Chapter Two-hundred Seven: Clubbing Mean Girls

Chapter 207

Clubbing Mean Girls

A few hours earlier…

Lena was out on the lawn examining the flowerbed and cupping her chin about what other flowers to add.

A pink BMW rolled up to Jordi’s house. Gina sat in the passenger’s seat, seething at Lena. She wore a purple off-the-shoulder dress, a large black belt, a purple hair bow, purple triangular earrings, and black strappy sandals.

In the driver’s side was an Italian-American woman with massive, crimped, hot-pink hair that exploded with volume. It's pulled back into a high “fountain” style, secured by a large, teal-blue fabric bow. Her eyes were a striking electric blue, framed by thick lashes. She had a small, refined nose and soft pink lips. She was Gina’s 22-year-old best friend, Chloe Paretti. She wore a sparkling pink tube dress with a large heart buckle. Over her dress was a white blazer with wide shoulders. On her feet were sparkling pink heels, and she had large gold hoops in her ears.

The woman in the backseat had voluminous, wavy, light-blue hair with a slightly messy, “beachy” texture and wispy bangs. Her soft blue eyes were large and expressive. She had a soft, oval face with a small nose and pink, slightly pursed lips. She wore large, asymmetrical pink-and-red geometric earrings and a delicate gold chain featuring a prominent heart-shaped pink gemstone pendant. She wore an iconic oversized windbreaker in hot pink and teal. It was covered in stylized, colorful “patches” and geometric graphics. Underneath the loud jacket, she wore a black tank top. She also wore white pants and white heels. She was Gina’s friend, Nicole Scorza, who was 21 years old at the time.

Gina: “I can’t believe that slut is now living with him and going to put flowers in his garden.”

She seethed as she trembled.

Chloe: “Are you ready to get her into the trap?”

She smirked.

Gina: “YES, I am ready! How dare Jordi leave me?!”

She cried.

Nicole: “Especially for a younger, slimmer girl.”

She chirped. Gina turned to her in a fury.

Gina: “SHUT UP! I AM NOT OLD OR FAT!”

She screamed. Nicole shrank into her seat.

Nicole: “S-Sorry, Gina…”

Chloe scoffed and flipped her hair.

Chloe: “Let’s get her in. She looks like she’s easy to fool.”

The three women stepped out of the car and sauntered to Lena.

Gina forced a smile.

Gina: “Hey, there, I love your… dress.”

She said through clenched teeth. Lena looked around and reddened.

Lena: “Hehehehehe, really?”

Gina’s right eye twitched.

Gina: “Y-Yeah! S-So are you living here now?”

Lena looked back at Jordi’s house and turned to Gina and her friends with a wide smile.

Lena: “Yes, I moved here last night.”

Gina clenched her fist, and her jaw tightened.

Chloe stood in front of Gina.

Chloe: “So what’s your name? We want to hang out with some more girls, and there’s this hot new spot in town.”

She smirked.

Lena: “Lena!”

She chirped.

Lena: “What hot spot?”

She smiled.

Chloe: “This new nightclub.”

She leaned over and smirked.

Lena: “Oh, I can’t drink yet. I’m only 18!”

She laughed. Gina’s jaw tightened.

Chloe: “Oh, that’s cool! This place allows people who are 18 to 20.”

She waved her hand.

Chloe: “I’m Chloe, by the way, and this is Nicole!”

She pointed to Nicole, who waved.

Nicole: “Hi, Lena! You’re so pretty!”

She smiled. Lena blushed.

Lena: “Thank you, so are you!”

Gina sneered at Nicole.

Chloe: “And this is Gina!”

Gina turned to Lena.

Gina: “Did Jordi ever mention me?”

Lena blinked.

Lena: “No? Why do you ask?”

Gina wanted to throttle her on the spot, but Chloe led them to her car.

Chloe: “It’s a long story, but we want to get to know you better.”

Lena grabbed her purse and got into the backseat with Nicole.

Nicole: “Oh, I love your purse!”

Lena giggled.

Lena: “Thanks, Jordi got it for me!”

Gina seethed and fumed. He’s buying that slut everything, she thought.

~

They arrived at a one-story brick building. A prominent retro sign hung over the sidewalk. It features “Basement 42” in a cursive red neon script atop a glowing white lightbox that reads “NIGHT CLUB 18+” in bold, black serif lettering. Smaller neon signs for “Open 24 Hours” flickered in the windows.

On the side of the building, a large, macabre mural depicted a skeleton holding a bottle of liquor next to the phrase: “WE ALL SMILE IN THE END.” Lena gazed at the building and fiddled with her locket.

The girls stepped out of the car and went into the nightclub.

They entered the nightclub, which had exposed brick walls, a dark industrial ceiling with visible track lighting, and concrete floors, providing a raw backdrop. The heavy use of neon accents—specifically bright cyan, deep red, and electric blue—softened this, casting a futuristic glow over the more traditional elements.

A long bar with a brick base was illuminated by a red neon strip tucked under the counter—a row of minimalist black barstools with red cushioned tops lined the bar.

Dominating the right side of the club was a massive, stylized jukebox. It featured a glowing cyan arch and intricate, vintage-style typography on its front panels.

The walls were densely packed with framed posters, many of which appeared to be for bands or classic films, creating a “wall of fame” or gallery vibe.

There were a few simple dark-wood tables surrounded by an assortment of chairs, including sleek black padded seats and a single pop-of-color red wooden chair.

The place was crowded, with loud techno music blaring from the speakers and a DJ on the stage dancing. A large, burly man greeted the girls at the door.

Bouncer: “I need to see some ID.”

Gina and Chloe showed him their driver’s licenses. Nicole showed him her ID card. Lena paused, fumbled in her purse, and showed him her Treasure State ID. The bouncer examined it as it was out of state. He handed it back to Lena and placed a pink bracelet over her wrist.

Lena: “What’s this for?”

She asked.

Chloe: “It’s so the bartenders don’t serve you alcohol.”

She smiled.

~

Current time…

Chloe, Gina, and Nicole were dancing on the floor with some guys. Lena sat in a lounge, drinking a rainbow glitter mocktail.

A young man sat next to her at the bar. He had dark brown skin, sharp facial features, and light-colored eyes. His white voluminous hair was styled in a wavy, layered short cut with a prominent fringe swept over his forehead.

He wore a single small, silver stud earring in his left ear. He wore a cream-colored, short-sleeved button-down shirt featuring a bold tropical floral print. The pattern included large pink hibiscuses with green stems and leaves. Underneath the floral shirt, he wore a solid black collared shirt. He also wore white pants and white loafers.

White-haired man: “Hey, sweetheart, can I buy you a drink?”

He asked with a smirk. Lena turned to him, flushing red.

Lena: “I’m already drinking.”

Another man approached her.

Man: “So I heard you’re hooking up with Jordi?”

Lena turned to him.

Lena: “What do you mean by that?”

She asked sharply. He tickled her sides. Lena erupted into laughter.

Lena: “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! STOP!”

She whined.

The white-haired man blew ice into his hands and blew a sheet of ice down the floor. He shoved Lena onto the ice, causing her to slide down the floor. She screamed as she flew, and a man caught her.

Man: “Hey, dollface!”

He sang. Lena gasped in fear, her eyes wide.

Lena: “LET ME GO!”

Gina and Chloe laughed at her.

Gina: “Go on! Show her a good time!”

She commanded. Lena looked at her with hurt in her eyes. The man holding her shoved her to another man, who grabbed at her dress, trying to tear it off. Lena screamed.

Lena: “LET ME GO! STOP IT! HELP ME!”

She cried.

As she tried to run, he ripped her dress. Lena wailed and covered her bare breasts.

Lena: “STOP IT! STOP IT! SOMEONE HELP ME!”

She bawled. A burly man got on top of her, pinning her down. Lena cried and screamed.

Lena: “GET OFF ME!”

She wailed.

Suddenly, Jordi’s fist slammed into the man’s face, breaking his nose and knocking out several of his teeth. He then grabbed the man and delivered a high-voltage shock to him, electrocuting him to death.

Lena: “Jordi!”

She screamed.

Tristan tossed his coat to Jaxon. Jaxon caught it.

Tristan: “Jaxon, put this over her and get her out of here.”

He ordered. Jaxon nodded.

Jaxon knelt to her and put Tristan’s coat over her. A red glow emitted from his hands as he healed her.

Jaxon: “Come with me, I’ll get you to safety!”

Lena nodded and looked back at Jordi, Tristan, Celeste, and Deimos back there.

Another man haymakered Jordi across the cheek, knocking him to the floor. The man charged after him, but a block of ice stopped him, where he slammed into it, and icicles shot out, impaling him all over, and his brain and heart hanging on two icicles. Tristan smirked. Another man charged after him.

Man: “You son-of a-bitch!!”

He screamed. Deimos caught him and karate-chopped his neck.

Two men shot out fireworks at Deimos. He wailed in pain and gnashed his teeth as he shielded Tristan from the shots of fireworks. Celeste grabbed the men, flipped them over, and slammed them into the floor, crushing them, causing their blood to splatter all over her.

A large man grabbed Celeste’s wrist and lifted her above his head, giggling. Celeste bared her teeth and shot her fist through his head like a melon, calling his skull and brain to explode. His body went limp and fell to the floor, forming a pool of blood.

The white-haired man blew frost in Deimos’ face. Deimos wiped his face and flailed his arms around. Tristan shot his hand out, spraying frost in his face.

White-haired: “I’m immune to that, idiot!”

Tristan: “Is that so?”

The frost spat icicles out, shooting through his eyes, nose, and mouth, killing him instantly.

Gina, Nicole, and Chloe cowered in a corner. As Gina shoved Nicole away and into the blood pool, a bolt of lightning crashed down in front of her.

Gina: “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

Chloe screamed and ran out of the nightclub. Jordi marched up to Gina.

Jordi: “You BITCH!”

He roared.

Gina: “YOU MOVED HER IN AND BOUGHT HER SHIT, JORDI! WHAT ABOUT WHAT WE SHARED?!”

She screamed. Celeste blinked. Tristan clicked his tongue. Jordi gaped at her disbelievingly.

Jordi: “...You think she’s a new girlfriend?! SHE’S MY SISTER!”

He bellowed. Gina blinked and breathed a sigh of relief.

Gina: “Oh, I thought you were moving on without me!”

She laughed. Jordi’s fury soared. He delivered a hard punch to her face, sending her crashing down.

Gina screamed and panted angrily at Jordi.

Gina: “JORDI, YOU BASTARD!”

She caterwauled.

Gina: “I WILL GET MY DADDY AFTER YOU!”

She cried as she scrambled to her feet.

In a flash, Jordi grabbed her neck and slammed her against the wall.

Jordi: “Go ahead, I don’t care… You were my biggest mistake!”

He growled as his hands tightened around her neck. Gina coughed and gasped for air as she flailed her arms.

Jordi: “You used me, you lied to me, you almost caused my friends to die, and then you did this to my little sister! You goddamn BITCH!”

He cried as his grip tightened.

A fat, middle-aged white man with a handlebar moustache and a dorag came out. He wore a Sailor Jerry shirt, torn jeans, and sneakers. His hand rose and played a high-frequency sound device. Jordi released Gina as he screamed and cupped his ears. Celeste, Tristan, and Deimos all knelt and cupped their ears. Gina rubbed her neck and coughed.

Celeste gnashed her teeth and winced as she pulled an icicle from a corpse. With all her might, she threw the icicle at the man’s wrist. Upon impact, he released the device and screamed in pain as the icicle went through his wrist, blood dripping down his arm and onto the floor.

Gina ran out, and Tristan stood before her.

Tristan: “Don’t you dare run.”

Gina growled and slashed at his face, scratching it and drawing blood. Tristan sneered at her. Deimos saw red and charged after her.

Deimos: “YOU FUCKING SKANK!”

He bellowed. She turned around and sprayed Deimos in the face with pepper spray. Deimos screamed and cried as his eyes watered.

Tristan: “Deimos!”

He cupped his mouth. Deimos crashed down as a purple glow surrounded him, and he healed himself.

Percy stood before Gina with a menacing grin. Gina froze in her tracks. He wore a flamboyant pink-and-white faux-fox-tail cape over a pink sequined suit and pink glitter boots. The cape features long, individual “tails” that draped down to his knees, creating a heavy, textured fringe effect.

Vertical lines of sequins and rhinestones were embedded between the fur sections, catching the light and adding shimmer as he moved. A massive, plush shawl collar framed his face, and a pink diamond brooch fastened the cape. Percy whipped out his kukri and ran his finger over the blade.

Percy: “So, darling, you dared to make a scratch on my ice prince?”

Gina: “My daddy will fuck you up!”

Percy smiled.

Percy: “Oh, ‘Ducky Man’ Balderico Belloni will somehow ‘fuck me up’? I didn’t think he was into that, but it shall be my pleasure! I am open-minded in the bedroom.”

He twirled his kukri and pointed it at her.

Gina whipped out a high-frequency sound device and played it. Percy grit his teeth as he collapsed to the ground. She stopped playing and watched Nicole stagger out.

Gina: “GET ME OUT OF HERE NOW!!!”

She bellowed.

Nicole: “Y-Yes!”

She grabbed her and jumped with her in the air, flying up in the sky. Jordi ran out with Tristan, Celeste, and Deimos.

Jordi: “YOU GODDAMN CRAVEN LITTLE BITCH!”

He bellowed and flailed his arms.

Percy rose and dusted himself off. He casually entered the nightclub. He looked at the dead bodies and then locked his gaze onto the middle-aged man who was whimpering in pain. His face turned ashen when he saw Percy. He knelt.

Percy: “Tsk, tsk, tsk, Rudy…, you fool. Why on Reona would you aid that spoiled little girl and not my ice prince?”

He ran his forefinger over the blade of his kukri. Rudy panted loudly.

Rudy: “I-I didn’t know!”

Percy harrumphed.

Percy: “I only fill my entire magical manor with his princely pictures. Were you not paying attention?”

He scoffed. Rudy’s pants became damp as he wet himself.

Percy rose and heaved a deep sigh.

Percy: “I’ll forgive you… and clean this nasty ol’ mess if you do the honors of washing Trevor’s dirty crapped briefs… by hand.”

He chuckled. Rudy whimpered. Percy wagged his head.

Percy: “If you don’t want to, I won’t force you to. I’ll slit your throat and burn this place to the ground. It truly emphasizes the slogan of your little dark corner.”

He grinned.

Percy: “We all smile in the end!”

He spread his arms. Rudy wailed and sobbed.

Percy drew a long breath.

Percy: “It’s a good thing Trevor brought some gasoline.”

Rudy: “NO! NOOOO!! NOOOOO!!! I WILL DO IT!”

He cried as he shot his hand out. Percy smiled and nodded.

Percy: “That’s a wise decision and a way to live by your slogan.”

He chuckled.

~

Lena stood outside with Jaxon, Jordi, Tristan, Deimos, Celeste, Trevor, and Percy.

Percy: “Trevor alerted me to what transpired. Don’t worry. Rudy is on my payroll, and none of you will face consequences for murdering scum.”

He laughed.

Lena: “Who are you?!”

Percy: “I’m your fairy godmother! Bippity Boppedty Boo!”

He teased. Jordi rolled his eyes.

Trevor: “So, Percy, since I did this, can I watch you and whoever fuck and I hold up a score card on how good or bad it is?”

Percy gaped at Trevor. Tristan heaved a deep sigh.

Percy: “Darling, your mind is… magical and scary at the same time. I don’t know if I would ever want to venture into your head.”

Tristan: “The less you know, the better you are.”

Deimos’ hand rose to heal Tristan’s face.

Deimos: “You know, you should have let me kill that bitch for hurting Tristan!”

He hissed. Percy grimaced.

Percy: “Why on Reona do you think I am here, Deimos? To show off my latest outfit?”

He scoffed.

Deimos: “Why else would you be here?!”

He huffed. Percy waved his hand dismissively at Deimos.

Percy smiled at Tristan.

Percy: “Well, all is well in the ice prince’s kingdom, so I shall bid you all farewell. Adieu.”

Trevor held him, and they teleported away.

Tristan smiled at Lena and put his hand on her shoulder. She reddened and shivered.

Tristan: “Are you all right, Lena?”

Lena smiled shyly and nodded. Deimos raised an eyebrow at her. Jordi put his arm over her.

Jordi: “Thank you, guys.”

He nodded.

Jordi: “I owe you all so much.”

Jaxon nodded.

Tristan: “You don’t owe us anything, Jordi. We’re here to help you. We’re your friends.”

He said genially. Deimos rolled his eyes. I’m not, he thought.

Jordi: “Thank you all anyway.”

Lena: “Thank you!”

She left with Jordi.

Deimos watched them go.

Deimos: “He just met her, and he’s protective of her.”

Tristan turned to him.

Tristan: “So what?”

Deimos: “You weren’t protective of Bastien. I sure as fuck am not of Lazaros, and he’s younger than me by ten minutes.”

He huffed.

Tristan: “This is his little sister, whom he reunited with, Deimos. Jordi is a protective person, and Lena did nothing to warrant that cruelty from Gina.”

He said firmly.

Deimos: “Gina was always a waste of space from the beginning.”

Tristan bobbed his head.

Tristan: “On that, we can agree.”

Celeste: “I guess her cruise dance shows didn’t sell?”

Deimos: “There is no such thing. She’s living in her fuckin’ head.”

He rolled his eyes.

Celeste: “Anyway, she was always trouble from the get-go, soooo how surprised are you all by this?”

She tilted her head. Tristan cupped his chin.

Tristan: “Well, from the day we met her, her wolf lover almost killed Jordi and us, as well as her lying about Boris, and constantly nattering at Jordi about other girls.”

Jaxon: “Yup, and I saved Gina once, and her father kidnapped me.”

He shuddered.

Tristan: “Well, he sent his robot duck after us, so it runs in the family.”

He drew a long breath.

~

Lena was in the passenger’s side of Jordi’s car as he drove home. She clutched onto Tristan’s coat and inhaled his wonderful scent.

Jordi: “Are you okay, Lena?”

He knit his eyebrows. Lena nodded.

Lena: “Yes, but…, why did that girl do that?”

Jordi’s eyelids dipped.

Jordi: “Gina is my ex, and she assumed you were a new girlfriend.”

He said in a low voice.

Lena: “Why? Don’t we look alike?”

She asked as she fiddled with her locket. Jordi laughed bitterly.

Jordi: “Not to an idiot like her.”

He clicked his tongue and sighed again.

Jordi: “Lena, Gina was someone I crushed on in high school. We met up again in Los Campos when I was there for a business trip. Yes, we… hooked up, and then I found out she was dating the hitman of a crime boss who could turn into a wolf. I was almost killed, and so were my friends. She kept telling her weird father and mother that we were dating, even though I told her I wasn’t sure if this was serious. I had to…”

His face crumbled.

Jordi: “Process her lying to me and almost costing the lives of my friends and me.”

He sighed. He withdrew a cigarette, lit it up, and inhaled a long drag.

Jordi: “She would snap at me if a girl looked at me the wrong way or if I was nice to a girl. She was jealous of her BABY COUSIN because her BABY COUSIN took a liking to me. Gina was a nightmare to be around.”

He rubbed his forehead.

Lena knit her eyebrows and placed her hands on Jordi’s arm. Jordi smiled sadly at her.

Lena: “I am sorry, Jordi…”

Jordi: “You have no reason to be sorry. I should have told you about her sooner. I just… didn’t think—or want to think—she would do something so vile.”

He growled.

Jordi: “I hope she moved on…”

He muttered.

~

After they arrived home, Jordi stepped out of the shower with a towel around his waist. He looked in the mirror at himself and flicked his gaze to some pictures he had of himself and Gina on his dresser. He picked them up and began ripping them apart, tossing them in the trash.

*

He dropped his towel and then put on his black silk pajamas with his name embroidered in gold on the left breast pocket. He opened his fish tank and dumped some food inside, and then lifted the sheets off his bed and climbed in.

~

Tristan drove to Jordi’s house that night and parked his car in front of his house. He stepped out of his car and knocked on the door.

Lena answered and blushed red. She wore a baby-blue silk button-down nightshirt with her name embroidered in mauve on the left breast pocket.

Lena: “Are you here to get your coat?”

Tristan smiled as she stepped aside to let him in. She went into the living room and came out with his coat neatly folded. He handed her his coat. He took it and mouthed a “thank you.”

Tristan: “I was here to check on you.”

He nodded. Lena froze as the heat rose to her face.

Lena: “M-Me?!”

Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “You went through quite the ordeal, Lena. I was worried about you.”

Lena giggled and cupped her hot cheeks.

Tristan: “How is Jordi feeling?”

Lena bowed her head.

Lena: “He’s asleep. He’s upset with that girl.”

She looked away. Tristan surveyed her.

Tristan: “How do YOU feel?”

Lena gaped owlishly at him, hinting that she wasn’t used to being asked that.

Lena: “I don’t know. I came here from Treasure State to look for my brother, and I never… really had any friends. These girls came up to me and said nice things about me, and I thought maybe I would get some friends.”

She explained as she embraced herself.

Tristan: “You came a long distance, and for that to happen, I am sorry.”

Lena sighed.

Lena: “Thank you, Tristan!”

The kettle on the stove whistled. Lena rose to take it off the burner and pour it into her teacup.

Lena: “Would you like a cup of tea, Tristan? It’s chamomile and honey.”

She turned to him.

Tristan: “Yes, I would love a cup.”

He smiled.

Tristan: “I love tea.”

Lena: “Me too!”

She poured the boiling water into two teacups over teabags and added some honey to each cup. She brought the cups and saucers to the table and sat with Tristan.

Tristan: “Thank you.”

He held the cup and blew on his tea.

Tristan: “Other than what happened here tonight, how do you like this place?”

Lena wagged her head.

Lena: “It’s warmer, and your malls are HUGE!”

She laughed. Tristan smiled.

Tristan: “Yes, Pink Top City is a metropolis.”

He nodded.

Lena: “So, do you work?”

Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “Yes, I own my own law firm. I never liked working under others, so I opened my own business.”

Lena’s eyes lit up.

Lena: “You’re a lawyer?”

Tristan: “Yes, I am.”

Lena smiled widely. Tristan sipped on his tea.

Lena: “Do you like it?”

Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “Yes, I solve my clients’ cases for them if they’re accused of something they didn’t do, draw up contracts for the entertainment industry, draw up wills, but my favorite parts are solving clients’ cases and defending them in court.”

He smiled tightly.

Tristan: “What about you? What are your interests?”

He leaned his head on his hand. Lena fiddled with her locket.

Lena: “I love flowers, baking, cooking, and reading.”

Tristan raised his eyebrows.

Tristan: “Those are nice hobbies. What do you like to read?”

Lena: “Romance novels!”

Tristan smiled at her.

Tristan: “Yes, those are nice.”

But they’re fairy tales, he thought.

Lena: “What do you like to read?”

Tristan: “Fantasy, neo noir, science fiction, and when it comes to non-fiction, philosophy.”

Lena grinned.

Lena: “You seem like a super intelligent guy.”

Tristan chuckled.

Tristan: “Thank you, Lena.”

He pulled his pocket watch out and checked the time.

Tristan: “I should depart. I have work tomorrow.”

He handed her his business card.

Lena: “Ooooh, this is pretty!”

She saw the card had his website address.

Tristan: “If you need my services or want to take a look at my website.”

He said genially.

He went to the door and shrugged into his coat.

Tristan: “Thanks for the tea, Lena. Have a good night and give Jordi my regards.”

He nodded.

Lena: “You’re welcome! By the way, do you use Bungle?”

Tristan raised his eyebrows and nodded.

Tristan: “Yes, I do. My username is ‘SmokeShow’. Feel free to add me. Take care, Lena.”

He nodded and stepped outside. Lena stood in the doorway and watched him go to his car. She sighed happily.

~

Gina stormed into her father’s office. Balderico was at his desk, swigging back whiskey.

Gina: “DADDY! Jordi and his friends beat me up!”

She cried.

Balderico: “Yeah? Do you want to hear about how Jordi and his friends destroyed the robot I commissioned, as well as my car?”

He said dryly, raising his glass. Gina folded her arms and tapped her foot.

Gina: “You can get a new car!”

Balderico: “Gina, that was my baby, and they destroyed my darling duck robot! Have some compassion!”

He cried.

Gina stomped her feet.

Gina: “I WANNA ROBOT, TOO, DADDY! I WANT IT NOW! I WANT JORDI TO PAY FOR DUMPING ME!”

She whined. Balderico threw his arms up.

Balderico: “Fine, but it’s coming out of your allowance!”

Gina: “Whatever! I want Jordi to pay!”

She seethed. Balderico smirked.

Balderico: “My darling daughter, so do I.”

He raised and glass and took a gulp.