To Hell and Back

9

The car ride was pleasant as we joked about meaningless topics, an easy flow of conversation between us.

When we arrived I got out and we walked to the front. The bouncer gave us a once over and then ushered us in. I gave him a smile before following Julian inside.

We immediately made our way to the bar and ordered drinks. I was more than happy to let Julian order as I observed the place. It was quite a subtly elegant club. One where you couldn't dress too causal or it would be frowned upon but you couldn't dress too classy or you would stand out without wanting it. I was grateful Sage had picked out my outfit as she seemed to have done a fitting job.

The dance floor which was fairly large was crowded with people and I smiled cheekily as I saw what some of them were getting up to. Just then Julian handed me my drink with a 'bottoms up'. We downed them together and then hit the dance floor.

A couple of hours later my feet had started too hurt and I wanted to freshen up. Julian said he would go get more drinks while I went to the bathroom.

Once in the bathroom I breathed a sigh of relief, glad to be away from the crowds for a little while. The girl next to me gave me a knowing smile before walking out. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and was suddenly very glad I had decided to come clean up. My lipstick had smudged from all the making out on the dance floor and my clothes were slightly rumpled but I smoothed my dress out. I quickly reapplied my lipstick and then fixed my hair. Taking a deep breath I gave myself a confident look before stepping out into the club again.

I spotted Julian right away, his tall frame easily identifiable. His back was turned to me but I could see he was talking to someone. Curious I walked closer and I realised it was a girl. I smiled, knowing any friend of Julian's was a friend of mine. I walked closer and Julian spotted me.

He caught my eye and I started to smile. He smiled back but there was something almost sinister about it. I gave him a curious look, slightly confused. He held his smile for a second longer and then grabbed the girl he was talking to around the waist. My heart fluttered slightly but I kept walking forward, highly confused.

He looked down at her, looked me directly in the eyes and then kissed her.

My feet stopped in their tracks. My heart was pounding in my chest. I stared at the horrifying scene unfold before me. I could no longer feel my heart beating. I could no longer hear myself breathing. I could no longer see the masses dancing around me, oblivious to what was happening. All I could see was Julian, Julian kissing some girl. All I could hear was the ruffling sound her clothes made as he moved his hands up and down her body. All I could feel was the numbness that had spread over my body. I stood frozen for a long time, long enough for Julian to look at me with a smirk I loved, long enough for him to disappear into the crowds with the new girl in tow.

When I was finally able to move my feet I ran out the building and hailed a cab. The tears did not fall when I was riding home. The tears did not fall when I got to campus. Nor did they fall when I took a long hot shower. Not even when I closed my eyes to fall asleep.

No, the tears came many, many days later. When what he did sunk in. When he didn't come knocking at my door for our morning coffee. When he didn't come to pick me up for our Saturday night adventures. When he didn't pitch up on Friday morning so we could go spend the day at his dorm room.

That was when the tears fell.

And I realised that I had gone to hell and back.

But I guess that's what you get when you dance with the devil.