by Scott Kujawa
“Oh,” Alex answered, listening to what Melody said. “I… you're right. I had figured that out, but you know it always helps me when you offer your advice. That's how it's always been between us, and I appreciate it, Melody.”
Hearing the hesitant, “Alex,” from Raven caused Alex's thoughts to race about what she would hear next. That tone of voice always meant that someone wanted to end up being friends once they dumped the person they used that tone towards.
“Wait,” Alex said before Raven could continue. “You don't have to finish what you are saying; I know this conversation well. You found someone else who you click with, or you fell in love with someone else who is in your past. Oh! OH! Let me guess; Robin realized that the two of you loved each other and both of you are together.”
Alex laughed a little before she smiled and shook her head. “I should have seen that coming. The two of you have been friends for years, and once she saw the two of us together, she realized that she loved you more than as a friend.”
Raven stared at Alex for a moment, her mouth open with surprise and her eyes open wide with the same feeling. “How? What made you? Robin and I didn't? Okay, you're right. That's what happened.”
Reaching across the table, Alex patted the top of Raven's hand. “It's all right, and I'm glad that the two of you have found something good for each other. To be honest, I like being with you, but neither of us saw a future with each other. Besides, I realized the two of you belong together once you introduced me to Robin and I heard you had first names that are also birds, which is fitting because both of you are two crazy birds.”
“No… I suppose you're right; we didn't.”
“However, I enjoy spending time with you so I would love to stay friends. I enjoyed myself a lot when the three of us went out together, but I won't be a third wheel. Still, give me call or text from time to time, and all three of us will get together.”
“You know… the three of us could -”
Alex smirked and gave Raven a sharp expression. “Don't. Even. Finish. That. Sentence.”
Giving Alex an innocent look, Raven grinned at Alex from the other side of the table. “Hey, you know I wasn't serious.”
“I know, and that's the only reason I didn't storm out of here but I plan on telling Robin what you tried to do and she can be the one to punish you for even thinking something like that!”
“You're so mean, Alex!”
Alex only laughed in answer to that until she looked over at Raven. “Anyhow, I should head out even though we met up for a date. I think it's better you go meet up with Robin instead of spending the night with me for the date we planned on having.”
“Oh. If you're sure and if you're okay with that?”
“Yea, it's fine. Call me when things are settled, and we'll all get together. Maybe I'll invite my sister to join us so I don't feel so out of place.”
“All right. Have a good night, Alex.”
Giving Raven a warm smile, Alex stood and made her way out of the restaurant and to her car.
“Hey, Mellie. Do you have plans tonight? I could stop over, and we can watch a movie or something,” Alex asked as soon as her sister picked up while Alex sat in the driver's seat.
“Didn't you have a date tonight, Alex? But you can stop by, I'm only sitting here by myself anyhow.”
“I did, but Raven and I broke up. She's in love with her best friend, and the two realized it. Anyhow, I'll be there in about fifteen minutes.”
“Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. Just let yourself in when you arrive.”
Doing as Melody said, Alex let herself into her sister's home and kicked off her shoes once she closed the front door. On bare feet, Alex dug her feet into the thick carpet that covered the floor while moving into the living room after hearing Melody call out to Alex that she was in that room.
It was during one of the disaster movies that Alex grinned at her sister and launched a handful of popcorn at her sister, which turned into the two of them flinging more and more popcorn at each other and filling the room with their laughter as they battled each other with thrown popcorn, giving them a chance to release their stress and act like teenagers again while they ignored the movie they had lost interest in watching.
Chapter Seven
“Come on, Christie!” came Sunny's call, the usual relaxed and easy going woman sounding annoyed with the woman that lived with her.
“Hold your skirt; I said I was coming! Sheesh!”
“I heard you, but then you fell behind. So let's go, I want to look at the books of tattoo artwork, so I can get ideas on the new tattoo I might want to get. Who knows, I might talk you into getting one.”
“Don't count on it,” Christie muttered to herself before she increased her steps to reach where Sunny was waiting at the doorway to the shop that drew Sunny's interest. A quick laugh from Sunny was all that Christie heard in reply, letting Christie knew her roommate heard the words that Christie muttered.
Stepping inside of the shop, Christie wandered off to one side, giving her a chance to look at the pictures of tattoos from those that have gotten tattoos at this shop. She also gazed over the drawings and Flash artwork that was tacked up onto the wall before her.
She realized she knew the voice of the woman was in another part of the shop. Christie's eyes went wider and wider even as she heard more and more of the conversation between Alexandria and the two other woman were with her.
“Sunny!” Christie whispered, trying to get her roommates attention since it looked to her that Sunny hadn't yet realized how much Christie now wanted to get out of the shop. “Sunny!” Christie hissed a second time, her voice getting a little louder that time, which drew Sunny's attention.
“What?” Sunny asked, “What is the matter now?”
“We have to leave.”
Sunny looked at Christie now, turning away from the open book of artwork that Sunny had been looking at. “Why?” Then Sunny's question was answered as she saw the three women step into the main room of the shop. “Oh, that's why.”
A quick “shit,” escaped from Christie, which caused everyone in the room to look at her. Christie's blush returned and spread across her cheeks. That feeling increased as Christie heard Alexandria speak Christie's name with a questioning tone.
“Hi,” Christie said, causing another laugh to come from Sunny since her friend was finding this funny.
Seeing Alexandria's warm and wide smile directed towards her caused Christie to blush even further. “Are you here for a tattoo?” Christie heard Alex ask, but it took time for Christie to realize that was what she had been asked since she was just staring at Alexandria.
“Yes? No? Maybe? I don't know.”
The shop filled with the warm laughter of the four women as their amusement at Christie's answer caused them to react that way. “Well,” Alexandria said once her chuckles ended, “It sounds like you're not sure either way.”
“Sunny!” Christie blurted then, “She's the one that has the interest in this shop and getting a tattoo.”
“I see,” was all Alexandria said before she waved a hand at where Sunny was watching all of this with a grin. “And I take it that is Sunny?” Then Alexandria frowned a little as she looked at the woman that was with Christie. “Have we met before?” she asked Sunny, thinking the woman looked familiar.
Christie winced as she heard Sunny say the two of them have met before and that Alexandria came to Sunny's tent at the ren faire.
“So that's where I remember you from. You're that woman that believes she can contact those that have passed over.”
Christie's blush returned with those words, and she winced some more as Sunny agreed with what Alexandria came to realize about the person who was friends with Christie. Christie was still feeling the throbbing in her cheeks as Alexandria looked back at her and gave Christie another wide smile, showing the younger woman that Alex didn't think any differently about who Christie was friends with.
“Hey,” Alexandria said,
“I'm not judging, and it's nice to meet one of Christie's friends.”
“It's nice to meet you, Alexandria,” Sunny said, meaning the words she said. Letting out a small laugh, Sunny added, “And this time we aren't in such a rush so we can spend time together.”
Christie only gave her friend an “Are you kidding me?” look when she heard Sunny offer that idea. The expression increased as soon as Alex added her laugh while she smiled at the two friends and said, “I like that idea, and that sounds like fun.”
“Uh… um… all right.” Christie added to the conversation since it would seem out of place for her to decline now that her friend and her other boss agreed to spend time together today.
It wasn't long before Sunny and Alexandria were chatting over the books of artwork they were drawn to but the two of them didn't exclude Christie, causing her to become included in the conversation as the two who seem to get along so well, made sure they found out Christie's opinion on which artwork interested her. Robin and Raven were included, causing the five of them to spend time in the tattoo shop where they got to know each other better.
It was Christie who poked Sunny in the side. “I'm hungry, and we have to go do that thing. You know, the thing?”
Sunny frowned at Christie for a moment before she realized what Christie was trying to do. “Right, we have that thing, and I forgot that we had plans to get something to eat. It's been fun meeting all of you, but Christie and I have plans for the rest of the day.”
“Oh, it was nice to meet you. I didn't mean to keep you two from your plans.”
Feeling a little sad about what she did, Christie smiled at Alexandria. “You weren't keeping us, and I'm sorry if that was what it sounded like. Sunny and I wanted to spend the day together and I need to get something to eat.”
“Okay. Maybe we'll see each other again sometime.”
After making their way to a Chinese place, Sunny looked across the table at Christie. “Smooth, very smooth.”
“Gah, just stop, okay? I know I made a fool of myself. I also know I do that every time I'm around Miss Alexandria. We both know this.”
For once Sunny didn't bother to tease her friend any further except to laugh a bit at how much of an impression Christie left on Alexandria during that unplanned meeting at the tattoo shop. Changing the subject, Sunny smiled at Christie once more. “Are you stalking Alexandria?”
Christie looked at Sunny with surprised eyes and shook her head in denial. “No, I'm not. It's just coincidence we keep showing up at places where Alex has her dates.”
“Is that what is happening all those times you and I have gone somewhere, and she's been there as well?”
Christie gave Sunny another looked, this time one that was a little annoyed. “As I said, coincidence.”
“Sure, sure.”
“It's true!” Christie said, heaving a frustrated sigh towards her friend.
Christie smiled though as her friend reached across the table and patted the tops of Christie's hands. “You have to have patience. Once you start your internship, everything will fall into place, which is what I told you when I was contacted by whomever that spirit was.”
“Right, so you said, but it's just so hard to see her having all those dates while knowing I'm not the one she has them with!”
“You've got it bad, Christie.”
Letting out another deep sigh, Christie stared at Sunny instead of turning around to look across the restaurant at where Alex and the woman she was with was sitting. “I. Know. I'm kind of pathetic, and I know that I'm acting that way, but I can't help I have such a crush on Alexandria.”
“Well, you are stalking -”
“I'm not stalking her! I told you, it's just a coincidence we both end up being at the same places!”
Christie growled a little as she watched Sunny's amused expression turn into a wide grin. “All right, I got it even if I think you're protesting too much. Although I can admit that I've seen things that are stranger than what is happening with the two of you.”
“Yea, but I don't want you to tell me anything about those things.” Christie gave Sunny a light smile as a way to show her friend that Christie had meant no disrespect, she didn't want to hear about some of the strangeness that was part of Sunny's life.
“Don't worry; I didn't plan on telling you more than you could handle.”
“Good because I'm still creeped out about the idea that people who have died are telling you about how I'm living my life or they are trying to get me to be with Alexandria.”
“Yea, I know. That's how most people feel when they come to believe I can do what I say I can do. I was the same way when I was younger; it was hard for me to deal with the spirits when I was a teenager.” Sunny smiled though, giving her friend a warm smile since Sunny overcame the fear of her abilities that plagued her when she was younger.
Chapter Eight
“Who is that? I know her…” Alex asked when she realized there was someone new among the other employees that worked at Dyalessia Games.
Melody looked towards where Alex was gazing, taking in the younger woman dressed in jeans and a shirt that had Pac-Man on the front. Melody smiled a little, knowing maybe she did something good for Alex. It took Alex a few days to realize that there was someone new in the office but this time, Alex had noticed within hours.
Maybe the woman was cute with what she was wearing and how she had pulled her long brown hair, which reached her ass, up into a pony tail.
“Intern. And what do you mean, you know her?”
“Intern. Wait. What? I've met her before, and the woman she's friends and a roommate with.”
“We talked about this, Alex. I know you were busy that day I first mentioned Christie, but you told me to bring her on board if I felt she could fit in, help out, and learn from us. So now she found the time to do so, she's here.” Melody looked back at Christie and then at Alex. “Really? The two of you have met before? And Christie lives with someone? I didn't know it wasn't something that Christie told me.”
“Oh. I don't remember that,” Alex nodded. “Yes, she lives with this… interesting woman. I don't know if I should say anything further about Sunny.”
“I know. You were buried in ideas and as usual you were hyper-focused on adding new things to the game. Anyhow, as I mentioned, her name is Christie, and she's a new intern. I also expect you to work with her some, so just don't ignore her. She wanted to meet you and I know she's eager to learn from you.”
“Okay, okay. I got it,” Alex said as she tore her eyes off the woman and looked at her sister. “You don't have to lecture me.”
“But I do, it's my right as the older sister.” Melody's grin was warm even as she continued to tease her sister. “Maybe the two of you could -”
“Don't,” Alex interrupted, “She's an employee, and that wouldn't be professional.”
“All I'm saying is just relax a little and spend time with her. Ask her out for lunch or something. It's not like you're breaking any rules if you do that. It'll be a work meeting and the two of you can... spend time together.”
“Right, that's all you have in mind. Gods, you're worse than mom and dad are for trying to set me up with dates or finding someone.”
“I want you to be happy. Is that so bad for me to feel, Alex?”
Blushing a little in embarrassment, Alex's gaze softened before she smiled. “No, I suppose it isn't, but as I said before, I can find my own dates.”
“Those haven't turned out that well so far,” Melody muttered to herself. “Okay, I won't get involved with trying to set you up with Christie but you have to meet with her and mentor her some.”
Heaving a sigh, Alex nodded. “Okay, okay. Since you insist.”
“You know I do.”
Chapter Nine
It was only about two days later that Alex got thrown into that meeting. She was busy with brain storming new ideas for over the past hour or two ever since she arrived at work and settled down into her office. Ho
wever, her mind wasn't working well this morning, and all she was doing was staring at the blinking cursor on her laptop. Writer's block seemed to have hit her this morning, and no new ideas were coming to her.
A quiet, “Hi,” caught her attention, causing her to look over the top of her laptop and at the woman who issued that sound. “Miss Melody thought it was a good time for me to come meet you. She noticed that you've been staring at that screen for a while. So your sister pressured me to. I mean I can leave if this is a bad time?”
Alex continued to sit there and blink at the woman; her thoughts still caught up on how upset she was that she hadn't been able to even jot down one note or idea and that she had wasted the past hour or two.
“No!” Alex said before she felt her cheeks fill with color at how loud her voice had sounded and how she had blurted out that one sharp word. She let out a low laugh to release some of her stress before she gave her head a shake. “Melody sent you in here, huh? Why am I not surprised.” Alex, smiled as she stood and put out her hand in the universal hand shake gesture. “I'm sure you're aware but I'm Alex, and I know that you're Christie, right?”
“That's right, Miss Alexandria.”
“Alex is fine.”
“Okay, Miss Alexandria.” Christie offered her smile even as she dropped the hand she had taken to shake.
Alex frowned a little, feeling a little lonely now that small hand been taken back. What had it been that caused her to want to have that hand back into hers? She dwelt on those thoughts for what felt like a long stretch of time until she moved from behind the desk and sat in one of the other chairs that were placed before her desk.
“Have a seat,” she said to Christie, causing the intern to give her a surprised look since one of the owners of the company was offering to sit with her in such a relaxed way.