ECHO (Jason Todd x reader)

Chapter 3 - Red & Red

The weekend had finally arrived.

After days of telling herself to "just make it to Friday," it is a relief to see it come. Earlier in the day, Monica had texted her an invitation to a club, mentioning it was a throwback night. She usually isn't one for spontaneous clubbing, but after the grueling week she'd endured, a drink or two seems well-earned.

She completes her tasks with an unusual sense of satisfaction, a smile tugging at her lips.

"You seem rather different this evening," Forman observes.

"I'm going out with a friend tonight," she responds, her voice bubbling with excitement.

His expression shifts slightly, though he keeps whatever thoughts he has to himself. "I wish you a pleasant evening, my dear."

The rest of the day passed in a blur, time slipping through her fingers as she worked. Before long, her shift was over. With a quick farewell to Forman, she hurried home, noting how today she didn't feel the lurking presence.

She quickly slips into her outfit and freshens up her makeup, fully prepared for a night of mindless drinking and dancing. Her phone buzzes, Monica's photo lighting up the screen.

"Hey, girlie! Ready to paaartaaay?" Monica's voice blares the moment she picks up, prompting her to lower the volume.

"Yes, Mon. I am."

"Ugh, would it kill you to show a little more enthusiasm?"

"Yaaaay!" she responds, injecting more energy into her reply.

"That's the spirit! I'm waiting downstairs, be quick."

The call ends with a click.

She laughs at Monica's playfulness, grabbing her bag before taking one last look around her apartment. Everything is in place—windows shut, doors closed. Ready to go.

She locks the front door behind her.

It's so loud.

Of course it's loud, it's a club.

"Let's grab some drinks!" Monica yells into her ear, making her recoil at the additional volume.

Irrational anger starts to seep into her mind, but she regulates it well. "Sure."

They walk to the bar and begin downing drink after drink.

Her head feels like it's splitting. The noise is unbearable: the shrieks of drunk men and women, the clang of glasses, the bass of the booming music beginning to upset her stomach. There is only so much she can take.

"Is it okay if I leave you for a little bit? I see a cute guy I wanna talk to," Monica says loudly.

"Go get your man," she smiles at Monica, who returns the gesture and notices the slight slur in her speech.

"Stay where I can see you, okay? And if you decide to go take a piss or whatever, text me."

She nods, appreciating her friend's protectiveness. "I will."

With that, Monica saunters off toward the hunky guy she has her eye on. After finishing another drink, the woman with the growing headache finally decides she'd had enough. She steps outside to get some fresh air at the back of the club, making sure to text her friend before slipping away.