Asha adjusted her hoop earring that was caught in her hair. One final check in the mirror: Lips still shiny, mascara not smudged and nothing in her teeth. Good to go. She opened the door and sauntered out, certain that someone would be looking for her. It was her party after all. A girl with big wide eyes and messy brown hair came up to her.
“Asha, Oh my God, this party is the best party I’ve ever been too. It’s crazy!”
Asha just smiled. The girl quickly rushed back to the dance floor and began dancing hyperactively. Asha was going to go join her, when she felt a warm hand on the back of her neck. She didn’t turn her head. The warmth left her and she saw the handsome face of Red move into her line of sight.
“Nice little rave you’ve got going here, Ash.” he said, eyes twinkling.
“It’s not a rave. Just a little social gathering; a few of my closest friends.”
Red’s eyes roamed the room, lingering on the girls jumping in a mosh pit. Asha snorted.
“You know none of them hold a candle to you, Don’t you?”
“Not yet, the effigy burning is happening after the goat sacrifice, later on.”
“Oh, come on, it’s wild, but not that wild.” Red scoffed.
Asha looked around, seeing the frenzied dancing and talking and kissing that was going on. Someone had ripped up her carpet, the sofa had been broken and bottles lay everywhere, bleeding alcohol. The air smelt like sweat, smoke and excitement. Her pulse increased and her eyes widened. She grabbed Red.
“Let’s go dance.”
Still grasping his hand, she dragged him to the dance floor. Right near the speakers, her lungs shaking with every beat. She threw her body around to the music, not caring what she looked like and who she was touching. Red grabbed her waist, pulling her closer. But she wasn’t in the mood to be chained down right now. She pushed his hands away as gently as she could, sweat running down her wrists. She jumped in the air, pumping her fist as the song drew to its climax. The song ended and she was immediately disenchanted. She hated the next song. Grabbing Red by the wrist again, she left the dance floor, noticing others do so too. That song was so bad it cleared the floor, she thought. Obviously Red hadn’t noticed the song. He returned his hand to her neck and brought his mouth to hers, his lips hot and furious. She kissed him back, but her heart wasn’t in it. As his hands began to roam, she pulled away. He looked at her questioningly.
“I don’t really feel like it right now.” She said apologetically.
“You are the weirdest chick I know. I’m going to get a drink.”
Asha sighed as Red walked away from her, with an obviously bruised ego. She had always been more fascinated by the possibilities of being with Red, not the realities.
“I hate these amateur parties, don’t you?” a cool voice said from behind her. Asha turned to see a tall well dressed woman sitting on her couch, a glass of cola mixed with something in her hand. Her brunette hair was pulled back into a high ponytail and her small mouth curved into a smirk.
“Actually I find them rather charming, depending on the guests invited.” replied Asha, with an acidic smile.
“Come sit and tell me the who’s who of these socialite guests, then.”
Asha sat down as gracefully as she could, hoping she didn’t smell too much of sweat.
“Well, that girl with the pink dress and the rather unfortunate nose-that’s Lucinda Hamilton, the heiress. The guy she’s dancing with is Hal Pitmar, the achingly hip fashion designer and-
“Oh, I’m not really interested in knowing every C-lister in the place. I’m just rather surprised you could get them all to come to such a modest dwelling.” the stranger said snootily. “I’m Leslie, by the way. I work at a very exclusive club downtown. I’m here because I’m rather interested in the little shindigs you’ve been throwing.”
“Taken your clientele, have I? I’m dreadfully sorry. Won’t happen again.”
“Yes it will. You have a natural charm and influence which draws people to you. Look at this pathetic excuse for a party. A little cheap booze and an overpriced DJ these people are going wild for it. Having a better time than they’ve had in years. I know why, too, even if you don’t.”
Asha bristled.
“If this is some drug thing, I swear... You’re being very rude. You can leave now!”
“I’m afraid I’m not going to leave. I’m going to go outside and you are going to join me for a little chat.”
“Why would I do that?”
“You’re curious about what I have to say, or at least you should be.” Leslie got off the couch and walked out without a second glance at her new acquaintance.
Asha sat uncertainly on the couch. Her hands clenched the fabric of her skirt. With a moment’s hesitation, she got up and followed the woman outside.
The night air was cool and calm. Asha could hear the bass sounds of the music inside, but apart from that it was quiet. The woman sat on the bench in the garden, surrounded by Asha’s sad little flowerpots. Her eyes glittered in the streetlamp’s light. Asha walked over to her, her heels clinking along the garden path.
“So, what did you really come to this party for then?” Asha’s voice sounded too loud after talking over the music.
“I’m Leslie Moyer and I have a proposition for you. I’d like to offer you a job. We’ve come to notice your specific talents and think you’d be perfect for it.”
“We?”
“Well, me, my employer and the rest of our team. I hope this doesn’t creep you out, but we’ve been watching you closely and think you have what it takes to join us.”
“Why am I so special? What special talents do I have that would make me good at working at a nightclub?”
“Not just a regular old nightclub. We make the big bucks and it’s not because we deal drugs or anything so mundane. Would you call yourself a sceptic, Asha?”
She started.
“I’m not sure what you mean...sceptic about what?”
“Well, you know, the possibilities of the mind. Psychics, telepathy, hypnotism, collective consciousness...”
“I’ve not really thought about it. What exactly is the job you are offering me?” Asha was being to get frustrated.
“A promoter. Not just for the club, that hardly needs promoting, obviously. But behind that we are a sort of public relations agency. We control what the public thinks of our celebrity clients or of the newest product. Our fees are astronomical, but we’ve got a special advantage. We’re psychic.”
“Oh really? Guess what I’m thinking now. You’re nuts.”
“I can’t read your thoughts. It’s not like that. We’re...manipulators. Have you ever noticed that when you start thinking about something that you haven’t thought about in ages, you see it everywhere? It’s not just that you are more aware of it. Everyone’s feeling the same way. That’s us. The classics are mainly classics because people like us keep putting them out there because we think they are the best. Why else would anyone read Dickens?”
“His characterisation?”
“Hardly. Asha, you can influence people. People always give you whatever you want and you don’t even notice. The girls at school that wore the same clothes as you- it wasn’t your fantastic fashion sense. Bonds singlets are hardly couture.”
“But I’m not...I mean, this is crazy. It’s crazy! I’m just popular, people like me. It’s not some kind of super power.”
“I’m giving you the opportunity to find out exactly what it is. When we aren’t making our fortune, we’re doing research. With our help, you could develop to one the strongest we’ve ever seen. Plus, you can make a lot of money. You can get out of this crappy neighbourhood, stop wearing cheap jewellery, you can finally be someone! You can take this opportunity and change your life. Don’t tell me that’s not what you want.”
Leslie opened her Chanel clutch and pulled out a business card. She handed it to Asha.
“Call me when you decide, or better yet drop into the club.”
Leslie got up and walked down the path and onto the street. Asha watched her until she was out of sight. She hadn’t even realised she was holding her breath until she took a big gulp of air from the still night. Her head pounded. She was sick of the music and the party and wanted everyone to leave. It suddenly seemed so unimportant as she clutched Leslie’s card in her hand.
hehe Anyway, on with the review!
Maybe have Asha comment on this or maybe that's just Red's personality. It's up to you in what direction you want to take this ^_^ 