average human’s Reviews > Flourishing Heart > Status Update

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A loud cheer exploded from the dance floor, pulling my gaze to see what was happening. A few people were up on a table, dancing, as others surrounded them with a loud holler. It was then I realized Apollo was one of the ones on the table.
“Yep, this is Apollo’s domain!” Julia shouted as she passed me a brown bottle that contained beer.
We both watched him dance on the table, his body rolling, as others around him had some part of their body on him, grinding and caressing. It was a sensual sight to see. Both guys and girls grabbed at him, hands stretched at his loose shirt, exposing his bare chest, but he didn’t care. He was riding a dark wave as his head tilted back with a thick blunt between his lips, puffing thick smoke while his hips swayed to the heavy bass of music. His blonde hair, damp, most likely sweat that was stuck on and around his face. He was currently the beating heart of this party, a dark pulse of many pleasures.
“Julia! Guppy!” Apollo greeted us when he noticed we were observing him. He stumbled off the table and started limping towards us.
Did he injure himself?
His blonde hair looked light brown from the sweat, and his blue eyes were taken over by his dilated pupils. He was smiling wide, a wild glint twitched on his face as he panted to catch his breath. He looked so happy and energized then being spent from all the dancing. Completely different then how he was yesterday.
“Nice dancing, Apollo.” Julia winked behind her beer glass.
Apollo gave her a wink as he turned fully to me, “Better than a youth club, right?”
Rolling my eyes, I didn’t answer his little jib. Instead, I kept myself busy taking a sip of my first ever beer while Julia and Apollo talked. I grimaced at the piney, musty tang making Julia and Apollo smile at my repulse from the flavor.
“You got anything for me?” Julia asked as I placed the glass bottle to the side. I wasn’t going to finish that.
“All out, I’m afraid.” Apollo said before drinking his entire drink in one breath.
Julia pouted, but she quickly got over it as she shouted, “I’m going to dance!”
I tried to plead with her not to leave me alone with him, but she gave me a laugh while hurrying off to the dance floor. I didn’t know how to act with him. It wasn’t like school, where I knew what to expect. This was in another situation, a different environment. At least in school, I knew when the conversation ended.
“Here, you seem like a sweet type of girl.” Apollo gestured to an unopened can that showed pictures of berries on the side. He opened it and poured it into a red cup for me to try. He looked pretty pleased with my reaction to liking the sweet drink. It was so much better than that beer which Apollo picked up and started to drink out of. It looked like he didn’t care for the rules or the taste as he came up for air with a small amount left at the bottom.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” He asked as he started to tear the label from the bottle, causing destruction wherever he went.
“It’s different.” I said honestly, looking out for Julia. Her purple hair was a great way to locate her.
“You don’t like it.” He frowned, looking off into the crowd.
I shrugged, “I just don’t know what to do with myself.”
“Relax. Hang out, play some games or go dancing. You can do whatever you want here. Don’t think about anything.” Apollo gestured to a dancing Julia. “You think she cares? She is letting herself go, forgetting her problems.”
I smiled, watching Julia being carefree. But, like Apollo, she was also in her element.
Even with some of the new faces of people, my eyes caught on a stranger. I instantly knew why he stood out. It wasn’t the dark clothes he wore against the brightly colored ones from those around him. It was his expression and the way he moved around the party, like he was prowling. His dark eyes, narrowing, at everyone with disgust on his lips that curled into a type of sneer. He just screamed trouble, but even with the warning vibe around him, I couldn’t look away.
This stranger was nothing like I had come across before. And my sheltered mind was soaking this guy in from my safe distance. His posture was almost at the ready, waiting to strike if anyone caused him any trouble. He was holding a force that caused a shift of atmosphere over him. People around him couldn’t help but jump out of his way when he stalked close.
While Apollo held a cheeky curve to his rough edges, this guy was sharp. On point to cause as much damage as possible around him. A lethal package of hostility poured off him as his biker boots vibrated the floor more than the bass of the music, and he was heading straight towards Apollo.
“Fuck!” Apollo cursed his eyes on the stranger but then turned his back on him. But it was too late, they both acknowledged each other, and he was heading our way.
Taking in this guy’s features, my eyes focus on the thick scar on his right cheek. It was a straight narrow crevice, from the bottom of his right eye to his chin. If a tear leaked from his dark eyes, it would most definitely follow the trail down. Unfortunately, the bright pink highlighted it on display, but he didn’t look like he cared. Instead, he seemed to wear it with pride as his black hair was pushed to the left side of his head, messily, exposing the right side of his face fully. You couldn’t help but be drawn to it.
Apollo shifted a few steps away from me like he was thinking of bolting, but the stranger called out to him.
“Apollo” The stranger held a growl like purr to his tone. His smile looked sinister, and I debated on running off to Julia, but I felt I was compelled to stay. I froze like a prey animal would when a predator was about, hoping not to be caught.
Apollo’s shoulders came forward as he turned around with a wide conceited smile when he settled on the stranger. His whole demeanor changed while trying to hold onto his laidback, fun style.
“The moon must be full tonight for the Mundane to come out and play.” Apollo joked, but his smirk was cutting.
This guy is a Mundane?
My eyes went directly to his arm like his black leather jacket would ride up for me to catch the Mundane tattoo.
It would explain a lot. He lived under the pressure of our society. To be thrown into the outcast circle since he took his first breath. To be called soulless and pushed down would bring anyone to keep a big ‘fuck you’ attitude to the world and this stranger was rocking it. Owning it with a wave of anger that would never be fixed.
To think some people believe that the Mundane didn’t have emotions.
“Hope you’re being a good little boy, Apollo.” he gave a smile that held promise of violence, a smirk that set you on edge. But apparently, Apollo didn’t get that memo as he had his own wide grin, not even a flinch from that scar or the dead eyes from this stranger. He even gave a light chuckle.
“I’ve learnt my lesson.” Apollo replied with a cool ease, but he couldn’t stop the shuffling his feet were currently doing.
The stranger laughed but no humor was heard from it. He was utterly unaware or did not care that I was listening in on their conversation.
“Good. I wouldn’t like your face to get messed up next time.”
“You wouldn’t dare mess with my good looks.” Apollo looked amused like they weren’t talking about hurting each other.
It was an odd interaction to witness.
“Where is he?” The stranger asked randomly out of the blue. His attitude turned from mocking to business.
“Now why would you ask me?” Apollo sang with a sigh, leaning casually on the wall behind him, but he didn’t look relaxed at all. On the contrary, his whole body seemed tense, and it was not hard to see why.
“I would hate to report him for slacking.” The stranger said smugly, ignoring Apollo’s question, but Apollo shrugged as he pulled out his roll of paper, looking like he was completely uninterested in this conversation.
“Don’t know why you’re asking me. He’s not my business.”
“Rumors say otherwise.”
Apollo stared at him for a moment as no one spoke. His blue eyes holding a fire that the stranger surely could see. Bringing the paper to his lips, Apollo slowly licked the edges. Rolling it, he twisted the fat end and placed it behind his right ear.
“I like to fuck.” He finally said with another shrug. Maybe he was shrugging so much to ease the tension in his shoulders. “I would do it with anyone if they were offering.”
“Trying to catch any sort of affection, Apollo? Missing a mother’s love?” The subject made Apollo’s head give a jerk like he was about to lunge at the stranger, but he pulled himself back in as he gave a noticeable glare instead.
“Speaking of parents, how’s the father? Prison treating him well?” Apollo countered with his own malice.
The stranger didn’t even blink, but that smile fell from his face. It was then his eyes caught mine as he suddenly saw me. “You got a little bird on your shoulder. What’s your name, sweetness?”
Before I could answer, Apollo cut in. “She doesn’t do Mundane.” Apollo snapped, causing the guy to look at him with amusement, but his dark eyes came back onto me.
“Pity.”
“She doesn’t do no pity fuck either.” Apollo said, causing me to flush as Apollo gave me a sideways glance. He looked like he was trying to say something with that look, but I didn’t know what. I didn’t know what he wanted me to say or do.
I most definitely should go and find Julia, I thought as I took a step back.
“Seems you know her well enough.” The guy spoke as another smirk slowly crept on his mouth, causing the neck on my hair to stand on point. I really should go find Julia.
“I know what people want. And you most definitely are not what anyone wants. Me, on the other hand. People want me.” Apollo sent me a cheeky wink.
“Trying to convince yourself, Apollo? Because that’s not what I heard. Send my best to your family,” he spat as his black eyes flickered to me before strutting away with arrogance.
Apollo grasped his beer bottle tight, drinking deeply from it, finishing it off in one go while his eyes stayed on the figure of the stranger as he left around the corner.
“Fuck!” Apollo spat as he pulled his phone out of his pocket and pressed on it rapidly.
“Who was he?” I asked hesitantly. He and this guy obviously had history. The animosity between them was thick, and I didn’t know if I wanted to get involved or not.
“No one that matters,” he said as he continued to tap at his phone.
With Apollo distracted, I looked for Julia on the dance floor. It wasn’t hard to spot her. She was still having a wild time in the large open space having no idea of the panic I felt just now. Shoving his phone in his pants, Apollo pulled out his newly made joint and was quick to light it. His shoulders eased once he took a long drag and exhaled the thick smoke.
“Here,” He offered me, “say hello to Mary Jane.” Apollo snickered as he offered his joint that whiff the smoke into the air around us. The previous conversation seemed to be long forgotten.
“No,” I said bluntly. No way was I taking anything he offered.

He pouted but shrugged it off quickly, putting it back in his mouth, taking a deep inhale. His blue eyes trailed down my dress as he pushed his long blonde hair back out of his face. He slowly exhaled, blowing his smoke towards me, making me recoil away from the pungent smell. He didn’t react to my disgust as his eyes still lingered on my body unapologetically. With his full focus on me, I couldn’t help but shuffle, not knowing what to do with my arms as I tried to slowdown drinking my drink.
“Is there a reason why you’re standing like a dork?” He grinned as his eyes seemed to twinkle in the flashing lights.
“Is there a reason you’re a dick?” I snapped as my vision seemed to shift. My face burned along with my pride.
Apollo chuckled, leaning closer, “You are what you eat.” He murmured. His hot spiced breath fanned my neck, bringing goose pimples to flare.
I sharply inhaled at his bluntness which caused him to smile wide at me. I didn’t know if it was him or my drink that made me feel heated and dizzy.
“Does my sexuality scare you, Guppy?” His blue eyes danced as he pulled another drag, his blunt glowing with embers.
You scare me! I wanted to scream at him. But they say you should never show fear to predators. They can sense your weaknesses.
“Or is it because I speak honestly about sex that it gets your virgin blood running hot?” He belted out a laugh as my cheeks grew hotter at the mention of sex.
I looked around, and nobody paid any attention to us. They were all dancing, drinking, or making out. They were all in their own bubbles, and Apollo and I were in our own.
I felt alone in the center of his stage.
It felt impossible, but Apollo had such a much larger personality here than at school. He was in his element, and I didn’t know what to make of him. Taking big gulps from my fruity drink, I hoped my lack of communication would get Apollo bored of me and move on. But he stood there, waiting, with his smirk, knowing he had me dangling on a string.
He was the cat, pawing at me.
Cup empty, I growled a little as Apollo still watched me.
“Can I help you?” I snapped, hoping he started to feel what I felt. Flustered.
“I doubt your inexperience could help me right now.” He cocked his head. I could see the silent laughter in his eyes as he watched me flushed significantly.
That’s it.
I left him and hoped he wouldn’t come close to me again tonight. I just couldn’t handle Apollo. I never knew what to say. I got tongue-tied usually when he was around, but him like this felt too much for me to handle.
I found Julia doing heavy grinding between a guy and a girl, her hips swirling, touching both of them as her arms were raised. The smile on her face was small but held a twist of seduction. She was a girl comfortable with her body, and I envied her.
She saw me and motioned me to come to her, but I shook my head. I’ve never danced before and certainly not like her. But she swiftly came over to me, dragging me to the dance floor. “Come on!”
“I never danced before!” I shouted over the music, but she grinned.
“I’ll teach you!” she spoke, and I started to get clumsy standing as others were dancing around me, but Julia spun me around and settled her hands on my hips and swayed them.
“Relax and let my hands move you” Her body was pressed tightly against mine, and she continued to move me with her hands. I tried to relax and listen to the music. The bass rattled my bones as I moved my hips. A type of vibration coursed through my body like adrenalin, or maybe it was that one alcoholic drink I had?
“Now you’re getting it!” Julia spoke in my ear with a hint of a smile in her tone. “I wish you were one of my four!” She complained, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Sorry.” I giggled.
Definitely the drink.
“No, you’re not.” She whined. “Please let me pretend till midnight!” She slurred as we continued to dance together. I laughed louder this time. I didn’t mind her game. I wasn’t into women, but I didn’t care about Julia’s friendly touching and words. I was getting used to her ways.
“Julia, it is past midnight.” I lied with a smile.
“Fuck,” She swore, making us giggle together.
I found Apollo’s eyes then, he was standing on the opposite side of the room, leaning against the wall. He watched me sway along with the music. His face half hidden from the bright flashing lights, only his blunt embers glowed in between his lips slowly burning. He looked intense.
I turned to Julia. I would rather face my friend than Apollo right now.
I focused on the feel of Julia’s guiding hands instead of the crowd around us. The air was pulsating thick with heat, to the point it was close to smothering as people moved to the beat. My skin trembled as my own pulse electrified.
Julia removed her hands and allowed me to move independently, which scared me a little “Do I look stupid?” I asked. I felt my worries nag at me.
“You're sexy girl, own it!” She snapped as she seized the closest boy bringing him to our bubble to dance with. Her hand stroked his bare arm as he did with hers, and as quickly as they touched, they moved away from each other.
I froze.
This was a classic way to find your four!
Panic shot through as I realized I was surrounded by boys and girls, they all were touching each other, and it was only a matter of time till they moved onto me next. My breath hitched as I looked for an opening in the mass of people.
“I need another drink,” I said quickly to a dancing Julia.
I swallowed tightly as I tried to make my way out of the maze of people, trying not to touch anyone, moving with care- unlike the dancers around me. Squeaking slightly as I collided with another body, they quickly turned to ask if I was okay, and I nodded as I tried to hurry away to the drinking station.
Of course, Apollo was standing there. His gaze was still on me with dilated pupils, and I was thankful he didn’t say anything as I found the similar brand of drink Apollo got me before and quickly gulped it down.
“Apollo,” A girl slurred as she stumbled to him, “You got anything for me?” She asked, leaning on him.
What were people asking for him?
Apollo smiled, but I saw the muscle clench at his jaw. “You know who to ask if you want some’ he dismissed before trying to walk past her, but she grabbed his arm, halting his movement. She didn’t notice the jump of Apollo’s jaw as he looked at her gripped hand with disdain.
“He isn’t here, and I know he gives you some.” She said with desperation.
Apollo shrugged, pushing her palm off him, “Not my problem.”
He tried to leave again, but she stayed firm, making him wait. I was shocked at how she handled him like this.
“Will you two be up for anything tonight?” Her voice turned into a low, seductive tone. He looked down at her, quickly grabbed her hand in a tight grip. He hovered over her space, whispering low into her ear. I didn’t know what he said, but she backed off, her face pale, eyes wide, and mouth open. Whatever he said, it seemed to snap her sober.
She hurriedly turned, and Apollo faced me. His serious face went back to that cocky smirk, wiggling his eyebrows at me, “I’m a pussy too.”
I felt a slight repulsion at his innuendo, but I rolled my eyes at him as I took another drink. My third of the night, the need to keep my hands busy was on overdrive. I felt awkward not doing anything with them, especially when Apollo was still about.
How could anyone relax in this environment?
Apollo moved closer, creating our own bubble again. Only he could produce that amount of heat. The side of my bare left arm burned with him being so close.
“You need dancing lessons.” he said, making me feel ashamed about what I did earlier.
Why couldn’t he leave me be?
I glowered at him, “I never danced before. I’m sorry if it wasn’t up to your standards.” I seethed as I tried to walk away from him, but he stood in my path.
He snorted, shaking his head, “I meant you’re a natural. With lessons, you could be even better. I’m sure your circle would appreciate those hips swaying for them.”
My eyes narrowed, “They should appreciate me for me.”
“Of course,” he said slowly. It was his time to roll his eyes, “But it is also good to hold a few aces up your sleeve.”
I raised my eyebrows, “Aces?”
He nodded as he waved his hand, showing off his loaded bracelet wrist. “A few surprises to hold onto. Give you an edge to your forever partners.” He said in a mocking tone, “I have a few ready, waiting, with a pretty little bow on each” He snickered before he took a swig out of his beer bottle.
“What is yours?” I asked boldly.
“A surprise for them, Guppy.” His tone turned into a slight purr making his blue eyes sparkle like sapphires. I was a little disappointed by his lack of telling, but it was something for him to keep.
“But I will tell you this, I’ve had many times to practice on my form of art.” His smile was coy.
I scoffed at his words as a shot of annoyance settled through me at his lack of care for his circle members. I didn’t understand why he would boast about such a thing like that.
Apollo’s eyes tightened, the beer halted close to his lips “What?”
“Aren’t you… worried?”
Apollo raised his pierced eyebrow, his eyes simmering with confusion, “Why would I be?” he asked before he straightened like he suddenly got a bolt of electricity shooting through him, his eyes solidified in a glare “Are you judging me?”
“I’m sure your circle members will be when you find them.” I snapped, hitting below the belt. I immediately regretted saying it as he flinched like I slapped him. But his recoil shot heat into his eyes, flaring with anger as he pointed at my face with a hiss.
“Don’t fucking judge me. Just because no one is like you-a fucking prude- everyone at this party has been with someone that’s not in their circle. All besides you.” He mockingly clapped his hands. This was Apollo going in for the kill. No mercy, “Well done. You’re better than all of us, you fucking saint.” Apollo spat as he shook his head like I was a disappointment. “Don’t you dare judge me. You don’t know me.”
My stomach plummeted by his words. I didn’t mean to snap at him like that.
“I’m sorry,” I stuttered. How couldn’t he see the issues he will cause for his circle? “I’ve heard a lot of stories from my mother’s clients. This is one of the main issues families have. Not saving yourself is one of the main issue people tend to have.” I tried to explain.
“Have you heard stories of a virgin circle not being able to satisfy each other? None of them knew what they were doing and ended up cheating on each other with Mundane.”
I gasped, “But they are….”
“Life isn’t a fairytale, Guppy.” He mocked like I didn’t know the truth of the world.
“I know it isn’t.” I hissed back, feeling the prickle of irritation again. “Why do you think I don’t want to find mine yet?”

“Because of your mother?” he taunted as he chucked his empty bottle in the sink next to him. He was swift to grab a larger bottle of brown liquid from the kitchen counter. He was quick to unscrew the lid before drinking deeply from it. Loudly groaning before pulling away, making a face like it tasted foul.
“Because the world is a messed-up place.” I said simply, “I don’t want to add to that.”
Apollo thought for a moment and nodded. Then, he shocked me as he passed the bottle towards me.
“Drink to a fucked-up world.” he demanded, shoving the bottle into my chest.
I couldn't not drink to that. Taking the bottle, I gave it a quick sniff, it burned my nose. I might have pulled a face that Apollo laughed at. Opening my mouth, I allowed the liquid to flow but instantly spat it out as it burned my mouth. I looked up in horror as Apollo’s top and bottoms were covered with my splutter.
He wiped the wet drops from his face with a chuckle, “First time for everything.” he muttered with amusement. His anger seemingly disappeared as he wiped his top next, not really moving the stained wet patches.
“I’m sorry.” I hung my head, my mouth still burned along with my embarrassment. My throat, burning with a need to giggle away the humiliation.
I should never take what Apollo offers!
“Give it. I will actually drink it, unlike you.” He held his hand out for the bottle, and I gladly gave it back to him.
He chugged the bottle with ease, completely ignoring the burn that I now knew it could give. Every swallow he took looked like a man about to die of thirst. His body cringed in on itself as he moaned for breath once his mouth came up for air. I felt a dark twist as I watched Apollo. I felt a foreboding itch away at me like I was watching something awful. This wasn’t the happy, carefree guy I was starting to know or the sad Apollo I met yesterday. Instead, this was a toxic whirlpool, and it seemed Apollo was diving headfirst into it rather than trying to get out.
“Are you okay?” I asked, unsure what to do.
“Hell, yeah! Just need to find some snow, and my life will be complete.” A dark chuckle came out of his lips. His eyes were glazed, none of that spark of fiery life was in them anymore.
“It’s summer. Snow won’t come till later in the year.” I explained, but Apollo snickered at my explanation like it was the funniest thing I’d ever said.
How drunk was Apollo?
Apollo’s hand came up to my face, his fingers closing in on my left cheek, but I was quick to evade his touch. My scowl at his attempt only made him chuckle.
“You need to let loose a little, Guppy.”
“And I think you’re a little too loose.” I muttered watching him sway to his own beat.
Apollo’s eyes were dazed, unfocused, “Gotta stop thinking. Too much.” he muttered back, not knowing if he was talking to himself or me. I doubted he could hold himself upwards soon with his head tilting backwards as he started to drink deeply from the bottle again.
His throat gulped but his eyes settled on something behind me, “I knew you would show your fucking face here,” Apollo grumbled as he leaned on the countertop for support. His haze gaze stared behind me, making me turn at the person he was angry at.
Vincent was standing there as my breath left me at the sight of him.
This was a different Vincent. His attire was so laid back from his usual look at school. His long sleeve button up he wore was now rumpled, untucked, opened showing the vest underneath. His glasses were non-existent, and his perfect hair was disordered. It was the complete opposite of what I thought he would look like outside of school. With all of the changes, what shocked me the most was the blunt that was burning between his lips.
He always carried a type of control- a frozen rage type - and with the way he looked now, he was unapproachable- powerful even. Looking at him with the way he looked now, he could give Apollo a run for his money.
He looked hot. The sudden thought brought a blush to my cheeks.
“Vincent,” Apollo said curtly with a hint of slur as he struggled to stand. The bottle was nearly empty now.
“Apollo,” He replied with a crisp cool tone, but his eyes instantly scowled when he noticed me. “What are you doing here?” He demanded, his tone firm. I couldn’t help recoil at his demeanor with me.
What did I do?
“She is here to join the nunnery.” Apollo said sarcastically, holding the countertop for dear life “What else is she here for? But I do think she is cut out to be a nun more than anything.” Apollo’s voice was a little garbled as he spoke.
I glared at Apollo, who had only eyes for Vincent, egging him on.
“Who brought you here?” Vincent asked but raised a questionable eyebrow at Apollo, like he believed it was him that got me here.
“Julia,” I blurted, pushing the blame onto her with regret.
I heard Apollo snigger behind his bottle with a low whisper, “Snitch.”
“Really?” Vincent frowned as he looked over to a dancing Julia having the time of her life. He glared and turned to Apollo. They both stared at each other before Vincent breathed. “Come on, I’ll take you home.”
“What?” I said I wasn’t ready to go home yet. I came with Julia, so I intended to leave with her.
“Nah, let her stay. I’m sure the both of us can show her a good time” Apollo was going to hurt in the morning. He was swaying with a stumble and his eyes glassy.
Vincent recoiled slightly, “You must be drunk all the time because the bullshit you spew is still the same, quite a talent you got.” He spat as his shoulders rose, Vincent was a snake getting ready to strike.
Apollo gestured to me, “She is cute. I know you like cute Vinny.”
Vinny? Was that Vincent’s nickname? I never heard anyone call him that. But knowing Apollo, he probably said it to cause a reaction and a reaction is what he got.
Vincent slammed Apollo against the counter.
“Enough,” He snapped, but Apollo shook his head, laughing.
“Yeah, you like the cute and innocent. I bet her blush gets your dick blushing too. You missed her little show earlier-”
Vincent crashed into Apollo as they both tumbled onto the floor, bringing glasses smashing around them. People around stopped and gaped as our bubble burst, but Vincent and Apollo didn’t seem to care. Vincent was on top of Apollo as he grabbed his shirt in a tight fist, and he whispered lowly in his ear. I didn’t know what to do as people looked at them and me. Questions and murmurs filled the air.
Apollo was a dick, and he loved to fire people up with his words. Of course, Apollo always knew the right words to say for them to burn, but with Vincent, he made sure Apollo burned with him. Vincent got off the floor, leaving Apollo, red-faced, on the ground. He didn’t spare him a look as he looked at me.
“You’re going home now.”
“Guppy is in trouble,” Apollo sang from the floor, that glass bottle still in his hand.
“I don’t want to go home yet.” I whined, completely ignoring the now singing Apollo.
Why wasn’t I allowed to stay?
“Now.” Vincent spoke, and I reluctantly followed him with my head hanging low as I sulked. I was mainly confused why I was being kicked out. I wasn’t a troublemaker. That alone was Apollo. But Vincent took one look at me and demanded I go home.
People gawked at me as we went past. It didn’t help with my rising embarrassment.
“I should just go get Julia.” I muttered looking towards the dance floor.
“No. Come on.” Vincent ordered again as my legs couldn’t help but follow his lead for a short distance till, I stopped.
“But-”
“You think Julia is in a position to take you home?” Vincent asked, nodding to Julia who was now laying on the dance floor moving her hips, grinding into the floor. People cheered her as she lapped it up with a gigantic smile. Even I couldn’t stop the smile on my lips at her antics.
“I should at least tell her.”
“I will, but first you cannot be here.” He pointed toward the front door.

“Everyone else is here so why can’t I?”
Vincent’s jaw trembled as his eyes avoided mine. His eyes scanned the room around us, flickering to each person like he was looking for something or someone, but after his quick sweep he relaxed slightly while taking a lungful from his blunt before he exhaled out, “Trust me.”
I squinted at the thought of trusting someone like Vincent. I felt my own wall build as I thought of all the reasons that I should trust him. Why would I trust him? He hadn’t been nice, quite the opposite in fact. But all of my inner walls came tumbling down as Vincent sighed, rubbing his cold gray eyes mumbling.
“Please?”
I huffed, placing my drink on a side table gesturing for him to lead the way.
I must be out of my mind.
The air was colder now that it was further into the night, and I instantly felt it on my legs and arms. Thankfully we didn’t walk that far as Vincent pulled out his keys, and a car flashed its lights. I didn’t know anything about cars, but the slim black vehicle looked brand new. It looked like it could drive under my land rover as it was that low to the ground.
“Get in,” He ordered me as he opened his door and slipped inside, expecting me to follow his orders. I did, but the urge to give him the slip was close.
“Where do you live?” Vincent asked as he turned his car on as I sat down in the leather seat. It wasn’t like my old boy where you had to hold the ignition, he simply pressed a button on the slim beauty, and it purred to life.
Giving him my address, I hugged my body together as my heart raced. I felt far less insignificant to be inside something that felt so expensive.
“Didn’t expect you in that type of party.” He spoke in that aristocratic pitch, filled with a belittling edge he mastered so well. He even had a hidden smile that was on his lips, like he didn’t force me out of that party just moments ago.
“Likewise,” I replied as I eyed him from the corner of my eye. He was completely relaxed with one hand on the steering wheel. My eyes went to his left arm, a start of a tattoo peeked out, but Vincent quickly brought the sleeves down, covering this tattoo from my eyes while clearing his voice.
Was that his Mundane tattoo?
“I tend to go, to keep the peace.” He spoke, his eyes forward on the road. Keep the peace? He tackled Apollo onto the floor. Was that keeping the peace?
“Julia asked me to come. I never really went to a party like that. I went to see what the fuss was about. I, sadly, bumped into Apollo, and he wouldn’t leave me alone.” I spoke like I owed him an explanation. How does he do that? One word, and I’m telling him everything even without asking me the question out loud.
Vincent nodded like he knew my misfortune, his mouth was set in a hard line, but he said nothing. The silence felt thick between us as flashing streetlamps lit up the car.
I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but I quickly closed it thinking otherwise. It was hard to talk to Vincent with his commanding demeanor. He wasn’t like Apollo, where I felt like I could express myself. He was intimidating, he was a force to quicken my heart and make my mouth dry just by his presence.
Vincent pulled his blunt to his lips, he inhaled the fumes deep into his lungs, lighting the glowing embers at the end.
“Should you do that while driving?” I mentally slapped myself as I winced away from his piercing look. I could hear my dads cheers at my goodie-two-shoes side coming forward. Vincent grunted as he flicked his blunt out of the window.
I winced at his silence.
“I’m sorry,” I stammered, trying to look out of the tinted windows but only seeing myself. “You offered to take me home.”
“No, you’re right. You are my responsibility while you’re in my car.” he shrugged, making me frown at that comment but I didn’t say anything as silence again became thick between us.
I didn’t want to be his work. In an odd way I wanted Vincent’s respect and friendship. But I knew he would always see me as a job, even when he says otherwise.
A moment later, I couldn’t help but fill the silence.
“I don’t remember seeing this type of car at school,” I said as I tried to remember a sports car in the parking lot. But, in fact, I haven’t seen Vincent get into another one entirely.
Wasn’t he living at school?
“I put this car in the garage and only use it on weekends and holidays.” he said simply as he pulled into my street.
“What do you do on the weekends?” I asked with a blink. The thought of him leaving school boundaries was a surprise. But here he was, Vincent had a life and, by his look, a completely different one than I expected.
Vincent looked at me with a raised eyebrow but didn’t answer me. Perhaps it was too personal. I had to remind myself we weren’t friends as he pulled into my driveway.
I felt my cheeks heat as I stuttered, “Thank you for the lift”, as I climbed out. The cold air enveloped me, cooling my heated skin causing goose pimples down my arms.
“Hey,” Vincent called before I could close the door, opening it up entirely. He gave me a look that I couldn’t quite place. “Stay away from Apollo. He can be dangerous.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Oh, I know.” I said with a shake of my head as I closed the door. I didn’t need the warning of Apollo’s destructive nature. His aura made people around him go into the deep end. The images of him dancing with a drink in one hand and a blunt in the other came to mind. The people praised him for going deeper into his own bubble of dark pleasures.