Page 163 of Crystal Iris
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“I fucking hate that we live this far apart.”
“Yeah. I wish you could come dance with me tonight.”
“Dance?”
“Akira and I are going to Spiral.”
“Hmm.”
“What?”
“You… dancing…”
I smile.
“Give Jo a hug for me.”
“Firecracker?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For loving me.”
Thirty-Four
“Creativity is magic. Don’t examine it too closely.” – Edward Albee
The club is packed, as usual, leaving us barely any room to move on the dance floor.
“Maybe it’s time we find a new place,” I tell Akira as someone bumps into us. “This place is getting too popular.”
She lifts her glass to mine, doing our usual cheers. “I love this song!” she says, pulling me to dance. I take a sip of whatever she ordered for me; it tastes artificial and girly. She says it’s new. “They were almost giving it away for free.”
We dance together for a while until she meets someone. I tell her I’m going to the bathroom to give them some space.
I pass the ridiculously long line and head straight for the sink and mirror. As I’m fixing my hair, my vision blurs for a split second.Maybe that new drink is out of my league. I check my phone and see Akira’s text:I’m outside.
Why is she outside? Is she ready to leave with that guy? We haven’t been here long. I head toward the door, looking for her.
I’m almost there when I black out.
My senses are overloaded; a strong chemical smell wakes me up. My vision is completely blurred. I can’t even make out where I am.What the hell was in that drink?I hear voices but no music. I don’t remember getting out of the club. Did I fall? Pass out? Maybe someone found me.
“Akira?” I call.
My voice is weak, too weak for anyone to hear me. I try again: “Hello?”
“She’s awake.” I don’t recognize the man’s voice.
Two big figures move closer. I try to move back, only to find I can’t. I’m tied to something. I shake my head.Where am I?I beg my brain to wake up, but the fog is too heavy. I try to move my hands— they hurt. They’re tied up tight.
