The Kents

Twenty Six

I continue to sway to the tunes of Habits by Maria Mena, one of my top favorite singers.

Travis is holding both my hands as we continue to lightly move along.

'So grant me this wish, and meet me back here

If we still exist, I can let go of my fear

Fear of normalcy, fear of the solid

Walls of our future, and let go of my past...'

I sing along and start swaying all on my own.

I take a step back and start pirouetting playfully.

I overlook Travis's gaze for an insignificant while and actually dance to the song.

I loved its lyrics and its tunes were beyond pacifying.

When I felt my head getting lighter, I paused and thanks to Travis's arms, I was anchored just before I obey the rules of gravity.

"What was that?!" He whistles and I shrug playfully.

"Let's go get a drink. I want to drink." I tell him eagerly.

"Sure." He hesitates but then he ushers me towards the bar.

"What do you want to drink?" He asks.

"Bordeaux." I tell him and he smiles.

"Have you even tried that?" He asks. I shake my head a no.

"Oh wait!" I stop him and turn to take two shots from a guy who was walking around with a tray full of shots.

"Here." I hand one to him.

We clink and the drink soon sprouts down my throat. I wince at its acidic tang.

"So," He pulls me closer so people would be able to pass.

"Why didn't you call me?" I ask abruptly.

"What?" He says. I gulp hard.

"When you left, you didn't try to reach me."

"Why didn't you text me?" I pile up.

Another young man passes with a new round of shots, I take another shot.

He looks around for a moment but then reaches for my hand.

"Let's talk inside." He takes me along.

I reach for a third shot.

I needed the heads up, or heads out, whatever that gave. I needed it.

"I left unexpectedly because my parents were going through a divorce, I needed to stay by my mom's side..." He starts to say and I already feel senseless for tossing all those questions at him.

"You were on my mind-" He doesn't complete his sentence.

Instead, he looks around again.

"What are you looking for?" I ask him and scan the place myself.

"Where is he goddamn it!" He curses.

"Who? Who are you looking for Travis?" I inquire.

"Luke, I'm looking for-" He pauses and I momentarily frown.

"Emma, I'm sorry I will be right back." He says and that was that.

"Hey, wait up!" I call out for the same young man with the tray.

~~~~~~~~~

"Argh..." I take three stairs upwards and drop down on the fourth. My head is killing me. I drop it into my hands and try to massage it but that doesn't help. Although I've emptied all I had in my paunch in the restroom earlier, I still feel dizzy and my stomach keeps churning.