After exchanging a second handshake, Alex and Julia proceeded to sit down. Now that they've gotten a bit familiar with themselves and also had history, they had something to talk about.
Of course, none of them knew where to go from there. So, as they sat there in silence and the awkward air growing by the second, Alex decided to man up and strike up a conversation.
"So, tell me, how has life been? You look way different from I remember…" Alex said before quickly adding.
"…and I mean that in a good way."
"Hehehe… Don't worry, I know that." She laughed lightly before continuing, "Life had been good to me. And I must admit, it's my fault for not keeping in touch." Julia admitted.
"I hope you don't hold that against me."
"Of course not, how could I? It was a chance encounter, and I only kept you company till you were found."
Indeed, Julia had to agree. But his response made her a bit sad. Maybe it was her thinking too much into it, but with Alex only seeing it as a chance encounter meant he didn't really find it as special as she did.
Perhaps due to due different upbringing and the environment they grew up in, Alex might have met a lot of people almost every day while she was mostly cooked up at home learning from her instructors.
Her analysis was spot on. Alex was indeed raised in a different world, well literally too if you might add, but the fact still remained. Alex and his siblings had more encounters and neighbourhood friends to play with.
Alex noticed how quickly her facial expressions changed but had no idea where he went wrong. Of course, as a typical male, he would be clueless as to what changes a girl's mood so quickly.
Nevertheless, he gave her his undivided attention and listened to what she brought up.
"Why don't you tell me about yourself, I'm curious to know the kind of person you are." She inquired, bringing both her hands under her chin and a sweet smile. A smile that did some damage to Alex.
'That's not good. With a smile like that, she could get away with anything,' Alex silently thought while still maintaining a straight face.
He swallowed nervously before talking about himself. He gathered his thoughts and decided on where to start.
"Well, I'm still mostly figuring that out. But I'm the type of person who treats everyone kindly, irrespective of their status.
And while I've had my fair share of fights, I try as much as possible not to pick fights with others, even if they were the ones acting like pricks."
Julia chuckled lightly when he reached that point. And this brought a smile to his face.
"And I've also learnt the hard way that my anger is nasty. That's part of the reason why I try to not let people get to me.
But some way, somehow, they interpret that as me being a snob."
Alex chuckled, looking towards Julia to gauge her reaction, and she still had the same smile on her face; something that pulled on the heartstrings of Alex. He knew he was already in trouble.
'Is this what they call "At first sight?'. Because if it is, then I'm done for.' He stared at the angelic faced who seemed to be really enjoying his company, making his heart skip a beat.
"So that's basically me. Was I what you expected?" he asked, hoping to win her approval. Of course, even if he didn't, that wouldn't change how he was raised.
Julia sat up and then voiced her thoughts, "I wouldn't say expected, but you are my kind of person. And I also know a thing or two about being seen as a snob. But in my case, no one can afford to comment."
She chuckled, enjoying the conversation. Even though she had a friend she occasionally associated with; this was the first time she was truly feeling herself.
Of course, Alex heard differently when she stated he was her 'kind of person.' To him, it sounded like; You're my kind of guy.
He swallowed the ball forming in his throat while listening to Julia talk about herself.
"But for me, I'd say the persona I present outside is different from the one I show when I am with people I care about." She stated, looking directly at Alex.
"So do I qualify?" He asked, already guessing the answer.
"Of course. To most, I come off as cold and unwelcoming. This is largely to keep away people who only wish to get close to my family.
Finally, my one and biggest wish is to become a powerful hunter."
Once done, she looked at Alex.
"You don't say. I also wish to become a hunter. As a matter of fact, once I awaken my skill, I'd be attending the Hunters Academy right here on Mars." Alex commented.
"I figured as much. That means we'd be in the same school very soon." Julia added, still with a bright smile.
She had never been this happy just talking with someone else about just anything. It reinforced her take on how a genuine connection can bring great joy and happiness.
She was well aware of how much fun she was having with Alex. Honestly, she was surprised herself, as she had never behaved the way she was doing with Alex.
'Maybe I just really enjoy his company, and we basically just met. Well, not exactly and I might have been keeping tabs on him, but it was definitely not creepy.'
As various thoughts flowed through her head about how her actions were justified, Alex questioned.
"Yeah… have you awakened your skill yet?"
The curiosity he had developed for the girl before him prompted him to ask. Maybe he was hoping for something?
He wasn't sure, after all, he hadn't awakened yet and it wasn't like it was a taboo to ask what a person's skill was.
"No, not yet. In about four months." She said, but as if realizing something, she added, "Maybe we can awaken our skills together. What do you think?"
She suggested with a beaming smile.
Of course, to Alex; 'Jackpot!' Only he knew why he thought the way he did.