When the Rain Falls

cacoethes carpendi

6.

 {for mariam for being the human embodiment of actual perfection. fr.}

Delia completely underestimated the worth of human money. She'd taken nine hundred paper dollars from her parents, thinking it'd be more than enough for a few months on earth.

            Ha.

            Seven hundred was barely enough to last her a night in the cheapest suite in a luxury hotel (she0 wouldn't settle for anything less than five-star).

Plus, the whole thing was a very complicated affair considering the receptionist couldn't even see her (Delia had to use some of her family gifts to get through that one – like tampering with some memories). And when they said a night, they meant a night. At precisely noon - which was way too early for Delia - she was promptly sent out of the hotel (also a complicated and confusing occurrence) and onto the street with only her suitcase and two hundred dollars which, based on last night, she figures would last her barely the rest of the day.

And now Delia's stuck because she might have gotten herself lost last night while aimlessly wandering the streets in the dark, during a thunderstorm. It was really just pure luck that she happened to find a hotel (truthfully, Delia had passed many hotels before settling on one that she thought was worthy of her presence).

            "I am so going to kill Brenna when I get back," Delia mutters under her breath while hopelessly trying to hail a taxi. She drops her arm dejectedly as yet another yellow cab zips past her. Of course they're not going to stop for you. They can't see you, you fucking idiot, Delia tells herself, the realization making her feel utterly stupid.

            "Need some help there?" a voice asks, startling her.

            Aiden. Of course it's Aiden, who else would it be? Delia mentally scolds herself. "Uh, sure."

            Aiden's lips are turned up in a smile and he's offering to help her, so why does Delia feel like he's angry? "Okay just stay there." Aiden's mouth forms a perfect little o and he whistles sharply. "TAXI!" It takes precisely twelve seconds for a small yellow cab to pull up next to the curb in front of them. Aiden turns to her, smirking, his eyes still making Delia uneasy. "See? Easy."

            The cab driver leans out the window, "Ya gettin' in or not?"

            Aiden turns to him and smiles despite the rudeness of the driver. "Yeah," he turns to Delia, "c'mon." He opens the door and waits for Delia to enter the cab.

            "Could ya maybe hurry up? The meter's runnin' and I ain't got all day."

            Aiden just waits patiently while Delia gingerly enters the slightly (read: extremely) repulsive cab. She starts to brush the seat off before sitting down but Aiden bumps into her while sliding into the car and she's slammed into the seat. Turning to glare at Aiden, she realizes he's not even looking at her, instead he's frowning, his eyes hard. It lasts only a moment, though, before he's smiling again and giving the driver an address. The look was so fleeting and Aiden's so happy, Delia almost thinks she imagined the whole thing.

            Aiden turns (still smiling) to Delia, "So, I told him to take us to this really good coffee place I know, but if you wanna go somewhere else, that's cool, too." Delia just shakes her head. "Okay, good. I have some things I think we should talk about." Aiden's smile falters for a second there, but it's so quick Delia barely notices it.