Onyx

Chapter 6: In Which She Revels in a Bed of Lies (Onyx)

"Are you sure you're okay, Nyxy?" I could hear Ruby's melodic tone echoing in the background, but my mind was light years away in what felt like a distant dimension. Blood rushed and roared in my ears igniting my entire face, my heartbeat accelerating at an alarming pace. The salmon I had for lunch was now threatening to work its way back up. In hindsight it was a bad meal choice. Just like I shouldn't have come here and trusted my gut.

Dammit. I haven't even had a drink yet to calm my nerves.

"I-I feel like I'm 'gonna be sick." Turning away from him and those creepy eyes, I grab Ruby's elbow practically dragging her to the lady's room.

"H-hey, ouch." I ignored her objections.

As soon as the door closed behind us, I realized I hadn't taken a breath since seeing him. Here, of all the fucking places in the world to be. Doesn't he have whores to entertain? My stomach turns sour, acid building in the back of my throat again.

Breathe Onyx. He can't hurt you anymore.

But aren't you here too? Weren't you one of his little whores too? The only difference is he lets you play dress-up with that meaningless ring. My subconscious spews.

"Stupid fucking breathing exercises." I mutter beneath my breath. Why did I have to be plagued with anxiety?

"Huh, hey? What're you going on about..." Ruby's words fade from existence again.

Khalan always finds a way to worm his worthless existence into my life. Why can't he simply just go away. Like a moth to a fucking flame. Him being the freakish moth of course. Always with those pesky eyes of his. The more I ponder the idea I realize, he's like a fucking leech, sucking happiness out everything his fingertips touch.

"Earth to Onnie...?" I finally noticed Ruby practically shaking me back into this reality. Why do I keep getting so lost inside myself? It's becoming a little frightening. Honestly, I'm so tired of being backed into this dark ass corner. It's suffocating me. He's suffocating me.

"Why does this man affect me like this?" My eyes are wild as I stare into Ruby's caramel irises.

"'Cause you still love him honey. 'Gotta be a fool to not see it. Remember what I told you before we came here? To have fun, yes... It's fucked up that he happens to be here. out of all nights. But you're hot as fuck and I'm tired of you making your life about him! Don't you think you deserve to live for yourself, Onyx?" Ruby pisses me off when she speaks the truth. Bitch is always hitting the nail on the fucking head. She's always been the anchor to keep me steady in perilous waters. I'd probably die without her being by my side.

"You're right. Thank you, Ruby. Let's get that drink. Screw him, I look too good to let this night go to waste."

Flipping my locs over my shoulder, I decided I won't regret anything that happens tonight.

~

The sound of sultry music continued inside the club as Ruby struggled to practically drag me pleading tooth & nail from peeking behind the heavy oak bathroom door. Although my words sounded confident, I felt everything but that. My insecurities infested my thoughts, gnawing on the corner of my lip was my only respite as I involuntarily searched for those eyes in the dim corners of the room.

I talked a big game, but you're still a fucking coward.

As if she sensed me about to run for the hills screaming bloody murder, Ruby grabs my elbow in the direction of the bar hauling me off as if I were a disobedient toddler. At least the array of drink choices behind the bar would offer some type of distraction. It's like he's in my thoughts. And why do I feel like my back is getting warmer by the second?