"Emily! Are you almost ready?"

The sound of her voice startled me a bit. I was so wrapped up in getting ready I managed to block out any outside noise and distractions. It was almost like my atmosphere faded to black and I was the only one who existed.

"Yeah!" I shouted, seated crisscross applesauce on the bathroom counter. "Give me a minute, I'm just finishing up my eyeliner!"

"Well hurry up! We're about to pregame without you, bitch!"

Pulling away from the mirror and dipping the back into the tube, my face twisted as I stared at the half full cup of tequila.

"What the fuck." I mouth, taking the liner back out and continuing, "we already started."

Alexis was a drinker, and I was already two shots in. If it were really up to her, we would leave the house shit faced. Lucky for us, Jimin is in his right mind and recommended that we (mostly Alexis) hold off on the pregame shots.

"Emily!" Alexis shouted again.

"I'M COMING!"

"It's shot-O-Clock!"

She was more enthusiastic this time around and her voice was starting to slur from having more shots than I did.

"You don't have to, Emily. Just come when you're ready!" Jimin's voice injected. "C'mon mami, let's at least make it to the party."

"Okay, fine!" she groaned.

I laughed inwardly at the cute submission she gave him and has been giving him since I've been here. I found it really sweet that Jimin was able to break down her walls without trying. It was very refreshing being able to see Alexis slowly start to express her soft femininity again. Especially after witnessing someone ruin that part of her.

I brush away those thoughts as quickly as they came, though. There was no reason to revisit the past. After a few more coats along my water line and some setting spray, my look was finished and paired well with my dazzling costume. Leaned back to fully Assess my work in the mirror. The sharp wing mixed with the soft glam made me chew my bottom lip idly, debating whether I could add anything else to perfect the look.

Nah.

It's already perfect enough. My costume was on, makeup done, hair did, and I was ready to go. The only thing really left to do was leave.

With caution, I leapt off the counter and began to tidy things up, so Alexis's bathroom wasn't left a mess. I packed up the makeup one by one, placing each item in its designated area or bag. Every used tissue and wipe went in the trash and the final wipe down of the counter completed my task.

Now where was my phone?

Looking over my shoulder, my phone rested on the toilet, sitting pretty in its gorgeous clear pink case. It was obvious what I needed to do. I finished getting ready, I cleaned up, and now it was time to leave, but leaving meant calling.

I snatched it quickly, going through the contacts and selecting his name. Why was this hard? I didn't know. I guess since we haven't been on the best of terms lately, it kind of hindered my desire to speak to him. Not completely of course, but just feared the possibility of having another petty argument.

I placed the phone softly to my ear, waiting as it rang once... twice... a third time, then.

"Hello?"

"H-hey baby." My apprehension was more than obvious.

"Hey, Wassup?" His voice seemed rushed.

"Hey, I was just calling to let you know we're about to head out. Are you busy?" I said, looking for the right thing to say.

"Just a tad, but you know I make time for you."

The small reminder was refreshing and warmed my heart, resulting in a small smile. "Ok, but it's fine babe, I can just send you a picture."

The hastiness was still there, but still His soft voice chuckled in my ear "If that's what you want to do, that's cool. Send me a picture of your full fit. Makeup and all. I'm sure you look amazing."

"Ok, um I'll see if Alexis or Jimin can get a good pic of me tonight."

"Ok, baby. I'll see you later." He said surely.

"I'll see you later."

"See you."

The line went dead, and silence consumed me. I don't know where things were going from here on out, so I forced myself not to think about it anymore tonight. I took one last glance in the bathroom mirror, making sure every piece of fabric and ounce of makeup was where it was supposed to be, then made my way down the stairs feeling completely satisfied and ready for the night.

The car ride was hilarious. I would definitely mark this down as one of the most unhinged cars rides, I've ever been in. It all started with Jimin going on a heated tangent about how he doesn't think jay Z deserves to be with Beyonce, to Alexis making him pull over to throw up her previous shots and stopping by the closest convenience store for toothpaste, to both of them singing party in the USA and multiple songs by drake at the top of their lungs. For once I actually wanted to be at a public event with other people with different music playing.

By the time we got to the venue, I was ready to have a few more shots of my own. When Alexis, Jimin and I arrived at the place where the party was being held, I can honestly say that it has met my expectations so far. It looked to be a huge, abandoned warehouse with Different color fluorescent lighting bouncing off the walls, extravagant Halloween fixtures and decorations covering the outside of it to really give it that festive vibe.

I loved the huge skeletons that looked to be greeting the people as they entered. Some wearing top hats and others were sporting clown shoes and a big red nose. It was cheesy but I found it quite endearing and kind of cute. Almost the opposite of spooky.

From where we stood, the electrifying beat bounced off the walls and was felt through my body. Of course, we were not the only ones outside though. There were many loiterers. I'm sure they were either having a smoke break or simply getting air, because judging from the number of cars parked in the lot and down the street, the place was near full capacity.  The music changing to a more upbeat tempo, and like a handful of the people outside, my body instantly reacted to it.

"This is my song!" I said, bobbing my head to beat bouncing off the walls.

"Aye!" Alexis began to rock her hips as she walked, strutting to the music with every step she took. "Let's hurry and get inside."

"I think the entrance is over there, you guys have your IDs?" Jimin asked, taking the role as group leader for the time being since he was the least influenced by the pregame shots.

He turned to Alexis who had the shortest attention span tonight and was too busy complimenting another party goer on their costume to notice. We waited patiently till she finished and allowed the girl to walk off and rejoin her own friends.

"Huh?" She asked, looking between the two of us.

"Do you have your ID?" Jimin questioned.

"Oh, um," she patted all over her body as she looked, then remembered it was in the same place I kept mine. "Yah, it's here."

"Alright, bet. Let's go."

Without a thought, Jimin took Alexis by the hand and politely offered me the other. I found the gesture to be very sweet and I couldn't resist, so I softly placed my hand in his, allowing him to close it and lead us to the entrance like we were his delicate side pieces.

Of course, guarding the door was a big scary looking bouncer who apparently felt the Halloween spirit and decided to dress up as a pumpkin. The bouncer had to be at least 6 '5. This dude was huge! When it was our turn in line, he towered us. Jimin was taller than both Alexis and I, but if the bouncer were to stand shoulder to shoulder, he'd make all three of us look like triplets. Despite his hard exterior not matching the costume, everything else overall was very on brand if you ask me.

"Yall got ID's?" Pumpkin man asked, his rasp in his voice heard over the music.

Neither intimidated nor frightened, Jimin smiled charmingly and flashed his ID like an award. Mr. Pumpkin folded his arms over his big belly somewhat disapprovingly, then with a short nod, he ushered us to do the same as we were some tyrant teens sporting fake ones. He looked them over a little longer than the people before us, but nodded in approval, taking an extra second to check us out.

"Some Young faces. Yall look good." he admits, his eyes lingering on me for longer than I wanted. "I am doing pat downs, though— just to make sure ain't nobody strapped. Arms out."

"What? We aren't strapped." Alexis scoffed, placenta hand on her hip, "plus, you didn't check the ones before us."

Pumpkin man shrugged. "To be fair, the ones before you had even less clothes than you did. Now arms out."

Again, Jimin was the first one and the first one done. Next was Alexis, whose turn was spent expressing her disapproval, and next was mine. Like protocol, he patted my torso till he reached my hips, but the lower he went the slower he started to graze my exposed skin until I finally pulled away.

"Ok, sir, we're done." I said, snatching away from him with a deepening peak between my brows.

He cleared his throat, "yeah, yall good. Enjoy the party." 

This time I scoffed, walking past both Jimin and Alexis and leaving them in the dark.

"Weirdo." I muttered.

"Emily, hang on. Wait for us!"

(MEANWHILE)

"You fucking bastard! What do you want?! NO! STOP!"

The body of one of Carlos Garcia's men dropped like a fly, losing the fight against the swatter. One less body I needed to worry about. Now another one. I approached the body, firm steps against the tiled floor as I aimed to fulfill my agenda.

"You are fucking dead!" The other guy yelled, as he laid on the ground holding his wounded leg and a gun aimed at me in his trembling hand. As much as I wanted to laugh at the irony, I couldn't because this particular body was the same one that felt froggy enough to leap at me while I was already handling another, landing a hit right across my face. 

"You better s-stop right there!" he Shouted; his voice as shaky as his hands.

I ignored his words and closed the space between us. His eyes bore into mine pleading for me to have mercy on him despite his body language not backing away. The anticipation I built for him took over and he panicked, using the same gun he held to swat at me again in a lame attempt to defend himself. I easily evaded and grabbed his wrist causing him to wince in pain.

"Ow ow ow, please! Please!" he whimpered.

Tightening my grip on his wrist, I reached for the gun with my gloved hand, and tossed it over my shoulder. You would think his eyes couldn't get any larger when I turned my face slightly and pulled back my mask to show him the bright red mark he left on the right side of my face.

Watching the blood rush from his face scratch the itch I had since he put his hand on me. He knew what type of timing was on now and I was done toying with him. My hands then maneuvered to grip a different side of his head. A raspy shout of plea and swift twist was the last thing I remembered before he laid lifeless.

It seemed like I'll never get used to the sound of bones cracking. Especially when I watched as life slipped away from the body. Who was I kidding? I'd never get used to that shit. I let the body drop below me, not giving it, another thought for I had other targets to get to. This one is nothing but a mere roach waiting to be swept up. 

Standing up straight, I rolled my shoulders back, shrugging off the cringeworthy thoughts and any other thoughts that made me feel normal. In moments like these I wasn't normal. I couldn't be normal. Being normal left room for error and right now there was too much on my agenda to make any room for error.

I stepped over the lifeless body, moving swiftly through the room and out the luxury hotel room like the menace I was keeping the tool on me close and ready. One heavy booted step after another through the corridor of the place was strategically made to alert the other targets of my arrival just to make it easier on me. They knew somebody was after them, it wouldn't have been this silent otherwise.  

Halting my steps, I stood at a cross section looking between the dark oak doors that contrasted the black walls. One light above me illuminated this section of the silent hallway. The more I waited, anticipation increased, and it was like I had special earbuds connected specifically to his heartbeat. As if the hallway itself had surround sound.

Another step forward and I was right at the edge of the hallways, my shoulders parallel with the edge of the walls. The hanging light that was now behind me casted a shadow on the wall in front of me of a man that looked exactly like me. Same build, same stance, yet so unfamiliar.

The shadow man grimly turned his head to the right and beside him was the shadow of the owner of the loud heartbeat crouching with his back against the wall.  Despite being a shadow, you could almost see a smile spread on its face as the target's panicked breaths increased.

The target's body shook so bad the shadow mimicked its trembling state.

The shadow man reached out to the target with his right hand, grabbing him by his throat with a grip strong enough to leave a mark and pulling him in to meet the other hand that held the special tool that wanted to empty the whole clip in spite of thinking he was smart enough to get away.

"Wait–"

He couldn't get too caught up, though. There was one more to go.

Like the previous, the shadow man tossed the body to the side, shrugged it off and walked off as I did, disappearing into the dark again once the light was gone.

I sat one of the spare chairs off towards the back of the venue, but not too far away from the two that accompanied me. I watched as they danced, enjoying their time together as they allowed the mere presence of each other to enhance their high. I'll admit, though. I was jealous. Jealous of the fact that even though they weren't even together, they looked like a happy couple in their honeymoon phase while I sat alone like a total buzzkill wondering when my partner and I will be on good terms again.

I couldn't help but smile though. I loved it when my best friend was happy. I loved it so much I felt guilty for having even a dash of jealousy within me, but damn what I would do to be them right now. They looked great together, though. Both of them were some of the most attractive human beings I knew and here they were, happily giving everyone a show and flaunting it without a care in the world.

The Dj started the song transition, and right away I picked up on what was next in the queue. The sweet sound of Elvis Crespo's voice came through every speaker in the room and Alexis, and I immediately locked eyes. It was like a prairie dog locked eyes with a groundhog and we knew what time it was. This time the Smile Alexis displayed was one of mischief and I knew why. This indeed was one of her favorite songs.

Jimin was quick to catch on, sporting the same smile she did, but with even more mischievous intentions.

"Come here." he mouthed, not taking my nod for an answer. Behind him stood Alexis, holding onto his hand like a rope tied to a pole, already swaying her hips to the Latin beat to coax me out of my cave of pout.

Jimin's feet quickly caught the beat and moved with no effort. At this point I could no longer resist, and they knew it. By the time I was standing, my hand was already in Jimin's, and I was enraptured by the music just like they were.

"Get in here, girl!" Alexis said, bringing my other hand above my head to twirl me. My angel wings moved like they were a part of the dance as well.

"Okay, Okay." I laughed, throwing in the towel and losing myself in the music.

We danced as a trio, laughing and smiling together as the music took us on a trip. Multiple songs had passed so far, and I didn't expect to be included the whole time. Whenever I even thought of taking a break or sitting down, they both nearly sandwiched me in to ensure I couldn't go anywhere. I couldn't help but abide by their dancefloor rules.

I was having so much fun, too. Jimin and I even sang 'Suave Mente' Word for word as if we were fluent in Spanish like Alexis Which even surprised her. When the music finally changed to something a little calmer, I realized how out of breath I was, and they finally let me have my break.

"Whew" I exhaled, dabbing the sweat that pricked my forehead with the back of my hand. "You guys got me sweating and shit."

Dramatically Plopping down in the seat beside me, Alexis abruptly reached into her watered-down drinks, grabbing an ice cube that still remained, and rubbing it down her exposed skin.

"Girl, please." she breathed, her chest rising and falling with every deep breath.  "I'm the one that's tired. Shit, I need a blunt."

"No, you don't, you don't even smoke anymore." I laughed.

She twisted her face playfully, "So. And You don't either."

"Because I barely smoked."

"So what, you still did. Bad girl." she teased.

My shoulders shook as I laughed at Alexis' dramatic antics, then crumbled up a leftover napkin and tossed it at the target between her eyebrows. She gasped, stopping her sticky ice therapy.

"Ay!" She said, she then narrowed her eyes as she smirked. "Here, take that."

A squeaked giggled escaped my mouth as I jumped from the cold ice falling down my chest. I wasn't prepared for the slight chill it left, so I popped her thigh with my hand as punishment while we laughed at our playfulness.

By the time our laughter died down, Jimin, who we sent to get us more drinks, came back holding 3 black solo cups and more napkins.  Carefully, he set them down on the table and handed Alexis the napkins then distributed the cups One by one.

"Thank you, Jimin," I said, taking a swig of the sweet, fruity drink.

"You're welcome, Emy." he said, taking a few sips of his drink.

"Mm mm, this is so good." Alexis hummed in satisfaction. Her eyes flitted up at Jimin with low lids. "Thank you, Jimin."

"Of course." He winked, using his index finger to softly touch the underside of her chin.

A noticeable blush crept upon her cheeks to compliment the alcoholic flush of red displayed on them already, but it quickly left when a twinge of pain shot through her feet.

"My feet are starting to hurt! I want to take these boots off." she whined, pouting her lips "Can you do it for me?"

Of course, Jimin fell victim to the faintest sound of innocence and need in her voice. He showed no signs of reluctance as he gave her a look of sincerity.

"C'mere, Mami."

He knelt down in front of her comfortably, gently taking her leg by the calf. He softly rubbed circles against her skin with one hand as he unzipped the boot. Her eyes fluttered closed as she practically melted his hands. When he set the boot off to the side, she hummed as she indulged in the pleasure of it being off, thanking him with pure satisfaction.  As I sipped my drink, I watched the way Jimin showed her other leg the same attention as he slid off the other boot. He caressed her skin with intent, massaging her calves and down to her feet with delicate hands. It was like I was witnessing Alexis with her very own Prince charming. If I knew Alexis like I do, I would know that she was a sucker for physical touch and from what I observed about Jimin, he seems eager to fill her needs.

The neon fluorescent light illuminated their faces, Jimin's frosted gray eyes mirrored her low and spring green gaze, catching her in a trance-like state. I continued to survey them like I wasn't even there, doing my part of staying out the tension that was quickly building.  Watching the two of them was like visibly watching energy itself shift, and in this case it did. He licked his plump lips and his eyes flitted from her face to different parts of exposed skin, and her chest rose with brewing excitement and expectancy. I didn't know whether to sit back and chill, or to remind them we were still in a public setting. Before anyone could be touched, an almost blinding flash from Alexis' boot went off, pressing pause on the mood. Without being asked, Jimin used his fingers to reach into her boot and grab her phone for her.

Alexis sat up, staring at the phone screen for longer than expected as it continued to flash us while it rang, then snatched the device from his hands with an animated smile. From where I sat, I wasn't able to see the contact's name, but based on her reaction to the phone call itself, I knew I needed to pay more attention to who may be on the other line.

"Um, excuse me." she said, placing the phone to her ear. "What!"

The music was still pretty loud, so we couldn't hear any feedback from the person on the other side to make out who's voice it was. Instead, Jimin, who was now seated in a chair, sat in the same boat with me, awkwardly sipping our drinks and bobbing our heads to the music. Sitting with him wasn't what made it awkward, it  was that fact that our third member of the team we had was preoccupied and almost screaming over the music to be heard on the phone. People were starting to stare.

"What?.. I told you already! ...Ok, so then what? ...HOw? ...Dude, really? ...Fucking dummy. ...No, you don't need to know where I am." Alexis said.

She became more amplified when she started to speak in Spanish, causing Jimin and I to become more concerned. Part of me thought she may be talking to her brother Carmelo, but there was no way she'd prolong a petty conversation like this with him. Before I could guess who, it may be again, she abruptly hung up the phone and tossed it on the table startling me a bit even though I was looking right at her.

"Hey, chill mami, you'll break your phone." Jimin cooed, rubbing her thigh to ease the tension.

"It's whatever. Anyway, what were we doing? Shots?"

"...you wanna take shots?" I asked, unsure whether I wanted to open that can of worms and ask about the phone call or take her up on the offer for shots.

"Fuck it." she spat. "Gimme a shot of patron."

Jimin laughed, "After that whole debacle, I'll make it a double. Whatchu on, Emily? I'll pay again, no biggie."

I looked around for the answer. Did I actually want another shot? I already had a pending drink and a few shots so far, would one be the cherry on top for bullshit aftermath? Shrugging, I offered him the same smile "another shot of Patty."

"I guess we mixing tonight," Jimin laughed, his eyes forming crescents as they shut with humor.

Hope you enjoyed.

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