***
They were at the Austin Brothers bar, Mia was wearing a cyan suit with a white blouse underneath, the color matched perfectly with her green eyes and her blonde short bob hair. Hayley was always amazed by the fashion choices of her manager, she always seemed to know how to look elegant and pretty. Well, it was no wonder, since Mia always choose her outfits in the photoshoot sessions.
– I can't believe those bastards tried to hurt my Lily! – Mia slammed the beer mug on the wooden table.
– Calm down – said Hayley, glancing the other customers that were staring at them. – And I told you, I'm alright.
– But still… This could have gone so much worse.
– I know – she agreed, drinking from her own mug. – I'm glad that it just didn't.
– And you could've told me you didn't have money! – Mia pointed out, the anger coming back to her face. – I would have lent you some.
– I didn't want to bother – Hayley said, awkwardly.
– Nonsense – refuted Mia. – Your safety comes first, Lily. Besides you're like a little sister to me. Next time, just tell me right away, 'kay?
Hayley smiled in response. Mia was six years older than Hayley, they first met when Hayley was finishing High School. At that time, Hayley still lived with her family and she had no idea of how she would get out of that place and keep her studies. Luckily, Mia was in a business trip in Buxton and stopped to drink at the bar Hayley would part-time as a waitress. Her wage wasn't nearly enough to make a living out of it, but it was better than nothing. Hayley was surprised when the other women grabbed her hand and asked her to be her model. After Mia finally explained that she worked at a model company, she convinced Hayley to quit her job and start to work with her as a model. She could still remember when Mia started calling her Lily after she told her name to the girl, since then other people, besides Mia, started calling her that as well.
– What about the mysterious person… – Mia asked after drinking again. – Tell me all about it.
– What d'you wanna know?
– Like who are they, what do they look like? – said Mia.
– Well, her name is Alex – started Hayley. – She is… – handsome? The word popped in her head. Is that valid to describe a girl? Hayley remembered Alex's long dark hair and her intense grey eyes gazing at her; the soft yet painful expression on her face, as if she understood… What did she understand? Hayley gulped down her beverage. – She is a very…
– A very? – helped Mia.
– A very… good-hearted person – finished Hayley.
– Just that? – Mia asked, suspicious.
– Well, I mean, part of it, yes. – she blabbered in response.
– I see – Mia replied, a mischievous smile on her face. – Then tell me the whole story after she took you home.
– Why do you want to know that part?! – Hayley shot back, feeling her cheeks warming up.
– Oh~, then there was a part – Mia laughed.
– Well, she brought me back home. I offered her something to drink, but we ended up eating together. – she said, conscious now of her red face.
– Hayley Lynn, what a naughty girl you are! – teased Mia. – You bring a girl you've barely met to your home. What kinda of things did you do together?
– Nothing! We just ate! – Hayley covered her face.
– Ahem, and that's why you look so disappointed – continued Mia, obviously enjoying that situation. – I bet you wanted to eat her…
– Stop it! – Hayley interrupted, covering Mia's mouth from the other side of the table, unable to control her own laughter.
– I hmm-bhummh-hmmmm – said Mia, through Hayley's hand.
– What? – she asked, freeing her manager.
– I said – continued Mia. – I bet from your reaction that this Alex person must be very attractive.
But Hayley didn't answer back, knowing if she said that out loud, her embarrassment would be even clearer.
– What about you and that assistant boy? – Hayley changed the subject.
Mia shook her hand. – There's nothing to say about it. We were just celebrating after the photoshoot. Besides, he doesn't like me in that sorta way.
– C'mon Mia – she insisted. – He asked specifically about you, how you should "definitely" or was it "absolutely" come. He probably wanted to spend some time alone with you and used the party as an excuse. In fact, I think he was more interested in taking glances at you, then taking photos of me during the session.
Mia laughed, resignedly. – You're just imagining things. Besides I'm too focused on my work right now. Speaking of which, I already made the deposit on your account.
Hayley's attention was swiftly shifted to the deposit, instead of keeping on making questions about Mia's relationships
– Really?
– Yes. – Mia nodded and brought her cellphone. – And here are some photos we took that day. I sent the whole album on your e-mail alongside their web page, where the new autumn clothes will be for sale.
Looking at the screen, Hayley saw a few dozen pictures of herself in pretty seasonal outfits. Most of the poses were the first ones she tried. Jerk. She thought remembering the contempt look of Stephen Russell. Well, at least the photos were amazing. Regardless of being a jerk or not, she had to admit he had the talent.
They finished eating and Mia drove her back home. Hayley felt a bit guilty for worrying Mia, she already had too much on her head, that Hayley didn't want to become a burden, but she felt glad; alone in the world, Mia was the closest to a sister for her and, although, Hayley didn't touch the subject, she knew how dedicated Mia was with her job and how she always overworked herself. She wished her friend could enjoy her life a bit more. But those dark thoughts were driven away by remembering that she just had received her paycheck. Now she could survive for a bit more.
It was already past 14:00 when she took a bath and decided to send a message to Alex. After all, she needed to repay her. She opened the app and searched for Alex's contact. The girl didn't have any photo of herself, instead Hayley was greeted with a picture of a kitten standing upright accompanied by a text, that she had to zoom in to read properly:
Yog-Sothoth knows the gate
Yog-Sothoth is the gate
Yog-Sothoth is the key and guardian of the gate
Past. Present. Future.
All are one in Yog-Sothoth.
The image was cute, even though the text made no sense to her; she decided to ask later about it to Alex, for now she just stayed with the first plan of inviting the girl to dinner.
Hayley: Hey, so I just got paid. I guess I can take you out now. On me, of course.
Hayley: Btw, it's Hayley.
With that, she locked her cellphone and went back to study; she had a written assignment from the toxicology class to work on. It didn't take as long as it normally would, since she had been doing it a few days before. Due to her tight schedule with the modeling job and her studies, Hayley had accustomed to always begin things early, so she would have spare time for her other activities.
It was already night when her stomach started grumbling again. She had focused on her assignment and it was almost finished, but her back was sore after she stayed curved on the writing desk for so long. Stretching herself, Hayley decided to take a look on her cellphone, besides a few group notifications, there was no message from Alex. She looked at their conversation, but her messages had obviously been received. Maybe she's busy, she thought. I'll try again later.
But the next day and the day after, none of her messages had been answered. I wrote the right number, right? Hayley started doubting herself. Or maybe she doesn't want to… Well, it would be of no use keeping those thoughts to herself. While she walked through the campus, she gathered enough courage to call the girl.
A few people were passing by, talking to one another or buying coffee in the stall that led to the academy buildings. She stopped at one of these stalls, lured by the sweet scent of coffee beans in the cold morning. It had rained during the night, so the air was still humid and a thin mist was spread throughout the campus. The scent of the recent rain lingered in the air, intensifying the smell of wet grass.
A line of people was formed, waiting to buy their warm drink. She called Alex, but the call ended unanswered and Hayley felt herself feeling frustrated. Now it definitely seemed as if the girl was trying to avoid her. How was she to repay the girl now? If there was anything Hayley absolutely hated was owing people. That's why, even when she was invited to dates, she would always pay her part – she didn't want any reasons for people to use against her later. No matter how small it was, she didn't like feeling indebted to other people. She dialed the number again. Besides, why would Alex avoid her now? She didn't have fun then? That day? It didn't help her mood, the fact that a phone was ringing in the background.
Why don't people answer their calls?! Hayley thought, knowing she was just stressed, but she couldn't avoid getting mad at the stranger.
– Can you pick up your phone?! – she lashed, turning to the person. – Don't you know it's impolite to not answer people?!
Hayley stood there, astonished, as she observed the person take down their headphone and the familiar face beneath it.
– Sorry. I wasn't listening – said Alex, finally answering the phone and facing Hayley. – Ah, hello?
Putting her cellphone in the pocket, she walked to the girl.
– What do you mean hello?! – she couldn't control her voice. – I've been trying to talk to you for two days now. Why didn't you answer me? And what are you doing here?
– Uh, I'm sorry – said Alex again. – I didn't know you called me.
But that wasn't enough for Hayley, she started to grunt to the girl again. How can someone not notice their phone for two days?! She was so concentrated at yelling at Alex, that she didn't realize the line started moving again.
– Seriously Alex, why don't you check your phone?! – she said, annoyed. – I first thought you were busy, then, you didn't answer any messages, I started to think you were avoiding me…
– Are you fine with cappuccino? – asked Alex.
– Yes. But that's not the point here… – Hayley continued. – The problem is that you are clearly avoiding me…
– Two cappuccinos, please. – Alex said to the barista. – Thank you.
– And you didn't explain what are you doing here…
Hayley sipped of the drink Alex gave her by reflex.
– Why am I drinking this?!
– Oh, I thought you liked them – Alex answered.
– Yes, but why did you buy me one?
– It's an apology – said the girl. – I'm sorry for not returning your messages. Could you let me explain?
She nodded. What was with this girl, that she always convinced her? Hayley sipped again of her drink, she couldn't refuse it now, besides, the coffee was indeed delicious and fitted perfectly with the cold morning.
– I'm not good at receiving calls and messages on my phone – said Alex. – So, I hardly notice when people send things to me.
– What about your, uhm, family and, er, friends? – she asked.
– Well, they complain about the same thing too – answered the girl. – But I barely use my phone, and I get excited when I'm playing a game, so I tend to lose track of time for hours.
– You could just raise the volume for your notifications, you know? – said Hayley.
Alex shook her head negatively. – I don't like the notification sound while I'm playing. I like to concentrate.
Hayley couldn't help, but laugh at that statement. – Geez, you're a hard one. Ok then. What shall I do to talk to you? Is there another way for us to talk?
Alex seemed pensive for a while; her eyes becoming as dark clouds before a thunderstorm, yet her expression barely changed. Alex was just as tall as Hayley remembered from that night, but different than the leather jacket from last time, she was wearing a blue plaid woolen shirt with a white sweater underneath.
– I guess we can use discord – she finally said.
– Discord? What's that?
– Oh, it's a social platform, like any other app – explained Alex. – But what makes it really good is the overlay system, which allows you to chat with friends while playing. I don't particularly use it much, but it would be easier to see your messages if I'm playing.
– Okay – she agreed. – If I start using this discord, will you stop ignoring me?
– I wasn't ignoring you – Alex said. – But, sure, and I'll also try to look at my phone more often, since… you gonna start sending me messages.
– It's a deal, then… But it still doesn't explain what you're doing here. Do you, perhaps, study at S.L University?
– Yup – Alex nodded. – Software engineering.
– Oh, that's explain why I never saw you before – commented Hayley, her thoughts slipping outside. – I mean, since the I.T and the medical building are on opposite sides.
That seemed to draw Alex's attention, for the girls tilted her head, puzzled. – Medical? So, you're majoring medicine?
– No – she denied. – Pharmacology.
– Like a pharmacist?
Hayley nodded and a glimpse of a smirk formed on Alex's face.
– So, are you planning on repaying me by giving me discounts?
Hayley tagged along, also smiling. – It depends… I only contact my buyers through messages and calls. Do you take them?
– Can't you make an exception?
Hayley got closer to Alex slowly; she could smell peppermint and soap and a bit of the girl own essence, that instantly made her body relax. She murmured:
– Maybe… I can make an exception for you.
But Alex didn't reply or move and they continued there, standing too close and yet not enough as she wanted; their eyes locked: spring-green and lead-grey.
– Won't you get late in class? – Alex asked, finally cutting their eye contact.
As if she had awoken from a dream, Hayley came back to her senses; she took a step back.
– Oh, yes, you're right – she said, looking at her cellphone. – The class is about to start. I should go.
Alex nodded. – Me too.
Hayley tried to give her a soft smile. – See you around then.
When she turned her back to the girl, Alex voice called her:
– Hayley. Can we do this again tomorrow? I mean, talk here in the campus? Or whenever you're free…
This time, a smile spread on her face from side to side. – You can talk to me anytime. But sure, I'd love that.
When she turned back again to the academy building, she caught a glimpse of Alex's still staring at her.