Snippet #2293518

Deirdre finished her bagel. She ignored the book, apprehensive about opening it again and reading more of the poem. She focused instead on other textbooks, lesson notes. She yawned.

Her phone beeped. Deirdre checked the text message. It was one of her roommates, Ally.

Going partying tonight? You in?

She smirked.

You have to ask? Hitting classes now, be back around 5. Grab some chinese and then get ready?

She waited for the response and began to plan her outfit in her head. She didn’t own much in the way of ‘club’ clothes but she didn’t care. Deirdre liked to dance and liked the crowd, the feeling of being lost in the push of people.

Sounds good to me. Rebel?

Deirdre stood and grabbed her coat.

Absolutely.

She hit send and gathered her books into her bag. She began to head for her classes, thoughts of dancing, the thrum of the bass and the crowd filling her head.

Deirdre was barely able to concentrate as she sat through lecture after lecture, taking notes and highlighting things. She retained none of it but didn’t matter she would just read it again later.

In her last class she sat, her phone out and was busy flicking through media sites when she overheard two girls in the seats behind her.

“Did you hear about the girl they found? Her throat was like slit or something.”

“Eww...some real sickos out there. Let me guess boyfriend did it when he caught her cheating.”

Deirdre felt wave of guilt come over her. She shook it off, confused at to what caused it. She had never kissed a boy let alone had a boyfriend. She certainly had never cheated on anyone.

“There is nothing about a suspect but apparently she had been out with friends before they found her.”

“So like every other girl over 17 in this city. Nothing new, they will catch the guy and he will turn out to be some loner who wanted a girlfriend and she turned him down.”

Deirdre frowned. Her phone buzzed with a text. She thought it would be Ally again but instead sighed.

Hi sweetie! How’s our princess? Just wanted to say hello and to find out how you were doing.

Her mom had seen the news likely, heard about the girl and next would come the text about being safe, studying instead of going out, a good girl makes sure to keep her grades up....

Hi mom, in class. Can’t talk.

Deirdre waited for it.

Oh sorry honey! Just wanted to say hello and remind you to study hard, and stay safe. Daddy says hi to his little girl. Glad you aren’t doing like other kids and ditching classes to party. You are our princess. Love you!

She almost gagged. They would never stop, she knew it. They wanted her back in ballet, back under the careful watch of teachers and choreographers. Grueling hours that didn’t allow for her to have a life or friends.

Love you too.

She shoved her phone into her pocket and settled in as the professor arrived.

By 4:20 she was ready to go home. She hadn’t run into Tim again, despite detouring through the student union on her way to her classes. Hat on her head and coat done up, Deirdre slung her messenger bag over her body and headed out onto the campus. Her finger hit a button on her phone and music began playing in her ears. It drowned out the other sounds.

“'cause it was trapped
Trapped between two lungs
It was trapped between two lungs
It was trapped between two lungs

And my running feet could fly
Each breath screaming: "We are all too young to die!"

Between two lungs it was released
The breath that passed from you to me
It flew between us as we slept
That slipped from your mouth into mine
It crept between two lungs”

She hummed along as she headed home.

Ally was waiting for her, containers of rice and stir fry on the small table. “No one else is home yet.” The blonde handed Deirdre the bag with the egg rolls. She dropped her bag by the couch and undid her coat as she took the greasy bag.

“All good, not in a rush anyway right?” She sat cross legged on the couch opposite Ally. Deirdre bit into the egg roll. “Mmm, thank you for grabbing dinner.”

Ally nodded a spoonful of rice on its way to her mouth. They ate in silence for a time.

“Did you see the news?” Deirdre put a container down, her stomach full. Ally nodded, “That girl? Yeah I saw. That is why we go out in pairs.”

Deirdre nodded, “Guess you gotta be careful. She was blonde like you.” She smirked a little at her roommate.

Ally laughed, “Right cause us blonde girls we get all the attention from the crazies.”

By 7:00 everyone was home though only Ally and Deirdre were up for a night out. They showered and dressed. By 9:30 they were making their way to the subway. Deirdre couldn’t wait to get there.

They walked up to the club, the line was stretched out, though not as long as at other clubs. Ally dragged Deirdre to the front of the line. The bouncer looked both girls over and smiling let them in.

The sound hit them hard as soon as they opened the door. Deirdre felt her heart pound with excitement, matching the vibrating of her ribs from the beat. They checked their coats and headed into the crowd.

She danced and danced, pausing only for a glass of water every once and awhile. Deirdre lost sight of Ally for a while but by 2:00 am the girls had found each other on the dance floor. An hour later they were leaving the club, cheeks flushed and smiles on their faces.

“Thanks for tonight.” Ally gave her a wink before tiptoeing into her room. Deirdre smiled and closed her bedroom door. She changed and collapsed into her bed. She wasn’t going to bother with classes today. Sleep called and she answered.