2 kids

The mad hatter.

Alex.

Ace literally pushes me through the door. A thousand thoughts flash through my mind in that second.

"Someone's impatient, huh?" I mock him.

"Shut up, just go."

The loud music immediately resonates in my ears, causing an irritated ringing. It goes away after a few seconds, yet it's unusually hard for me to get used to the music. I'm dehydrated and my growing headache is letting me know my body is lacking one of the most crucial chemical compounds to function. After a whole day stuck in the studio, being locked in a place with loud music doesn't seem like the best way to relax. Yet somehow strangely it's exactly what I need right now.

It takes only a few seconds for the familiar smell to hit my nose. Whiskey and marihuana blending with smells of perfumes and nicotine. But no smell of sex in the air this time. Strange because I'm sure way more people have had intercourse here than at Cal's. I'd even bet on that. Mae surely used her stern voice and authoritative power to make them clean it before she decorated it according to her taste.

A few days ago she walked into our room at two in the morning, announcing the location. No one was surprised to see the others awake, and no one seemed to realise how late it was. I had forgotten about River's birthday party coming up due to all the work and school assignments piling up. It took me a solid moment to understand what she was talking about.

Ace, unlike me, didn't hide his confusion. He straight up asked her, and let me quote 'what the hell are you talking about?'. Her look instantly changed from the look of a proud teenager to an annoyed and angry mother. In that second Mae looked exactly like her mother and it scared me for a brief moment. She wanted to kill him right there and then. Ace, still wanting to live, quickly dug deep in his memory and answered his own question.

Why she ended up choosing this place is all I want to know. she never shared the reason behind her decision, and because neither Ace nor I had participated greatly we didn't dare to ask. Cal owns a few other locations which she could have used, far less risky than this one. This is just a hidden club that he opens seasonally, but lately it's been closed more than used. Truth is, it's always been one of River's favourite bars.

The real question I wanted to ask was much different. What I truly wanted to know the answer to had nothing to do with me, or us risking getting exposed. I wanted to know what she told Ashley. I never told her about the basement or Cal's place. It ate me alive having to lie to her, but telling her the truth was too risky. There was never a right moment. It was better for her this way. Cal's place isn't a place for her.

We all lied to her, multiple times. Even Mae and Ciara who are always honest and despise lies the most. No one had to address it verbally, we had all collectively agreed years ago that no one was ever going to know about Cal's place or the basement.

I know it eats Mae alive as much as it eats me. Lying to her best friend won't work forever, and we both know there'll come a day when she'll have to tell her the truth. So will I.

********

When my eyes land on her the world around me freezes.

Everything becomes blurry and she shines like a literal angel. She's all my eyes can focus on.

I knew I'd bump into her sooner or later. Inevitable since Mae booked the whole bar just for River's birthday party. And though I hate myself for avoiding her all this time, I have no idea what I'd say if she stood over for me. Sooner or later I will be standing face to face with her, but for now I need to keep a distance.

Almost like when we met.

Trying to stay away from her has never worked out. She's always had me wrapped her little finger and she never knew. And it hasn't changed a tiny bit.