MoonUnit - chapters 13-15

The Pâtisserie

Selbie Robinson’s first kiss was warm and wet. Olly had caught her off guard and for a few seconds she was frozen. Then she responded. Wrapping her arms around his neck and lacing her fingers in his velvety hair. He was so warm. Olly’s arms snaked round her waist and he pulled her closer. His lips, soft yet dry pressed hard against her own slightly parted ones. For one devastatingly beautiful moment their tongues slipped together. Everything around Selbie seemed to disappear. Unimportant. Eventually he pulled away and Selbie let out a quiet moan of protest. "You have to breathe Selbie" he laughed softly, his breath tickling her ear. Burying her face in his chest Selbie tried to catch her breath, tears began to trickle down her cheeks. She wasn’t sure why though. Olly gently lifted her head up until their eyes met. "Selbie if you don’t want this we can stop now" his voice was hushed and serious. Selbie could no longer resist. Pulling his lips to her own she kissed him roughly. It was the perfect answer.

She had no idea how long they stood there. The pleasure had made everything a blur. Selbie had gone into autopilot while mentally she revelled in a deafening fireworks display. They were Downtown, in the Club District. A jungle of neon lights assaulted Selbie’s eyes, the street was teeming with people. Strange people, vibrant hair and skimpy clothes seemed to be the norm. Caution and modesty did not exist here. Right in the centre of the street two blonde girls were kissing. Just standing still, enjoying their moment. One winked at Selbie as she passed. Blushing she instinctively moved closer to Olly, this wasn’t her town. Far from it. Smiling Olly laced his fingers with hers, leading her towards a portal of pink neon. The Pâtisserie.

The Pâtisserie. The most notorious club in the city. Some described it as "The cradle of temptation", others just called it "The Pâtisserie". It was a cake shop. With a twist. Everything was made out of something edible. Even the furniture was made out of solid sugar. Floor to ceiling columns of cake and sugar lined the rooms. Pink strobe lights blinded crazed dancers. No one wore clothes, just underwear. It sweltering hot inside, so hot the icing on the bar was melting. "You should see their strawberry mousse jacuzzi" Olly whispered to a stunned Selbie.
"Why are they just in underwear" she croaked,
"Dress code"
"You’re kidding me, right?". Olly laughed sliding his jeans off,
"When in Rome, Honey, do as the Romans do!" Selbie could swear she was going to die of blushing.

The other band members were sitting around a sugary table in the Baking Lounge. A place where one could witness at first hand - and be fed - the tantalising treats made by the unbelievably gorgeous waitresses. Sakura waved, in her lacy lingerie and pink wig she looked disturbingly like a china doll Selbie had owned as a child. Selbie made a mental note to throw that doll out when she got home. If she got home that was.

Sliding into a slightly moist seat Selbie smiled at them all. Hyperactive. The smell of melted chocolate mingled with sweat and sugar sent her senses reeling. Vince poured a glass of champagne and passed it to her. Rabbit frowned but said nothing. "Congratulations kid! Amazing achievement!" Vince nodded raising his glass in a toast. Confused Selbie looked around the table. "Didn’t you know Chibi-chan? It’s all over the news?"
"What is?"
"You, of course!" Just like a scene from a cheesy movie, Selbie spat out a mouthful of champagne and stared at Sakura. "What!"
"You are famous. Our album cover is the most downloaded picture on the internet" Rabbit said it so calmly it added to the strangeness of the situation. Olly joined the others laughing, pouring her another drink he whispered seductively in her ear. "I guess we’re gonna need more Champagne".

Cream Kisses

French champagne mixed with sucrose coursed through Selbie’s veins. Her head span and she dripped with sweat. Dancing until she fell over Selbie had begun to knock back the champagne. It made her feel dizzy and hyper. A half naked waitress in a skimpy silk apron carrying a silver tray swayed up to their table. On the tray was a golden can of cream, the type you sprayed onto food. Sakura squealed with delight and grabbed the can. "What’s it for?" slurred Selbie sitting up from Olly’s lap. "This" said Sakura grinning sexily and passing the can to a smirking Vince. Positioning herself lying on the tabletop her head towards him, Sakura opened her mouth. Vince flicked open the can and squirted a flurry of cream into Sakura’s open lips until they were overflowing. Then he kissed her. Cream spilled from the sides of their mouths like white foam. It was almost too rude to watch; turning away Selbie wasn’t sure whether to be disgusted or interested.

A Cream Kiss. A Pâtisserie tradition, unadulterated temptation. The strangeness, the thrill, it was enough to send even the tamest of people wild. Kneeling on the sugar coated bar Selbie Robinson choked. For her it was the most nauseating and weird experience of her life. Clutching her throat Selbie could feel the bile rise. Punching her way through crowds of hyperactive sweaty dancers, she clutched at her mouth. She had to get to the bathroom. She was going to be sick. Desperately trying to follow her Olly found himself forced back by a solid wall of people. Cursing out loud he poured himself another large glass of champagne.

She was incredibly lucky. The minute Selbie burst into the toilets she was sick, all over the sink. The bitter taste and acrid smell sent big wet tears rolling down her cheeks. She felt ten years old all over again. She hated them, all of them. Why, oh why did she let herself be persuaded into coming here? This was not her type of place. These were not her type of people. Selbie was way out of her depths, and she knew it. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand she cried. She had to leave, run away. Before she was lost to the strangeness threatening to overwhelm her. Selbie stumbled out of the dazzling pink doors still sobbing.

When will I be famous?

Katy sat in her car and waited. School kids were pouring out of the gates of Grove Park. It seemed impossible to spot Selbie amongst the sea of red tartan skirts and blue blazers. But there she was, and boy did she look rough! Her skin was the colour of old parchment and there were dark purple circles under eyes. She obviously had a Julius- Caesar of a hangover. Winding down her window Katy called out to her. Selbie swayed slightly as she walked towards the car. Her face told Katy she was not happy at seeing her outside her school but had no energy to protest. "Whadda yew want" she slurred clutching her aching head. "You gotta ’pointment t’day" ever since she was kid Katy had always had an annoying habit of mimicking people when she spoke. Selbie’s heavily lidded eyes looked confused, "with who?"
"Goetha Noiré". Selbie who had been falling asleep on the car, hands over her ears seemed to jerk out of her hangover. "The president of London Sound?"
"The very same"
"Why? what have I done?1" Selbie was nervous now her espresso eyes betrayed that. Katy smiled, damn she was cute when she was nervous. "If making a scandalous amount of money is a crime, then your guilty as charged!". Selbie looked even more confused and nervous but got in the car without an argument.

London Sound was the biggest and best music company in the world. Goetha Noiré made sure of that. After her takeover ten years ago the company had rocketed from a mediocre record label to a world wide brand. She was a true visionary, and a force to reckoned with. The more Katy explained, the more afraid Selbie got. She had read about Goetha, and from what the media said she was one Scary Mary! The London Sound headquarters did nothing to improve Selbie’s mood. They were state of the art offices in the city centre. Cool and sophisticated. A slightly geeky schoolgirl with plaits and a tartan skirt did not fit in here. Surprising both herself and Selbie; Katy slid her hand through the frightened teen’s. "Don’t worry so much" Katy whispered, weirdly motherly, "Goetha just wants to meet you". At this Selbie brightened slightly, but still didn’t let go of her hand.

Goetha Noiré had a strange taste in décor. Her office was what could only be described as gothic lolita. Goetha herself sat in a high backed mahogany chair her tiny feet in their six-inch heels resting on her desk. Her jet black curls spilled over the shoulders of her bizarre dress. It was a cross between something from a Japanese anime and Lord of the Rings. Werid. Everything in the room seemed to be black, it gave one the impression of being in a deep dark hole. Goetha raised one perfect eyebrow as Selbie lowered herself into one of the smaller versions of her mahogany chair. "Violet suits you. You should die your hair permanently" Goetha said in her perfect silky voice. Selbie nodded and tried to smile, Goetha was awe inspiring. "I see you are too afraid to talk. Let me get to the point then" leaning forwards Goetha examined Selbie closely, "You have potential Selbie. Katy was a genius to use you"
"Um…thanks"
"Indeed. Selbie please listen carefully, I’m going to make deal with you!". It was clear that Goetha did not mince words. Selbie listened carefully.

Goetha’s deal would change Selbie’s life forever. She proposed to help Selbie start up a proper modelling career. So many people have been calling up asking for "Alien Girl" that Goetha had to disconnect her phone. "Do not think I’m doing this out of charity. I can spot talent from twenty miles away; you have talent Selbie" Goetha was really in business mode now, it was very intimidating, "although we are a music company, London Sound will become your agency and a - as of yet unagreed- percentage of everything you earn will go to us". Goetha paused for dramatic affect, "what do you say Selbie?". Selbie looked at Katy who gave her an its-your-choice-look. Selbie inwardly took a deep breath and put on her most determined face. "Can I still go to school?"
"Naturally!"
"Then I accept" Selbie said calmly and Goetha grinned,
"Smart girl. You start today".

It was more than a little shock.