The Translucent Girl

Chapter 2

I let out a sigh as I looked at the time on the screen of my phone. Five minutes before five in the morning. I of course hadn't slept a wink, I couldn't, not after what had occurred last night. I decided then that it was futile and a waste of time to spend another minute in bed.

After getting up and dressing myself I made my way to my personal lavatory to complete my morning routine. Again I found myself grabbing my packet of cigarettes and one of my many textbooks and leaving my room. I leisurely made myself comfortable at the island in our new kitchen.

An hour or so later I decided to take a break from Human Anatomy 2.1 and reached for my packet of (cigarette brand name). Taking out a fresh cigarette I gently placed it between my lips. Looking up I took a moment to observe my new home. Seeing the newly tiled floor, elite painted walls, floating cabinetry and brand new kitchen; I couldn't help but feel slightly guilty. This place had cost a fortune and I evidently remembered Emily counting her cents one by one.

She had saved more than eight of her full salaries of her manager position at that fancy restaurant a few streets over to have been able to pay her half. Mommy had at least helped me to pay for my half of our home. With her earning an astonishingly well doctors salary she had insisted on paying three quarters of my half. I had complained but she had countered that it was her rewarding me for my excellent university results.

I took another look at the time on my phone. Realising Em and George would be up soon, I stood from the island and switched the kettle on. The only thing that could deposit a smile on my face in the mornings was a yummy cup of my favourite tea. My new roommate felt similarly about her coffee in the mornings. Her love of coffee provoked me once to ask...

"Are you just going to stand there or are you going to get some mugs?" I nearly jumped four feet in the air upon hearing her speak right next to me. She laughed. I scowled.

"Woah there Ro, since when does something frighten you?" She smiled. I still scowled.

"Since you started announcing your presence right next to me." I replied. She gave a slight giggle whilst I reached for three mugs in the cupboard above me. Emily and I got to work on our morning delights.

"You look really pale." Emily observed whilst pouring the hot water into our respective mugs.

"Yeah, I uhm, I didn't really sleep last night." I warily replied. She paused for a moment and I looked up at her. Her lips pulled into a straight line and I knew that she knew that I had not completely been truthful.

"You saw something...or well someone didn't you?" She could always detect when I kept something from her, she read me like the teen romance fiction books she loves. I felt guilty even though I had good reason to.

"I didn't want you feeling uncomfortable in our new home Emily." She looked up at me and I could practically smell her disagreement coming. I knew I had to put a stop to it.

"I saw her standing in the park across from our apartment, so there's no reason to feel uncomfortable anyway. I'm sorry I didn't tell you but it's not a big deal, I see them all the time Em." I could visibly see her shoulders relaxing upon the word 'park'. I knew Emily felt very uneasy whenever I see someone, even when she never verbally admitted it. I've decided to keep it myself as much as needed, for her sake. She pondered for a second before lifting her eyebrows.

"Her?" She asked. I looked away from her. Lifting my steaming cup of heaven I took a big swallow before addressing the situation.

"Yes Emily. Fun fact; there are actual women dying." I lowered my voice dramatically in the hopes that it would sound like I was telling a secret. My acting career hasn't been any success but at least it was a worthy enough performance.