A House Made For Two

I'm The Main Performance

Jack was grateful this time, that Leena had the decency of actually knocking (yes, she discovered that amazing act). He was adding detail to the clouds, this time. “That’s pretty.”

“Hn.” A moment of silence. He hoped it would last, but then she spoke up again.

“Do you sell them?”

“Yeah, for a bit at my friend’s store.”

“Cool…” 

He could practically see the faint dollar-bill signs in her eyes. 

“…Can…can you back up a bit?” Doing the opposite, she plopped her chin on his shoulder. He tried hard not to wince at the boniness of it and how it was a mixture of pain and ticklishness.

“No.” she said stonily.

He sighed. “What is it anyway?”

“Same as yesterday. Another concert, though it’s just a repeat of the first. Look after the rocks.” 

Jack figured out from last time that although he couldn't find any rocks (though who knows, she might actually have one under her bed), she actually had a ‘Happy Plant’ (no, seriously, he double-checked on the label and that was what it’s called), or rather a ‘Chinese Money Tree’. Of course that was why she bought it. “So what, you’re like a stage helper, a performer…?” He could feel the girl grinning smugly. 

“I’m the main performance.”

“Huh, that’s cool…” Damn, for some reason, he couldn’t get this shade of grey right…

Frowning at the lack of reaction, she started again. “As in, the concert is literally just me playing.”

“Wait, what?”

“I earn half my livings as a solo cellist, you know.”

“But I thought you were a waitress!” 

“Both.”

Standing up straight, she made her way back to the door. “Continue on. I’ll be back late.” And with that, she left. Speaking of leaving, he realised he should really be going soon to the café. But then he relaxed as remembered Helen was usually at least two hours ‘fashionably’ late. Yeah, he was fine.

*****

“Hey,” she grinned, holding up a cup full of steaming brown liquid and gesturing to the plate of desserts in front of her.

“Hey,” he replied, smiling at her initiative. Taking a seat opposite her, he glanced around and saw that a young silver-haired boy had replaced Leena’s position, mirroring her actions and holding an air of confidence. He tried to get a glimpse of his name-tag but Helen spoke up, drawing his attention.

“So basically, I called you out coz I need someone to rant to.”

“Oh? Be my guest.”

She interlaced her hands and brought them up to her chin. “Great. Well, you know that guy I’ve been dating?”

“Um, you know I’m probably the crappiest person to-”

“Yeah, well in my case you’re the only person I can talk to. So don’t even try to get out of it.”

“Right…”

“Anyway, that Vick guy…well…let’s just say it’s over.”

“And this is you being heartbroken?”