Dance

When Cass woke up, she found herself laying on the floor beside her bed. Scarlet peered down at her.

“We missed some classes today”

Cass rubbed her head. A large bump had formed.

“Thanks for letting me know. If I flunk out, you’re jumping off the bridge with me”

She stumbled to her feet and began throwing her bag together. Scarlet was ready to leave, and sat on the couch, patiently waiting for Cass to finish.

“Oh, are you going to that dance?” Cass said, hopping on one foot while she tried to fit it in a shoe.

“Yeah”

“Good. I might be late, someone I know needs help that night, but it shouldn’t take too long”

Cass finished getting ready, and they both left to catch their last class.

***

“I um, really appreciate your help”

Cass set down the drill and took a cigarette out of her pocket. Her feet dangled off the ladder and swung side to side.

“Thanks. Anything I can do to help…”

Ito adjusted his glasses and looked at the ground.

“No, no. You’ve done enough. I’m sorry about my sister-”

“Do me a favor and don’t mention her, eh? That’ll be enough payment”

Ito flinched a little and sat down on the ground. Cigarette smoke blew into his face, throwing him into a coughing fit.

“Shit, sorry”

Cass rubbed her cigarette out and hopped off the ladder. It was getting late, and she had to get changed…

“Hey, ah, Cass? You should leave soon”

“Yeah, yeah. I was just thinking the same thing, thanks”

“I’ll see you, then. Have fun”

“Sure you don’t want to tag along? I’m sure there are plenty of pretty girls who’d dance with you”

“No, I have to finish up a group project”

“Let me guess, your classmates bailed?”

“I can write it myself”

“Loser”

Ito smiled a little, but hid his eyes. He got off the ground and shuffled into his house.

***
Cass had decided to wear something a little more plain, as she didn’t really want to draw attention. Just a plain black jumper dress with a gray coat. If all went well, it would be a boring, uneventful night. They would sneak in a few drinks, perhaps, if they really felt like getting wild.

As she walked into the building, she let at least three people hold the door for her. The sound of muffled music became clear as she walked into the hall.

The hall was poorly lit, and there was a distinct smell of alcohol in the air. An old DJ sat atop a pile of chairs and CDs, constantly reordering and shuffling through his collection. Someone was throwing up on their boyfriend.

“Hey, Cass! Over here!”

Scarlet was waving her hand and hopping up and down a bit. It would have been pretty adorable if it weren’t for the loathsome figure standing next to her, holding her hand.

Not many men instilled such a visceral feeling of disgust in Cass’s stomach than Jesse. She didn’t even know his name, he was just someone she saw around. His long face and listless expression gave an affect of superiority, as if his own existence bored him. Not once had he so much as said “hello” or “sorry” when he inevitably bumped into someone. Cass wasn’t sure why he was touching Scarlet, but the sight caused every alarm bell in her body to be set off at once.

“Who the hell is that?” Cass asked, jabbing her finger at Jesse.

“This is Jesse”

“Yeah no shit, I’m sure he has a name, I mean why’s he with you?”

Scarlet’s eyes widened.

“Oh, he asked to accompany me. Like a date”

Jesse glared down at Cass. He had at least a foot on her.

“I would appreciate it if you would address me directly” Jesse said.

Cass looked him directly in the eye and raised her middle finger. Scarlet looked down at her feet and giggled a little.

“Come on, Cass, don’t be rude”

Cass grabbed Scarlet’s hand.

“We need to talk”

Jesse’s large hand fell on Cass’s shoulder.

“You’re going to hurt her, stop”

She let go of Scarlet and twisted Jesse’s arm. Her eyes were tearing up, and her face was bright red. Her head hung in shame like a child caught hitting their little sister.

As she ran for the door, Scarlet giggled a little more, and Jesse looked as lifeless as ever.

“What was her problem?” Jesse asked, picking up a nearby can of beer. Scarlet shrugged her shoulders and chuckled again. Her entire body began to shake, and the sound of manic laughter filled the hall.

***

“Scarlet, yello?”

Zaza shook Scarlet’s shoulder. She stirred and looked around. There was some drool dripping from her mouth.
“Hwaa?”

“You fell asleep, silly”

“Oh, sorry”

“You’re fine, it’s late”

Scarlet slid off her chair and crawled towards the couch. Yoshi was already curled up and asleep. She hoped she was having better dreams than herself.

***

In a completely different hotel, Isaac woke up as well, also having dreamt of Jesse, although the content of his dream differed drastically. Em was sitting on the foot of the bed, cleaning her gun again.

“What happened?”

“You got hit in the head by a brick, idiot”

“Oh, right”

He sat up and felt his head. It was bandaged.

“Did you do this?”

“No, that was Jesse. He said he was sorry”

“I’m sure he was. How did he say it? Like this?”

Isaac scowled and drooped his shoulders. Em didn’t even turn her head.

“Right now, Ito is hiding out in that building. He’s killing anyone who gets within a mile. I suggested that Jesse try and kill him, but he insisted we wait for you to wake up”

Isaac blushed and fluttered his eyes. Whenever he did this, he always said he looked like a newlywed bride. Em went with “stipper”.

Someone knocked on the door. When Em opened it, she was greeted by Jesse. He stared at Isaac through the doorway, who waved to him.

“Good, he’s awake”

Em shut the door in his face and spun around.

“Don’t you dare get cozy with him, okay?”