Underground

4

Estelle
My defensive training was moved to all days a week. 6-8 PM.
But I did get a haircut. It was cut to about shoulder length, as opposed to the middle of my back. I personally think it looks better.
I'd also been spending a bit more time with August. Logan says he likes me, but I doubt it.

My phone buzzes with a text.
'Coffee?'
It was August.
I type back with a simple 'Sure, meet me?'
'I can pick you up' August replies.
I smile softly at my phone and respond with. 'Whatever works for you.'
'see u in 15' He replies.
I put down my phone and walk to the bathroom to get ready.
I brush my hair and dress in a t-shirt and leggings, paired with tennis shoes.
I brush my teeth and walk out of the bathroom, grabbing my phone.
10 minutes had passed since he last texted me.
I smile and walk into my apartment's living room, fiddling with my phone until there's a knock on the door.
I stand and walk to the door, opening it.
There stands August, a smile on his face, his brown hair fashioned in his regular quiff.
"Hi Estelle." He says.
"Hi." I breathe.
He chuckles. "Shall we?"
I nod. "We shall."
He holds out his arm, and I link mine with it, blushing slightly.
We start our short journey to the coffee shop, having quiet conversation.
After a few minutes of talking, we get to the coffee shop, order our coffees, and sit in our usual places.
"Have you finished the book yet?" August asks.
I smile. "Yeah, I did, I forgot to tell you, it was lovely."
"Did you have a favorite character?" August asks.
"Issac Portman, he was amazing."
"He was also the villian." August tilts his head.
I nod. "I believe he was actually the protagonist, just that the illusion of the cost of Natalia poisoned him, and he won't ever be the same again."
"So your least favorite character was Natalia, I presume." He asks.
I nod, and after a minute, I ask. "What made you write this book?"
"The love-story of my biological parents, my adoptive mom used to tell it all the time before she went to work, when I was younger." August says.
I tilt my head. "What was her job?"
"Nursing, so she left me with my dad, much like how Natalia left her family to see Issac." He explains.
"Oh." I say.
My phone buzzes with a picture message from Jackson.
'Look out for these two.'
Attached was two pictures of two different guys. They were both quite old looking, one had a wild nest of white hair, and brown eyes, one covered by a medical-looking eye patch.
The second had a buzz-cut that was shaved close to his skull. Even with the length of hair, you could tell it was iron-grey. His eyes were green and beady, standing out against his tan skin.
"Who was it?" August asks.
"Logan." I lie. "She wanted to know if I was coming to lunch with her."
"I thought you always went to lunch with her." August says, suspicion in his voice.
"Yeah but she's bringing her significant other." I nod.
"Oh!" He says. "Is she nervous or something?"
"Yeah apparently her partner is uh famous, and on the news a lot."
"Speaking of the news, were you on it a bit ago?" He asks, sipping his coffee.
"Uh... No." I stutter, wincing at my obvious lie.
"C'mon you don't need to lie, I don't really care, I didn't even read the title." He reassures.
"Okay." I murmur, texting Jackson back with a simple 'ok.'

Eventually, August and I part ways, even though our farewells held awkward waves and smiles.
It was quite heartbreaking how I seemed to restart our friendship by shielding myself.
I attempt to shrug off the feeling of discomfort and walk down the sidewalk, dragging my feet, my eyes locked to the dry cement.
People walk pass, my eyes locking to their feet.
My shoulder knocks another shoulder and I look up and my eyes lock with a beady pair of eyes, a pit forming in my gut because it was one of the guys.
"I'm sorry." I rush.
He smiles and nods. "Likewise, I'm Jameson."
"Nice to meet you." I say.
"You look familiar, do I know you?" He asks.
"Probably not, I've just moved here from Wiltshire." I smile through the lie that Logan told me to say.
"Beautiful area, have you ever visited the Stonehenge?" He asks.
"I never had the time, wish I would've." I answer.
"I could take you there." August says from behind me.
I turn and look at him. "Auggie! How nice of you to join us!"
August smiles and wraps his arm around my shoulder. "Hello sir."
"Hello, Auggie?" Jameson says, his head cocked.
"It's August, girlfriends come up with the weirdest nicknames." August laughs.
My face heats up at the mention of girlfriend.
"August, I've heard that name before." He says.
"I'm an author, August Jones." He says, reaching out and shaking Jameson's hand.
"Oh, that's you? My niece is a big fan of you, could I possibly get an autograph for her?" Jameson asks.
August nods. "Do you have anything for me to sign?"
"Ah, yes." Jameson fishes some paper out of his pocket, along with a pen.
"Who should I make it out to?" August says, taking the pocket paper and pen from Jameson's hands.
"Tristan Compton." Jameson answers.
August signs the pocket paper and hands it back along with a pen.
"Thank you." Jameson says, bowing his head slightly.
"No problem." August says, then turns to me. "C'mon E, my parents are waiting."
"Nice to meet you, Jameson." I say, grabbing August's hand and entangling our fingers.
August and I turn around walking together, acting like we were in love.
"Thanks for that." I whisper.
"Don't thank me, just continue acting he's still watching." August says, turning his head to look at me.
"But, I feel the need too." I say.
"I just said something dumb, smile." He says, smiling.
"No you di--" August cuts me off, and presses his lips to mine, a hand cupping my cheek.
I blush, my heart thumping in my chest, I move my hand up and cup his cheek.
He pulls away and rests his forehead against mine, looking into my eyes. "I think he's gone."
I couldn't bring myself to speak so I just nod, trying to keep myself from smiling like an idiot.
"Cancel lunch with Logan, you have a bit of explaining to do." He says.