Heck of a party Final: You

The party was less beaming, most of the people were either going to their frat house for the rest of the night and others just went home. The ones remaining were just dealing with dizziness, clumsiness and a leg or two spread here and there. Lauren walked tiredly towards the bar counter, again. The raccoon looked at her with a different expression than his usual smiling face. It was concern. His worries fell from his tongue. "Huh perhaps you should stop drinking, it doesn't taste like alcohol but there is alcohol in there...you are the toughest though, I respect that. You were the only one ...almost the only one to drink this much and still be conscious"

Lauren: "Bitch please"

Lauren just sat there and fidgeted with her phone, she seemed thoughtful. The raccoon couldn't help but talk. "Something the matter?"

Lauren: "I don't know man...I mean have you ever been in a situation where you seek for something that you deeply look for but that same thing makes your life hard?"

The raccoon looked in the distance before looking back at her. "It happens...more often that one can think. I am...was someone with nothing special, just a random guy amongst the crowd but I deeply envied the cool people (*sighing*) so I decided to be like them...for a while I was able to blend in you know...but it was also forcing me to be a me I was not...and it cost me...everything...(*looking at her with a smile*) What I mean is think about what you really want and ask yourself if it is worth destroying yourself for it...I did and...listen fam, act responsibly, you're young and surely smart enough to understand, you can stand up for yourself, you don't need anyone validation...and even if it hurts you don't need validation from close people either, parents included"

Lauren looked at him, he was right on certain point, although he surely was kind of projecting a lot. She sighed and closed her eyes before speaking again.

Lauren: "What's your name?"

The raccoon looked at her with a surprise look and it turned to a soft gaze.

?: " I go by Nam Ji-Hyun, but my friends call me Ji-Hyun"

Lauren: "Nice to meet you Ji-Hyun"

Lauren looked at the raccoon who gave her his usual smile but this time it was genuine.

Ji-Hyun: "Nice to meet you too, Lauren"

Lauren: "wait I didn't give you my name..."

Ji-Hyun: "it's my policy to know every freshman so I know how to make their cocktail...part of the magic"

Ji-Hyun had a soft gaze on his counter, he was looking at a bottle of wine.

Ji-Hyun: "That's one of the only thing I do right"

Lauren: "oh... I see"

Lauren looked at the barman arms, they weren't as built as that of the dragon with whom she had fun some times ago, but they were charming. And his eyes, she didn't know she could be mesmerized by such jewels. The last time she was amazed by the eyes of someone it was those of Wyatt, they were piercing but the raccoon one were deeper, melancholic even...somehow trustful.

Lauren: "How do you do that?"

Ji-Hyun: "Do what?"

Lauren: "how do you make people feel at ease with you, trust you?"

Ji-Hyun: "I'm afraid I don't know what to tell you...but I can tell you this, people are just like this wine, they can be good, they can be bad but somehow they all taste different. When I talk to people, I can feel their inner wine...that helps me know who they are and how to help them...let's say my inner wine is blank and adapts to the one drinking...most of the times people forget me, ignore me or just remember my drinks...you are the first in a long time to have asked for my name..."

The raccoon looked away bashful. He looked at the stars.

Ji-Hyun: "it's silly ain't it? To crave for a bit of recognition"

Lauren: "I...wow, let's say that it's a bit rude to just talk with someone and not at least know their name...but I feel you"

Ji-Hyun turned to her, his eyes glimmering with the party lights, shining like amethyst.

Ji-Hyun: "it's nice to have someone to talk to...where is your friend? Wyatt was it?"

Lauren: "Man, you knowing our name is still weird but to answer your question, I dunno, last time I saw him, he was being called by the Crimson bitches"

Ji-Hyun: "hm...I have a bad feeling about that, I remember indeed Jørgen coming to my bar with Wyatt then they went away"

Lauren: "is that guy bad?"

Ji-Hyun: "no he is sweet and kind, but he usually get hot easily"

Lauren: "what do you mean?"

Ji-Hyun: "well, sharks just like some other Ocean folks have a very high pronounced libido and as such, it doesn't take much of an aphrodisiac to make them ready for war if you get my point"

Lauren: "Aren't those illegal?"

Ji-Hyun: "well...there's a certain percentage of an aphrodisiac like substance in one of the drinks that was common to pretty much everyone here, Jørgen's included"

Lauren: "But that's fine, I mean Wyatt is a guy so it should be fine right?"

Freddy: "Jørgen is openly bi, so I doubt your friend will be anything but his prey"

Lauren started frowning and took out her phone, she dialed Wyatt's number. It rang for a second before someone picked up.

Lauren: "Bitch where your ass at?"

Wyatt: "History classroom"

Lauren: "The fuck are you doing there?"

Wyatt: "it's...huh...a long story"

Lauren: "Bitch, I was worried...Matthew was looking for you, I will call him"

Wyatt: "oh it's fine, he found me...he is here too"

Lauren: "okay I'm coming"

She hanged up and looked at the raccoon.

Freddy: "I assume he is fine, with the alligator"

Lauren: "yeah, I doubt anyone would try picking on someone like Matthew...okay, I have to go, it was nice talking with you"

Freddy: "same. Perhaps we can exchange numbers and have a chat or two during break?"

Lauren: "sure, okay"

The raccoon was excited and couldn't help but smile. He gave her his phone and she gave him hers. They wrote down each other's number and took their respective phone.

Lauren: "okay Freddy, see ya"

With that, she got up and walked away. The raccoon looked at her and smiled before returning to his wine.

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Emma: "What's this?"

Eddy: "It's your birthday...so I thought of something special, you remember back then we barely could afford a date in a fast food..."

The shepherd smiled and took out a box from his pocket.

Eddy: "Here"

He placed the box in front of Emma and straightened up again.

Emma: "Eddy...what is the meaning of all this?!"

She almost shouted the last part and it got the entire room attention.

Eddy: "Babe, please calm down...You don't like my surprise..."

Emma: "Don't act as if you don't know what I'm talking about...(*crying*) Why are you acting now?"

Eddy looked a bit down at that and it broke his heart to see Emma feel like this. Yet he knew what she meant. He looked around and then at her.

Eddy: "Let's talk about this elsewhere"

Emma was reluctant at the idea but the anxiety rose from the people stares and judgment.

Emma: "fine"

Eddy looked at the reception and the receptionist understood, she gave a nod and started calling someone. Meanwhile Eddy wanted to hold Emma's hand but the latter just rolled her eyes at that gesture. He gulped and closed his eyes before sighing in defeat.

They walked to another part of the restaurant. It was different, the colors were dying with each step turning to shades of black and grey. Emma wasn't sure if it was a good idea to follow Eddy here. They were alone far from anyone, the pain rose in her heart knowing she couldn't do much but follow him. She would often think of running away...of going as far as possible but...she couldn't somehow the shepherd draw her to him...

Lost in her thoughts, she crashed on Eddy's back. He was standing in front of a black door with golden rings on the frames. He sighed and looked down at her. Emma felt some kind of weird sensation, it was one of those situations of fight or flight but her body couldn't respond. She was lost in his sad gaze full of what seemed to be pain. He looked at her for few seconds before turning to the door his voice breaking the silence that was heavy on Emma. Though, she wished he never spoke, she wished so many things yet...

Eddy: "Emma, do you remember...that day at prom night...the day I promised to take care of you"

Emma didn't respond, confused by the sudden brought up subject. Eddy chuckled faintly.

Eddy: "I wish...we could live that moment, I held you close...I felt ...safe..."

Emma: "If it's another petty trick of yours to get me emotionally you picked the wrong day. I'm done with your lies"

Eddy turned to her.

Eddy: " I never lied to you. You know I never did... "

Emma: "Then why? Why are you doing this to me? Why are you...why did you changed ?"

Eddy looked at her and closed his eyes, he thought for a second then looked away. He turned to the door again.

Eddy: "I negotiated so you just have to come here on Wednesday nights and Saturday night...Emma I ..."

He was willing to say something...Emma just looked down in defeat.

Emma: "I hate you...I hope you rot in hell"

Eddy's fist clenched but he relaxed. Emma couldn't see but there was a tear falling from his eye. He opened the door and there was a male dog in a waiter outfit standing. He looked at Eddy and straightened up before looking at Emma.

Eddy: "Here's Emma...she is (*looking at her*) ready"

The dog then bowed before walking towards Emma. "Miss, if you would mind "

He extended his arm for her to take it. She knew what this was all about, she also knew even she didn't want to, she didn't have the choice...she thought of the only reason she couldn't just leave...all her thoughts went to that person...she glared at Eddy, before following the other dog. The door closing behind them. Eddy turned to the wall and punched it hard, some of the paints came off. His knuckles were bruised. He sobbed silently...in the dark hallway, alone next to a door...he wish he didn't know...

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Lauren burst the door open and met with laughters. Wyatt was bright as ever and laughing at the jokes of Matthew who was mimicking someone apparently due to his weird gestures. Both of them turned when they heard the door opening.

Matthew looked at her and crossed his arms. Wyatt on the other hand was really thrilled and got up.

Wyatt: "I suppose the party's over"

Lauren: "Kinda, not much of it to stay anyway...wait ..."

She noticed he was shirtless and from the corner of her eyes she could see a blood puddle.

Lauren: "what exactly happened here?"

Matthew: "I'm sure we all want to chit chat but how about we do this later, after taking a bath and resting. I'm spent"

Wyatt: "I have to agree with him, let's get home. Don't worry I will tell you everything"

Lauren wanted to contest but she just let it slide and sighed.

Lauren: "Fine"

With that, they got out of the room. Matthew got Wyatt's shirt and gave his own to the latter so he wouldn't be cold.

Matthew: "It's getting cold at this time outside, won't risk having you catching cold"

Wyatt blushed and accepted the shirt. Lauren was smiling as if she felt something but couldn't put a finger on what it was.