Random Rantings of Jordan Drew

She lit the last cigarette in her pack as she watched the fifty some-odd lithe bodies entranced, writhing in unison across the dance floor. She recognized the song as some DJ inspired remix of a popular emo band she actually enjoyed… but to turn it into a pop song is just a whole different level of wrong. The moves of all the dancers made them all look like little marionettes in her whiskey enhanced vision. She chuckled to herself as one of the puppets made his way towards her. Julian. She couldn’t figure out how he’d ever been able to convince her that this would be fun for her or why she kept coming with him.

Sure, he had a great time. His moderately handsome, if not quite a bit older, features pressed up against half a dozen other little puppets… of course he was having fun! But this many people in a place this small was ridiculous. Everyone was loud and obnoxious, hovering around each other like flies over a dumpster. This was as far from her idea of fun as fingernails on a chalkboard. She lifted her glass and dumped the burning liquid down her throat. Julian laughed as he sat down next to her. Small wrinkles creased his eyes, giving him a wizened look. One the girls all fell for, but he was stuck to her and she knew it. She plastered a fake smile across her lips and he shook his head in disbelief, but was unable to hide the sparkle in his hazel eyes. “You are supposed to be having fun, not sitting here sulking,” he told her.

“I’m not sulking. I’m having a drink with a friend.”

“You’re the only one at the table, Morgan.”

“If only that were true, Julian,” she murmured, hiding a slight chuckle behind the drink she quickly placed to her lips.

“Come on, Morgan! Lighten up! The world isn’t ending, you’re young and pretty, and you have lifetimes ahead of you. Just this once, come, dance with me.”

“I don’t dance. I come here for the loudness of the music. It helps me not have to deal with all the noise in my head. Julian, I appreciate the offer, but I wish you’d just go on back out on the dance floor and find yourself a cute girl in the mood for a little fun.”

“What happens if I find said girl, we fall madly in love, and she gets jealous of the bite marks you leave?”

“You’d be out of a job, my friend.”

“You are no fun when you’re drunk, you know that? You get all mopey.”

“I am not moping, Julian. I’m having an absolutely vile drink in honor of an old friend, while watching the mindless grinding of today’s youth to strategically placed beats placed in songs beats shouldn’t be in.”

“How old are you again?”

“19… for several years now.”

“Seriously, Morgan. How long have you been alive?”

“32 years, most of which have been pointless and wasted.”

“And the ones that weren’t?”

“I was stupid. I made mistakes and I’m paying for those in solitude… or I would be if it weren’t for the fact that you follow me around like a puppy dog.”

He barked at her, which made her grin. He gave her a smirk, but his eyes told her he was concerned. He ran his fingers through his spiky grey hair and sighed. “Look, I know it’s no picnic being guarded by a grumpy old man, Morgan, but Mitch said it’s part of the deal. He pays me money – I feed you and make sure nobody tries to hurt you. That’s the way this game is played. I can’t leave you alone, Morgan. It just isn’t safe.”

“Nobody knows I exist! I’m completely off the radar; you can have one night to yourself. Take a vacation, have a little sex, be a man, Julian. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I’ll be fine for 24 hours by myself, I swear.”

“What about that box of stuff you got yesterday morning? How off the radar are you if that person knows you exist?”

“A flash from the past, Julian; it’s nothing to worry about. I have a couple of needs too and he just happens to be one of the two.”

“You are too young to be alone. You need to get out on that dance floor and have some fun. Make some connections! Who knows? Maybe you’ll find the love of your life out there.”

“The love of my life wouldn’t dance either,” she sighed.

“And how would you know if you don’t try?”

“I met him a long time ago, Julian… he’s need number one. He’s not really the dancing queen type of guy.”

“What type of guy is he?”

“My type – Tall, pale, and handsome. Wouldn’t hurt if he had an affinity for my other need,” she grinned coyly.

“Which is what?”

“Nicholas,” she laughed.

“Oh Lord, child! You got yourself involved with two different guys at the same time? No wonder you’re in hiding.”

“I’m not in hiding,” she chuckled. “I’m in a self imposed exile because I drove them all nuts; people got hurt. Don’t give me some spiel about connections, Julian. I’ve made more connections in the last fifteen years of my life than most could ever hope to make… which is why I’m here now, drinking horrible liquor and watching the youth of America flail about in step with each other…and now it’s time for me to go. You stay, have fun. I need some time to myself; I’ll see you in the morning.” And with that, she got up and left, leaving him watching as she walked away. He shook his head and went back to the dance floor. She climbed in the taxi and began the 20 minute trip back to her house, desperately trying not to close her eyes.