“Awright, m’girl, you owe me a tale of lezzie lust an’ love.” Alexandra draped her arms around Kimberly’s neck. “Details, luv. Details.”

            “If you’ll get the fuck off me, I might not kill ya’ for askin’.”

            “Ooh, snippy girl.” Alix withdrew. “I was thinking we’d hit Annihilation tonight. It’s where the wannabe’s hang, but there’s always a few good musicians.”

            “Y’think I’d be caught dead in Annihilation? I have my pride, Alix. I have my pride.”

            “How ‘bout The Outstretched Hand, then?”

            “You payin’?”

            “What the hell.”

            “Bloody good deal. An’ it’s only a block away.”

            Alexandra bugged Kim for more information about the previous night as they walked there, but Kim always ducked away from the topic. When they reached The Outstretched Hand, she whirled around and told Alix to “bloody well quit bangin’ on! I’m not talkin’.”

            Alix entered first, mimicking Kim’s outburst. She found them a spot at the bar and waited for her friend to join her. “Y’know, Kim, I just wanna’ know how good she is.”

            “She’s just peachy,” Kim muttered.

            “C’mon. What’d you do?”

            “Too much hard alcohol.”

            “And?”

            Then the club’s band decided to start their set. Recognizing it, Kim looked to the stage. “Oh, bloody hell! Same boy-goth band. Those lads are sure busy.”

            “Who are they?”

            “Wasted Assumption.”

            “They’re kinda’ good. Think they’d have any groupies who can play?”

            “I don’t want any bloody groupies in my band!”

            “Yes, ma’am, Kimberly!”

            “’Sides, goth groupies would want to play goth.”

            “They’re not that goth.”

            “Listen to the lyrics, would ya’?”

            The front boy-goth was gripping the microphone like it would fly away if he wasn’t careful. He leaned into it, screaming. “Break away! I suffer for your taphephobia. I won’t follow you into your blood soaked grave. Your kisses are sharp and your tongue is so sweet, but keep it to yourself, bitch! I’ve gotta’ break away!”

            “Goth enough for ya’?” Kimberly got the bartender’s attention and ended up getting a lime margarita. “They were playin’ last night.”

            “Oh, the girl can speak of last night. Go on, luv.”

            “It was weird at first. I had to get a little drunk before I could talk to her. Then I got really drunk, for no reason, even. Just kept drinkin’. We got outta’ there and went back to her place.”

            Alix choked. “What the bloody hell did you do?”

            “I don’t rightly remember.”

            “You don’t?”

            “Nah. I woke up in my scanties, in her bed. She swears she never took full advantage, but I don’t know what to believe.”

            “Ever going to talk to the bitch again?”

            “Yeah.”

            Alix took the margarita away from Kimberly. “You’ve had enough already, luv.”

            “What? You’re the one who’s been batting for the other side before, ‘less you were lying to me about that.”

            “Nah, I wasn’t lying, I just don’t think it’s smart for you to get into this.”

            “You’re the one who shoved me into it, Alix dear. Didn’t think I’d get the hang of it, did ya’?”

            “You didn’t get the hang of it, that’s why I’m worried. Look, Gwen’s into that side all the way. She’s too experienced to be your first.”

            “Well, too late for that.”

            “Don’t tell me you’re gonna’ start going with her!”

            Kimberly grabbed her drink back from Alexandra. “As a matter of fact, I think I might. Jealous?”

            “Worried. I always genuinely thought you were straight.”

            “Then what was that entire deal on Wednesday, and what the bloody hell was up with settin’ me up with Gwen?”

            “I was just buggin’ ya’! I never thought it’d go this way.”

            “Well, it went this way. Bugger off, would ya’? She’s nice, she’s smart, she’s hot, she listens to great music.”

            “And she prob’ly raped ya’.”

            “I’m sure I said yes; I was piss bloody drunk, remember?”

            “So that makes it all okay?”

            “You’re the one who started this, Alix. Don’t get so upset.”

            “It was a bloody joke!”

            “It was a joke that went to far, then, but I don’t mind. Why can’t you get that?”

            “Jesus, I’m sorry, Kim.”

            “What’s so wrong with Gwen, anyway?”

            “She’s just ... bloody hell, she’s a goth, Kim. You want to get yourself mixed up with a goth? They’re always the extremes. What if she ends up bein’ into S&M or some other weird shit like that? Please just back down.”

            “No. I like her. I’m goin’ for it.”

            “Bloody hell,” Alix muttered. “Well, I suggest you get a bit more drunk, then, so you’ll be willing to listen to a voice of reason. I’m off to search for our next band mate.”

            “You’re payin’ for all I drink, remember?”

            “Yeah, well, it’ll be a relief to get you drunk enough to talk you out of this new, insane fancy of yours.” Alexandra walked away from Kimberly, into the crowd of people. She came back two or three drinks later, with a pierced and half-bald punkish girl. The right side of her head was covered with long, pure white hair with streaks of everything from pink to what looked like dry blood.

            “And who is this?” Kim got off the bar stool.

            “Kimberly, meet Jennifer Coleman. She’s another guitarist.”

            Kim gave Alix a look but didn’t say anything.

            “Look, your friend Alix here told me she’s already the guitarist, and I know she must be far better than me. I’m not askin’ for major exposure. You can dump me right a’ the back o’ the stage, I just wanna’ be able to play with a punk band. It’s my ultimate dream. I’m awesome for a backup guitarist, and if you want Alix doing any solos or anything, you’ll need backup to keep the sound together.”

            “Sounds kinda’ like you’re pleadin’. I don’t like that.” Kim sat down again, waiting for Jennifer’s reaction.

            “I don’t need your bloody band, bitch. I’m not gonna’ go crawl home an’ cry ‘cause you didn’t let me in. It’s an interest, nothin’ bloody more, and I’m not gonna’ make your bloody day by bein’ hurt by you. I’ve had many an offer to join boy groups to be their li’l poster girl, and I could take up any o’ those any day. I don’t want that, but if you’re gonna’ bloody well sit there with your head up your ass, I’ll be glad to walk away now.”

            As she was turning to do just that, Kimberly started laughing. Jennifer turned to look at Alix. “Is she drunk?”

            “No, I’m not bloody well drunk. You’re a bitch.”

            Jennifer blinked.

            “I like that. I like you. Welcome aboard.”

            Alix let out a breath. “Well, she thinks you’re a bitch, that’s her ultimate approval. You’ll fit in well with us if even Kim thinks you’re a bitch.”

            “So do you two have anyone else in your band yet?”

            “Not yet.” Kim picked up her drink. “Slowly but surely, we’ll build ourselves up.”

            “Have you been writin’ any songs yet?”

            “Oh, I have a few million in my back pocket.”

            “Yeh? I’d like t’ check out your style sometime, then, see what I’ll have to do with myself to match.”

            “I can accept that. Want a drink? Alix is paying.”

            Alix took a stool and called Kim a bitch under her breath.

            “Thank you kindly, m’dear. Now, I think we should discuss the topic of what we’ll call this band. I was thinking something along the lines of ... Kim and Her Bitches, maybe?”

This chapter includes lyrics to In Defiance, off Wasted Assumption's first album, Torrent of Tears.
The lyrics were written by 'Elvyn Daray', and are © LL Hager, 2000.

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