GIFTED EYES (book two)

Chapter 05: What of you?

Geneviève

Althea and Geneviève chomp their teeth with their backs against the brick wall of the shop. They hold hands within Althea's coat pocket as they attempt to stay warm; Geneviève's other hand holding a bag with a bottle of red wine the two picked at random. She shakes violently, her muscles stiff to contain herself.

By Althea's order, Geneviève wore a short black dress that frizzled at the ends with a black mesh stocking she borrowed from her. The star piece being  the Haven's province black boots she'd stolen from the store, belonging to a waiting customer.

"We'll just repair it again before giving it back to the them." Althea said before stealing them, and she did have a point.

Althea wore a short black skirt and corset with a black sleeved shirt underneath. Her boots were also from the store and her obsidian black hair was styled much different from earlier. It was long of course, but the bangs were cut short. Something she had decided last minute as Geneviève watched in awe.

"God," she says between her chattering teeth. "how long is your friend going to take? It's freezing."
"I'm the one who should be complaining," Geneviève stutters, hugging herself to keep warm. "You put me in this stupid thing. I'm practically naked!"

Althea shovels and kicks a ball of snow with the tip of her boot in Geneviève's direction.
"Hey!"
"I make you look pretty for your first date and instead of a thank you I get this?"

Geneviève's cocks her head back.
A first date? Is she speaking about Eliseo?
"Stop being weird. We're just hanging out."
"You asked him out to a party and you're wearing a dress," she smiles. "It's a date."

Shit.

She should have never agreed to any of this. The makeup, the dress—this wasn't her. Geneviève looks to her feet. What's worse, Eliseo thinking she has a crush on him, or Eliseo seeing her in this stupid thing?

"Don't get so worked up on it," Althea lightly shoves her. It wakes her from her train of thought. "He did say he'd come didn't he?"

That's right. He did say yes. Does this mean he likes her? Does she like him? For a moment, it makes her happy. Knowing someone adored her to an extent of infatuation; so much so, to create soil for love to fester and grow.

"Speak of the devil," Althea whispers, linking her arm with Geneviève.

The two watch as Eliseo walks towards them, snow crunching beneath his feet. He wore dark brown trousers and an olive green button down that hugged his arms. A black under shirt revealed by the low buttoning of his button down, and black boots along with a coat slightly too large and obviously belonging to Moses. She had never seen him dressed so cleanly. Even his hair is wet.

He must've walked his way here, because his cheeks were flushed. "Sorry I'm late, I had to wait for Moses to get home."
"That's alright." Geneviève says shyly.
"It's rude to keep a lady waiting, but, Geneviève really wanted you to come so—"
"Stop talking like that!" Geneviève shouts. Althea and Eliseo give each other quick glances, watching the girl stomp her way into the streets. The two follow.

"So, where exactly are we heading?" Eliseo says.
Althea gives a cunning grin. "It's a surprise, but," her grin is quick to sour. "If you're going to chicken out, do it now. It's not exactly on the prettiest spot of the Vagabonds."

Eliseo puffs up his chest like a Believers farm hen. "I'm not a chicken. The Vagabonds should be scared of me. Isn't that right, Geneviève?"

Geneviève digs her nose into the collar of her coat.
"Sure." She deadpans behind a sniffle.
"What do you mean sure?"
"I mean, you're the biggest chicken I know."
He lets out a scoff and it tickles her.
"Oh that's bullshit!" He shouts with a smile.
"Should I tell Althea about the time you spent the night with me and Hamal under the bridge?" Geneviève giggles. Eliseo tussles with her to clasp her mouth, but she's quick to shove his hand away.
"Tell me!" Althea shouts.