Ellie
"So?" Kate said, giving me a curious smile. "How was your first day?"
"Exhausting," I replied, leaning on the counter and dropping my bag. "It's emptier today," I added, glancing around the boutique. Normally, it would be packed, and Sabrina—Kate's intimidating boss—would be hovering somewhere, making it impossible to even peek at her.
Kate shrugged. "Sabrina was in one of her moods today, scared everyone off before they even stepped in."
"That's... concerning," I said.
"Nope," Kate burst out. "You know why? Fewer people here means more time for myself and the clothes. It's a haven." She stretched and smiled. "I wish every day was like this. Just a few little accounts left, then we can leave this hole. How about we hit a bar tonight?"
"Ish... not really in the mood," I muttered.
She shrugged and disappeared into the back room, returning a moment later with her bag. "Okay, I've put all the work on Bella. Let's bounce before she realizes what I've done."
"Do you always have to get on people's nerves?" I asked as we stepped out into the night. My first day at work had been exhausting, leaving the office well past nine, and now I was dragging my tired self around with Kate.
"Of course, baby girl. How else will they miss me if I'm not around?" She pulled a pair of oversized sunglasses from her bag and slid them on her nose. "What? Fashion statement. You gotta learn to attract some eyes, Ellie."
"If they aren't thinking of you as some blind bitch," I muttered under my breath. Kate heard it, of course. She grinned, sashaying ahead of me. "Come on, let's hurry. Maybe we can catch Asen'ath before her shift starts?"
"Unlikely," I said, checking my watch. "It's past ten. I have to get to bed, or I won't wake up tomorrow."
"Aww. I thought we could have fun tonight... get on people's nerves and stuff." She shot me a hopeful look. I blinked. She blinked. Her smile widened. "Yeah—"
"No," I said evenly.
"Please?"
"No."
Her smile faded. "You don't have to be so serious about it," she said, slipping her sunglasses on as if reclaiming her dignity. "Alright."
"So, what was his deal this morning?" Kate asked after a pause, once we were in a cab.
"What?" I looked up from my phone, my mind still on Chase's packed schedule for next week. Even arranging it myself, the pressure was unreal. How did he survive this?
"Him. The guy who lives adjacent to us."
I frowned. "Wait... Mason?"
Kate nodded.
"He took me to work? Wait, how did you know?" I asked sharply.
She looked at me as if I'd asked the dumbest question ever. "I listened," she said, casually, like it was common knowledge.
"I thought you went to work."
"No one told you not to check my room. I literally saw you hopping around, trying to leave fast."
"Really, Kate?" I pinched the bridge of my nose. "You knew I had to get to work early, and you watched me sleep?"
"Mmmhmm," she nodded. "I did just that."
"You can watch someone die," I muttered.
She pointed to herself and gasped. "Me? Of course... but not literally. I'm not that vain."
"Of course you are." The taxi passed by Roxy's restaurant, all its massive lights glowing. "Uhhh..."
"Nope," Kate said firmly, crossing her arms. "Everything is nope." She stared out the window for a moment. "I mean, what was his deal? I get running into him, but if you didn't want to go, why not just tell him?"
I looked at her helplessly. "Look at me. Do I seem like I can do that?"
"Not everything is as easy as you think, Kateryn."
"I'm sure you snuck out so he wouldn't see you in case he offered another ride."
I smiled. "You know me so well."
"I still think you should tell him to back off. He's... a little unpredictable. Handsome, sure, but shows up out of nowhere—nah."
"I'd like to... if I could," I said softly.
We exited the taxi. Kate paid the driver and we stepped into the elevator. "I can, because unlike you..." she began.
"Uh-huh?" I waited. She can't say she didn't care about what others thought, because she did. She just hid it very well.
"Because unlike you, Miss Michaels, I can speak my mind."
The elevator doors opened at the wrong moment. Mason was just stepping out of his flat. I hesitated. He clearly saw us. Kate stepped out first, and I followed, feeling cautious.
"Hey, Ellie. Kate," he greeted with a wide smile.
Kate walked past him without a word, avoiding his hand. "I don't think I made it clear enough—I don't like you," she said, opening the door to our flat and leaving us behind.
Mason shrugged at her brusque behavior and turned to me. "She's... weird. I don't understand why you're friends with her."
I remained neutral, giving him a small, polite smile. "She has her... ways."
"Anyway, when did you leave the office? I went to look for you, but you disappeared."
"Well, I had to meet Kate. Thanks for the ride today, I appreciate it."
"Anytime. Whenever you need a ride, just tell me."
"I don't think I will," I said quickly, not wanting to overcommit. His smile faltered, and I didn't wait for a reply. "Well... good night."
"G-good night," he said before I closed the door in his face.
I exhaled heavily, sinking onto the kitchen island. Kate was perched there with a wide grin. "See? Told you. Easy."
"You're just a whole lot of drama, Kate."
"Exactly."
I made my way to my bedroom, dropping my bag onto the bed. I was so tired, even though I had only been sitting all day. Tomorrow held a meeting with the HODs. More people. More pressure. One slip-up and I'd be done. I just wanted to sleep.
I didn't think I got it wrong... yesterday, I had sat behind this table. Wasn't it supposed to be my desk? So why was this woman sitting there?
She looked up slowly, a confident smile meeting my confused expression. "Hi there. I don't think we've met. I'm Alice."
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