i used to light you up

chapter 3

Eli had been showered and dressed for nearly an hour and a half now, and still no sign of Edgar. It was beginning to get worrying to Eli that the artist had yet to make an appearance, but he hadn't worked up the courage to knock on Edgar's bedroom door to check on him, and the rustling from the other side of the door was aggressive enough to where Eli was discouraged from knocking. Eli had no idea what Edgar was doing in there, but knowing the artists' temper, he felt okay with being in the dark about it.

After nearly 15 minutes of contemplating knocking on Edgar's door, Eli finally did it, hoping that whatever temper tantrum his friend was throwing had subsided enough to attend the event.

It took nearly a minute for Edgar to respond to the knocking, but when he did he was calm, composed, and dressed in extravagant and expensive clothing. Eli was actually shocked at Edgar's appearance for once. He was dressed in an almost archaic-looking top with a high neck and ruffles on the shoulders. The color pallet of his outfit was much the same as Eli's own. Edgar's face was a stark contrast from his outfit, gloom painting all his features. In the room behind him, items were strewed about as if they had been thrown or pushed from their usual places.

Eli felt guilt rise inside him before pushing it down again, "Edgar, you look so amazing." Eli greeted the painter cheerfully. Edgar flashed an almost convincing smile, trying to make it reach his eyes.

"Thanks, Eli," his voice was almost too cheerful for the face he had portrayed earlier. "You're all ready, then?"

Eli nodded stiffly, allowing Edgar once again to lead him out of the apartment. The drive there was horrendously quiet and awkward. The few times Eli allowed himself to look at Edgar, his hands were clenched around the wheel, the force turning his knuckles white and his fingertips red. The hues contrasted uncomfortably with Edgards delicate hands. Eli resorted to staring out the window as if the downtown city was the most interesting place he had ever been to or seen.

The nightclub radiated and pulsated with energy, even from the outside. Edgar turned off the car a little too forcefully for Eli's comfort and got out of the car as if Eli was contaminated with something. Edgar lingered around the open car door, stretching as if he had taken a voyage.

"You coming?" Edgar asked, peeking his head back into the car for a moment.

"Yes, I'm sorry." Eli began to wonder if the apology was for lingering in the car or for the earlier events of the night, but he pushed the thoughts aside, stepping out of the car. As Eli made his way around the car to meet Edgar, Edgar held out the keys to his car.

"Try not to lose these, we might eventually want to get home at some point," Edgar said, sounding impervious to what actually happened to the keys.

Edgar almost left Eli in the dust as he strode through the parking lot to the entrance of the club. As he greeted the bouncer, Edgar pulled his ID card from his pocket, then gestured to Eli, who was still trying to catch up.

Without a word or a question asked to Eli himself, the bouncer pushed the pair through the club entrance, granting them access. Edgar tried his best to not seem like he was trying to lose Eli in the crowd, but Eli could feel the artists' intent either way. The pare made their way to the bar, and immediately Edgar knew what to order. The drinks were served to the pair, and Edgar pushed the shot into Eli's hand.

"3...2...1..!" Edgar said, his voice almost drowned out by the surrounding club ambiance as he threw the shot back. Eli followed his friend's lead but recoiled as straight vodka burnt his esophagus all the way down. Eli choked and leaned on the bar for support.

"What the hell? No warning or anything just straight to vodka with no mixers or anything?" Eli said between gulps of burning air.

Edgar laughed loudly, throwing his head back in enthusiasm at Eli's worsened state. Eli scowled, knowing what he did to receive this treatment from the artist, but finding it a little unbearable at the moment. Eli's displeased face threw Edgar into another laughing fit.