Austin Kirwan
Stories (2/0)
Karmin’s Night Out
It was Karmin's first night out in nearly 2 weeks. With the recent materials shortage, Ludvick had been ordered to ramp up production which meant longer hours for those on shift who actually did the work. So she decided to spend tonight at The Black Hole, a local dive this side of Deck 26. Walking up, it was the same as ever, the same crooked sign reading 'Happy Hour 4-9' still in the window, though every regular knew that Dain hadn't had even a happy minute in weeks. The same illuminated 'Open' board shone its pink letters bright on the dark pavement in front of the homely facade you would miss if you weren’t looking for it, the door slightly ajar. Coming from it were the sounds of the live band entertaining the patrons inside, clinking drinks and conversation. Sounds like ‘Raising Illuminations’ we’re playing tonight. She missed it. Her favorite drink, The Booster Rocket and and it’s overpowering tanginess. Ordering a round of The Black Hole's 'claim to fame’, it’s Shooting Star shot; A dark liquor poured in a shot glass which was then disturbed by a shimmering liquid that sunk to the bottom of the drink, leaving a trail that created the illusion of a falling star. Best thing Dain had done since opening the joint. But for the next 8 hours, Karmin could be happy, be herself, be free.
By Austin Kirwan3 years ago in Fiction
Juliett
Juliett. She’s the only reason I’m here. I don’t actually belong here and I don't want to be here otherwise. This music is pounding, hurting my head. These people are annoying, running around and yelling. This drink is awful, way too strong. And it took us 30 minutes just to get in. The club scene has never been for me, I prefer to be home, or working, or working at home. But when my friends say Juliett is coming out, I force myself out. It’s worth it to see her, moving like an aerialist's silk ribbon on the dance floor, elegant, graceful, beautiful. And here I am, standing in my usual spot off the main floor, with the same bad drink in hand, surrounded by the same annoying people, watching in silence. “Hey! Hey, Michael!” One of my friends, Austin, appears through the mass of people toward me, “Ya, know. We’ve been coming here, what? Every week for about two years?” “Ever since we started working together, yes.” I responded. “Right. Well my point is, at LEAST half those times, Juliett has come with us and just about everyone knows you have the hots for her and you’ve never tried to talk to her once!” “We’ve had this conversation before,” I retort, “I can’t just walk up to her, she’ll think I’m weird.” “Well I think you’re weird and you still come and walk up to me.” From behind me now, another of my friends, Dylan, enters the conversation, “Austin’s right, you wanna spend every Friday in this corner watching her?” “I already do.” “Yes, and we all know how much fun you have every time.” I assume he meant that jokingly. The last of the friends I came with tonight saw our gathering and made his way over, Morgan, “Juliett?” He looked at Dylan and Austin, they nodded. “Alright.” Morgan said and in one fell swoop, Austin took my drink, Dylan laughed and Morgan lifted me up and began carrying me onto the dance floor. Being a good foot taller than me and this not being an uncommon occurrence already, he had little trouble in the matter. “Morgan I know what you’re trying to do but I do not need nor do I what your help in this matter, I have a plan and all I-” mid sentence I’m dropped and I stumble in a bid to keep my feet under me. As I am about to walk back the way I came I hear a voice from behind me, “Wanna dance?” It comes just loud enough to hear above the bass of the music but just soft enough to know who’s lips it came from.
By Austin Kirwan3 years ago in Fiction