Chasing Shadows

Lights Out

-Lights Out

Her feet hurt as hell. She was feeling dizzy and the cocktail in her hand was long gone. Juvia shifted her weight between each foot, trying to ease the pain and tension that was shooting up her limbs. Softly grunting, she smoothed back a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Her green eyes darted from person to person around the room, looking for bright violet hair. Jordan was supposed to come back minutes ago. Jutting her lower lip and puffing air up to her bangs, Juvia crossed her arms. Catching a waiter go by, she helped herself to another glass of the zesty drink. I can’t believe she left me alone.

Jordan had invited her to the Annual Bradford and Harlington Partnership Gala. It was an event that consisted of rich old people talking to other rich old people about making more money. Occasionally young adults socialized in these events, usually ambitious rookie entrepreneurs or the ever-present gold digger and/or social climber. Of course, she was neither. Juvia was here by accident and all because her best friend needed moral support. Zeref Harlington, Jordan’s boyfriend suddenly had the great idea to formally introduce Jordan to his father. It was just by chance that the gala was coming up and Jordan needed someone to keep her from making a fool out of herself. Jordan had to doll up and strive to impress. It seemed like she and Zef were getting pretty serious.

Juvia couldn’t believe her best friend even agreed to such an introduction. Although she new Jordan was very confident, given her position in a band and her huge personality, she didn’t really like being measured and weighted like a piece of meat, especially by people like the ones they were among right now, but apparently she loved Zef too much to refuse. These people looked ridiculous, all of them trying to out dress one another. If a lady had feathers in her dress, another had more in her shoes. There was exaggerated laughter, glittering diamonds and jewels, expensive watches and leather shoes. Fake compliments and flattery flew everywhere. Juvia guessed that this was how it was in business, looks count for everything.

She unconsciously rubbed her arms and shifted her gaze down to her shoes. Juvia chose to wear a white lace cocktail dress, red felt pumps with matching red lipstick. Her hair was braided intricately with a few loose strands and she barely wore any makeup save the lipstick. She wore a gold cuff as her only accessory. She wasn’t exactly to keen on wearing anything too revealing. Juvia couldn’t help but compare herself to the other women in the room. Juvia was no expert but she could tell by observing that all the gowns in the room were made of very expensive materials. The ladies had plunging necklines, bare backs, exposed midriffs, side slits and all the other ways to expose skin. They probably wore tons of makeup and perfume by the overwhelming aroma circling the large hall. Sighing, she admitted that she looked a little naive and innocent, but maybe that was a good thing.

Walking towards the terrace, Juvia leaned against a marble post and admired the pretty city lights that shimmered like a million diamonds on a black blanket. She drowned out the conversations and laughter and her mind wandered off again into her thoughts.

Jordan gave her the invitation this morning. One good thing that came out of this arrangement was that her friend was just in time to wake her from another dream she was helplessly drowning into. “And what a dream it was” she said with a sigh.

It happened after class. This was a moment Juvia was sure she would never forget and she didn’t need a dream to help her remember. It defined another step in her relationship with Gray. One that made her hope, one that made her fall harder in love, a moment she now wished had never happened.

Juvia stared up at the ceiling of her bedroom. She read the several poetry lines she artfully wrote on the violet painted wall. Some of it she just wanted to remember and some of them she absolutely loved. The words were all about life and love and a little related to heartbreak. Ever since she could remember those words always brought her comfort, whenever she had a nightmare she could just look up and read. Smiling again to herself she looked to her left, Juvia gazed upon the man she loved.