Haunting reality; it never ceases. You can never run from what is right in front of you, binding you to this world. It's odd to think that your life can be, and most times is, your greatest enemy. Reality has a very cruel and demonic way of compelling us to do the things we hate most. I know, lovely readers, that you think I may be melodramatic… overreacting to something that should be so insignificant. But when life melds with the dreams, it always ends in chaos. There is no happy medium when it comes to pleasure. You're either a good person, and get contentedness from that, or a bad one, and get the lustful satisfaction out of all the naughty things you shouldn't be doing. Sadly, I fell into the latter category. Now, I know you care only about the juicy tidbits about what these horrible acts were, and want the concise version you'd find on the news, but I prefer to drag things out. I want you to understand me; not only that, but feel what I felt. Only then, will you be permitted to say if I was right for what I did…

Morning broke painfully, the all too golden sun seeping through the slightly dusty window. Elena groaned at the harshness, feeling her body pulsating with an aching tingle. Her head wasn't just a throbbing mess of discombobulated thoughts and memory; it literally felt as if it was on fire. Elena had never felt a sensation quite like this, and she wasn't sure yet if she liked it. The obvious answer should be a no, because whatever this was had to be the aftermath of the drug she'd taken last night.

Last night…

Did she even remember? Engulfing her pounding forehead with her palm, and clenching her eyes shut, she tried desperately to recall last night's events. All she was met with was a black whooshing, that somehow projected the rainbow in the form of a Rorschach Test. Elena sighed heavily, and she felt her breath shudder as she exhaled. Whatever happened last night, and whatever she did, certainly destroyed her. Elena had never felt so physically broken, as she did right now. It was as if her body had been horridly beaten by her own mind. How could her brain even begin to throw a punch? The dark brunette stared off blankly; eyes locked on the stop sign across the street, and disregarded the question before she even finished asking herself it. Rubbing her oily face with heavy and lead-like hands, she could feel her thick mascara smudging all over her face and hands.

She didn't care, though. In fact, she didn't care about anything. Elena was far too drunk to notice the time, deduce where she was, or even begin to truly worry about whatever… activities she had performed the prior night. Even Jeremy, her beloved little brother whom she rarely ever let out of her mind, didn't even cross her thoughts. Biting her lip, Elena realized that this couldn't happen again. Despite the money that could come from being a part of this not so subtly underground business, was it worth all she'd lose? Because right now, she was in no condition to stand; let alone dance. Dragging a thoughtful thumb over her chapped lips, her mind was churning too slowly for her to get much accomplished other than sit there.

"Morning sleepyhead," a raspy yet oddly chipper voice greeted from the doorway. Elena turned carefully, to see Roxanne staring back at her in sarcastic enthusiasm. The girl's dark raven locks somehow annoyed Elena, and her bright green eyes were far too sober for the events that probably occurred the night before. How the hell could Roxanne recover so quickly? Elena licked her lips stiffly.

"What even happened last night…?" was all she had the strength to reply with. To be completely honest, she didn't truly care right now what'd happened. She just wanted some herbal tea, innocent Cheerios, with a side of berries and sugar. But looking around the dingy and dark state of the room, Elena got the vibe that that dream was not going to happen. Partying was definitely a tiring affair. Or maybe, Elena was just so inexperienced, that her body how no inkling of how to react or recuperate.

"I think you let loose for the first time in your life…" Roxanne drawled in return. Elena wasn't sure how genuine or caring this girl was (and didn't even know her last name, for that matter), so she kept her distance, sitting up safely on the bed. She raised an eyebrow, suspicious of Roxanne's answer.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Years of dancing and discipline had made her very uptight. Even Jeremy complained now and then about how she should take more risks. This coming for the guy who didn't want to go on his school field trip freshman year, because it was two and a half hours away…

"That's what you told me last night, so that's what happened: you had some fun." Roxanne shrugged her shoulders with an unnerving amount of blasé.

"Define fun," Elena said hesitantly, not sure if she even wanted to know the truth. It was so odd being in such a vulnerable position, while in the company of an utter stranger.

"I think stuff like that should be left up to the imagination, love. You'll come up with one hell of a story soon," Roxanne replied with a wink. Elena's senses were telling her it was time to run from here, and never come back. Only misery and destruction would surround her if she stayed.

"I—I um, need to get home…" she told Roxanne quietly, dropping the girl's intense green stare.

"Sure, do what you need. But you should come back tonight. It's a Saturday, and it's always a great payday." Roxanne flashed a momentary smile, somewhat akin to an overexcited child. The image was very off-color and off-putting to Elena. She'd never pair a place like this with the innocence of a child.

"I don't even know you," Elena retorted, hoping that was a good enough argument to get her off the hook.

"That's the point. When you're here, you can be Natasha, Betty, or Marilyn, or Angel… whoever and whatever you want. You're not supposed to know anyone here, because if you do, it ruins everything. Bringing your 'real' life onto this scene is never too good of a thing. So just think about it, alright? You know how to get here…"

With that, Roxanne tapped on the side of the door a few times in goodbye, and then disappeared out of Elena's view. Chest constricted, and sweat beginning to roll down her skin from the stress, she breathed in. she'd think about it…

Alright, so it's been literally forever since I've updated, and I'm sorry this chapter doesn't have much substance, or any Damon. But I did that purposefully, because I honestly need your ideas and opinions. I stopped updating because I had no idea where to being or what to do (since I've never done drugs, etc.). So please, any and all ideas would be much appreciated! (And thank you to all of those who still read this, even though it's been over a year; that's so awesome of you.) Plus sorry it's so short...

Reviews are love