Hacking Alderson

//Chapter2 // Hacking Abarai

I sit my bag down and set up. Typical day at the Fun Arcade. Us working tirelessly and barely talking to one another. If day two is anything like day one.   

I type and munch on rice cakes, avoiding Romero's scolding stares. If I drop one crumb he'll come rushing over with a towel and spray. He's the reason it's always clean here I suppose. A few minutes into my mind numbing typing session I notice Elliot sitting across the room. Me and him aren't close, we barely talk sometimes and hold light conversations others. Is it weird I actually want to be closer to him. He doesn't let people in easily and I'm curious, nosy even, to know his inner workings. How he thinks, what he loves, what he hates. I wish I could hack his mind, non-maliciously of course. I'd call it Operation Hacking Alderson. "Earth to Lexi." Darlene says. I snap from my thoughts and look up. "Okay if you're going to stare at my brother all day do it on your own time. You're the only one who can prep this Social Engineering task and I need you void of hormonal attractions. K boo?" She asks. "Got it." I answer. She motions for me to move my chair back. I do, and she sits on my knee. "Lemme see what you got so far." She says. "You're heavy." I say laughing. "Deal with it." She replies scrolling. "Okay this looks legit. Make sure you run this by Elliot when you're done. I'm headed to Froyo Shop." She announces getting up. "Gotcha." I reply. 

"Done." I say finishing my task. I save the file and print it out. As I near his desk my stomach tightens. I feel like I just got called to the principal's office. "Here's the social engineering preps." I say handing him the papers. "Thanks." He says without looking away from his screen. "So when do we put them in action?" I ask. "When we have an opening." He answers. "You can go home if you want. There's nothing else we need to do social engineering wise." He says. "Are you sure you don't need me for anything else?" I ask. "You're volunteering to do more work?" He asks. "Sure, why? Is that bad?" I ask. "People usually leave first chance they get." He answers. 

Elliot's POV

There's something here she wants to be around. She'd have left without question after her work was done if not. Possibly she has an agenda, possibly she just needs something to do. I turn to her leaning on my desk with her arms folded. She's beautiful, she's smart, she's my rival. We think alike and she's good at reading people. Anyone who's good at reading people is good at hiding their own thoughts and motives. Of everyone I've met she's the most difficult. I wish I could hack her mind. I should make her my next project Operation Hacking Abarai."

"I can't think of anything." He says. "Okay." I reply. I repack my stuff and start the quiet journey home. 

The Next Day

 Two days since I agreed to join F-Society. I'm supposed to go to their headquarters again today to do checks on our codes then later Elliot is having movie night. Him and Darlene agreed we'd watch "The Careful Massacre Of The Bourgeoisie". Darlene talks about it all the time so I'm curious to see what's it's about. But before all of that I have to get through my first day at AllSafe the receptionist and office secretary. Apparently Elliot works there so I'm going to see a lot more of him from now on. I'm actually happy he's there to help teach me into everything.

Seeing that I don't have to wear the company uniform I decided to wear a black peplum dress. I have 20 of these dresses, they're pretty comfortable and, as an added bonus, professional enough to wear to work. As I slip my heels on Darlene appears from her room, in a pair of my pajamas, carrying my laptop. "I have to work on contacting Dark Army but Elliot is going to the arcade later so maybe go with him and see if he needs help with anything. He's going to have to come home to change first though, apparently you will too." She says after examining my outfit. "I'm sure you won't mind following him around for a bit." She jokes as she lays on the couch. "Haha." I reply, "Why do you keep insisting we have feelings for each other?" I ask. "Because you do. Now get to work before you get fired or something. You're totally the type of person to get fired on her first day." She answers not looking away from the laptop's screen. I sigh.

30 minutes later

Me and Angela engage in small talk on our way to work. She volunteered to walk with me, due to my inability to navigate the city. She's a nice woman, I could see us being friends. "So how is it living with Darlene?" She asks. "She's really chill. She gets high sometimes and cleans the fridge out on occasion as a result though." I answer. "Her and Elliot have that in common, they're definitely siblings." She says laughing. "Do you have any siblings?" She asks. "A brother. We don't talk much." I answer. We don't talk ever, he's embroiled in his work and me in mine. You could at least call your little sister once in 5 years. "Cool, I have a brother too." She replies. "Do you do the, you know too?" She asks curiously. "No. No drugs, no alcohol for the most part. I like a glass of wine every now and then but it's a pass other than that." I answer. "You're a saint." She says smiling. "I wish." I reply laughing. We scale the steps leading to the work building. Once inside we say our mini goodbyes and head to our respective desks. It's a nice work space, clean, decorated, and next door to a restaurant. I decorate my desk a little with some personal items and sit in the chair. There's a computer too, I guess I should power it on. I  scan the office and ofcourse Elliot is already here. I wish I had his work ethic.

Lunch hour

"So i'm having a big party tonight. I'd love for a beautiful woman like you to be there to spruce things up." Omar says. "I'd love to but I have plans. I'm sure Patricia's beauty will be enough." I reply joking. Patricia, his wife. "How did you know about Patricia?" He asks. Your nasty emails you sent to your side piece. If you want a side go to KFC and order some mashed potatoes you scumbag. "Rumor mill. I hear everything, including that you're expecting. Congratulations." I say. Cheating on his pregnant wife with hookers and coworkers.... I hug him. "Now get away from my desk." I say internally. "Thanks." He says. I did a little research before my first day to get to know my coworkers, and boy did I. How can you entrust cyber security to a bunch of people who can't even protect their own email accounts. He slinks away and Elliot comes over. He hands me some papers and waits. I look them over and see a "can we talk?" sticky note. I ball it up and throw it away. "Sure." I say. I walk with him and he pulls me into a janitor's closet. "I'm sorry to pull you away but," He begins. "I noticed you talk to Omar alot and I don't want you falling for him. He has alot of skeletons." He warns. "I know trust me." I reply. "Me and Omar will never be a thing." I say. He smiles. "Okay, I just wanted to make sure you were aware." He says. He opens the door and lets me go first. "You smell good." I say going back to my desk. "Thanks." He replies smiling. "You look beautiful today." He says. "Thanks." I reply blushing.