I was the innocent one here.
Honestly!
I slid down the door, plopping onto the floor, my head resting on bent knees. Tears of frustration began flowing down my face, dripping on my skirt. The bed springs creaked as Xander pushed off. With watery eyes, I glanced at him and aqua blue pierced back at me. The charm, the kink, the sexy look had disappeared, replaced by an expression that on some would have resembled empathy. He sat down and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I looked at him in surprise.
I should have punched him, but his sincerity shocked me. My head found its way onto his shoulder and I focussed on breathing.
"Thanks." I mumbled.
"It's all good." Xander whispered back, squeezing my shoulder.
"Thanks for the hundred dollar tip too." I said, my brain starting to feel like mush.
Xander chuckled lightly. "No problem."
"Are you really into that shit?" I asked, my head still on his shoulder.
Xander pulled his arm down and leaned back, smirking. "Does it even matter anymore?"
"So you.... really were joking with me?" I asked, hopeful.
He gave my shoulder a friendly squeeze and got off the floor. "Maybe I was, maybe I wasn't. It doesn't matter anymore. Enough of this wallowing."
I stared up at him. "I'm not wallowing, you've traumatized me."
"Get up." he ordered.
"Why?" I asked as I got up. "So you can fuck me up so more?"
He smirked. "Because we're going out."
"Why the fuck would I go anywhere with you?" I snapped and got up.
He's just a little kinky.... it's harmless.
"An apology for what just happened. I'll take you to a place you'll never forget." Xander explained.
I sighed, unsure of what I should do. "But... what if you try and kill me?"
Xander smirked and shook his head at me. "Darling, if I wanted you dead, you'd already be dead. I'm in your room, nobody's outside and there are no cameras. I could have my way with you and nobody would ever know. Trust me."
He did kind of make a good point....
"If there's any funny business, I'll rip your dick off." I warned and leaned down to pick up my shoes. "Let's go."
"Oh, no." he exclaimed, eyeing my outfit with a horrified look. "You have to change first."
"What are you talking about? My outfit is brand new, why would I change?" I asked, offended at his disapproval.
He sneered, eying my outfit. "Because it's all wrinkled and belongs on the streets rather than where we're going."
"I don't have anything else," I sighed, suddenly exhausted. "I only have one other outfit and that's for my dad's birthday tomorrow."
I'm never going to be good enough for anybody, not even maybe kinky ladies'-underwear-wearing Xander. My life sucks!
I kicked away my shoes and sat on the edge of the bed with my head down. I could feel those fucking tears coming again....
"Oh no, not the waterworks again," he muttered worriedly, coming over to sit by me. His arm circled my shoulders, pulling me into him.
"I don't have anything good enough," I mumbled, choking back the lump that was building in my throat.
"It's all right. Easy enough to fix," he explained sweetly.
I looked at him confused. "What do you mean 'easy enough to fix'?"
"Show me what you're wearing tomorrow night."
I hesitantly got off the bed and crouched next to my bag. I unzipped it and took out my shiny black skinny jeans, and a transparent black blouse with the white tank top I planned to wear under it. He scanned the items with his assertive eyes.
Well?
My patience was wearing thin, I wanted to know whether he approved, because, because, because... I had no fucking idea!
He nodded once. "Yes. This is what you're going to wear tonight."
I shook my head. "No, this is my outfit for tomorrow. If I stain or wrinkle it, I'll have nothing for tomorrow!"
"Don't you worry about that, it'll be good to go for tomorrow," Xander told me calmly.
I eyed him warily. I couldn't believe him. I looked back at my outfit, then the realization hit me: I hadn't packed shoes to go with it!
"What now?" he asked, seeing my worried look.
I took a deep, stabilizing breath before explaining. "I forgot my shoes at home."
Xander chuckled lightly. "That's it? That's why you're upset?"
He took my shoulders in his hands, squeezing them. "Have no fear, that's another easy fix."
I heard Xander make a phone call while I changed inside the tiny en-suite bathroom. I stared at the outfit I was supposed to wear to Dad's birthday party tomorrow night. At this time of night, I figured we were either going to a bar or a restaurant. Whichever one it was, I'd have to be extremely careful not to stain my clothes. I would be wearing them again tomorrow night.
Why the hell was I going out with this psycho trickster, maybe ladies underwear wearing, princess boy, again?
My brain quickly answered. "We're sorry, Marisa's common sense department is closed for the entire weekend. Don't leave a message, nobody up here cares and won't remember to bring it up on Monday morning when shit hit's the fan and that's only if she's not dead by that time from making this horrible mistake of going out with a complete stranger."
"Are you ready, darling?" Xander's muffled voice asked the door.
Taking one final glance in the mirror, I zipped my makeup case and opened the bathroom door, finding Xander lying on my bed with his arms crossed behind his head, gazing at me expectantly.
"Hey panty boy.... Where are we going?" I asked while still in the doorframe.
A giant, mischievous grin spread across his face.
What am I in for tonight and will I make it out alive?
CHAPTER 8.
LETHE... The large, neon blue sign blazed, brightening the dark alley the taxi idled in. I stared open-mouthed at the large double doors there were no knobs or keyholes, the only way in was if someone inside opened the door for you. The sound of rusted locks creaked. Both doors swung open under the thrust of a pair of black-suited bouncers with neon blue neckties. We entered a dark hallway with neon blue tiles stretching towards a lone elevator.
The elevator chimed and the door slid open, a hint of trance music trickling out. My hand was tugged forward and I followed Xander into the elevator. I stood with my sweaty hand in Xander's tight palm. He had sunglasses on.
Why did he need sunglasses when I could barely see as it was?
"Why are you wearing sunglasses?" I whispered.
He didn't glance my way, but under the dim glow of the number pad I saw his lips begin to move.
"You'll see," he replied nonchalantly. The elevator chimed to announce our arrival on the main floor. He turned slightly towards me. "Are you ready, my dear?"
"I hope so, panty boy." I murmured as the elevator door opened.
Blue smoke filled every inch of my vision. I was tugged forward as Xander exited first. We collided with blue smoke and pulsing bright blue lasers that glided over our bodies. I've never seen a club like this before. In the centre was a circular bar where servers were dressed in sexy white outfits that the lasers turned into a glowing blue. In the centre of the bar was a round stage with three poles extending to the ceiling. Pole dancers, in incredible costumes of white feathers and wings, moved their bodies artfully to the music and lights.
Upstairs, we entered a private room with a white sectional, a white coffee table in front, and an amazing view of the entire club, including the dance floor that I hadn't been able to see from below. A staff member appeared, carrying a tray with six small glasses filled with blue liquid. He placed the tray on the table and left.
"What's that?" I stared, hypnotized by blue liquid. The cups looked like they were carved out of ice.
"Have you ever had a Blue Lethe?" Xander asked, leaning over the table, his hand hovering by the glasses.
I shook my head, "What's a Blue Lethe?" I was growing more and more apprehensive. Maybe... going out with this sketchy fuck wasn't the best idea.
A sardonic smile stretched across his face, his eyes still covered by shades.
"That's precisely what you'll be asking yourself tomorrow." He smirked and grabbed two drinks, handing me one. I took it reluctantly.
Explosions erupted all across my tongue as if I'd just downed a cup of Pop Rocks. I stuck my tongue out in shock and turned to Xander, who was beside himself as he tried to stifle his laughter.
"What is this?" I screamed hysterically, pointing to my extended tongue.
Xander exploded with laughter.
"Stop laughing at me! Whaaa deee yuuu gev meh!"
THEN THIS HAPPENED.... Bitch Blonde's sparkly cream-coloured dress turned red...pink...white...blue.
Her dress is so pretty! I thought, smiling at her dancing awkwardly in Xander's lap.
Why was she doing that?
This wasn't a strip club, he wasn't going to pay her.
Or was he?
And if he was, why wasn't she giving him his money's worth?
"Xander likes it naked," I slurred, feeling my eyelids grow heavy. I was about to pass out.
"Did you hear that, baby? Follow my darling's instructions." Xander instructed Bitch Blonde as I closed my eyes for a second.
What? It's not like she's going to do that, just because he asks! I laughed inwardly at Xander's crazy request. But when I opened my eyes she was straddling Xander in just a cream-coloured lace thong. I looked at Xander who was busy eyeing her downstairs.
I fell off the couch with a thud. I wasn't sticking around for this. It was definitely a private moment that only required two people, although Xander probably had no problem with an audience, or another participant.
I was in the midst of people and blue clouds, when suddenly arms circled around me and I turned to see Xander dancing behind me, smiling happily, relaxed.
"It's only been a minute, panty boy." I shouted into his ear, laughing.
Amused, Xander shook his head at me as a server stopped in front of us with a tray of blue and green shots.
He grabbed two shots and handed me one. "Are you ready?"
I stared in bewilderment. "What's this?"
"A game changer!" Xander announced and downed his shot, then turned to me expectantly.
I looked at the server and everyone dancing, they were all staring at me, waiting for me.
Fuck it. I downed the shot and slammed the shot glass back onto the tray.
"Happy?" I shouted to him.
"Very," he said, smiling.... evilly.
THEN THIS HAPPENED.... Saturday April 20th 2013 My head hurts... Bad.
I stretched my sore joints across the plushness of what I assumed was my bed. I knew one thing: I was lying on it diagonally. My arm stretched out, reaching for my pillows so I could use them as a shield against eye piercing sunshine. I grimaced as the heat of the light burned a hole across my face. Slowly opening crusty eyelids, I gulped down nasty saliva. I glanced down for the first time and noticed I was in my pyjamas. So no matter how drunk I'd been, I'd been coherent enough to change out of my party clothes for tonight.
Or did I?
What if Xander brought me back and changed my clothes for me?