The Atta-Rose || Season 1

CHAPTER 11 : A New Friend

A few weeks after their initial encounter, while the others were busy with their own work, Nin found herself thinking about Erin more often than she cared to admit. She wasn't one to make friends easily, but something about Erin had gotten under her skin. Maybe it was the way Erin had stood her ground, or maybe it was just that Nin wasn't used to meeting people who weren't scared of her.

...

One evening, Nin was walking through one of Duncan's quieter neighborhoods, on her way back from a meeting with the group. As she passed a small café, she caught a glimpse of someone familiar sitting by the window, absorbed in a book. It was Erin.

Nin hesitated for a moment, considering just walking past. But then, on a whim, she changed course and pushed the door open. A little bell above the door chimed as she stepped inside. The place was cozy, with dim lighting and the rich scent of coffee in the air. Erin hadn't noticed her yet, so Nin took the opportunity to observe her for a second. She looked more relaxed than the last time they'd met, her hair loosely tied back, her expression softened by whatever she was reading.

Nin walked up to the table, and when she was close enough, Erin finally looked up. Her eyes widened in surprise, then a smile spread across her face.

"Nin," Erin greeted her, setting her book down. "Didn't expect to see you here."

"Didn't expect to be here," Nin replied with a shrug. "Mind if I join you?"

"Sure," Erin said, gesturing to the chair across from her. "Have a seat."

Nin sat down, and for a moment, neither of them said anything. It wasn't exactly awkward, but there was a tension in the air, like they were both trying to figure out what to make of each other. Finally, Erin broke the silence.

"So, what brings you to this part of town?" she asked, her tone casual but curious.

"Just passing through," Nin said. "Saw you in here and thought I'd say hi."

Erin smiled again, a soft, genuine smile that made Nin feel...comfortable. It was strange, but not unwelcome.

"Well, I'm glad you did," Erin said. "I've been meaning to thank you for not, you know, killing me the last time we bumped into each other."

Nin let out a short laugh. "You took that seriously? I mean yeah, I don't kill people for that. Takes more than a little bump on the sidewalk."

"Good to know," Erin said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "So, what do you do when you're not...'assassinating' people?"

Nin considered how to answer that. She wasn't used to talking about herself, especially not with people outside the group. But Erin had a way of making her feel like she didn't have to put up her usual walls.

"I work with a group," Nin said finally. "We, uh, handle things that need handling."

Erin raised an eyebrow. "Sounds mysterious."

Nin shrugged again. "Well..."

Erin nodded, accepting the answer without prying further. There was a comfortable silence between them for a while as Erin sipped her coffee and Nin looked around the café.

"You come here often?" Nin asked after a moment.

"Yeah, it's one of my favorite spots in the city," Erin said. "It's quiet, and the coffee's good. Plus, it's a great place to read."

Nin glanced at the book on the table. "What are you reading?"

Erin picked up the book and showed it to her. "It's a mystery novel. I'm a sucker for a good whodunnit."

Nin smirked. "Figures. You seem like the type who likes solving puzzles."

"Maybe," Erin said, tilting her head slightly. "Or maybe I just like seeing how other people figure things out."

They talked for a while longer, the conversation flowing more easily than Nin had expected. Erin had a way of making even the most mundane topics interesting, and Nin found herself genuinely enjoying the company. When it was time to leave, they exchanged numbers, something Nin rarely did with anyone outside her circle.

"Let me know if you're ever in the mood for coffee or a good mystery," Erin said as they stood outside the café.

"Sure," Nin replied. "Maybe next time, I'll be the one picking the place."

Erin grinned. "Looking forward to it."

As Nin walked away, she realized she didn't regret reaching out to Erin. It was a strange feeling, letting someone new into her life, but it wasn't a bad one. Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something good.

And so, their unlikely friendship began—built on sharp words, mutual respect, and the understanding that even the toughest people need a little connection sometimes.