The Heart's Rhythm

Chapter 1 - Time Signature

Black leather boots echoed on the pavement as Emma walked the distance from her hotel room to Riddle Bar. The night air was cool, creeping over the exposed skin of her smooth bare legs, her tight black skirt did little to keep her warm. 'Beauty is pain' she thought to herself each time the wind licked at her thighs, 'Once I get into the bar I'll be fine and a few drinks will warm me up'. Her naturally untameable blonde hair tussled around in the wind shielding her perfectly painted face. She wasn't usually so cake-faced, as she called it, preferring her natural olive skin to breathe. The odd spot or freckle, she thought, brought character to her cute face. Everyone has bad skin days and often when she tried to cover her "imperfections" it would only make it worse. At 24 years old, she had been through a decade of acne, bad eyebrows and unskilled makeup efforts, all of which taught her it was much easier to be a natural beauty. Tonight was different. She had created this look to be a trial of something new, a redesigning of who she was. It wasn't that she didn't like who she was, she just needed a change, needed to take control.

It had been two long months since Kyla broke her heart. Her first girlfriend, so much of her identity intertwined with Kyla. Their relationship was like a fire, burning hot and bright, keeping her warm at night but when left unchecked it was dangerous, unpredictable and soon began to burn out of control. Kyla wanted to be everything for Emma. Everything. She was all consuming and toxic, but blinded by love Emma always looked on the bright side. They were more than just girlfriends, meeting and falling expectantly in love while they were both dating other men. It was a new experience, softer, deeper love than anything Emma had known. It was a risk to leave their boyfriends for each other but once they took the plunge it felt right. But now, lost and heartbroken, and with the benefit of hind sight, the risk and sacrifice she had made was not worth their time together.

The all consuming nature of their relationship had put much strain on her friendships but through it all her best friend Lottie never faltered. They met sitting next to each other on the first day of uni and had been close ever since. Though they didn't speak often Lottie was always supportive and always there. Living together, Emma healed as Lottie kept the sunshine in her life. Making pancakes every Sunday morning, stocking the fridge with a constant supply of wine and ice cream, and playing indie easy listening through her old retro style stereo. The music calmed Emma and allowed her moments of peace. Though it had only been two months, Emma realised how much better her life was without Kyla in it. Lottie was a true girly girl, loving poetry, chick flicks, much to the distain of Emma, and was a make up goddess. Drawers full of expensive celebrity endorsed palettes, lipsticks and creams surely could have been insured for the amount of money Lottie had put out for her collection. Emma became Lottie's practice doll and though she thought is was a lot of effort, she was impressed by how much you could change your face, style, and with it, confidence just through a bit of powder. Lottie taught Emma how to understanding her round face, what to accentuate and what to hide.

All this knowledge and practice had come in handy tonight. Lottie had given Emma a small selection of her make up collection to take with her for tonight. A charcoal and mauve smoky design brightened her emerald green eyes, her favourite feature. She had struggled with the fake lashes but they truly made the look striking. "Dark eyes with light lips" was Lottie's motto. "You don't want to look like the Joker". Emma had selected a pale pink gloss, adding highlights and plump to already pouty luscious lips. She hadn't bothered styling her hair, and she was glad she didn't take the time just to have it ruined in the wind. As another gust blew her hair off her shoulders, she nestled into the collar of her leather jacket, crossing her arms over her full chest in an attempt to keep at least her top half warm. With each step closer to the bar, the music rumbling in the distance became louder and clearer. She had been looking forward to this weekend for months. Her first real outing by herself doing something she wanted. Lottie had said she would come to keep her company but Emma had politely declined. While it was nice of her to offer, it was definitely not the type of music Lottie would have enjoyed and it was Emma's chance to let loose and just worry about having a good time in the moment.

The cold air was really getting to her now. Her body shivering, she took her phone out of her pocket and checked the time. The bands had already began playing, she had been caught up in her new look and had misallocated how much time she would need to get ready. She picked up her pace in an attempt to both arrive in time for the next band and to warm up a little. As the Riddle came into view she swore under her breath. 'The whole town must be out tonight' she thought as she continued past the bar's entrance somewhat annoyed seeing the crowd of people waiting in line to enter the already overfilled venue. Walking past the loud and tipsy groups in the line she glanced at the fading, torn posters on the brick walls. The bands featured were all local, all metal and all playing tonight. She had bought tickets and booked her hotel room months ago and was aching to feel the music through her feet and into her soul. Truthfully, it had been a long time since she had seen any band, and the one thing Kyla and her had disagreed on was their music taste. To avoid arguments it was easier to go along with Kyla's musical interest. She leant against the wall still clutching at her jacket and shivering as people began to box her into the line. Her phone vibrated in her jacket pocket.

Lottie: Hey lovely, have a great time tonight! You forgot to send me a selfie of how cute your outfit is! I'm sure you look amazing!

Emma: Thanks love. I think I did okay, but I'm sure you would have done a much better job on my eyes. I'll send you a selfie when I get inside.

Lottie: I'll be the judge of that! Be safe, message me when you get back to your hotel...if you get back tonight ;P

Emma smiled at the thought. She was single for the first time in years and Lottie had been hinting all week that she would let loose and finally 'let off some steam'. Kyla and Emma hadn't slept together for months before she left and Emma wasn't one to play alone. Truthfully she was ready and more than willing to find someone to break her drought.

She listened to the music mumbling through the walls as she slowly but surely stepped towards the Riddle door. The security guard took her ID, looked her over unenthusiastically and affixed a fluorescent green band on her wrist. 'I'm sure he is just over the moon to be working tonight' she thought sarcastically while thanking him with a smile. Emma always treated the security with respect and a smile. As a small pretty girl in a bar you just never know when you might need some backup. She stepped through onto the sticky red carpet and started to climb the stairs. Posters similar to those outside lined the stairway. Stumbling on a step, not used to her heeled boots, her eye caught a familiar logo, another band had been added to the set. She'd heard of them before, seeing them in a few shows locally and knew they drew a big crowd. 'Hmm this might be a much bigger night than I had planned' she thought with both excitement and worry. She was. after all, alone tonight. No one to protect her, but then again, no one to stop her from enjoying herself.