Unbecoming

Fake It 'Til You Make It

"Can you watch where you're fucking going."

The voice was hard to describe, a little rough, though high in pitch. Not the squeaky high though, in any other circumstance it was probably best described as smooth and calming, feminine.

My eyes were screwed shut too tight to put a face to the voice however, but that was the last thing I could concentrate on doing. The sudden knock had messed with my equilibrium, sending my head spinning painfully.

"Hey are you good?" The voice spoke softer this time, I presume more concerned than angry at the sight of me grasping at my head.

A small gasp fell out of my mouth at the sensation and a tentative hand came to rest on my lower back, causing me to flinch slightly at the unwelcomed touch. A small, "Sorry." Was muttered at the jerky movement and the hand drew back, though not far.

Slowly, I regained my grasp on my senses. My eyes darting open, looking to the person standing slightly awkwardly with a hand hovering above my shoulder, just shy of touching me.

The woman was short in stature and shrinking in on herself at the sight of my curious and seemingly far off gaze. Her features were soft and careful and her hair fell just bellow her shoulders in a brown, neat, mess. She looked nice.

The woman pulled her hand back from hovering over my shoulder, a flash of sympathy taking over her face before being controlled into a soft, caring smile, "I'm uh, I'm sorry for the aggression, it was entirely unlike me and I swear there is a reason, I'm just so stressed and was in a rush and really it was actually my own fault for not looking where I was going- Oh and forgive me, are you alright? You seemed distressed or uncomfortable and I really am sorry if I caused that I ju-" The brunette was rambling now, spilling in to a mess of surprisingly articulate words as her hands flew wildly around her in an attempt to solidify the amount of sorry she is, in an almost controlled panic.

"Hey, hey no I's fine I was just knocked about a bit is'all, didn't mean 't disturb the peace or anything." I let out a small giggle, my doe eyes glazing over in tears for no reason and my frantic hand gestures following her in emphasising every word.

"Um sorry if this sounds forward or something but," The smaller woman fiddled with her own fingers, looking down and pausing before taking a breath and continuing her thought, "You seem drunk or high or something and I've been where you are and I was wondering if there was anything I could do to help? Like is there a place I can take you or someone I can call? God knows the streets aren't safe for someone like that."

My breath hitched. Someone saw through me, shit. "Oh no, pfft- Nah, I'm completely fine y'don't have to worry about me. You don't know me and you said you were in a rush and I'd rather not keep you." I was good at this, at faking it until it was brushed aside and the topic was changed. Not this time it seemed.

"Well, I'm Julien. I'm a musician and I'm from Tennessee. Now we aren't strangers. Can I help you now?" The woman was persistent, sticking a hand out for me to shake.

"Technically we still are, because you don't know my name, Julien from Tennessee." A sly, playful smirk formed on my face, it apparently wasn't enough to deter her.

An annoyed elderly woman pushed past us, mumbling under her breath, reminding us that we were in fact still in the middle of a busy pathway and causing us to step back out of the way beside a building.

I could feel the effects of the unknown pills slowly start to release me, allowing me to see in to the sober side of my mind and decidedly still not liking it, there was nothing I could really do about that though because I was stuck talking to Julien, who was still pushing.

"Are you forever going to be known as the 'Mystery Woman on Drugs' or am I actually going to get a name for you." Julien pressed on, a small, anxious smile adorning her face.

"You know, considering I'm the 'Mystery Woman on Drugs' you don't seem so cautious of me. What, you not afraid I'm going to start begging you for money? Attack you and take you for all you have?" I scoffed at the implications being the druggie held and feeling slightly hurt at the other woman's words, I also silently hoped my rudeness would get her off my back. "And my name is Raene."

Julien winced, "I didn't mean it like that, I'm sorry."

"You're fine. Not the first time that's happened. Anyway, see I'm all better now. No need to worry." I glanced down at my watch and a plan formed in my head, "shit, I'm so late. I uh, I have to go. Thank you for apologising, I'm sorry for bumping in to you and wasting your time, have a good rest of your day!" And before Julien could argue I had already taken off and was halfway down the street.