The Dark Mist

Meeting New Friends and Old Ones

                                                                                                 16

Becca had the cabbie take her back to the college and she paid him again, even though it was a return trip, but they weren't officially on duty yet. After the cabbie left, she returned home and changed into her jeans and a nice sweater. Ethan arrived and picked her up. Veronica wasn't home because she had gone out to work, so Ethan didn't have to be grilled by anyone. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and he led her to his car and they drove to the movie. They saw a comedy which Becca enjoyed. It was nice to relax and laugh for a change and not have to worry about people robbing stores or some ringleader leading the whole operation or corrupt cops. It was just nice to watch a movie and be with someone who . . . well, she liked. And she really liked Ethan, he was kind, gentle, considerate, and funny too. She felt comfortable with him and she hoped he felt comfortable with her too. They were both first year students so it was even nice to go out with someone who knew what she was going through in her first year, and she was sure he felt the same way. It was also nice to go out with someone, even if it was a date. She had hardly went out in the past year. Although her and Marjorie went shopping every now and then, but once Becca was in school, she did the school thing and learned like crazy because she wanted to do something with her life, be better than she was before, but she was still missing out on just talking to people. Being herself. Ethan allowed her to be herself, well, her new self now. She could just kick off her shoes and hang out with this guy and that's what she liked. She didn't want to have to keep looking over her shoulder wondering if the world was going to weigh her down and if she'd have to break away from it. She was always thinking ahead, thinking ahead, and never, at least not recently, living in the moment. It happened, well, not only when Ethan asked her out, but also when she stopped those robbers at Benji's store. The first time she aimlessly picked up that milk to bring back to Veronica. The first time she saw that gun. Something inside her said, this is who I am. And she had acted. Of course, she had lost that round, but then she got them back and now she was a hero. This was who she was now and what she was meant to be. The Dark Mist, savior of Harbor Street. Becca liked the ring of that and hoped it stuck.

After the movie, her and Ethan went to a coffee shop downtown since that was where the movie theatre was. He ordered two coffees, both with cream and sugar then they just sat down and talked about the movie, how funny it was, and what she did that night. Worked out and studied, nothing special. Ethan laughed at that, and said, "basically the usual."

"Yup, the usual," said Becca smiling and taking a sip of her coffee. "Guess it's what I was born to do."

"You need to have fun Becks."

"I am having fun," said Becca, "I'm with you aren't I?"

"Yes that is fun, good point, but I mean I love that you're spending time with me, but you need friends too. You know maybe get a workout buddy or join a club at the College."

"I have Veronica," said Becca.

"Right and how often do you see her in a day? You told me she works, um, nights?"

"Okay, maybe I don't see her that often. I mean usually on the weekend because we're not in school, but we usually don't go shopping together or anything like that."