Old buildings never looser their majesty even in ruin, they keep a silent tragic aesthetic. It is similar to the feeling of dramatic literature that draws its beauty from the cathartic feeling of desperation and pain.
"I guess I have a savior complex when it comes to buildings. Nothing makes me feel more alive than bringing an old destroyed masterpiece back to its former glory. "
That was what Nate liked doing most, walking the streets of London and looking at old and sometimes new beautiful buildings. But it happened rarely that she had time for that when money was as scarce as it was for her and James. James was a waiter and occasional bartender that really didn't have any love for his job but an extensive love for booze and weed. They had been short on rent and utilities many times, and each of those times Nate felt the ice-cold fear of homelessness creeping up her spine.
Her mother died of cancer almost 5 years ago. Cancer took also the little money they had saved so two months after, the hurting and grieving were pushed in the background by more earthly concerns. The tenant kicked her out. She was dating James only for a short time and it was her first boyfriend, moving in together, would not have been planed or considered even remotely a good idea if it wasn't for that. He moved out of his parents' house 2 years before, with 20, because they had not much love for each other.
He could be a piece of shit sometimes, but he has been her first everything and saved her from a miserable existence.
While life had not been bountiful in material things, it did gift her firelocks, piercing green eyes, and a sharp mind. Despite all odds and premises she always bested everybody in school and got granted a scholarship at UCL to study architecture. The past 4 years had been a struggle, studying full time and working on weekends to help James with the bills. Nate did not even remember when she had more than six hours of sleep in a row. But tomorrow will be a special day, tomorrow is her graduation day. All her hope and dreams gathered in one solemn moment.
Her bike delivery shift had just ended and martial arts training with the kids was also canceled today because they were cleaning the gym. For the first time in months she had a night off, or what remained of it, because it was already 11 pm.
"I could pick up Chinese and watch a movie with James or I could watch a movie without him telling me how boring it is. Life is going to change beginning with tomorrow. Poverty I hope to be telling you goodbye very soon."
When she left her backpack fall to the ground, finally home, her phone started vibrating?
Helen? Helen was her only friend from the university, the other students bullied them both to hell and beyond, Nate for being pore, wearing cheap clothes, and never coming to parties and Helen for being fat and what they called uncool. After coming to Nate's MMA classes Helen lost a lot of weight and was lately very happy about it and more confident.
"Hey! Sup, woman?"
"Guuurl! You don't imagine what happened to me."
"No, I don't. You' drunk, Helen?"
"Mia took me partying with them for the first time, I am in Hell! You imagine I am one of the cool girls now. Thank you, thank you so much, if it wasn't for you I would still be fat. Yo, I love you, you know that? And I need to puke."
"And where are Mia and her bitches now?"
"Well I don't know, God... *puking sounds*."
"Can you walk? Should I pick you up?"
"No, everything is fine, I am feeling great... *puking sounds*... Well, maybe not so great."
"OK. Where are you, I am coming over."
"I am in Hell."
"Of course you are... in one of those places where you need to be the president to get it. Uuff, don't worry, I will find a way, just stay there, no more booze, and try not to do anything stupid. I will be there in 30 minutes."
Doorbell. Knocking.
"Yes?"
" It's me, Nate, your favorite bitch!"
" Come in Malik, but I am kinda' in a hurry. Helen knocked down one too many cocktails, I have to go pick her up. "
"Has she suddenly turned from wallflower to party girl?"
"I don't know, Mia took her partying with her girls squad. That does smell like trouble. And I have no idea how to get into Hell."
"O.M.G! She is in Hell? Well it means this bitch here is her guardian angel, tell her he owes me a Prada bag. Happens that my cousin Jamal is working there, he is scrubbing toilets and shit but the motherfucker has keys."
"You are indeed. Let me give you a hug, Malik. Can you give me his number and call him to tell him I am heading there."
"But you do not really wanna go there dressed like this?" He raised and eyebrow expressing his disapproval.
Malik was an effeminate gay black guy, coming from a Muslim family originally from Senegal. He used to get shit and be beaten up on the street multiple times for being gay...and black...and Muslim. That's how he met Nate, on one of those days when a guy wanted to bash his face but was instead beaten up by the little ginger. Malik was also one of her first students at the martial arts class in the neighborhood. That was 3 years ago, flash forward, Malik was now a hunky, black, effeminated gay guy.
"I will be in and out in 5 minutes. And I don't possess anything better."
"What about that dress?"
"That's for my graduation tomorrow."
"Well, you better put that on if you don't wanna be dragged out by security. Some eyeliner at least and try not to draw attention. It's a simple black dress, nobody will notice it is cheap unless they take a closer look. "
"You are awful... and right! How do I look, does it do the job?"
"Nate bay, you know I love you, whoever gets rich first takes the other shopping. Now let me see... I would not call this outfit hot, sexy, or anything alike but somewhat decent given the circumstances. "
*
Jamal, Malik's cousin was waiting for her at the back entrance. He was quite handsome and as she walked the halls of the club she noticed that all the stuff might have been picked by looks.
"Helen, I am here, where are you? Come down and let's go."
"Oh Nate, you here? I am... haha in the middle of something, just aaah wait a little. " And she hung up.
"Great, and what do I do now, I have no idea where she is."
She called again. No answer.
This club was indeed obscene in many ways, from the Art Noveau decoration to the pair doing acrobatics over the heads of the people, to the guests, all rich and not shy to show it.
Evaluation the place, the best spot to see everything and not be seen was at an obscure corner of the bar, as people here adored to be seen, a chair was free there.
"What would you like to drink, madam?" Said a bartender looking like a young Antonio Banderas.
"Nothing thank you! I am just waiting for a friend." Said Nate trying to force a smile.
And more to herself:
"It is not like I can afford anything, I am carrying 5 pounds and a tiny water bottle is 10.
Hell is a good name, it looks like the freaking' temple of decadence. I mean look at those ravishing looking models trying to catch the eye of a sponsor. I bet you can even buy a soul in here with a few million."
"Even less I would say..." said someone behind her in a slightly deep but melodic voice with the hint of an accent.
It belonged to a tall stranger with the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen and enchantingly ruffled dark-brown hair. His face seemed perfectly symmetrical with fine features, like a sculptured carved by Michelangelo himself. He was so intimidatingly beautiful she desired deeply to look away but couldn't.
"What the...hi..."
"The world can be a wicked place and human beings are too easily tempted."
"The best way to get rid of temptation is to give in to it."
"I didn't expect to hear an Oscar Wilde quote tonight."
"Neither did I expect to say one on the mission I am here."
A boyish half-smile appeared on his face, he seemed... terribly amused. Apparently it was contagious because Nate couldn't help herself and smiled back.
"What mission is that?"
"Oh... recovering a friend that had way too many drinks. You surely have noticed, I am a little misplaced in here."
"Hmm yes, I do notice a difference, but I would not say misplaced. It is hard for me to guess what your natural habitat would be."
"What would you like to drink, sir? Miss?"
"McCallan please, thank you."
"Miss?"
"Oh me, nothing thanks'."
"Are you sure? You will not get drunk with only one drink."
"Oh that is not it, rather that my soul is worthless in this Hell, and as a consequence, my pockets empty."
He seemed to be terribly amused by her answer.
"Hmm have you maybe seen my friend? She is a bit taller than me, brown long hair, dimples, funny, wears pink a lot, very unlikely for an architect? "
"I don't recall, but maybe my brother has, I will ask him when he returns. Are you also an architect?"
"Almost. Our graduation is tomorrow."
"Congratulations! UCL?"
"Yes, good guess."
"Your drink, sir!"
"Thank you!"
"It smells great."
"It's quite good, would you like one?"
"God no. I don't want to drink away in one sip a month's rent."
He laughed again.
"Here try it. That means you will be attending the Trafalgar Square party. " And he waved the bartender for another round.
"Also no, that thing costs even 3 months rent. I would never pay money I can't afford for a party where I would feel misplaced." She lifted the glass shilly and took a sip.
"Good God this is amazing! It tastes like angel tears!"
It was not so bad as expected in Hell, and this guy, he was unearthly beautiful and probably loaded.
Nate was feeling like in the first part of Frankie Valli's song, not the second one, that was too cheesy.
And her phone started vibrating bringing her back to reality.
"Helen?"
"Nate, I am in the bathroom on the second floor, I feel I am dying. *Nasty sounds*. "
"I will be there in a minute." Nate already jumped from the barstool and started running towards the second floor. She took a last glance and waved the handsome stranger goodbye. He looked amused again and a little puzzled.
Helen was sitting on the floor in the bathroom of the 2nd floor, covered in tears and snot. Nate did feel the need to give her a sermon but that is not what Helen needed at the moment so she sat down by her side.
"What happened?"
"Mia is a horrible person."
"That we know, but why now?"
"I came here with Mia and Amber because they invited me and they never do, and my mother always wants me to get in contact with her friend's children. She never likes me being myself, and I wanted her to be proud of me at least once. At first, it was fun, we kept getting drinks and shots, many shots, and Mia introduced me to her friend Liam. Liam is very handsome and he asked me to to the terrace with him. He wanted to have sex there, and I refused. So he got angry and told me how horrible and worthless I am, and that I will never be equal to Mia or Amber. Then I ran down bought myself a bottle and drank some more here. Why can I not be cool for once? "
And she started sobbing uncontrollably. Nate felt the sadness of her words. She knew very well she would never belong to this world, but unlike Helen who was born in a wealthy family and had no financial issues, Nate was galaxies apart of anything one would call wealth, classy or secure. She never suffers like Helen for not belonging but it always leaves a bitter aftertaste.
"But you are cool and a talented architect, smart and sassy, and even if I don't agree with it...romantic. I hate being a softie, but I love you and you are important to me."
"*Sniff, sniff* me too, I am sorry for this. You know how important you are to me too."
"No worries, of course, you owe me a big one now. Hehe!
Come on, we grab some burgers on the way, at that elite restaurant we both love, to be appropriate for this evening. I am buying, but don't exceed 5 pounds.
And the next occasion I will get, I will punch Mia in the face. And Liam if I get the pleasure of meeting him. Ya know I hit hard and never miss."
"Haha. Nate, you're my girl you know."
Helen stood up slowly and they walked out of the club.
"Oh, I didn't tell you. I think I met the Devil in Hell. He was as you would expect him to be, very handsome and charming, and offered me booze."