ACTION | ❝ you don't have to go home but you can't stay here ❞

[11ady]

[Let's go the multiple choice route like a bad dating sim that leads nowhere.]

❶ morning; coffee shop

At the counter, you'll notice Elle digging through her purse and paying for the cheapest drink in spare change. Damn, is she short a nickel again? She's just trying to justify hogging a table for the free wi-fi so she can get her paper done. Never mind all the weird chat windows and video feeds constantly popping up or the weird texts to her phone. She has responsibilities, ok?

❷ noon; still at the coffee shop

The lunch rush is pouring in and there's a desperate need to clear the tables. It sure is awkward being asked to leave by the manager. What do? A little intervention would help but the kindness of strangers is a myth, isn't it?

❸ closing time; yep still at the coffee shop

Look she just has one page left to polish? Can't you just let her stay ten more minutes despite the fact that she's only bought one small coffee but stayed almost 12 hours? This isn't awkward to watch at all. To think she was on top of the world barely six years ago and now she's been reduced to this.

Comments

[northless]

[He shrugs in reply, pulling up a seat and sliding into it. He figures he'll be here a while.]

Sure, no worries. If you want, I could help.

[11ady]

That'd be good. Do you know anything about medieval torture implements? My history professor seems rather fond of them.

[Taking her eyes off the monitor, she studies his face. Hm, he looks familiar.]

I think we might actually be in the same class.

[northless]

[Ah, medieval torture implements. He makes a face--he still hasn't forgotten that hallucination. Dream. Whatever it was.]

Some. Not actually all that much.

[And anyway he's been putting that paper off in favor of more important matters. It isn't like anyone's actually using stuff like the Iron Maiden these days, aside for band names.

Speaking of classes, well. This is kind of embarrassing.]

What a coincidence, huh?

[11ady]

I'm focusing mostly on the practice of flaying for this one. The pictures were a great help keeping hunger at bay. It's a lovely little coincidence meeting you here, I suppose. Maybe you can help me word some of this better...

[northless]

Let me see.

[He moves over, getting out of his chair to check out what she's writing. Who knows, maybe he can use some of those notes for his own.]

[11ady]

[Scooting over, she lets him proofread.]

I could probably email it to you if you think it might help you write yours.

[No harm in that, is there? Just helping out a classmate. The fact that he's kind of cute has nothing to do with it. REALLY.]

[northless]

Mm, thanks. I've been trying to finish it for a while, I just haven't found the time.

[...you barely even started it.]

[11ady]

Happy to oblige. We should probably trade contact details.

[Taking a pen out and clicking it, she grabs his wrist and starts scribbling her name, e-mail and number on his palm. Not exactly the most clear-minded thing to do but it's straightforward. She doesn't want to have to deal with the looking for paper and pussyfooting around.]

You can back to work and I can leave you to it. Just text me your email when you're free.

[Not even bothering to ask his name. Well, sleeplessness does strange things.]

[northless]

[Did she just--yeah. Yeah, she did. God, yes she just did. Robb blinks down at his wrist for a moment, then nods, still a little stunned.]

Uh...sure. Okay. [Wait.] I'm Robb, by the way.

[11ady]

Elle.

[Closing her laptop, she stands to make way for him so he can close up.]

I'll see you in class, Robb.

[Before he even knows it, the door's shutting behind her and she's off into the night.]