Queen of the Ashes

Chapter Nine

Iris:
message
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Faith is a funny thing. It's an illusion yet we hold onto the belief that the universe actually cares enough to pair us up with someone at that exact moment we needed it the most. Faith is coincidence. And it happens all the time. With or without your consent. And it doesn't give a shit if you view it as positive or not.

The club was as overly crowded this late November night. December was knocking on the door and turning the streets colder and less crowded. Yet inside the club people almost drowned in each other as they danced on the dance floor or simply tried to manage their way to the bathroom.

Ace felt her disgust grow until she could barely stand it anymore as she watched them.

Animals. All of them. No dignity at all. No respect for life. They were all young in her eyes and yet they constantly treated their life as if it was soon to be over, drinking away their common sense and consciousness. Acting idiotically, spending countless amounts of money just for people to take off their clothes, like they didn't have children at home to provide for or a college-tuition to pay down. Or a life to live after this night.

She gritted her teeth. Some of them she would make sure did not live to see tomorrow.

That was at least her plan until a familiar silhouette made his way into the club. He was dressed in the same clothing as last time, but his company had changed. The golden-haired man-child had turned into a blue-haired girl with piercings in her ears.

Immediately Ace's sharp jawline became more defined as she clenched her jaw, her dark eyes resting onto Ethan's back like a predator would before it jumped its prey. But she only observed them interact, looking at how the girl kept offering him stupid expressions and jokes while he answered with pained smiles. Ace knew it wasn't the girl he felt uncomfortable with because of how he tried with every ounce of strength within him to assure her that he was happy by smiling tensely, and it made her angry. She felt furious to the point where she just wanted to drag him by his collar to her, devour his thin offering lips and make it so the girl would fuck off and find her own meat to beat. But instead she just sat there. Watching them closely. And listening even closer.

"It really bugs me though: that people can say she doesn't make serious music! Yes, her music videos are usually in happy pastels colors, but her lyrics on the other hand is some truly dark shit, containing serious issues with society!"

"I-I don't know...I-I" Ethan made a grimace of hesitancy before daring to continue "I-I've never heard of Melanie Martinez"

Birgitte looked like she was about to turn into stone by how she suddenly froze completely. For a long time, she just looked at him, as if waiting for him to just laugh and say he was kidding. When he didn't, she just shook her head, blue curls following like a waterfall.

"I don't think we can be friends anymore," she said seriously, but then continued in a more teasing tone, "I think I'm going to cry or faint" she placed the back of her hand to her head dramatically before exhaling deeply "or maybe both"

Ethen smiled, this time a little more sincere but it still couldn't fool Ace who analyzed his every move from afar.

"Anyways, I need to use the ladies' room. I'll be back in a few" Birgitte announced before saluting him mockingly and walking in the opposite direction of the bar, which was where Ethan was heading.

When Birgitte was out of sight Ethan could finally exhale a deep breath he had been holding back and his facade slipped ever so slightly as fatigued steps carried the boy across the floor. Bodies were bumping into him, almost tripped him over, but he didn't seem to care - or even notice- as his dead steps carried him to the bar.