someone's gonna love me different

She stayed right at the back for the service, spent more time looking around the crowd, trying to see if she could see anything that gave anyone away. Wasn't it always in those cheesy crime drama films that the murderer attended these types of things for their sick pleasure and amusement? What did she even look for anyway? She doubted there would be anything so obvious as a sign - if SHE could pick up on something like that, lord have mercy on why the Police hadn't caught them yet.

The service ended and Alex was the first one to spin around and go outside, almost immediately turning the corner into the backside of the venue and pulling out a cigarette. At least, she thought she was the first one out. Turns out one person had beat her around here. "Yo, yeah," Alex breathed out, nodding as she placed the cig between her lips. "Good turn out though, right? Like, it was a nice service 'n all that shit," she shrugged as she lit the stick. "Still fuckin' madness though," she shook her head. "Shittt..."

she herself lost someone she's very close with, devon was a great man, he had been nothing but good to anyone, whether he knew them or not. why would somebody ever do something as heinous as this to somebody like him?

"alex... you two used to have a good relationship, he was good to you, aren't you fuckin' bothered by all this?" she couldn't help but ask, perhaps there are things that she isn't aware of, whatever happened between the two of them not-so-long ago. "what....ever happened with that?"

Relief finally hit the moment she pushed through the doors and stepped outside. She wasn't sure what felt better, their air hitting her face, or taking the breath she didn't realize she was holding. Her fingers played with the bracelet around her wrist as she started down the steps. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn’t notice she’d drifted toward Antoinette until she was already there. Her head lifted slightly, surprise flickering across her features as she took the other girl in. “I know,” she said softly. Genevieve slipped her purse open, rummaging for a moment before pulling out a small pack of tissues. “Here.” She opened it and held it out to her.

"He was a great guy. It's a shame that this happened to him. I don't know why anyone would do this to anyone." Enzo placed his hands in the pockets of his trousers as he stood by Toni feeling a little awkward.

it was the first time enzo would see her in this state, unlike her usual mood at the midnight tease. she usually hides behind her mask, sort of like a character when she's performing for people. not like this, she couldn't hide how shaken up she was by it all, unlike weeks before this when the news came out. "sorry, enzo, i..." she takes a couple of deep exhales. "it's just been a rough day...i can't stand it, seeing him for the last time like that."

maisie stayed quiet for a moment, letting her finish, letting the words sit instead of rushing to fill the space. ❝ that doesn't sound stupid at all. ❞ she said firmly, and shook her head. ❝ you're doing your damn hardest, trying to get through this, however you can. ❞

"you know... he would laugh at me for the chaotic shit i have been doing the past couple of weeks..." she chuckles at herself. "but he'd give me good advice. he always did that, you know? beneath all that goofiness you see...or hear, he's really smart, really good at what he did."

maisie didn't hesitate, already reaching into her bag to offer the cigarette, her lighter following a second later. ❝ here, ❞ she said softly. she stayed close, not crowding - just enough that antoinette wouldn't feel alone. ❝ i don't think he'd hold it against you today of all days. we all have our vices. ❞

"i remember him always telling me he'd love to have me around a little longer every time he catches me smokin'. now this damn fool left me, i...why would somebody decide to take him just like that..."

starter - open

maisie hated funerals - although, didn't everyone ?? she wasn't even sure if she belonged here, she was an acquaintance of devon's at best. but still, maisie knew she needed to go and say her final goodbye. it didn't help that she was stuck in the same itchy black dress her mother had picked out for her abuelita's funeral - the one she'd sworn she'd never wear again. funerals were usually a sad occasion, but this felt...heavier. maisie couldn't get her head around any of it.

it took a lot in antoinette to be present for this funeral, she had been crying some nights, rereading the news, going through they old photos together, remembering devon's advises to her whenever she would be struggling with something. she would sometimes forget and hover over his contact to call him about the sadness she'd feel, but then she realizes, devon's gone. he was somebody she leaned on when she left her father's home until she was able to stand on her own two feet. what could be the reason for all this? she was yet to understand, along with the people who continues to question it, if they could ever find out the truth one day.

her eyes narrow a little in consideration of the other's offer. but how could she trust the other would pay up at a later date? if the tables were turned, alex certainly wouldn't - wasn't like you could take away the action of opening a backdoor. she fished in her pockets for the beaten up pack of marlboro lights, flipping the lid open and placing one between her lips. might as well tie in a smoke break to going out the back. "fifty bucks here and now, final offer," alex said as she picked up the 'employee break, back in 10' sign and threw it lightly onto the countertop. "you want out or what?"

antoinette scrambles for her wallet, grabbing a couple of tens, not really caring as it looked more than what alex asked for as she handed them to the employee. "hell yeah i want out of this place—i mean, not in that way, this place is cute!" she starts to explain, not wanting for alex to take offense about what she just said. "i just really, really want to leave that situation, and not...do this again, you know?" she scrambles to explain as she follows the other.

She had assumed the connection between her and the other woman she'd come in with not too long ago; it wasn't hard to see the awkward signs of early online dating. Alex didn't know why people bothered with that shit, not even just the dating apps, but dating in general. Seemed like a waste of time. "Yo," she responded, not moving a muscle from her slouched position. "You tried the front door?" Alex glanced past Antionette to the exit door and back. "Although I guess the bell might give you away," she shrugged. "There's a back employee-only door through the office but it's gonna cost ya."

"i wouldn't have asked if i didn't give a damn about the door bell..." she lets out an exhausted sigh, running her fingers through her hair. at the mention of the employee-only back door, it got her hopes up, but she's expected that alex isn't going to let her out without anything in change. "now...tell me what i have to do, i'll get you free drinks or a free dance at the club...whatever, alex, i just have to get the hell out of here or that date will make me die of boredom..."

ANNIE GROVER

of course june remembered the guy. it's like he had practically reeked of entitlement the second he walked in the door. he already reeked of booze, the stench clinging to his clothes as if someone had thrown a drink in his face ( perhaps juniper was jealous she hadn't thought of the idea first ).

" should'a guessed. guy's a prick. " june's eyes narrow -- venom dripping from her words. southern drawl as smooth as honey, but there's some poison behind it. " what we provide is a service, baby. just as we offer it, we can just as quickly refuse. " eyes finally seek him out. " i'm happy t'ruin a fuckin' birthday. " her gaze turns back to her friend for a moment, brows furrowing in a sign of concern. " but you're a'ight? did he hurt ya? "

"i've refused more than once, he didn't touch me, but he's really been so annoying, telling me all the things he could give me, as if i asked!" she rolls her eyes, recalling her conversation with the said patron. "then he called me a bitch because i told him to put his money where his mouth is." she looks back, glaring at the man trying to woo the dancer that was on the stage this time. "i don't want to get you in trouble with pablo...we can just call one of the big guys."

"i'm staying here for the rest of the time he's still here, i hope he gets kicked out...can i have my usual though, while we wait" she asks, fluttering her eyelashes at the bartender. she didn't want to dwell on something that could ruin her night. besides the money, all antoinette wants is to have fun at her job. it was one of the most important things for her. "how is...everything with you, by the way?"