My Fallen Angel

ybe it wasn't such a good idea I go to the party, I thought, gazing at myself in the upstairs mirror. I'd pulled on my white dress and heels, done my hair up in a pretty twist thing that one of the many makeup girls had taught me, and lined my eyes lightly.
I looked nice, I thought, but now I was nervous.
What if this was too much?
I shouldn't go, not like this. Not when Andy wanted me to go as his date but I was supposed to be Ashlandils girlfriend; it looked bad. Plus none of the band ---.
"Kenna? You ready to go?" Jake knocked on the door. "We're about to leave."
"In a minute," I called, smoothing my skirt again. I bit my painted lip, and took a deep breath.
I had a bad feeling again, and it worried me.
Why? I had no idea, but it did.
I tried to shake it off as I opened my door and headed for the steps, my heels quiet on the carpeted aisle. I hesitated as I started down the steps, hearing all the guys talking.
These heels were too high for me, I was going to fall halfway down.
I sighed, and forced myself to continue, seeing everyone in their nice tuxes looking uncomfortable as usual. Andy kind of slouched in his, his tie white.
That had been a nice touch.
I paused at the edge of their group, Ashlandils eyes wide as he stared at me.
"What?"
"Nothing, I --- I like the dress," he mumbled, looking away quickly. Andy smiled as he saw me.
"It looks... Amazing."
I blushed.
"Damn, Kenna, you put the rest of us to shame," CC teased me, ignoring Ashlandils glare. "Maybe we should just start putting you on the album covers instead of us."
"We'd probably sell more," Jinxx agreed, and I chuckled, following them off the bus. We didn't walk far, maybe a block, before entering the large hotel, much resembling the one they'd had their first party that I had ever attended in.
The one where I'd wanted to drop a building on Juliet.
It was probably a good thing I hadn't.
Though I still wanted too.
I huffed, thinking about her; she'd really sincerely loved Andy at that time, and I couldn't fathom why she'd decided she no longer wanted to be involved.
Though I wasn't complaining.
Andy took my arm as we stepped into the hotel, and I chuckled in amusement, seeing the banners welcoming them and the stiffly dressed waiters scurrying around to supply everyone with champagne.
This really did seem over the top to me.
"This is a tad nicer then I expected," I heard Jake mumble behind me. "What's all this jazz for?"
"Andy!" I heard someone suddenly call, and he glanced over.
Twice.
"Kennedi?" he blinked, and I stared at the girl who approached us in a pretty purple dress, her hair black and straight as it fell down her tanned shoulders. Her makeup was too dark for her, though it did make her soft blue eyes really stand out. I don't believe she had any space left on her ears to be pierced again, and her nose sported a purple stone as well.
"Hi, Andy! Hi guys!" she said brightly, waving at the entire group, and they all mumbled hellos, obviously a little put off by her appearance.
What was special about her?
"Uh, you look different," CC commented, looking like he wanted to say something else.
Who the hell was this girl?
"Yeah, you mean I grew out of my fat phase," she rolled her eyes, and his face reddened. "You can't believe how relieved my mother was."
I frowned.
I didn't like her.
I wasn't sure why, but I felt threatened.
Her eyes flicked to me curiously, and then she brightened even more.
"You're Kenna, right? Ashleys girlfriend? I was hoping he would bring you so we could meet!"
Ugh.
"Yes." I forced a smile instead of a grimace.
"You're so pretty! Are you a model or something? Of course he would only date someone like you," she rolled her eyes again, trying to be friendly.
"She's a dancer, actually," Ashlandil corrected, coming to stand beside me, Andy holding my hand behind my back. "And she knows she's a stunner."
Now I rolled my eyes.
Kennedi giggled, and Andy gazed at her, looking curious.
Why was he looking at her like that?
I squeezed his hand, and he glanced at me, giving me a half-smile that admitted he'd been caught thinking something suspicious.
Hrm.
Now I really didn't like her.
Soft music suddenly started up in the background.
"Oh, look! The bands finally set up! Come dance with me, Andy," Kennedis fingers latched into his suit jacket, dragging him forcefully with her onto the dance floor before he had a chance to speak, and I bristled.
That little ---.
"First Minister," Ashlandil turned, his hand rising to my waist as a man walked to us, looking in his fifties with a very thick mustache and glasses.
"Hello, Mr. Purdy," he gave a thin smile. "I see my Kennedi has already taken Mr. Biersack for a spin."
"Whisked him away as soon as she could," Ashlandil nodded, his fingers pressing tighter into my waist in warning as the First Minister turned his attention to me, looking at me for several seconds before clearing his throat.
What did he think I was going to do, be rude to him?
"This is my girlfriend, Kenna," Ashlandil introduced me, almost reluctantly. "Kenna, this is the first minister."
"Pleasure to meet you, my dear," he gave me a brilliant smile, taking my hand and pressing an unnecessarily long kiss to it.
"Um, likewise."
His soul was wretched.
I pulled my hand away as quickly as possible.
The First Minister started to speak, but Ashlandil started moving, pulling on me.
"Excuse us, but I promised her a dance," Ashlan gave a smile as he practically dragged me onto the floor and away from the awful man; his soul was so black it reminded me of hellstones.
"What ---?" I started to ask, Ashlandil pulling me unnecessarily close as we started to dance, his hand pressing me firmly against him at the waist.
"He's a bad sort, that human. Almost puts me to shame." he chuckled, and I rolled my eyes as he swept me gallantly across the floor, obnoxiously graceful at it.
"You don't have to hold me so close," I muttered at him as the music slowed, and he nuzzled my cheek with his own, enjoying it way more then he should.
"Don't get upset with me, Red," he murmured, and I stiffened at the old nickname. "Your boy over there is all putty with Kennedi."
I glanced over, seeing Andy listening attentively to whatever the young girl was blabbering, his eyes on her lips.
What the hell was wrong with him?
Why was he acting so enraptured with her?
It hurt my stupid feelings.
I hated the feeling of jealousy.
I wrinkled my nose unhappily, feeling Ashlandils hands slip inappropriately lower and completely bypassing my hips.
"Ashlandil!" I hissed.
He chuckled, and pulled them back. "You can't blame me for appreciating what the dress flaunts, babe. I bet this cost a small fortune."
He twirled me out, and then under his arm before back against his chest, his eyes somewhere behind me. I saw him clench his jaw, but about when I turned to look he abruptly moved me, blocking me.
"What is it?" I asked, trying to look around him, but he wouldn't let me.
"Don't worry about it," he grunted, curling me so firmly against him I could barely move. "Just enjoy the music, babe."
"I can't enjoy anything when you're smothering me," I muttered, becoming irritated.
I didn't want to be this close to him, feel him against me like this.
Not ever again.
I could barely have sex with Andy and thoroughly enjoy it because of him.
I pulled away forcefully, and then froze, feeling a wave of dizziness
sweep over me.
"Kenali?" Ashlandil looked at me in concern, and quickly walked me off the floor.
I pressed my hand against my mouth, feeling sick.
Ugh.
"Baby, what's wrong?" he brushed a fallen curl out of my face.
"I feel sick," I mumbled, sitting down heavily.
He knelt in front of me worriedly, taking my hand tightly in his. "What kind of sick?"
"Just... Dizzy and..." I just suddenly didn't feel well.
I glanced at my hand, and he followed my gaze, the black veins throbbing.
I wished it would go away already.
"Mr. Purdy!"
Ashlan glanced over in annoyance.
"Go on," I ordered him, forcing a smile. I kind of wanted to be left alone, and this gave me the opportunity. "I'll be fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"All right," he rose reluctantly and stepped to whoever wanted him, and I breathed a sigh of relief, rubbing my forehead.
Finally some ---.
"Miss Kenna?"
Motherfucker.
I raised my eyes, seeing the First Minister hovering at the table, holding two glasses of champagne.
"is this seat taken?"
"Um ---."
"Wonderful," he sat down, sliding the champagne to me. I accepted it reluctantly, not wanting to insult him.
"So, Miss Kenna, tell me about yourself."
"Like what?" I asked lightly, absently trailing my finger around the rim of the glass. His beady eyes followed the movement, and then he took a sip of his champagne.
"What is your profession, dear?"
"Dance."
His eyebrows raised. "What kind?"
What kind?
I looked at him blankly. What did he mean what kind?
"Um," I glanced around for someone to help. I didn't know how to handle this man, I didn't like him, but I also didn't want to insult him either.
"Oh, don't be embarrassed by your profession, dear," the man laughed, relaxing. "I hire 'dancers' all the time for my private parties."
I didn't like the way that sounded, and I nervously twisted the stem of the champagne glass between my fingers.
"You're a very beautiful young lady," he said after a moment, gazing at me. "You have such an innocent aura about you, it's entrancing. I imagine watching you dance is a sight to behold."
"I suppose." I was starting to feel anxious, which didn't help my nausea any.
I hesitated, then lifted the champagne to my lips, hoping maybe some liquid courage would take the edge off of my nervousness; I just kept waiting for something bad to happen.
"Uh, Kenna..."
I looked over, seeing CC hovering nervously at my side.
"What is it?" I asked, turning to look at him.
"I, uh, may I speak with you? Hello, First Minister." his smile was very strained.
"Of course," I stepped to my feet, gave a hasty apology to the old disappointed goat, and then let CC lead me out of the crowd and into a side hallway.
"CC, what is it, already?" I sighed, refusing to go any farther.
CC hesitated, then gave a rough sigh. "Look, Kenna, I know you and Ashley are 'done,' as you guys are calling it, and I know he was an asshole and messed around on you a lot," oh he had no idea, "but --- well ---."
"Get to the point, CC."
"There's this girl here he's talking to and he looks crazy about her and I just didn't want you to notice and freak out, okay?" he said all of this in one breath, trying to get it out as quickly as possible.
i raised a brow at him, doubtful. "Really? Him crazy about her?"
"Yes." he looked worried.
"What does she look like?" I didn't care, of course, but I was curious.
"Uh ---."
"I'm not going to attack her, CC," I rolled my eyes.
He fidgeted. "She has red hair and is in a black pant suit."
Of course she had red hair.
You couldn't say he didn't have a type.
"Point her out to me." I ordered, turning back to the doorway and forcing him with me by his lapels. He huffed, his eyes scanning the crowd before he ostentatiously pointed her out.
Her hair was more orange then red, in my opinion, and she was severely freckled and pasty with soft brown eyes. She was okay, but she wasn't stunning, and she was kind of pudgy.
I tilted my head curiously.
What was his fascination with this one?
Even from here I could see an engagement ring glinting.
"What's her name?" I asked, glancing at CC.
He was obviously wondering what Ashlans fascination was as well.
"I dunno, I think he called her Geneva."
I stiffened.
Oh no.
Oh no no no no.
"What?" my voice sounded strangled to my own ears.
CC blinked, looking at me. "Geneva?"
Oh no.
Oh no.
I felt sick again.
I pressed my hand against my mouth, and then darted for the closest bathroom I could find, barely making it into the stall before black blood poured from my lips, bubbling as it reached the water.
I gasped, falling to my knees.
Fuck!
I watched as the black veins rose steadily up my arm, every centimeter of them throbbing.
Don't let it be Geneva
Don't.
No no no.

Notes