"Co on, we’re almost there!" Stephanie said excitedly as she walked down the dimly lit stairs.
John narrowed his eyes at Stephanie. He understood her excitent, but he had a hard ti keeping up with her pace.
"Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Because we’re late, duh," she retorted.
"I’m sure they’ll wait for us."
The sound of music grew louder as they climbed down the stairs.
"I wonder what kind of party this is going to be?"
"Who knows? I’m just happy we’re doing sothing different."
"It’s good to have a break from the apocalypse."
The stairwell was dark, but the faint glow of the party below made their descent easier.
"This is weird," John muttered, his hand brushing against the cold concrete wall.
"What is?" Stephanie asked.
"The walls are cold."
"Oh, I think that’s from an ice-type monster," Dalia replied.
"I see," John muttered and they continued their descent until they arrived at an imposing steel door.
"Here we are," Stephanie said.
She pushed the door open and the party’s noise engulfed them.
They stepped out into a massive underground warehouse. The cavernous space was packed with people, the air filled with the sound of music, laughter, and conversation.
"Wow, this is sothing," John said as they walked further into the crowd.
"John, do you want sothing to drink?" Stephanie asked, a smile playing on her lips.
"Sure, why not?"
"What would you like?"
"How about a beer?"
"Coming right up," Stephanie replied.
Stephanie left and Julia took her place beside him, her arm wrapping around his.
"This is crazy," John exclaid.
"You’re telling ," Dalia added.
"I can’t believe they managed to put together a party like this."
"Yeah, it’s amazing," Julia said.
"So, what do you think?" Dalia asked.
"It’s good. It seems they thought it through. The sound doesn’t escape and it’s well hidden. They need this," John said, his eyes scanning the warehouse, "we all need it."
"You’re right. Everyone seems to be having a great ti," Dalia added.
"It’s good to see everyone relaxed," Julia agreed.
"And I think you girls deserve a drink, too," John added.
"What are you waiting for, then? Let’s get a drink," Dalia said and the won led him to the makeshift bar.
There were four people working the bar, all of them young and attractive.
"Hi there, how can I help you?" A red-haired woman asked, her eyes darting between the three won.
"I’ll have a beer," John answered.
"And for you ladies?"
"A martini," Dalia replied.
"A Cosmo," Stephanie said.
"A strawberry daiquiri," Julia added.
"Coming right up," the bartender said.
As the bartender got to work, John turned to observe the crowd. There were hundreds of people, most of them dancing and drinking. He observed silently until his gaze landed on Octavia sitting alone in a corner.
"Why is she all alone?" John asked.
"She’s not exactly popular, is she?" Dalia said, and John sighed.
"You know, you could try being nicer to her. She’s not a bad person."
"I didn’t say she was," Dalia retorted.
"But you don’t like her," John pointed out.
"It’s not that," Dalia insisted.
"What is it, then?"
"I don’t know. There’s sothing about her that rubs the wrong way," Dalia said, her eyes narrowing.
"That’s not very fair," John said.
"Hey, you don’t have to live with her," Dalia argued, referring to the common facilities they share in her side of the dormitories.
"I suppose not. But that doesn’t an you have to be rude," John retorted.
"I’m not being rude. I’m just not going to pretend to like soone who clearly doesn’t like ," Dalia defended herself.
"Fair enough. Anyway, stay here, I’ll go talk to her."
"Why do you have to do that?" Dalia asked, frowning.
"She’s a good friend, Dalia," John said and turned away, walking towards the lonely figure.
He sat next to Octavia and she glanced at him.
"Hi there, beautiful," he greeted her with a smile.
"You know that won’t work, right?"
"What?"
"Your usual bullshit," Octavia clarified.
John chuckled. "I co to keep you company and you snap at ?"
"I didn’t ask for company," Octavia snapped.
"Ouch. What’s wrong, Tav? I’ve never seen you act like this."
"Like what?"
"Like a bitch," John answered, and her gaze beca a glare.
"What did you just call ?"
"You heard ."
Octavia frowned.
"Do you really want to pick a fight with , John?"
"I don’t. But you’re acting weird. You’re usually nicer. More cheerful."
"I don’t feel like it," Octavia said, her eyes returning to her untouched beer.
"I can see that. What’s going on, Tav?"
"Sorry, John. I just feel so powerless. My brother is still out there and after seeing what they were doing to Julia, I can’t even begin to imagine what he’s going through."
"I know. I’m sorry. I wish there was sothing I could do."
"Thank you, John. It ans a lot to ."
"Be patient, Tav. Preparations for the war are underway. We have to find Nova, train other settlents, and gain more allies. Then, we can take the fight to the Luminars and get August back."
"I know. It’s just... I hate feeling so powerless."
" too, Tav. too."
John sighed and wrapped his arm around Octavia’s shoulder.
"Co with us. Have so drinks and relax."
"No, thanks. I’m not in the mood," Octavia declined.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Just leave alone, okay? I need to be alone right now," Octavia answered, and John nodded.
"Alright. I’ll check on you later," John said and kissed her forehead, his hand resting on her shoulder.
Just as he turned around, he felt a bump on his hip and found a petite, pink-haired beauty cladded in a skimpy dress.
"Sorry, sorry—Oh, John."
It was Maria who struggled not to spill her two drinks as she apologized, and then her expression brightened as she recognized him.
"How are you doing, cutie?" John asked and caressed her cheek.
"I’m doing fine," Maria said, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink.
"That’s good to hear," John said and glanced at the two glasses in her hand.
"Oh, this one is mine," Maria answered and pointed to the glass with a yellowish liquid, "and the other one is yours," she finished and handed him a glass.
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