Page 30 of Doesn't Count

I look over on the couch and see a chick with black and dark purple hair. Her face is littered with piercings, two in her right brow, a septum ring, and a lip ring. Not to mention the metal on her tongue.

“Ash, this is Hailey. Hailey, this is Ash.” Kokytos introduces.

I nod my head at her, “Girlfriend?”

“Worshiper.” she deadpans.

I pinch my lips together, but she busts out laughing.

“Yeah, girlfriend. I come around from time to time. You’re the reporter girl, right?” She asks.

“Sort of. I’m a journalist, I’m documenting the journey ofthis tour.” I tell her, setting my bags down and joining her on the couch.

She tucks herself into Kokytos, who’s smoking a blunt. He passes it her way and she takes a long drag.

“How’s the tour been going?” She asks me.

I chuckle, “Uh, it’s different that’s for sure.”

“Yeah, it’s not for everyone. If I didn't have a decent job in Detroit, I’d follow.”

I nod, “If it weren’t for my job, I wouldn’t be here.”

She passes the joint my way, but I decline.

“You straight?” Hypnos asks from the chair on the side of us.

Khaos watches me as he lights a blunt of his own. Honestly, some people need it and he’s one of those people.

“Yeah, I think so. I mean, I've found girls attractive from time to time.” I confess.

Kokytos chokes out a laugh, coughing and Hypnos’ eyes light up playfully.

“I meant sober.” He corrects.

I can feel my cheeks turning a bright red. “Oh well, I’m technically on the job. I have to remain professional.”

Than comes over to the living room, placing his arm across my shoulders. “You’re off the clock now. You want a hit, take a hit. We won’t tell.”

I smile, contemplating if I should. What’s the worst that could happen?

I shrug, “Yeah, okay.”

Hailey passes me the blunt and I bring it to my lips, sucking it softly. Immediately, my lungs ache, and I begin to choke.

“Was that your first time?” She asks amused.

I nod, still coughing. Than grabs me a glass of water and I take a sip before I can finally breathe normally.

“Try again.”She says.

I do as I’m told, this time I take a slightly bigger hit and let it out.

“Nice.” She smiles, her septum ring hitting the cupids bow of her lip.

We get high, take a few shots of tequila, and shoot the shit for what seems like hours. At some point in the night, Khaos sits down on the couch and pulls me onto his lap. My body tenses up, but after a while, I finally find myself relaxing.

It’s nothing.

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