The Lies I Weave Are Oh-So Intricate

The Best of Us Can Find Happiness in Misery

Say my name and his in the same breath, I dare you to say they taste the same.

Drums, guitars, the beat and music were heavy, overwhelming, but in the best way possible. The walls were adorned with old concert posters and graffiti art. Silver and rainbow flickers emanated from the spinning mirrorball above the dancefloor. The air was thick with the scent of booze, cigarettes, vapes, and sweat. Countless bodies gyrated against one another as glasses and red solo cups swayed in the air.

Let the leaves fall off in the summer, and let December glow in flames.

The Bloodmoon Bar wasn't too far away from the university, but rougher patrons tended to frequent it, as it was designed to be a space for the rebellious and outcasted. Punk, goth, emo, scene, metal, gunge, alt, wild, and weird, they were all welcome, and they all sang and danced together in the low lighting and high energy of the aggressive and free-spirited, devil-may-care music.

Erase myself and let go. Start it over again in Mexico.

On the right side of the gritty, underground nightclub was the bar, its weathered stools and countertop bearing the scars of countless spilled drinks and impromptu drum solos from hyped up patrons. Neon signs flashed the menu of wine, beer, spirits, and an array of other mixed drinks. Straight ahead was a stage upon which a quartet performed, keeping the atmosphere and energy just right for a bar full of young, drunk rebels.

These friends, they don't love you. They just love the hotel suites, now!

Well, it was almost all full of young, drunk rebels. Kara Danvers poked her head in the door and took a tentative step inside. This was not her scene at all, but curiosity killed the cat, and only satisfaction would bring it back. She reasoned with herself that she'd done well enough in college so far to afford one night of debauchery. She was breathless as she took in all the sights and sounds, but one stood out above all the others.

"I don't care what you think as long as it's about me!" Standing front and center stage, directly beneath the grimy spotlight, was the lead singer of the four-person band. Befitting the underground vibe, she had long, black hair that framed an eerily pale face, only black lipstick and a black wisp of makeup at the corner of her right eye adding any sort of color. Her entire ensemble was black and silver too. Black tank top with black fishnets and fingerless gloves with silver cuffs. Black corset with silver buckles. Black skirt with silver chains. Black combat boots with silver studs.

"The best of us can find happiness in misery!" Her voice was beautiful, powerful, aggressive, and raspy. Hoarse, but in the best way. Kara's jaw dropped, but she didn't even realize as she stared up with wide eyes as the gothic singer. She bared her teeth for the audience, and they went wild at her fierce, fearsome expression. Then she flashed them all a flirty wink before waving a hand and walking away from the mic. She vaulted over a DJ booth at the back of the stage and turned around with a wicked smile on her face, her hands on the turntables.

The crowd went wild again as she slipped on headphones and remixed her own voice while her guitarist, bassist, and drummer played along. All too soon, the show was over, and Kara was almost disappointed when the gothic singer took a bow and dismissed herself and her band from the stage. The young Danvers hadn't realized how affected she would be by the music until she was left with a pounding heart and empty stage. But fate really was smiling upon her that night, for who should she run into at the bar except for—?

"Woah! Oh! Hey! It's... YOU!" Again, Kara's eyes and mouth went comically wide.

"Dia dhuit!" the vocalist saluted her with a drunken smile, leaning heavily against the bar.

"W-wait, what?" What had she said? Was the bar too loud for Kara to hear her properly? She bit her lip in embarrassment.

"Means "hello" in Irish!" the singer cackled, gesturing to some of the empty glass bottles by her elbow. "Anyway, didja enjoy the show?"