I've gotta feeling

I felt the bass in my feet before I entered the building. I could hear the window panes vibrating, could smell and feel the heat of human sweat leaking out the open door. My jaw tightened.1

Passing through the doors was entering another world. The hot darkness around me was crowded with bodies, jumping and dancing and breathing in harmony, punching fists into the air and screaming words that were lost in the noise of the crowd. I felt myself being pushed deep into the mob. My shoulders brushed against bare arms, slick with perspiration. A deep and guttural beat throbbed through my body; I could feel it in my chest, like a second heart commanding me to move. I couldn't hear myself think. I started to dance, halfheartedly; the music beckoned. The air felt like wet cotton in my lungs, but I continued to pull in breath after breath. The music rattled through my bones; I felt every last note echo inside me. I slipped my fingers into my hair, wanting to feel something more tangible...2

The music took control. I swung my body back and forth, the red fabric of the dress fanning out, letting my skin breathe in what oxygen was left in the muggy air. I mouthed the familiar words and twisted my hips, getting lost in the rhythm. Warm hands pulled me out of my reverie, brushing against my arms, and resting a moment later on my waist. I turned my head to see whose hands these were; dark eyes looked back. A tall, dark-haired boy whispered, "Would you like to dance?" and I heard the faint sound even through the roar of the crowd. I bowed my head, leaning back into him, feeling the music beat through both our bodies at once. I did not act, it was the melody and the beat that acted for me. Our two bodies moved as one, twisting and rocking. Amid the other people lost in their own worlds all around us, we had our own. 3

"I've gotta feeling," I heard the boy's voice in my ear, soft but audible, "that tonight's gonna be a good night."4

I nodded and swayed, but his arms kept me upright.5

"That tonight's gonna be a good night," he repeated.6

"That tonight's gonna be a good, good night!" the crowd around us shouted. The words blasted through the air, like his voice had been amplified by speakers for the whole world to hear, not just me. Nothing else existed, at that moment, except those words, the beat, and those warm arms resting so calmly on me, holding me close enough to hear that boy whisper, to feel his warmth and smell his enchanting scent...7

He was right.8

It was a good night.