Normal | Rhekker

Prologue - IV

Ava sat alone, again, on her lunch break, wishing to hear a familiar American accent come up to her. A group of doctors passed her by, laughing and chatting as they passed her in the canteen. Ava looked back to her book, unable to follow the words she finished her soup, ending her lunch break early.

Ava stood at her locker, gathering her things for the end of the day. Eavesdropping on the conversation at the end of the room.
"You all go swimming?" Ava asked, looking to them.
"Yeah" one of the nurses confirmed.
"Oh, cool" She smiled looking into her bag, "is that just you guys or is it a club?"
"It's a club" one of them reached into her locker and produced a flyer.
"The medical marines, we swim twice a week and go for coffee after"
Ava took the flyer and read over it.
"It's sea swimming, no pools like you might be used to" Brooklyn warned.
Ava nodded, "I learned to swim in the sea"
"We're meeting on Friday if you want to join"
"Yeah, I'll go" She agreed with a smile.

Ava got the subway to the meeting spot, walking the short distance to the shore.
She was greeted by her colleagues as they began to change.
"Where's your wetsuit Bekker?"
"My what?" Ava said.
"I have a spare one in the boot, c'mon" Brooklyn nodded to her car and Ava followed after.
Brooklyn retrieves the second skin.
"Here, were about the same size" she held it up to Ava.
"Thank you" Ava took it looking at the items strangely.
"Here" she took it, "you out it in like this"
Once Ava had it over her shoulders Brooklyn zipped it up for her.
"They keep you warm it the water" she told her.
"I've never heard of them" Ava said.
"I don't know how you didn't freeze sea swimming without one" she chuckled as they walked back to the water.

*

"Here' Ava held out the coffee, her hair dripping in its bun, "a thanks for the wetsuit"
"Thanks Ava" Brooklyn brought to coffee to her lips, Ava sat next to her.
"I'm sorry for being so snappy with you" she breathed.
"My parents and grandparents moved from Italy six months before I was born to Long Island. They still own a pizzeria down there- my grandparents that is. My parents decided they wanted to branch out, move with the baby. And they liked the place so much they decided, this is going to be our baby's name"
"Brooklyn" Ava nodded, finally understanding.
"I know you think you're the only immigrant, I could see that fear in your eyes, the questioning if you were only picked for that reason. And I know I didn't immigrate but first gen? If you'll take that"
"It's nice to know I'm not the only non-American, sort of. I did have a sense I was hated"
"They don't hate you" she said. Putting her coffee down.
"They fear you"
"What? But I've been nothing but nice-" Ava defenced.
"It's not you Ava. It's your reputation" she chuckled. "You are one of the top surgeons in two different counties and your not even thirty"
"Parents must me proud" she smiled. "I was the youngest chief here and I still have a few years on you"
Ava took a deep breath, realising Brooklyn's dislike for her.
"I didn't mean to steal your limelight"
She shrugged, "it was going to happen eventually. I was just mad you were some snotty nosed Chicago chick. But I was wrong" she pursed her lips. Ava took Brooklyn's hand.
"I'll forgive you if you tell me where to get one of these wetsuits" Ava smiled, meeting Brooklyn's eye.

I laugh like me again

Connor stood at a gallery opening talking to some buyers. From across the room he caught her eye, a smile on her face as she laughed at something her friend had said. The smile spread to Connor and he turned back to his conversation.

She laughs like you