My palms become clammy as I keep a forced smile on my face, all the while planning for an exit. From what I can see from my angle, the only way out is through the door I came in. But there should be some type of emergency exit, no? Aren't there regulations for clubs to have multiple exits?

"So what's your wish?" Thea continues happily, not noticing my darkening mood or my slow descent into a full-blown panic attack.

"Uh, I," I stammer, my eyes wildly seeking a way out. "Do you know where the restroom is?"

"Sure. It's right behind the stage." She points out to the back. "But don't take long. The event's about to start."

I nod awkwardly, standing up and doing my best to wade through the throng of people without jostling my frail arm. Up close, I'm even more surprised by how real these costumes look. Why, the fur feels like genuine animal fur! I jostle my way through the crowd, but as I near the other end of the room, I stop, shocked at one girl's costume.

She has a beautiful white fluffy tail that sways in rhythm with the music.

"Is it mechanical?" I can't help but ask.

"Huh?" Her brows shoot up.

"Your tail." I point to it just as it moves in a slow circle. "Wow," I whisper.

"What are you on about?" She frowns, staring at me strangely.

"How do you move it? Do you have a remote control for it?" I ask as the fluffy end brushes against my right hand. It's so soft and cute! Oh my, I'd love a purple one...

"Shut the fuck up, human," she sneers at me, and I belatedly realize that she wasn't inviting me to pat her tail. She was swatting me away.

A yelp escapes me as I jump back, blinking furiously in an attempt to understand what I'd done wrong. But even as I open my mouth to apologize, the girl glares at me belligerently.

"Uhm, I'll just...go?" I put on a fake smile as I slither my way back, putting distance between us. A little hopping, dodging, and ducking, and I make it safely to the end of the stage.

Was I rude? Sometimes I may mess up the words in English, but I didn't offend her—or at least I don't think I did. I release a weary sigh as I step away from the rest of the crowd.

Maybe I just came across as a creep because we were both in a crammed space and she wasn't sure of my intentions? Although the situation rests heavily on my mind, I decide my focus should be on finding an escape. But still, I don't like that my intentions were misconstrued...