Session 𝓝inety-Eight

Session 98:

“The Bar”

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Once Monroe gave me confirmation, I texted Kaia that our plans were on.

Monroe would tag along just off to the side, away from us, just to help her feel more at ease.

Kaia originally offered drinks and a night out.

Music, dancing, the usual.

I wasn’t about to tell her that I had zero plans to drink tonight.

Mocktails were it for me, but I wasn’t about to tell her that.

She likes it when we do things together.  

It also wasn’t even about not wanting alcohol—it was about boundaries, especially after Monroe's parents just passively admitted to drugging me.

In the end, Kaia and I agreed on a more quaint bar.

Somewhere, you could actually hear each other without leaning halfway across the table.

A place where you didn’t have to shout over a DJ set just to say hello.

The goal was to just sit her down and talk, so obviously, we couldn’t do it somewhere loud.

I think Kaia just missed going out with me.

That night, after Monroe's parents left us at the table, I focused all of my energy on my girlfriend, especially after the ambush from her parents.

Monroe was my main priority.

I held her tighter that night—we even agreed to stay home all day Saturday together, which was the original plan.

I briefly texted with Zion and Sarai, which was mostly just TikToks.

I also texted with my mother, but I kept it brief, not wanting to mention the Leclairs quite yet.

She’s already juggling enough as it is—being the governor of California means she’s constantly in crisis mode.

The last thing I’m going to do is dump this on her plate before I have to.

It’s all under control.

Sort of.

If something bigger happened, I’d tell her. But as soon as I got through this thing with Kaia, I was convinced everything else would calm down.

Or maybe that’s just me holding onto optimism by the last fucking thread.

Hope was about all I had right now.

Especially while I was getting ready for the meet-up with Kaia.

I prayed that this would all go smoothly.

I told myself it would be more than fine.

No complications.

No sudden new problems.

And I couldn’t lie to myself—I was so fucking excited to get out.

I’d been cooped up for two days, and the idea of getting dressed up made me feel a tiny spark of energy I hadn’t felt in forever.

Or maybe it felt like forever to me.

I even took the time to pick out a cute outfit to add to the vibe of tonight.

A pair of black cheetah stockings and a tight black dress with leather boots.

I kept my curls down and did a little eyeshadow look to add to the outfit.

It was cute.

Cute enough that I stopped to take mirror pics, and a couple of selfies to possibly post later.

It might’ve been one of my favorite outfits in weeks.

Monroe matched my vibe in her own way, wearing a black bodysuit, dark jeans, and a tailored leather jacket.

Her hair was down too, her bangs framing her sharp features.

She wore minimal makeup, but she never needed more than that.

She looked perfect.

Almost like she completed my outfit just by being by my side.

“No drinking.”

I nodded immediately as I buckled my seatbelt, “Yes, baby, I know. I’m getting a mocktail.”

Monroe hummed, her eyes openly shifting down my entire body.

I’d caught her doing it about ten times already in the past five minutes.

“I don’t want you having a drink in general,” she admitted as she settled into her seat.

I knew I would have to have some kind of drink.

If I sat there with just water, Kaia would notice.

She’d say something.

“Did you take her off that list thingy?” I suddenly asked, recalling that Kaia had originally been blacklisted.

She said over text that we could try different bars to see if they don’t let us in, but I don’t want to do that.

“Only for this bar,” my girlfriend emphasized, making an amused smile grow on my lips.

She’s so petty.

It’s cute to me.

“I’m putting her back on the list after,” Monroe casually murmured, eyeing her short nails glistening with nude polish.

I shook my head with a chuckle. “Of course you are,” I said, determining that I would let her do as she pleases.

I want her to control what she can right now.

I don’t want to take that from her.

I feel like this might already be too much.

Tonight felt like we were already walking on a tightrope.

It felt unpredictable.

So did my girlfriend.

This could either be really good or really bad.

The odds of it being really bad felt higher to me.

But at the same time, I knew this was necessary.

Kaia can’t go around saying anything, especially not with the Leclair’s in town.

This was time sensitive, and I hated it because Monroe was already on edge.

She even got us security for tonight—not just a driver, full-on security detail.

I knew it was because of her parents.

Monroe was being extra tedious.

Last night we’d slept in her main bedroom, the one that looked like no one actually lived in it.

The bed was perfectly made with bare walls, spotless surfaces, and nothing out of place.

I didn’t care.

If it made her feel safe, I’d sleep there every night.

But it also told me just how much this situation had her on edge, which worried me a little.

I tried not to think too hard about it, especially during the car ride over to the bar.

Otherwise, my anxiety would swallow me whole.

I could barely sleep a couple of hours last night, and I didn’t feel tired enough for a nap today.

It felt like my brain was permanently on.

All I could do was think about something.

Or maybe overthink, I would say.

But I made it through the car ride without spiraling too badly.

I wanted to walk into this with a positive mindset—maybe that would give me a better outcome.

“I’ll see you in an hour,” I said as I briefly kissed Monroe’s lips.

“I’ll see you the entire time,” she just had to say, making me smile slightly.

“Don’t be obvious,” I murmured as I pulled back from her.

“Never,” Monroe said, earning a skeptical look from me as I slid out of the SUV and stepped down onto the pavement.

The cold air breezed past me as I lightly closed the door, walking off toward the bar entrance.

I glanced around for Kaia by the door, but she was nowhere to be found.

It’s just like her to be late, honestly.

I feel like I’ve gotten better with time, especially now that I’m with Monroe.

I’m not late that often.

My girlfriend managed to break me out of that habit without even trying.

I glanced over as soon as I felt a tap on my shoulder.

“Oh, hey,” I immediately said as soon as my eyes landed on Kaia.

She wore an olive green halter top and black leather pants, keeping her caramel blonde hair down.

“Hey,” Kaia said with a happy smile, side-hugging me.

I smiled as I briefly hugged her back. “I’m happy we could do this.”

“Yes, me too,” Kaia agreed as we pulled away fully.

That felt like a good start already to me.

We’re both open and happy to be here.

I was a little worried we would have issues getting into the bar, even after Monroe handled everything.

But no.

They let us right on in, which confused Kaia.

“Maybe it’s because I’m with you?” she said as we walked through the bar with small groups of people.

It was very calm, soft music playing in a way that wasn’t too overpowering.

The lights were dim, and it was a little on the modern side.

There were even booths and tables where you could sit.

I love sitting in booths compared to a table, so obviously I walked us there first.

“I’ll grab our drinks,” I immediately offered as Kaia slid into the booth. “You stay here.”

Kaia nodded. “Sounds good to me.”

I walked off to the bar, thinking hard about what mocktail I wanted.

I already knew Kaia would want a lemon-drop martini.

Once I made it to the bar, I eyed the menu they provided me, wanting something on the sweeter side.

There was this cherry drink that sounded pretty good, so I just opted for that and ordered Kaia’s drink with mine.

It didn’t take long for the bartender to make it, so I just waited there until he was done.

I also wanted to watch him make it.

I don’t know… Monroe’s parents make me paranoid.

Anyone could drug my drink again, especially after Monroe threw a knife at her father.

The image of Leon’s face after she threw that knife at him was burned into my mind.

It was easily something of my worst nightmares.

What if he wants to get even?

“Here you go,” I said, setting the lemon drop martini down in front of Kaia.

“You remembered,” Kaia murmured happily, picking up her martini for a sip.

“Of course,” I said as I slid into the booth across from her.

It was briefly silent between us for a moment.

Almost like we didn’t know how to get a roll on the conversation at hand.

“So uh,” I mumbled awkwardly, taking a brief sip of my drink.

“I’m sorry,” Kaia suddenly blurted. “For the phone call, and I guess judging you. I shouldn’t have threatened to tell your mom. I know your relationship is rocky with her.”

I quickly shook my head. “Not anymore, actually,” I said, setting my drink down. “I talked to her about it—about everything, and we’re better than ever now.”

Kaia tilted her head. “Wait like… what do you mean?”

“She’s okay with me and Monroe,” I explained, relaxing back in my seat. “And we talked about our own issues, too. She even apologized to me, and we’ve been checking in every day since.”

Kaia smiled slightly, “That’s great, Libby,” she said, taking a brief sip of her drink. “I’m happy for you. I know how much you struggled with her.”

I nodded, a smile growing on my lips. “I’m really happy too, and she knows about Monroe, so it was a win-win,” I murmured, “It was like a butterfly effect. You pushed me into it.”

“I really shouldn’t have,” Kaia sighed, setting her drink back down. “I think I was just… upset that she had taken you from me. We used to be so close, and it felt like my life fell apart after we stopped being friends.”

I drew in a deep breath, unsure what to say to that.

I definitely could see where she’s coming from, especially with all her issues with her mom and dad.

Her mom abandoned her, and her dad never chose her.

I think that affects her deeply, especially with this current situation.

Kaia counted on me.

Still, it doesn’t excuse how she treated me, but I definitely see her point of view.

“Let’s call it water under the bridge,” I suddenly said, just wanting to let this all go.

I’m honestly just happy that Kaia even apologized or was aware of her wrongdoings.

It feels like all she ever does is apologize, and her actions never follow.

But in this instance, I’ll take it.

Anything to be on good terms with her.

I’m playing this safer with her in order to protect us all.

“To water under the bridge,” Kaia murmured, lifting her drink in the air.

I didn’t hesitate to lift mine as well, gently clinking my glass against hers.

“To water under the bridge,” I repeated back before we both took small sips of our drinks.

I smiled, feeling very thankful that it was going so well with her.

We caught up more on her life and what she plans to do upon graduating.

We also discussed my mother a little more thoroughly.

Kaia was just as surprised as Zion and Sarai about the entire situation.

People did start filing into the bar, especially since it was Saturday.

It was slow at first, and then suddenly I looked away from Kaia, and it was packed.

I think the music had gotten louder, too.

Kaia was on her fourth martini, while I was sipping on my second mocktail of the night.  

“Oh my gosh, they’re dancing—we should dance,” Kaia pointed over to the group of people forming in the middle of floor, swaying to the music playing.

I shrugged, not minding the idea of dancing.

“Let’s do it,” I said, sliding out of the booth with her.

Kaia’s arm looped through mine as she tugged me toward the cluster of people in the center.

Her heels clicked against the hardwood, the faint smell of lemon from her martini lingering every time she leaned close to yell something over the music.

By the time we hit the edge of the crowd, she was already swaying.

Her hips rolled loosely, smile wide, shoulders rolling in time with the bass.

I matched her movement, not really caring that I was stone-cold sober compared to her.

It actually felt… good.

Moving without thinking.

Letting myself get caught in the rise and fall of the beat.

Kaia laughed at nothing in particular with her head thrown back, one hand in the air like the music was pulling her upward.

I could tell she was bordering on drunk.

I was mid-spin when I caught her leaning toward a group of strangers who’d started dancing next to us.

It wasn’t weird at all—Kaia was a social butterfly wherever she went.

But there was a tone in her voice that made my stomach dip.

“I’m free, but she’s taken,” Kaia half-yelled to one of the girls talking to her, glancing over at me. “You know who she’s with? Libby—” she tapped my arm, as if I was forgetting my own name. “She’s dating her therapist.”

My heart dropped past my fucking stomach, watching the random girl blink.

But Kaia grinned, like she’d just revealed the juiciest plot twist of the year.

I was frozen.

The music was still pounding, but suddenly it sounded muffled—like I was hearing it underwater.

This is bad.

This is really bad.

I know it’s random people and a random conversation, but nothing and no one is ever random when it comes to the Leclairs.

“Like, how crazy is that?” Kaia was swaying again, clearly proud of herself. “Her name is Monroe. You’d never guess—”

I didn’t even see her approach.

One second, Kaia was still mid-sentence, the next Monroe’s hand was clamped around her forearm, the movement so quick and precise it barely looked aggressive.

Yet, somehow it made even me gasp, entirely caught off guard by my girlfriend.

“Time to go,” Monroe said, and I could hear the sharpness in her voice.

Even over the loud music.

Kaia blinked a few times at my girlfriend. “Oh my God—guys, this is her!” she announced, turning to the strangers like she was introducing a celebrity. “This is the therapist. Look at who my best friend bagged—”

Monroe sharply pivoted, steering Kaia toward the edge of the floor without a glance at anyone else.

I snapped out of my daze, following behind her fast. “Monroe, wait—”

“She’s a liability. I’ve told you this—I’m done telling you this,” Monroe said over her shoulder, her grip on Kaia unrelenting.

“Come on, she's not—” I started, but I quickly cut myself short once my girlfriend gave me that look.

The darkened one.

The one that always made me question if I really knew her.

Meanwhile, Kaia was still laughing, oblivious to the weight in Monroe’s movements.

“You guys are so serious right now,” she giggled, stumbling over her heels as Monroe kept up a steady pace.

I followed close behind her past the crowd that didn’t even notice the situation that had arisen.

By the time we hit the quieter edge of the bar, two men in black clothes had already fallen into step with us.

Security.

I hadn’t even known they came into the bar—Monroe had placed them perfectly.

“Monroe, stop,” I said again, louder this time. My chest was tightening. “It’s fine. She’s drunk. Nobody here cares—”

“They will,” Monroe cut me short, and I knew exactly who they were.

Leon and Clarisse.

Fuck-fuck.

I rapidly shook my head when Monroe motioned at the security, causing them to step in front of me, quickly blocking me from my girlfriend.

“Monroe!” I yelled as loud as I could, wanting her to just stop.

She’s going to hurt her.

She’s going to hurt Kaia.

I tried to glance past the men, noticing Kaia’s head lull slightly as Monroe turned down the hallway with her.

“She’s my friend, Monroe!” I shouted down the hallway, hoping she could still hear me.

But there was no response, just the two men standing firmly in front of me, despite how hard I pushed at them.

My chest feels tight.

I tried backing away from them, deciding to go a different way, but they only followed behind me.

I can’t breathe.

“Stay away from me,” I forced out, reaching for my chest.

I didn’t even realize there were tears in my eyes until I felt the warmth of them spill onto my cheeks.

That was it.

I broke down crying, not even caring that I was in public.

I caused a scene, dropping down to the disgusting floor on my knees to throw a literal tantrum.

I thought it would make Monroe come back and not handle Kaia her way.

I was wrong.

All it did was get me escorted out by the security she left me with.

I screamed and jerked on purpose, wanting her to hear me over the music that had quieted and the silent crowd staring at me.

But it didn’t.

I was angry.

And upset.

I’m really fucking upset.

Especially once I was shut inside the familiar SUV, tears streaming down my face and my hands full-on shaking.

Then everything went eerily quiet.

I didn’t scream—I didn’t make a sound.

I sat there silently, more tears spilling from my eyes.

My breaths were shaky and unsteady, squeezing my trembling hands into fists.

I curled up against the door, burying my face in my arms as I tried to regulate my breathing.

Everything felt blurry—my chest still hurts.

Is she going to kill her?

No.

She wouldn’t.

Monroe wouldn’t do that.

A soft cry echoed in my throat—she would.

She would do that.

I only know one side of her.

The one she lets me know.

But I know there’s another.

I see the darkness that exists behind her blue eyes.

A broken hum vibrated in my chest, quickly patting around the seat for my phone.

I couldn’t breathe.

I can’t breathe.

My vision was blurry, and my hands were shaking so badly that I could barely tap on my phone, much less know what I was tapping.

But I think I clicked her contact.

The sound of the line ringing filled my ears immediately, making my crying worsen.

She’ll fix this.

She used to fix everything for me once upon a time.

“Liberty?”

I shook my head at her voice, a soft cry vibrating in my voice.

“Mommy,” I forced out, crying even harder, my entire body rattling. “I think she’s going to hurt her.”

“Hurt who, Libby?” my mother immediately asked, her voice filtering into my ear. “What happened? What’s going on?”

“Kaia. She’s going to hurt Kaia,” I forced out, my head falling back against the seat with more helpless cries.

So much for not involving her.