Real or not real? (Five Hargreeves) Book 2

Chapter 9 'You look nice'

Flashing lights.

Golden beams.

An alternate dimension.

7 stars.

A portal.

Blood, everywhere.

The hotel disintegrating into nothing, whisked away at the unmerciful hands of the Kugelblitz.

Stellar realises that her hands have gone to her head, holding it tightly with such a death grip that her knuckles were turning white. Her breathing was laboured and her face was contorted into that of pain. She slowly lowers her hands, taking in the scene around her. 

The sound of a catchy beat fills her ears and pounds in Stellar's chest as she watches everyone make their way onto the dance floor. She watches as everyone dances, smiling. Even if they were all botch drunk, they all looked...so happy. Blissful. Like nothing was wrong, like they didn't have a care in the world. The loud blast of the music seems to fade in and out of Stellar's ears as she watches everyone. One part of her brain and body begged her to go over there, to join everyone. But her legs and feet stayed firmly planted in the ground as she wistfully watches them. 

A family.

Was she part of that? That...unbreakable...imperfect but...wonderful bond they had? Stellar watches as Lila and Sloane dance around, hand in hand. She feels salty tears spiking her eyes, but this time, she lets them slowly trickle down her face as she just watches, immobile. 

And all of this. This. This horrible, wonderful, terrifying, beautiful thing that some might call a family. All of it would be gone by tomorrow. No trace left. Nothing. 

Stellar feels her breath hitch as she holds back a small sob. Why was she like this? This was supposed to be a happy day. She shouldn't - she can't cry and ruin it like this. She shouldn't even be crying. She was here, wasn't she? With Lila. With the Hargreeves family.

So why was there always this...underlying feeling of sadness and loneliness that always lingered in her? It was like a pit in her stomach. Most times she ignored it. Sometimes she even forgot it was there. But in the times where she did notice it, it hit her like a punch to the gut. Like all the breath had been taken out of her.

Stellar takes a deep breath as her vision blurs from the tears. She closes her eyes and breathes out before opening them again, her view of everyone smiling and dancing slightly less hazy. 

Pull yourself together.

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If Stellar had to use one word to describe everyone  as a whole right now? Drunk.

Very, very drunk.

Drunk on what was unclear. Maybe it was drunk on the strong stench and horrid, burning taste of the alcohol. Maybe it was drunk on the loud music which pounded and resonated in Stellar's ears. Maybe it was drunk on the completely intoxicating feeling of pure love and affection in the air. 

Stellar sits to the side at one of the tables, watching as Luther and Sloane waltz around the room dreamily. Diego and Lila sit together, their hands entwined and heads leaning on the other's, near the stage, where Five is standing, absolutely drunk, singing along to the slow song playing at the moment. Klaus and Ben were talking and...giggling? Ben was definitely drunk. Klaus...well, Klaus was just Klaus.

Allison and Viktor were god knows where.

God, this night was a chaotic mess.

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