SAGE
Even after more than two months, nothing has changed. Every day I wake up, every day there is the pain. I just get better at avoiding it, avoiding any feelings at all.
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BASIL
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"What do you think she's called?"
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I take a sip of my drink before answering Xaviers question.
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"Who knows, man. Just ask her instead of pestering me."
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"Maybe she's called Eve. Or Apple..."
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Xaviers eyes are fastened on a girl I can't see from behind the bar. I push a Rum & Coke towards him, shaking my head.
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"Do you even hear yourself? Maybe she's called snake, that's just as corny. I hope you didn't think about using that as a line on her."
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"Whatever, dude, you're called Basil. It's not like your parents should've smoked any more weed."
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"Think twice about being rude to the owner of the club you're ogling women in every weekend." I retort.
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Xavier and I go way back, which is why I tolerate some of his douche behaviour. But only some.
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"Sorry, man, you're fine, you're fine!", Xavier raises his hand in a gesture meant to placate me. It actually does work, because it shows he still has a healthy amount of respect for me. As he should.
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"I should go up to her, shouldn't I? I should just do it!"
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"Sure." I take another sip of my drink and hide my grin behind the rim of the glass. Xavier will fuck this up for sure, and I'm in for the treat of watching him do it.
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When he doesn't move from his spot at the bar, I give him an encouraging shoulder pat. He straightens, takes two steps towards the dancing crowd and then pretty much disappears into it, since he's wearing a shirt and dark jeans like every other guy in the club, including me.
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With my elbows propped on the bar top, I try to find him again, but my eyes find someone else instead. On the edge of the dance floor, a woman clad in a black longsleeve moves in sync with the staccato beat of the house music currently playing. The strobe lighting produces mesmerizing reflexes on her long, black hair and high cheekbones. Her eyes are closed and she looks completely lost in her own movements, isolated from the mass of writhing bodies around her. Nobody dares coming too close to her, even though she is undoubtedly attractive. No one dares to break her trance.
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While watching her, I realize: People like her are the sole reason I sometimes show up at my own club. To make sure it is still a place where lost people can find solace, even if it's only for a few hours.
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And then I groan, because I see Xavier moving in her direction.
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