Mind Over Mask

4. Arya

I looked at Angie's snoring body on the couch, where she had been for at least 5 hours. I felt guilty for causing her exhaustion, but truthfully, I was getting bored of waiting for her to awake. I needed to get out of the shop, at least for a little bit.

I thought about waking her up and telling her I'd stepped out, but she looked peaceful. And I didn't want to cause her any more pain.

As soon as I stepped out of the front door, I felt a brisk wind whip around me. I looked down and realized I was wearing practically nothing. That's why she kept offering me her clothes.

"No matter," I said to myself. Who's going to care?

I suddenly heard a low whistle and spun around, almost losing my balance.

"It's a cold day to be dressed like THAT."

He was wearing a mask, but I could tell he was handsome. Chiseled jaw, blue eyes and jet black, coiffed, hair. His navy spandex was questionable, though.

"Eh, cold doesn't really bother me," I retorted. "And who are you?"

"Okay ELSA," he said. "You really don't know who I am? Have you ever watched the news? Or perhaps seen one of my signature mugs?"

"I'm new here." Who does this guy think he is?

"Lucky for you, I've got one of those mugs right here. It's even signed! Catch," he said throwing it at me.

I glanced at the mug. It had a picture-perfect portrait of him leaning against a streetlight — next to his face, in obnoxiously loud lettering, read "The Howler."

"The Howler? Like a monkey?" I asked.

"NO, like a wolf," he said, his grin fading away. He struck a pose that matched the one on the mug. But he didn't have anything to lean on, and looked as if he would topple any second. I let out a giggle.

"You know, if it was me, I would've called myself Alpha."

"Dammit, that is better. Alright, you've impressed me — what's your name then?"

"Arya," I said, still looking at the mug. The other side of it had another picture of him — an action shot of him punching some dude. "What's your superpower? Taking good pictures?"

"So you think they're good, huh?"

I rolled my eyes. Who is this guy?

"Keep the mug, Arya. Next time you can give me a gift," he said with a wink.

And then he was gone.