what life has never shown

Chapter 1

Adrielle's POV

What is life to me? It is bruised, it is blue.

What is life for me? It's the reeking smell of alcohol, the chained scent of cigarettes, the loud bass of music that strikes your heart, the indifferent faces.

"Hey, Elle!" Lauren, going towards me with a red cup in her hand. "I saw your Paige just a moment ago!" her voice rising, making sure it reaches my ears.

I rolled my eyes at her, grabbed a cold glass of beer from the table before going back to my seat.

"Let's have some fun!" I heard her saying but I kept a serious stank face as my eyes wandered.

Someone nudged me from the side which made me shift my gaze and I saw no one else but Harper. "What's wrong?" she asked but I averted my eyes in return, "you're all over the place, man." Harper taps my shoulder.

"Just give her some cigarettes, her energy's all gone now that she's smoking nothing."

"Nah-ah, Elle's sad coz she got no bitch in here."

"Only sugar mommas eyeing her."

I got up that caught their attention. No one could sneak away from them, I guess.

"I'll head out." I said with my eyes staring ahead, straight to the way out.

"Huh? Already?"

"Too early for you to go, Elle." Harper interrupted.

My hand taps Harper's shoulder, "I feel sick." I said before going off their table.

There's a lot of people right now. I'm stuck staring at them, somehow, this life suffocates me. I hate crowds but my friends love this.

A lot of different faces, different scents, different voices...and they all fade in haze.

"Elle! Where are you going?" Lauren again, walking my way.

"I'm gonna go home, I feel sick." I answered as I meet her feet, swiftly walking away from her before she could stop me.

"Why? What do you want?"

Oh come on. Y'know I want to die.

The loud crowd and the ear-piercing music faded when I finally made my way out. Cabs here and there, probably waiting for a passenger.

Today is May 23, I see, that's why the moon is brighter than usual. It's the flower moon.

I'm feeling alright. I don't feel sick at all. I lost my mood. I don't know? How should I acknowledge what I feel? I probably ran out of energy, maybe?

At the corner of the street where the street light is dull shows a brunette, wearing a white blouse and a matching white pants.

That sleek bun must've hurt the scalp.

"I'd stand under a bright lamppost if I were you." I mumbled as I stood next to her.

I can see her from my peripheral vision, looking at me after putting down her phone, "pardon?" she uttered.

Oh come on, miss ma'am? How can you not hear the voice of a cute concerned citizen like me?

"Nothing, just wondering why you're standing under the dim light when you can move somewhere else." I stated.

"Why do you care?" she overtly said that shattered the inner me. I think I lost something in me with that response.

"Missy, please chill. You were so nice last night, don't you recognize me?" I asked after moving my feet to face her, "remember me?"

I know I remember her. I met her last night at this same exact spot and she's wearing the same clothes. I was drunk but I remember her still.

"I don't."

"It's me, we talked about body counts last night. I know you're now 22 and you're a nursing student." I explained. How can she forget me that easy?

"I'm 22 and a nursing student but...body counts?"

A smile formed on my lips knowing I'm right. She's the girl I met last night whom I matched the vibe with! "Yes, yes, body counts! I have 2 and uhh...I forgot yours?"

"Sorry, I think you mistook me for someone else, are you drunk?" she said with an awkward smile, her face clearly telling me she's uncomfortable.

I took a step back to give her more space upon seeing how uncomfortable she looks like. Am I drunk? I know it's her.

"I came from that hospital," she pointed something at the back which made me turn to see. "You probably met someone else last night and not me." this time, I heard how gentle her voice sounds. I didn't notice it earlier because I was butt hurt with her response I thought was mean.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I suck at remembering faces I just met." I said with an even awkward smile. I said too much and it's now making me shy.

"What's her name if you don't mind me asking, who knows? She might be a friend of mine." the brunette said again, making me look at her but she quickly shifted her eyes away from me.

I scratches my nape while lightly shaking my head, "I'm sorry but I don't know as well. All I remember is her age and that we've talked about our body count." I uttered which made her laugh in an instant. Even her laugh sounds so gentle.

"Really? Who started that conversation?"

"I-I asked her..." I answered with a stutter. Too bad I'm not drunk right now, I get shy easily when I'm not drunk, also knowing we're complete strangers and how I met her is truly embarrassing to remember.

She bursted in laughter, "how can you ask someone regarding that thing when you just met them?"

"Well, when you do parties everyday then you'll know." I said together with a smile now. She doesn't seem uncomfortable with me now. I feel assured when someone feel comfortable around me.

"Oh...you probably love partying, don't you?" she's looking at me again, but whenever I set my eyes on her she would immediately look away.

I nodded as I put my hands on my head, looking across the street. "Sorry about earlier. By the way, are you waiting for someone?" I asked.

"Yes, I'm waiting for my dad."

"Are you for real?" I pursed my lips to stifle a laugh.

"Are you not?" she let out a smirk which led me to roll my eyes in disbelief.

"You sure you're waiting for your pops or a sweet pops?"

"A sweet pops!" her shining eyes now matches her smile, "he's the sweetest pop!" she added.

Never knew someone could be this proud to have a sugar daddy.

Her phone buzzes before I could utter another word. I'm stuck staring at her gentle face while her eyes are glued on her phone. It's been a while since I met someone with oozing tranquility.

Like a flower.

"Hey, he's nearby. Shouldn't you go home as well? It's past 12 am already." she uttered.

I simply put my hands in my pocket, turning my feet away. "Take care, miss ma'am."

"Take that, I think you need it more than I do." she said with a chuckle.

Well, I didn't get to see her face with that chuckle. Better luck next time? Is there any?

Ah...straight girls.

They're just gonna break you, Adrielle.

And that one? That one will hurt you to the bone coz she got her sugar daddy. Sweetest pops huh?

"Thank you!" I heard her once more. "Thanks for the company, I felt a little bit safe."

Tell your sugar daddy to fetch you on time, in that way, you won't need a stranger's company to keep you tight and secure.

STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER