THE ESCORT

TWO | DREAMERS ARE FOOLS

The sky had become a dusky, deep rose colour, and the air had a slight chill to it, when Elodie and Jean finally walked out of the diner at the end of her shift. They'd both changed out of their uniforms and back into their clothes, and had both sprayed a healthy amount of perfume to mask the smell of the pies clinging to their bodies like a second skin.

Jean was also carrying a backpack, but unlike Elodie's, hers were filled with her textbooks and work uniform. She attended evening classes at the Community College each day after working hours. Elodie was at times jealous of how she didn't have to worry about anyone but herself. Like her, Jean lived in Aqualine Bay in an apartment that she shared with another person, and it was much more nicer than hers.

They both made the short trek to the busstop in silence, and sat on one of the benches after examining them for dirt and body fluids—they'd once seen a used condom around these parts, and a splash of what could be semen on one of the benches at another time. So, they'd made it a daily ritual to check before sitting down.

Jean pulled off her backpack and set it on her lap with a sigh. "One of these days, I am going to quit school and this job. Then I'll buy a ticket and get out of Sunset Bay. There's so much of the world to see than this place."

Just like their daily ritual, Elodie was used to Jean's rants everyday while they waited for their busses. She'd threaten to quit school and get out of town, but never went through with it because she'd applied to this college as a fuck you to her parents who were out living their lives in San Diego with her twin brother who was the perfect poster child they'd always wanted.

"Oh, yeah?" Elodie cocked a brow, lips quirking at the edges. "And where will you go, oh dear traveller?"

"I hear the Bahamas is the rave now." Jean reached into the side pocket of her bag and brought out her phone. It was an old andriod that had several spider-webbed cracks running across the expanse of its screen. She powered it on, and quickly opened her browser. After a few taps, she handed it over to Elodie. "Look at that gorgeous beach."

The image was a clear snap of a sparkling, bright blue beach that boasted of white sands that shone like little specks of diamonds, and the bright white sea shells that peppered the edge of the lush waves. It was beautiful, of course. And Elodie could almost imagine laying by the edge of the water, sunbathing in a two-piece suit, sipping from her fancy cocktail glass.

"It's beautiful," she agreed, handing the phone back to its owner. "But, you finish school and you can travel to your heart's content."

Jean nodded, eyes sparkling as she stared at the image on her phone. "You always know the right things to say."

Elodie nudged her gently with her elbow. "That's why you always tell me about your plans to escape. You want me to talk you from taking a rash decision."

"And you know me so well." She pressed the home button, then stashed the phone back in the backpack pocket. Then, said, "What about you?"

If Elodie said she hadn't been anticipating that question, then she was a liar. Jean asked her the same thing each day, and just like every other day, her bus arrived first, saving her from replying.

Elodie rose to her feet, clutching the strap of her bag. "I have to go."

Jean kissed her teeth, shaking her head. "Fine. Escape again today, but just know that I'll keep at it until you tell me one day."

She smiled, stepping forward as the bus doors slid open, and other passengers emerged. "I'll hold you to it." Then, she stepped onto the bus, wrinkling her nose immediately as she was assaulted by a mixture of sweat, body odour and perfume.