Detroit: Staying Human || A "Detroit: Become Human" Fanfiction

Chapter 6: Good News and Bad News

  "I think I should change my name."

  Norah looked up from the countertop she was wiping down to roll her eyes at her friend. "Why? What's wrong with your name now?"

  Norah's friend plopped down on one of the barstools in the kitchen and eyed a plate of food that was placed on the tray with the intention of going to a waiting customer. She tentatively picked up a hot fry and gingerly nibbled on it while Norah worked around her.

  "If I have to explain that my name is Rhys, pronounced just like 'Reese,' and that it is not a boy name, I'm going to chop my own leg off, Nore," Norah's friend, Rhys, explained and flicked a wild strand of crimson hair out of her face.

  Norah huffed and leaned against the bar. "And what would you change it to, huh? What is it this week?"

  Rhys crossed her legs and swung her foot idly as she contemplated her answer. "River. Definitely River."

  Norah shook her head and chuckled once. "Yeah, yeah, River's definitely a better alternative."

  Norah looked around at the restaurant, dreamily thanking whatever god heard her for helping her survive another dinner rush hour. There were a handful of customers, but nothing compared to the crowded booths and tables from an hour or two ago.

  "You know Cooper's gonna kill you if he catches you, right?" Norah teased, looking pointedly at the plate she had snitched two more fries off of.

  Rhys wrinkled her nose and blew air between her lips. "Pfft, I so scared!" She feigned terror and trembled in her seat.

  Norah just laughed at her friend and rolled her eyes. "You're such an ass, you know that?"

  "Better an ass than a prude, prude!"

  Norah's eyes widened and Rhys narrowed hers. They carried on for a moment until the tension could no longer be maintained and they broke, laughing and playfully shoving one another.

  "Speaking of which," Rhys switched the topic and propped her elbows on the table, folding her hands and resting her chin on them, "when's the big night?" She asked fluttering her eyelids playfully.

  Norah felt the blood rush to her cheeks and played with the diamond studs in her earlobes. "What're you talking about?"

  Rhys blinked slowly. "Norah Jane Mills, you know exactly what I'm talking about. The big night! Your deflowering!" Rhys got louder with every word until she had three tables turn their heads and look to see what was going on.

  Norah, flabbergasted, rushed over and clamped both hands down against Rhys's mouth. "What the hell, Rhys?! Just tell the whole world!"

  Rhys laughed against Norah's hands and raised her hands in surrender. Eyeing her with a certain level of scrutiny, Norah eventually complied and peeled her hands from her friend's mouth and hid her face in her hands.

  "Seriously, though, when's the night? I'm your best friend, I should know before anyone else!" Rhys pressed, grabbing Norah by the shoulders and held her in place.

  Norah studied each, dark freckle plastered across Rhys's porcelain face and gulped. Shrugging sheepishly, Norah answered, "Um, well, about that..."

  Rhys lifted one hand to point a finger at her. "Oh, no. No, no, no! No, Norah, you can't keep chickening out! You said that you wanted this! You said you were ready and wanted Gavin to be your first! Quit worrying about everyone else and just think of yourself for once!"

  Norah squirmed out of Rhys's hold and backed away. "Rhys, Gavin's a bigger ass than even you! I think I made a mistake asking him to pick me up at the airport."