Ebony was not only scared, she was terrified. Clubs, parties and any other things that must be handled with a high self-esteem was something she regarded as a nightmare. She doesn't always want to be reminded that she was always improper no matter what she does. Her eyes captured the people who went in and staggered out of the club. They were all looking perfect. Beauty wise, and they don't have to worry about being judged with just a glance because of how they look.
She smiled facing Hale trying never to let her insecurities obvious to him. "The deal was an Ice-cream place. Not one of your many places where you could eat people's faces and become blind drunk."
He laughed, throwing his head back in amusement. And at that moment, it was just a thought that made her heart race again. He was perfect, too.
He embraced her sideways, dragging her to the entrance. "Don't worry Ebony. I own this place. We won't be eating each other's faces, but we will be drinking and with only me."
The way he said, "only me" made her look at him to see if he really meant it. That she was worth drinking alone with.
"Quick, let's run inside before anyone start noticing us." He whispered so close, and she swore she saw his eyes shine so bright, bringing a small smile of her own to her face. He grabbed her hands and they both ran as quick as possible into the club. Like as if it were planned, multiple bodyguards appeared out of nowhere and began to part way for them in a world that spelled the meaning of living your life without holding anything back. The inside club was bigger than she imagined and jam-packed with a lot of activities that involved dancing and vibing to a sound louder than ten thousand speakers.
"Welcome to my world, sweetheart!" He said smiling at her never letting go of her hands which she also held like never before. "A world far from heaven and a bit like hell."
She jumped when she heard something big explode behind the stage of where a singer she was yet to identify was performing and everyone was out of their minds, senseless and letting themselves go.
"A whole new world."
They were being escorted down a staircase with railings that seemed to sparkle under the enormous disco lights placed everywhere in the large hall. She saw many things. Some things she could never unsee and some were just to unbelievable. Soon, they were being taken to a quieter and smaller part of the club. It was beautiful, cozy and looked more like a VIP room with an extra V behind.
He freed her arms, and soon they were left alone by the bodyguards. Hale sat on one of the red chairs smirking as she stared at the room innocently and in all. A giant picture of the great immortal demon, Mammon himself, who refused the redemption offer by the angels was hung with pride and excellence on one of the walls of the room.
"You should feel more at ease here than out there, yes?
"
Ebony sat before him nodding. It was only the two of them set apart from the world of chaos and sin happening out there, it shouldn't be that terrible.
"Why am I even here?"
"To make you like me more."
She paused, staring at him with what felt like a long time. Something tingling at a corner of her chest.
"Since you are my anti-fan, I always like to turn haters to fans. So, welcome to club devilz! Where we could talk and get to know each other the best."
"The best place on earth for knowing each other. Nice." She added with sacarsm.
He chuckled leaning back. He raised a finger to the air and waved it. A large bottle of wine with two cups began to dance all the way from the mini bar in the room all the way to the serpent-shaped golden table between them. For a moment, she forgot demons could do magic. Same as for demonic hybrids. She watched the wine uncapped itself and filled their cups with something that seemed like water, but she knew it can't just be water.
Ebony crossed her legs, placing her palms on her knees in thought. Figuring out how to clear this awkward silence.
"So, I assume you are coming back here to manage this place once you are laid off from my school?" She has been tempted to ask.
Hale loved her question. "I have a feeling you are going to miss me once this is over."
Ebony waved her hand that he should keep dreaming.
Suddenly, that sad look came and vanished like she noticed when they were talking in the library. It made her wonder what crosses his mind that made him so sad enough not to want to think about it longer than a minute. The smile she is beginning to assume was fake reappeared, and he asked, "Wine?"
"No, thank you."
To her surprise, he didn't try to force or coerce her into drinking it. He waved his hands again and just like magic the wine changed into a more orange color. She threw him a questioning look.
"It's now orange juice. Safe for drinking."
The drink called out to her that she couldn't resist. She picked up and took a small sip, and it was greater than good. She took another sip, then another, and didn't stop until she finished a whole cup. Hale was just watching her with pure happiness.
"Nothing taste better in the world than the taste of magic. Here, have another one."
With a flick of his hands the cup was no longer empty. She looked at him with a smile of her own and began to drink, him refilling every time she drank. He watched her all along as if he enjoyed it. When she was done, her bladder indicated that she has had way too much.
She placed the cup back on the table, "Where's the restroom?"
"Right this way."
He gave her his hand and held hers so gently that Ebony never wanted him to let go. Outside the public restroom for females, Hale asked her to go in, and she thanked him.
"I'll be right here, waiting for you."
The way he said that made her pause in her tracks briefly before heading over to where the many stalls were.
"Why are you planning on letting that sorry nerd go with my boyfriend to the after-party, Violet?"
She stopped.
Violet brought out her red lipstick to add more on her lips as she stared at her angry friends through the mirror. Their eyes drilling holes of disgust at her head.
"She is so pathetic that I had too. And it is to boost her esteem. I am doing this because I am the only one on her side," she answered, applying some on her upper lips, grabbing a tissue to wipe the lines that went astray.
"Boosting her esteem with my boyfriend? Do you even hear yourself talk? How is that helping her?"
Violet smiled, "Relax guys. I know what I'm doing. Jack and I got other plans, and it is well-laid out. It would be more fun for me to see her get embarrassed like other times all over again just so she could run into my arms and cry all night. I like it when she does it." She finished applying the lipstick and turned towards the exit.
It dropped in horror as she saw Ebony at a club so unlike her.
Ebony's eyes went to the other girls, all her course mates she doesn't talk to, and saw how their eyes were falling out of their sockets one by one.
"Eb…" Violet whispered as they all moved out of the way for her to use one of the stalls of the bathroom. When she was done, she looked at them all again one by one. Her eyes tearing up when they landed on Violet.
Her only girlfriend. The one she thought she genuinely cared for her. She washed her hands to leave, sparing each of them one last glance before silently walking out of the bathroom.
"Of course, I will worry about you."
Her palms connected, digging her nails painfully into the soft, hard flesh.
"We will worry about each other."
She slowly began to peel at the skin one by one not minding the pain. Moving at a faster pace.
"That's what friends do."
Ebony, behind your eyes. She pushed back whatever she was feeling presently, composed herself as she stepped out, strangely happy to find Hale waiting for her as promised. The smile faltered when he noticed her bleeding palms beside her. She tried hiding it but failed.
He's seen it.
Her weakness.
He might be thinking she went to the bathroom majorly to harm herself.
"Erm…I have a test next…I mean, tomorrow that I need to study hard for. Can I just…erm…leave? Like, right now?" She didn't mean for it to come out like a plea. Like she was begging to get away at this point.
Hale's lips fell apart like he has just realized something. He called softly, "Ebony,"
"I don't like it here Hale. I want to go. I have a test."
"Ebony, listen-"
"I have a test, let me just go, please."
"Which test tomorrow, when it's Sunday?" Hale countered.
She thought she would just cry at that moment. Hale came close and did the least she expected at that point.
"Whatever came up in your mind, or you went through in there, just know it is not yet bigger than you, no matter what. And you are stronger and perfect than you think you are. Please believe me."
Slowly, like snail's speed, she freed herself and hugged him back. And it felt so good, greater than good.