Odessa

chapter 42 - a deal

"You can't try and tell us you don't like him." Emma says, tucking her feet under her butt. 

I blow the smoke out, leaning my head back. "It doesn't matter. Three women left his bedroom this morning. I'm not going anywhere near any of that." 

"Feminism!" Yas yells, putting a fist in the air. 

We both laugh. 

"Okay but- if that didn't happen, how would you answer that question?" She asks, playing with her now dried hair. 

I shrug, "It's more complicated than just... feelings." 

"Ugh! Why! What is life." Yas exclaims, throwing her head back, frustrated. 

"It's annoying but it's not like... a fairytale situation. I don't know." I cup my face in my hand, shaking my head. 

I love this part of the night. The storm has died down, the moon is bright, the chats get deeper, walls come down, the music gets weirder. Everything is better at night. 

Sitting on the balcony, someone turned the outdoor heaters for us. We sit in the money and warmth, enjoying the view. The peace. The company. It's perfect. 

"Em, what's been going on with you in the boy department." I ask, taking a sip of my mug. We all made some tea and coffee for ourselves, like real adults. 

"Ugh, boy department? Really?" 

I laugh, nodding, "Boy department." 

-

The next morning is nice. Refreshing. I feel new. Seeing things differently yesterday, it changes the perspective. 

We all put on our matching robes again, making ourselves a breakfasts fit for queens. 

We don't need to say much as we sit, eating food, sharing a moment in time together. 

Yas and Emma both had to leave shortly after breakfast, final year and all that. 

And I'm in my room again, sitting on my couch, looking over the city as it recovers from yesterdays meltdown. Mother nature was upset, understandably so. 

My mind ticks, wondering what to do with myself. 

Studying was an option, but I had already done as much work as I possibly could to catch up, and I managed to get ahead on my classes. 

I'd been meaning to go to the Met for a while, but the storm on the forecast force those plans back. Rain check, I guess. 

The 505, which I only worked one shift, opens in 7 hours. Maybe I could get my job back. 

But that's still 7 hours. 

Raking through every other possible option of entertainment, I end up in my closet, putting on a comfy workout set; a black long sleeve top with a pair of oversized track pants. 

I hadn't been to the basement since I had been training for my... performance. 

And I had completely forgot about those familiar faces sitting in those cells. 

I wonder what they've done to them. 

The elevator dings and I walk into the space, the faces that were once cold and staring now greeting me with a smile. 

I smile back, walking through the basement, rounds going off as punches are thrown. 

I missed it down here. The organised chaos of it all. 

"Layla! What are you doing down here?" Marco greets as he spots me. 

He approaches, leaving the small group of men and women he was talking to behind.