Shooting Star and Swallow's Song

Life is Strange and Magical

Alex still couldn't believe that Steph had said it out loud. Asking her to come along if she left was one thing. They could do that as friends. But there was no mistaking what Steph said now, just a short while ago. She didn't ask her out or anything like that, but she said enough to let Alex know what they could be. Maybe everything else she hoped and wanted would come after this, but she at least knew things were headed in the right direction. Maybe when Steph's father left, things between them could get more sorted out. Steph all but said it with her hint.

Even then though, Alex knew she would still be carrying some lingering doubts of why Steph didn't tell her about getting the job right away. Now that she had more time to think about it, ideas popped into her head. They really hadn't known each other that long, so what if Steph wanted some more time to make sure it was a good idea to move away together, to get to know each other better. It made sense and was reasonable to Alex, but she couldn't help but hope that Steph was simply that confident and knew she wanted to be with her. Alex hoped she could just feel it, like she did.

When they reached the record store, Alex knew the routine and so already had her knees up and an arm hanging out, ready to get picked up when Steph had removed the canopy. Alex glanced across to George as he waited by the door and wondered if he could see the way Steph was looking at her when she came close to pick her up out of the wagon.

To Alex, every small action was starting to feel glaringly obvious that it carried more weight than the act itself, but she wasn't sure if it was just because she was looking for it or not. From the small caress down her back as she put her hand into position, to the split second lingering with Alex in her arms, every aspect of the way they interacted communicated something beyond friendship, at least to her. All the little things that added up. Alex was waiting for George to say something about it, but so far not a word had come.

Leading them both to the entrance, Steph got out her keys. As she turned the key, she said, "First things first. I need to deactivate the security system."

Alex arched a quizzical eyebrow at first, but then put it together.

"You mean feed Valkyrie?"

"Same thing," Steph said as she opened the door.

"I've heard a lot about this cat, but I'm sure we'll be best of friends by the time I leave," George said confidently.

"Oh sweet innocent father of mine. You haven't met her yet. Alex can tell you. Even her charms were lost on this demon beast."

"Ryan told you about that?" Alex asked, a little surprised.

"Uh...yeah. But this guy's stubborn. He'll be going back home with claw marks from his head to his toes."

"So little faith," her father said as he followed her in behind Alex as he held open the door for her.

"Thanks," she said, entering on her crutches.

"I have total faith...in Valerie's hunger for human flesh," Steph said as they both entered and the door closed behind them.

"Lock it for me if you don't mind," she said to her dad. "We're not quite open yet. Although...leaving it unlocked early has worked out better than I ever thought it could recently, but I think it was...one of those things that only happens once."

"Made a lot of sales I take it?"

"Best day ever, for sure."

Her tone was quite casual and she was looking at her father as she spoke, but after she replied, Steph gave Alex a subtle look that confirmed for her that she was talking about their first encounter.