ORIGINAL/OLD VERSION: Dying time and Ellipsism

Chapter 11

13th October 2022

She was a mess.
A simple mess.
A happy mess.
Her hair was braided quickly in the morning and a few colored leaves were lying on her shoulders or got caught up in her hair.
She felt imperfect.
She felt alive.
She felt real.

The sound of her phone receiving a notification made her reach for it almost immediately.
The revision notes on the table in front of her long forgotten.
A few of her course-mates stared at her curiously, they've never seen her like this.
Yet, Zalea ignored their stares and glances and concentrated entirely on her phone.
Her fingers quickly unlocked her phone and opened the message.
Clement.
She wanted to feel disappointed, but she didn't.
Her joy stayed.

Idiot
I heard you said 'yes'

Amata
Good morning to you, too

Idiot
Yeah, yeah
Morning, amata
Now, back to the topic

Amata
Okay, I'm giving up
Yeah, I said yes.
Why?

Idiot
Please say 'no' next time,
he's attracting attention with his endless smiling

Amata
...no

Idiot
Wow, thank you

Amata
For nothing?

Idiot
Glad you got it, amata
Now get to college, you'll be late

Amata
Already there

Idiot
Good, give us a call if you'll
need anything, amata

Amata
Will do, idiot

Idiot
And Aspen says 'Hi' btw

Amata
Tell him I said 'Hey' back

Idiot
Great, you broke him
He's looking like he's high on
some happy flowers 

Amata
A weird way to say drugs,
but you'll manage, Blython

Idiot
Will I though?

Amata
You will, Blython

Idiot
So it's Blython again, amata
OkAy

Amata
Got a problem with that?
Idiot

Idiot
...women

Amata
WoMeN-

Idiot
Stop mocking me

Amata
StOp MoCkInG mE-

Idiot
...

Amata
...

Idiot
Done?

Amata
Yeah

Idiot
Good, your course will start in a minute,
so I'll probably go and stop Aspen from
getting decked in his smiling face