Linzy Tyler. A small lean girl of twenty-six. Large eyes on round face that made her look cute, like a bunny. She was one who caught at any free moment was bent over a book. Her family were old wealth and raised in this, used the freedom to become a collector. Grabbing expensive books from all over the world. When she was not into collecting and reading and storing, she hosted podcasts that she named, 'in mind only.'
She and Jovic had bonded in a pizza restaurant over arguments on which Darspeak governor had been the best in office. Jovic was pushing the motion that it was Godfrey Emmanuel. For he had pushed referendum and his industrialization agenda in the country made it what it is. While Linzy argued it was O'brien that did what he campaigned for. Their country has gender freedom, political freedom, because of him. Then they argued over what it means to be a feminist and still eat well-mannered.
As timid as Linzy had appeared to be, she did not mind rasing her voice to pass a point through. Jovic was impressed by her and listened intently.
At the closing of the shop, Jovic stubbornly invited her over to finish whatever they were into and it went from braiding hair to trying different dresses Jovic spacious wardrobe had to offer; the rest was history. Linzy integrated well with the rest of her friends. Although she was collected and lack perspective on matters regarding the world, often becoming the short end of many jokes, they became good friends, someone to cling onto in times of trouble.
But all those memories didn't matter when push came to shove. She like everyone clearly knew when to turn tail and run. Jovic doesn't in the least blame her. In Darspeak, scandals or rumors if roped in it could destroy a person's life, but it couldn't be anymore colder than it needs to be.
"Hey...Jovic. What are you doing here?" Linzy asked in a grievous voice when they had stood up. Her large eyes flitted nervously from the Jovic to the clothes on her hands, and back again.
Jovic gesturing to the store with a sweep of her hand said lowly, "Looking round, I guess. You dress shopping?"
"Yes...yes. Actually I came from a book reading. One of my favorites author who was retiring. This will be her last book. So, so it was parked. Parked as in with people. Not any other thing." She had a habit of rambling on when a situation was made uncomfortable. "You know am a sucker for these kind of things."
"Yeah," Jovic provided not following at all.
"Yes," She began to enlarge on the topic. With Linzy, as soon as books were mentioned in any way she was capable of great keenness. "I had to bail then got roped into coming here," she finished, hugging the clothes tightly to her chest.
"Yeah?".
"Yes, it was..."
"I miss you," Jovic interrupted, overcame with helpessness from seeing a dear friend of hers. Jovic realized what she had just said and as the object of her outburst remained silent, she tried to cover up but Linzy eyes were already full of tears.
"Oh, Jovic," she said in a raw voice. "I miss you too! I am so sorry for not being there for you when you needed me most, as you have been for me. I am sorry."
"Yeah? That's the past."
"Yes, but..." She gestured between them both and said feebly, "I just couldn't. What we were, our past, present. I couldn't. I couldn't be anymore curious about what the future held for us. It was not for my sake though", she continued, her voice wobbling and lacking substance. "I could've tried to survive those storms, hold your hands tight and promised everything will pass but my family was in the middle, and I couldn't also risk them. I am sorry," her tearful eyes pleading, hands reaching out, holding onto Jovic's.
"Yeah?" Jovic stared at their hands, tears welled up in her eyes. She was struck as she had been struck before and knew now that no matter what, no matter what people had said and will continue to say, someone cared. She had friends in the past, present and future. She had this amazing, timid blond who stood in front of her. And, because she was so amazing, this her friend was good in every way, Jovic wasn't afraid to cry. Wasn't trying hard to be strong anymore.
A shrill cry stopped any emotional bullshit, tears and hugging that was about to happen between these two women.
Another blond was running up to them. She grabbed Linzy arm forcefully drawing her back. Jovic put up a hand to interfere but a reproachful stare stopped the movement. This new blond now glared at her in hate that could turn white to black.
"Linzy what the hell are you doing?" the new girl yelled.
Ahm...ahmm...I was...just...trying to talk–"
"Don't tell me you where doing such things with this witch!" she screamed having a knowledge of what was going on. Her screams arrested the store's attention.
Jovic looked at the face, her brain trying to put a name to the face and slowly, it came to her memory. This woman, she remembered was always creeping around Linzy, trying to use the poor girl to become friends with the J-train(if she should call it that). Was it Joy, Sydney, Amaka. No, thought Jovic. A bulb switched on in Jovic brain, It was Julia; that was actually her name. This good-for-nothing loudmouth of was attracting unwanted attention to the trio, Jovic thought casting a apprehensive glance around the store.
"Hey," fingers snapped loudly in front of Jovic. "Look at me you demon child. Don't talk to Linzy again!" She kept using her thumb and second finger to make cajoling noise in Jovic face which drove her feelings across. "Don't look at her or talk to her before you infect her with your evil! She's isn't a wicked thing like you and your family." The woman gestured back to Linzy, "She's sweet, nice and good! All the things you know nothing about since you were created. So don't rope her into her degenerate life again. Fool her once, shame on you, fool twice, never!" Snapped her fingers some more in a final show of disapproval.
Jovic tighten her lips. She felt she had been bathed unexpectedly in cold water. Bent her head, struggling with the monster rising, purple swarming her vision, dizziness coming strongly. To lose control wasn't an option, people were staring. Whispering. Recording. Judgemental faces, pitiful faces, smirking faces, people that didn't care; was looking for the gossip. They whole lot of them stared not even pretending for the sake of it.
Julia had begun ranting loudly. It took the form of quacking of a duck. Jovic couldn't hear any of it again. Her ears, her brain was overflowed with static. As this woman shielding Linzy open and closed her mouth in a fluid fast pace, saliva escaping in torrents, her words were like the static of a radio. A full volume radio which had no network.
"Your family deserves what came to them. Although I am sure it was by your hands!"
"Julia," Linzy uttered weakly, despairly. A helpless fright on the woman's face.
Jovic felt her hold on it looser, it struggled to be freed from it's confines and when she had begun letting the monster, when everything was been undone, Travis scooped her up.
Travis without thought walked towards them and lifted Jovic. Without asking for her permission. Without caring a bit about those uncaring gape-mouthed people. Needing none of their approval.
Carrying her in his arms, he waded through the store in powerful gentle strides until he reached the car park. Until he reached the car parked close to the edge of the parking lot.
As embarrassing as it was, she didn't care. Was too weak to care. So she did her needful. Wrapped her arms rounds his neck and snuggled her face deeply into his neck.
Calmed by his scent, drawing breath from his strength.