The line outside the club was just a little longer than Noelle had anticipated. Probably because of what day it was. She really didn't want to wait, she would rather be inside, but she would just because she knew she had to. At least it was moving at a steady pace, it made it livable. Actually, maybe she didn't want to wait because it was just a little bit chilly, and she hadn't brought a jacket in anticipation that it would have been comfortable out. It wasn't too bad, just enough to make her cross her arms over her chest tightly. Eyes wandered around the filled parking lot, scanning over the array of shadowed cars in search of Billy's truck. She was hoping during the wait she'd at least be able to see whether or not he was here yet. She couldn't tell, too many cars.

Warmth, it felt so much better by the time she was finally standing within the walls of the brick building. The music pouring from the speaker seemed to make the room vibrate with the intensity of the bass, making her own heart race just to keep up with the rhythm. Before stepping in farther, Noelle looked down at the bottom of her shirt, pulling it down a a little bit to where it had been before it rode up her hips a couple inches. Believe it or not, she had worn a skirt. Nothing too fancy, because she wasn't into fancy clothes unless it was for something like a wedding or a school dance. Two very different things but both were something she'd agree to wear a dress to. For now a denim skirt was good enough for her.

With that taken care of, she raised her eyes again to scan over the crowd. Knowing Billy, he was probably sitting at the bar across the room waiting for her. It was sweet, but it was also easier if he had been standing near the entrance. She couldn't complain though, her first stop would have been to get something to drink too. So with a deep breath, her feet started carrying her forward through the semi-tight pack of people on the dance floor. It actually wasn't as hard as it seemed at first glance, because the people who still had their senses stepped aside enough to let you by. Within a couple minutes, she was removed from the crowd on the opposing side of the club, only a few yards from the bar.

Noelle looked down the rows of seats until she found Billy. Smile upon her lips, she carried herself across the hard floor until she stood beside him. Actually, she was a little excited to see his reaction to how she looked. In the whole time she had known him she really doubted he had seen her in anything past jeans let alone heels. Not the kind that hurt your feet from walking in them all night, more like an open-toed sandal that stood a little higher than a regular shoe. Though she was probably going to be in pain later on anyway, she wasn't used to even a little leverage. Looking for me? She asked in her regular way, sliding on to the seat beside him and resting her right arm on top of the bar.

One leg crossed over the other, making it easier for Noelle to get comfortable on the hard bar stool. That was probably the only thing she didn't like about this place, the stools were uncomfortable. Not so much so that she would complain about it though, there were other things she'd rather do. Talking to Billy right now was one of them. She took her elbow off the bar top and rested it on her higher leg, then sat her chin on top of her fingers while she listened to his inquiry. No, the ride was fine. Generally speaking. She had hit a little bit of trouble. Actually, she hadn't "hit" it, she had slowed down to an eventual stop not to hit it. Upon further examination she saw it was a squirrel, and it didn't seem to want to move. She had just watched it, waiting, and it stared back at her with that freaky statue-blankness. Either it was scared out of its mind or trying to freak her out. She would go with the first one because the second one was a little creepy.

Oh, thank you. Noelle's mouth curled into a sweet simper when the fruit cocktail was placed in front of her. Her hand came off her lap, fingers curling around the thin glass so she could raise it her lips. A small sip of the sweet, tangy drink and she set it back down again, not wanting to drink too much too soon or she'd have to go to the bathroom every five minutes. Even though it was really good, she could drink it little by little so she didn't have to abandon her date at a weird time to "freshen up," as some girls called it. It wasn't until just then that she noticed how much quieter the room had gotten. The band wasn't playing at the moment, probably getting ready for their next song that was sure to start in a couple seconds.

I hope you weren't waiting for me long. The line outside was a little longer then I thought and I had to wait... Her tone made her sound a little depressed about it, though it wasn't like she was completely torn up or anything. It would have been nice if she had gotten in sooner though so Billy wouldn't have had to sit alone at the bar for however long he had. Upon waiting for his answer, the next song started. At first Noelle stopped and listen to it, trying to see if she knew what it was, but not much later the sweet melody of a song she deemed familiar filled her ears.

I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

The soft lyrics wrapped around her, warming her in a way that only a song you really liked could. Smiling excitedly, she slid off her stool. I love this song. It was said more toward herself, but it was sure Billy could hear her too. Turning back to him, her head tilted to the side in an innocent way as she asked, Do you want to dance? I promise I won't step on your toes. Noelle added the last part with a small laugh. It was a little weird maybe, the girl asking the guy to dance instead of vice versa, but she really wanted to so, why not?



((Excerpt from Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts))