V & V - Rageous Road to Fame

Stars Up Above

Kid Ritz returns with a towel, handing it to me. I hold it tight, seeing that my clothes are dripping wet.

Kid Ritz: "Here, take these with you to the bathroom. Can you change by yourself?"

I nod as he hands me dry sweats and a long-sleeved shirt from his closet. I move slowly and quietly, realizing his Mama must be sleeping next door. I get changed in the small bathroom, trying my hardest to keep quiet.

Once I'm finally done, I stare in horror at the mirror. My eyes have a bright, white glow to them... glowing like Dom's and his brothers. I look away, scared. I tiptoe back to Kid Ritz's room and open the door quietly, Kid Ritz getting up from his bed quickly to help me.

Kid Ritz: "Here, give me your clothes. I'll put them in the dryer."

I hand them over, seeing they are sopping wet. He speaks to me quietly, urging me to take a seat. He grabs my arm lightly and gently sits me on his bed before leaving.

I sit quietly, shaking hard as my body is so cold. Kid Ritz returns, closing his door slowly. The only light in his room is a small mood lamp beside his bed, casting soft shadows around the room.

Kid Ritz: "You look cold... do you want a blanket?"

I nod, watching as he rummages through his closet before pulling out a soft blanket and handing it to me. I struggle to move it around my shoulders, a little embarrassed as he does it for me.

Kid Ritz: "Veneer, I was so worried. When you called, you sounded... you didn't sound like yourself. Then, when I got to the place, I called, but it went straight to voicemail. I stayed awake as long as possible but fell asleep."

Ven: "I'm so sorry, it took me a while to get changed from my swimsuit."

Kid Ritz: "You called me at twelve. You woke me up at 4:00. It took you four hours to change?"

I stare at Kid Ritz, my heart beating faster and faster. I shake my head, not knowing what to say. He sighs, grabbing my hand.

Kid Ritz: "Look, Veneer. I... know that we don't know each other well, but..."

He stops, meeting my eyes sadly.

Kid Ritz: "For me to help you, I need to know what you've taken tonight."

Ven: "Taken?"

Kid Ritz: "Yes. Whatever you're on, I won't judge you at all for it."

He thinks I'm on drugs? Why... does that feel so bad.

Ven: "Oh, well, I'm not on anything."

Kid Ritz: "Are you sure? You were slurring your words on the phone. I promise I won't judge you in the slightest."

I look at him before looking down at our hands.

Ven: "Oh, well, I can see how you think I was on something. But I promise I wasn't... or, at least, I don't think I was."

Kid Ritz frowns as his soft, sleepy eyes stare into mine.

Kid Ritz: "How long were you in that building? Who were you with?"

I tell Kid Ritz everything, from when I made it to Dom's place, every weird thing at dinner and the movies, and the whole interaction at Dom's pool.

Ven: "I was falling asleep so bad. I couldn't move well; I felt like I was in a trance. It took me so long to get out of the pool and into his bathroom. My phone battery was nearly entirely drained. I meant to call Velvet, but I guess I dialed your number. Something was horribly off about Dom; his eyes were glowing so bright that I couldn't see his irises anymore, and it hurt to look at him.''