Devoid [Bruno Mars]

Chapter six

Chapter six

A heavy sigh left my lips. I leaned all my weight against the railing, putting my face in my hands, feeling tired. I wanted to return to the hotel, sink beneath the covers, have Bruno by my side. . .

“Adrian?” 

I turned around to Michelle. She was sweating in her gold dress, her hair a mess of black. “You know what you're missing? Oh, you don't? Well, maybe it's because you're out here.”

A shrug was my only response.

“You know I love you because of how weird as hell you are. But in two days I'll be leaving for months.” She was breathing hard, her words between huffs and puffs. “Time to make these moments memorable.”

“Depends on how many drinks I would have to take.”

“So far I had two.” She came forward and grabbed the glass on the railing. Her eyebrow rose. “Seems like you've already had one.”

“Br—” I made the mistake of biting my lip, grimaced, and hoped she didn't notice. “I mean, someone left it here.”

“Whatever.” She sat it back down while a sense of relief washed over me. “Come on,” she urged. “I need someone to dance with since Brook is gone.”

“Brook left? Why?”

Michelle's mouth slowly curved. “The guy—his name's Woodrow—who owns this place took a fancy to Ms. Brooklyn White. They danced, they drank, and well, they left. To his place.”

“Are you kidding?” I said, but she wasn't paying any attention to me, interested in the scenery below. I grabbed her arm for her to listen to me. “You let Brook leave, drunk might I add, with some random guy?”

“It's called a one night stand, honey.” She flicked her head back. “It's pretty down there. No wonder you're here. But you know where else you can see some pretty lights? In there.”

“Focus,” I said sharply. She attempted to yank her arm away but that only made my grip tighter. “Brook has a boyfriend.”

Shock passed in her eyes. But she shrugged it off, becoming impassive. “You have to make regrets to learn things in life.”

I blinked at her in disbelief. “We need to find her.”

“She'll be fine.” She was getting frustrated with me, a snarky tone making its way into her voice. “This is supposed to be a worry- free night. Don't ruin it.” Liquor. People use liquor to be worry-free. No wonder we need worries, being without them makes us stupid. It's funny how we would go to great lengths for that one dash of stupidity.

Panic was rising inside of me, a painful twisting feeling in my gut. “Do you not see how serious this is? Woodrow can do anything to her. Brook's helpless. She's been drinking—”

Michelle laid a hand on my shoulder. Gathering all the seriousness she could muster and looking me directly in the eyes she said, “Have you ever heard of drunken sex?”

“Have you ever heard that you are a bitch?” The words just rolled of my lips, stunning us both. “I—I didn't mean—” But I couldn't find the words to explain as anger flared on her face. Not knowing what else to do, I left, and hurriedly made my way towards the club exit but soon halted, remembering a promise I made not too long ago. 

Bruno was in the front of the club, next to the DJ, a mike in his hand. For a moment I just watched, mesmerized. He was smiling big, moving a little to the beat. Happy. I thought. And a quick, Without me followed. I shook my head, snapping out of it. I walked as fast as I could, using my elbows to shove people out the way, ignoring their shouts of annoyances. I couldn't get far to the front. It was packed there, everyone wanting to be close to a celebrity, but then his eyes shot right to me, like somehow he just knew I was there. It was unreal. The belief of him actually being here hit me again and for a second I didn't know how to breathe. I began pointing at the door, indicating that I had to leave. He was confused. Once the realization hit of what I was trying to imply, he shook his head, mouthing, don't you do this to me.