The bar was dimly lit, with loud music pulsing through the speakers and vibrating through the walls. It was more of a club than a bar really, I thought as T. led me through the dancing crowd. I could've sworn that she'd said something, but figured that shouting over the music wasn't worth the mysteriously vague allusions T. would undoubtedly be making. She really was scary when she wanted to be, and unfortunately, I seem to have some strange attraction towards danger. Which is why I was allowing myself to be pulled between people, apologizing as T. dashed about, scanning every inch of the bar with hawk-like fervor.
Finally, T. took us to the bar and sat down with a sigh, still looking around at the crowd as if she were looking for someone. I leaned over to her and talked loud enough so that she could hear, but only her.
"What do we do now, Detective Rose?"
T. grinned a little at the nickname (I thought she'd be pleased if I used her alias!) and looked back at me with the same adorable little smirk on her face.
"Watch this."
And I did watch, at first with amusement, and then with vague disappointment as she made her way over to some girl who'd been watching her from a couple feet away. She slid her arms over T.'s shoulders and said something quietly in her ear. I felt my fist tighten around my phone. T. playfully shoved her arm and led her back over to the bar.
"What'll you have?" The girl asked. T. pointed out a drink and then looked over at me, giving me a mischievous glance and then staring up at the girl with a sweet smile. She was pretty, with long brown hair and freckles sprinkled across the tip of her nose. I suddenly realized how I must look in comparison, and I tried to flatten my hair a little when T. looked away.
"Who's the second drink for? You gettin' two?"
"For my girlfriend! Babe, could you come over a sec?"
It took me a moment to realize that T. meant me. I couldn't help but blush a little as I moved over a couple seats and Joanes put her hand in mine. I wouldn't have minded if we stayed like that if I was being honest with myself. The girl- Becca, T. said - clearly did mind however, because she scowled and almost immediately left with her drink after we'd gotten them.
"You-" I poked T.'s shoulder "-Are awful."
Joanes giggled and leaned against me, still not letting go of my hand.
"No complaining about free drinks Vallace."
I rolled my eyes and sipped my drink, enjoying the pure look of amusement on T.'s face.
"You a drinker?"
I snorted. "How could you tell?"
"Because you're a detective and you're good at your job." T. nodded towards my drink. "That's supposed to burn y'know."
".... It does not."
I noticed that T. hadn't even touched hers. I don't think that I've ever actually seen her eat or drink, I realize.
"There!" And suddenly I was pulled from my seat. T. let go of my hand and ran into the crowd again. I got lost between the swinging arms and sloshing drinks. When I finally found T. again she was talking to a couple of greasy teenagers dressed in various punk-like attire. One girl had black leggings so ripped that the ends were hanging by a thread, and dark leather boots that looked as if they'd really been to hell and back, as her flame-decorated shirt advertised in bright red lettering. The two boys next to her were slightly less intimidating, with eyeliner smudged under their eyes and unassuming black hoodies. I noticed that one of them, a boy with dreadlocks and gold eyeshadow (that stood out brilliantly against his dark skin and- focus, detective!), was carrying a guitar. There was a kind of mural behind them, surrounded by cards and flowers. There was a picture, of the three teenagers all standing together. In the center was Mira Vadej.
"Erin?" T. was looking at me questioningly. "Are you going to introduce yourself, or?"
"A-ah, yes. Erin. That's my name. Hi." I stuck out my hand to the girl and the two boys, who eyed it in suspicion before shaking it. T. looked disgusted.
"Anyways, this is my girlfriend, Erin. Erin, meet Annick, Miriam, and Lauralei. They're Pearl's bandmates."
"Were." Annick corrected, blinking his beautifully golden lids. I really have to ask him what shade that is. The less-beautiful boy, Miriam, looked awful. His eyes were red and puffy, as if he'd scrubbed them with soap. He had a scraggly half-shaven beard and wild hair that made him look like a lion. He let something akin to a whimper at Annick's remark and backed himself against the wall.
"She was a really good friend of ours," Lauralei explained, gesturing towards the mural and shaking her head sadly. "We wanted to do something to commemorate her."
I nodded my head, trying to look sympathetic. Empathy was never my strong suit, but hey, I'll give it a shot. "That's her, in the center then?"
"Yep," Annick said. "Pearl was the best singer and the best friend that we'd ever had. I'm glad I got to meet her before.... Well, y'know."
Lauralei agreed. "We could never have gotten here if it weren't for her."
And then Miriam burst into tears, sobbing as he briskly walked away from our group.
"Oh geez...." Annick said. "I really didn't mean to....."
"It's alright, it's not your fault," Lauralei said. This wasn't the first time this had happened. Then she turned back to T. and I (Mostly T. though). "We're going to go after him. You coming with?"
I looked over at T., but it seemed that she'd gotten enough.
"Nah, you guys know him better, and we really gotta get going."
Lauralei nodded, but I could see a flicker of disappointment in her eyes as T. spoke. God, did every girl we meet have to come onto her? But that poor, helpless look I'd seen on our previous drink-buyer's face was plastered across her cheeks like a red flag. I wondered if I looked the same. "Can I get your number?"
Joanes smiled sadly. "No, sorry."
Lauralei only shrugged in response, and walked off, ears burning bright red. I looked at T.
"How do you keep doing that?"
Joanes shrugged sheepishly. "Magic?"
I shook my head in disbelief. "God, she barely looked at me!"
T. grinned. "Jealous, detective?"
I rolled my eyes. "Of course not."
Joanes chuckled. "Don't worry Raye, I think you're adorable. In a gritty, noir, distressed kinda way."
"Hey! I have an aesthetic to keep up!"
She eyed me up and down, looking pointedly at my mud-stained jeans and flannel. "Okay, admittedly it's not a very clean aesthetic but it's my aesthetic, damnit!"
Something flashed over T.'s expression for just a split second before she pulled on my shirt collar, hurridly leading me out of the bar.
"Hey, what're you-"
"We're going to my residence, I forgot that I need to leave today."
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