Porcelain [ ᴊᴏᴋᴇʀ ]

Chapter 10: Waltz in the Night

(Originally published: October 2020)

(Rewritten: November 2024)

Crime & Chaos

" WALTZ IN THE NIGHT "

by house_of_gia

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The familiar scent of coffee invaded Julie's senses as she walked into the cosy café. She spotted her friends at their usual corner table, already deep in conversation. She adjusted the scarf wrapped around her newly bruised neck.

"Hey." Julie greeted, sliding into the seat next to Beth.

"Julie!" Beth pulled her into a hug. "How've you been?"

"I've been better," she replied, returning the hug and letting go quickly. "Just, uh, trying to keep busy."

God, now I'm using his mannerisms?

Deciding not to dimmer the mood by telling her friends about her mum being admitted to the hospital, she told the waitress that she wanted a cappuccino. It wasn't like her mum was on a life support machine.

"Well, we're glad you're here," Maggie smiled at her, which she returned.

"Yeah, so glad you're alive." Clarice cleared her throat. "Anyway, I'm throwing a party at my house this weekend," she announced, a snobbish tone to her voice. "My parents are on a business trip—probably fucking each other on every cruise—so we'll have the place to ourselves. Perrrfect opportunity to have some fun!"

The three of them chatted about it while Julie looked on, listening. Well, she was trying to listen, but it was difficult. Clarice's voice was beginning to get on her nerves.

"We could all use a break," Beth's voice snapped her out of her glowering. "Lloyd's been on my ass about the biology assignment."

That reminded Julie... she hadn't been doing her assignments ever since Joker had intruded into her life; she was more focused on trying to get rid of him than writing whatever bullshit her teachers asked of her.

"Yeah, it's-it's been a while since we all hung out together," Julie coughed when they turned to her. She realised they were waiting for her to say more than one word. "Sounds great."

Clarice raised an eyebrow and looked her up and down, much to Julie's discomfort. What was she doing?

"So... what's the plan, Clare?" asked Beth, giving them both a weird look. She wasn't the only one to notice some kind of tension.

"Well," Clarice began, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "I want it exclusive, just a couple of friends. I don't want it to turn into some kind of free-for-all, especially if people come dressed in tracksuits or something cheap." She glanced at Julie, who frowned. "Maybe a couple of boys, but no jocks."

Julie opened her mouth to confront her, but Beth beat her to it.

"Really? I thought you'd be the one to go for a jock," she teased.

"Only for a bit of fun." Rolling her eyes and scoffing, Clarice said, "And for your information, Bethany, I'm over my jock phase. I can't say the same for Julie."

Julie's cheeks reddened, but it was no blush. It was anger.

"Seriously, Clare, what's your problem?"

"What problem?" She asked innocently. "I don't have a problem."