The clock at the bar ticked away like the passing of time, quick and fleeting, and it brought me closure. We sang and danced, and I forced Xavier to stop drinking so he could still drive. All around, the night was a blast. The bar was filled with like-minded people who sang and wanted to be free from the pain of the day, celebrating what was to come for those who dreamed and hoped.
It was lawless and fun, with a bitter twist and movements that rattled my body as I danced to the songs. I danced with those I had never met. In those moments, time blurred, and people who didn't exist in my life shared the night with me. With the men and women I danced with, my heart soared. I danced for the world and with the world.
My body followed the light that had no end. Left and right, my hips moved, and in that moment, I could see the past coming back—lighting up the hearts of people I wished to see again. The fire of childhood reignited, and the mind, once more, grew without fear of the day only the night.
For the night belonged to the people, and the people huddled together, drinking with one another, fighting, and singing to the beats of light, echoing the sounds of love.
Lay looked at me, and as she reached her hands toward me, we danced. She moved me like a wife would, but that night wasn't about that—it was about the joy of being present, in the moment.
And that was dancing, cheering to the day, celebrating the future, and to the world.
For those who sang, sang with their lips, and those who danced, hugged, and extended their hands to those who had no one left—within the house of love, we celebrated.
....
Opening the door of the Mercedes, I said my goodbye to Xavier, telling him I would call him back to make sure he wasn't dead. Though he only drank a little, I was still worried, so I figured it was the best thing to do.
Walking to my apartment, my heart was still beating fast. I knew I was in a good mood, but this feeling felt different—like the world was fine, there was tomorrow for me, and a future to be happy about.
As I walked, I started seeing trash and red paint all around, as if someone had dumped a pile of junk near my apartment. I was a little mad but more confused. I lived close to the center of the city, where the air was good, but this mess was crazy.
I heard a loud "bang!"
What was that? I thought, moving toward it. I saw a man covered in a hood behind a dumpster.
"Leave me alone, please," the man said.
"Just join our cause," another guy said.
"I have no interest. Please, just leave me alone," the man replied.
"Why won't you listen—"
"Hey, kid. I think the guy doesn't want to join whatever you're offering. Why don't you kindly leave?" I took a better look. It seemed like another protester, not wanting peace, but harm. The protests were going crazy because of "it."
"Hey, who the hell are you?" he said, turning his body. I could see his entire figure, hooded and masked, with a red triangle and a white line separating it on his chest.
So, the red came from this guy…
"So, you're the one who caused all this mess?" I asked, pointing to the trash.
"So, what of it? Are you interested in joining...?" Before he finished, I punched him in the face.
Flat-out cold, the hooded guy was now taking a nap. "Sir, let's get out of here," I said, picking up the old man, who seemed to be in his sixties.
"Thank you, young man." The old man looked at me with a large smile as I walked him to his apartment. While we started walking he began telling were he lived, which was close to my complex, so it made it easier to help.
"My name is Blake. What is your name, good sir?" The old man, still holding on to my shoulder, looked at me with a large smile.
"My name is Ash. I'm glad I was in time to help you, Mr. Blake. If I had hesitated with that punch, I would have been the person on the ground. I'm not much of a fighter. I know people like that wouldn't take no for an answer, so yeah..." I said with a grin, hoping he wouldn't think I was the type of person who just starts fights out of nowhere.
"I know why you did that, but I think you assume too little of yourself and doubt the potential you have."
"Sir, I'm not interested in fighting anyone, anytime soon. Not in a cage or even in the street. I like books and reading about the laws of the universe," I said, hoping that would make him stop thinking I was some kind of fighter.
"No, not that. I'm talking about your heart. You have more to show than you assume. Don't lose what you are inside," the man said.
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked him.
"I just told the other man. I wanted to tell you there's more than fighting your way out. But this world is tough, and one must keep up with it. If you don't, you'll fall—even in death," he continued.
"Look at me. I'm reaching my end, but I yearn to fight. I fought to last long enough for you. That's what I learned today—that I had you. We have those who can free us from pain, even if we had no clue they even existed," he said, opening the door to his apartment complex.
"Thank you, young sir. Be safe, and may the universe strengthen you," he said before leaving.
Walking into my apartment, the old man Blake brought me to realize I had strengthened my convictions and needed to be ready for anything. This thought brought me closure, like the fleeting moments of time that flashed into my mind—memories of those I had tried to bury, now once again in my mind. I felt happier than ever.
"I can't run away from this," I whispered to myself.
Getting on my phone, I looked at the texts I had gotten more than ten hours ago. I thought about how fate worked, how the universe truly brought people back when you sought the pain, and in that pain, comes closure.
"Hey Ash, this is Nave. I know I texted before talking about me, Jorden, and hanging out. We were hoping you would reply, but you didn't. Well, I'll tell you who else is coming. You know she wants to see you. It's been more than ten years, Ash... Aurora wants to talk with you."
I must not run, I said to myself. I looked at my phone, and words appeared like the phone had been sleeping and now wanted peace—for it to be said.
"Hello, Nave. I'm sorry for not replying sooner. I would love to come. For tomorrow, if you're still planning, do you have one more seat available for me? I would love to see the gang once more."
After I took a shower, I got back on my phone, waiting for her reply. I realized it was already 1 AM in the middle of the night. Before I even thought about how tired I was, my body fell into the comfort of the bed and its warmth.
The light beamed through the window, and my white sheets covered my naked skin. I tried to shield my face from the illuminated light. My phone was at my side, and I looked at it. It was 8 AM.
I extended my hand out from under the covers to reach my phone. It flashed on, showing me the screen.
There it was, fate playing once more, like a dance, wanting to party for tomorrow. And I did, and tomorrow came.
Answering, "Hey Ash!, I know you would come!! Get ready, don't be late. You've got to be at the lake house at 9 AM. Don't be late! We're planning the whole day!!" : Nave