Fresh Wounds

Stay?

Automatically, both girls stooped down to collect the pieces. They bumped into each other with the schoolgirl awkwardness they had shared so many years before. "Sorry," they both mumbled, still in shock. Phoenix was the first to recover, speaking through chattering teeth, "C-could I come in?"

"Yeah, I think you'd better," Arabella stood and led the way. "You must be freezing." Her paltry attempt at small talk was met with nothing but a small nod. Arabella handed Phoenix her sweater, just like old times. Phoenix smiled faintly as the warmth engulfed her. They stayed quiet for awhile, unsure of what to say. "So, what brings you here?"

"Nothing."

"You wouldn't show up for no reason."

"I just did."

"If you have no reason to be here, leave," The words came out harsher than Arabella intended them to. Phoenix cowered slightly.

"Can I stay for a couple of days?"

"Answer the question."

"Please?" Phoenix pleaded. "I don't have anywhere else to go."

"What about your girlfriend?" Arabella questioned. Unbeknownst to her companion, Phoenix paled slightly.

"I don't have one," She frowned. Not anymore, not since yesterday. Three years and she was back where she started. The silence returned as Arabella occupied herself with making omelettes. She didn't like eggs but she was almost out of food so there weren't many other options.

"Maybe you can stay. Answer the question and we'll see," she sighed.

"After breakfast."

"Fine."

The girls stared at each other for a moment before looking away, an unspoken hostility taking control of the room.