,” Lara teased from the front.

Dani rolled her eyes but smiled – that small, knowing smile that made your stomach twist. “It was a strategic delay. You can’t rush perfection.”

*

The club pulsed with colour – violet and electric blue lights washing over the dance floor as the girls made their way in. Cameras flashed briefly at the door, but once inside, it was just music, bodies, and laughter.

“Tonight,” Megan declared, throwing an arm around you and Sophia, “no rehearsals, no cameras, no being Katseye. Just us.”

“Cheers to that,” Sophia said, already dragging everyone toward the dance floor.

Dani found your hand in the crowd, her fingers lacing through yours easily – like it was the most natural thing in the world. She didn’t even look at you at first, just tugged you forward until the bass trembled through your chest.

You danced. First as a group – a blur of motion, laughter, and noise – until the song slowed and the others spun off toward the bar, leaving just you and Dani in the crush of the lights.

Her smile shifted then – playful still, but softer. “You having fun?”

“I am now,” you said.

The corners of her mouth curved. “Oh? Took you long enough.”

The space between you shrank – not quite touching, but close enough that you could feel the heat radiating off her skin. Her movements were effortless, matching the rhythm, her eyes never leaving yours. It wasn’t loud anymore – not really. The rest of the world blurred to colour and sound.

“Careful,” you teased, voice low. “Someone might think you’re flirting with me.”

“Oh, I’m not?” she said, feigning innocence. “Guess I should try harder.”

Her hand brushed against your waist, light as breath. It lingered – a spark.

“Okay you two,” Lara called from somewhere behind, her voice half-laughing. “If you’re gonna make a music video, at least let us choreograph it.”

Dani didn’t even look away. “Jealous much?”

“Of you? Please,” Megan chimed in. “I could out-flirt both of you with a wink.”

That earned a round of laughter, breaking the moment – but only for a second.

“Show off a little more,” Dani whispered, voice low. “I want to see if you can keep up.”

You matched her, letting the music guide you, moving in perfect rhythm, the playful energy bouncing between you like electricity. She leaned against you just enough that your shoulder brushed against hers; your hand grazed hers in a fleeting, teasing touch. Every glance, every smirk, every synchronised spin became a quiet conversation that only the two of you understood.

At one point, she whispered, lips barely grazing your ear: “If anyone asks, I’m just teaching you some moves.”

“Uh-huh,” you said, laughing, “and I suppose I’m taking lessons very seriously?”

“Exactly,” she said, grinning. “And if you fail…” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Well, I might have to teach you a different kind of lesson.”

The lights flickered, strobes casting shadows that danced across your face, and for a moment, the rest of the club seemed to vanish. Only the two of you remained in a small bubble of heat, laughter, and rhythm.

“You know,” she murmured, leaning closer, “you make this a lot harder than it should be.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because now I can’t tell if you’re really trying to dance… or if you’re just trying to distract me.”

Her teasing grin made your pulse spike. “Me? Distract you? Never.”

“Mm-hmm,” she murmured, stepping closer, letting her arm brush along yours deliberately. “Keep pretending. It’s… cute when you try.”

The lights flickered, strobes painting your faces in violet and gold. Dani’s laugh, soft and low, carried over the bass as she twirled to you, letting her fingers slide just enough along your back to make it feel like a whisper.

“Okay,” you said, smirking, “you’re officially dangerous on the dance floor.”

“Dangerous?” she echoed, arching an eyebrow. “I’m charming, thank you very much. And you look like you’re enjoying the lesson.”

“I am,” you admitted, voice playful but your heart thudding. “Especially the hands-on part.”

Her grin widened, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Oh so now you admit it.”

*

The song changed again, a slower, sultry beat weaving through the crowd. Dani pressed just a little closer, her hand brushing yours as if by accident, her laughter teasing and soft. You mirrored her movements, spinning, dipping, laughing and stealing quick glances whenever she looked at you.

“Alright that’s enough spinning for one night.” Lara called from across the floor, tugging at Megan. “We’re not running a marathon here.”

Dani rolled her eyes, smirking at you. “See what I mean?” she whispered. “They’re ruining our perfect little dance bubble.”

You laughed, leaning in so your shoulder brushed hers. “Maybe we need to find a quieter spot then.”

Her eyes flicked around the club, catching the flashing lights and the throng of people, then returned to you, slow and deliberate. “You know…” she murmured, voice low and playful. “I think I can think of somewhere better than here. Somewhere… private.”

Your heart skipped a beat, a rush of warmth and anticipation spreading through you. “Oh really?”

“Mm-hmm,” she said, tilting her head, lips curving into that familiar teasing grin. “Somewhere we can… continue this.” Her words hung in the air, light as a whisper, heavy with suggestion.

You felt the pull of the night, the electricity between the two of you, and the laughter of the rest of the girls’ laughter and chaos faded into background noise. The flashing lights and pounding bass of the club suddenly seemed distant. It was just Dani, just you, and the quiet thrill of what might come next.

She slipped her hand into yours again, this time with a little squeeze. “So… what do you say? Shall we make an early exit?”

You smiled, heart racing, as the night seemed to hold its breath. And just like that, the music, the crowd, the chaos – it all blurred into a promise, the rest left to imagine as you followed her gaze.

The neon lights reflected in her eyes, sparkling like mischief and something more. With a soft laugh, she whispered, “Let’s go.”

And that was it – the perfect, flirty, unspoken understanding, leaving the rest of the night suspended on possibility.

———-

Ugh I need to get down with Katseye in the club at some point in life…