Dark and light: The Shadows

Chapter 35

Dani cleansed the place a few days ago before we began to furnish it. Currently Bella, Storm and Kiruk were doing a protective barrier ritual. Bella insisted again that I don't have my energy imprint on it. Dani added on: at least not yet. Eva seemed thankful for it and I might have made a mistake as a beginner, so I just submitted to it.

I paced around the living room as the workers followed the layout Sabrina and I -and Ms Song, approved of in terms of Feng Shui- provided for them. I liked hearing the voices around. The house was long, acoustic and only two stories. It had everything we dreamed of, including a mini studio where Sabrina could record stuff. A pool -and a jacuzzi- were still in the process and I was wondering exactly how much was Anya getting paid to be able to add this by herself. Thinking of it, I began to pace out the rear end of the house.

The 'patio' served as our entertainment space and not too far was a book room or a recreational room. To think of it, this house felt more like a purse. Something we'd come to occasionally. None of us would be here for more than a few weeks at a time and sometimes with each other. I knew I wouldn't want to be here by myself.

I heard heels going up the stairs and I looked around. Anya seemed distracted walking up the stairs. No phone in hand, just watching the stairs as she ascended. I followed and immediately I was picking up on confusion.

"Ani," I walked after her

"What's up?" She paused, turned around and smiled.

I paused once we reached the top. What do I say? How are you? She dislikes small talk.

"I saw you taking a pill last night... what was-"

"Avitan. My insomnia got bad these past few months and I was too tired to test additional holistic routes, so I just got that prescribed from Ms Song." She responded after expressing a quick side-eye. I'd side-eye me too, who just asks about the pills you're taking?

"Oh... because of everything this past year?" I put an arm on her shoulder and she shook her head slowly.

"Yeah. Crazy, right?" And that minor twitch she had by her eye presented itself.

"Are you... ok?" My brows knitted themselves, truly.

"Yeah. Yeah. I'm just stressed about this next dance. I think I'll get a pedicure 2 days beforehand. No, after." She nodded - she tried to convince herself.

"Anya, if there's anything you need to talk about, please tell me." I put an arm on her shoulder.

"I'm good. Mercury's probably in retrograde right now, I can't stop thinking about that dipshit." She laughed. "But I know. I can come to you with worries- You're great with conversations now."

I nodded, pretending to buy it. I thought it was forced. I opened my mouth, about to say what I really wanted to, but her phone rang. She smiled at me and walked away to answer.

I turned around and began to descend. 'You're great with conversations now,' which sounded like someone telling me I could draw better stick figures. I shook my head and went back out to the patio. Mercury is in retrograde. Mercury is in retrograde.

We didn't—or I didn't have to worry about loneliness—because basically, everyone will be spending the night here in a couple of days, just so it feels like a full house first. And as much as I didn't want this house to have so many rooms, it was what we were used to.

"You could use a garden," Dani snuck up on me. "And paint. Don't let it be some beige or minimalist bullcrap."

I chuckled and nodded my head before leaning into her short hug. I should have someone house-sit, though, or just live in it. Renting this place on and off was not an option.