Lyfers OLD VERSION

Chapter 3 - Drinks

 In front of Ishael's door stood, sheepishly, the black-haired boy she saved earlier that night: Taemin. She frowned, unsure of this whole event: if he truly was a recruit, why would he get cornered by a stray Lyfer? Why would she be the one to rescue him? Her instinct was screaming that something was not right, but she couldn't point what. The other young man, with messy, short silver hair, looked at her, tilting his head to the side.

– What's the problem? Do you guys know each other?

– She's the one who resurrected me, Boss...

– Yeah, and that could've got me in deep, deep shit.

She sighed, but pushed herself to the side, letting them in and closing after them. Ishael and Gesh woke up, greeting the two by a quick handshake and a slap on the shoulder.

– Hey, been a while, how do you do? Cheerfully asked Gesh.

– Fine indeed, just got my own rookie, haha. What about you?

– Usual stuff, shrugged the blonde. Get a seat, I'll grab you some drinks.

At this phrase, Taemin flinched.

– N-no, I'm good, he muttered. I can't stay, anyways. Some, uh... Some family to see.

– Already? We just arrived, remarked Siali.

– I'm sorry, Boss. I-...

– Go, kiddo. I'll call you when your training will start.

The younger nodded then turned around, only to fall face to face with Leto. The brunette stared into his dark eyes, coldly, and he took a step back, anxiously.

– Are you trying to make my trainee run away, Princess? Giggled the gray-haired man.

Hearing that nickname didn't help the bitter look on her face, as she walked forwards Taemin. When she stopped, she was only a few inches away from him, and she could feel his nervousness. He was afraid of her, and she knew it. She could perceive his life flow spinning around him, restlessly, too agitated to stay where it should. All of sudden, she got her eyes off him, whacking his shoulder as she got away, chuckling.

– Of course not. Was just testing the dude. Kinda the jittery one, huh?

What sounded like a joke to the other men hit like a threat to the boy, and he left the apartment, so rattled he almost stumbled, while the young woman sat between Gesh and Siali.

– Anyways, do you know about tomorrow's mission? Questioned Leto.

Ishael came back with another glass full of champagne, handing it to the other Lieutenant.

– Thanks, dude, he said, before watching the brunette. The Skinners' one?

– Yeah, that one.

– M'yeah I do, why?

– I'll be in charge. Care to come with us?

– Mh, why not. That could be fun.

He smiled at her, and she avoided smiling back by seizing her glass, finishing it in one gulp. Ishael knew she was not at ease around that man, but did not say a thing, simply filling her glass again. He kind of wanted her to realize that, rather than having to stick with him, she could have easily asked him over a message.

– Good. I'll text the location to everyone tomorrow.

She emptied yet another glass, then woke up, which surprised her friends just as much as Siali, who however kept silent.

– Where are you going? Asked Gesh.

– I still have things to do.

– Which are? Added the blonde.

– Personal stuff. But don't worry, have fun!

As she was about to leave, Ishael put away his glass and got on his feet, running towards her.

– Hey, didn't I tell you about that? C'm'here, that's a secret.

He waved at the two men before pushing Leto into the kitchen in a rush, quickly closing the door behind them.

– What the-... started the girl, surprised.

– Fuck, sis! I'm not babysitting that shithead just because you got tired not even five minutes after he arrived! You called him there, you push him outside!

He pouted, crossing his arms and blocking the exit. Leto sighed: she perfectly knew Ishael couldn't stand him, but she had wished he would have done something about it, tonight, like sending him back.

– That's not about him, dumbass, it's that Taemin.

– Oh, do you mean the poor boy you nearly killed with your eyes?

She grumbled something he did not manage to understand, leaning against the wall.

– Don't you find it weird, that the idiot I just rescued is now a Downtown recruit?

– Coincidences.

– I don't believe in these.

– Well, you'll have to, at least for tonight! Now, shoo, go back to the living room like nothing ever happened!

He shoved her out of the kitchen in a hurry, and, in a completely different way than she planned, the rest of the night went on, with drinks flowing into her glass way more than she expected.