It's Clearer at Night

Mezzanotte (pt3)

Not half an hour later Dalia was sipping coffee on the couch, Bri sitting opposite her and downing her own cup. They sat in silence for a while, watching the steam swirl from their mugs.

"You sleep alright?" Bri mumbled.

Dalia nodded. She could just glimpse the bags under her hostess's eyes, surmising that she had not. Her hair was in a better state of affairs and was already re-braided in her signature style, though it was still a bit messy. Both her skin and hair were damp, meaning she must've taken a shower.

"How about you?" Dalia asked nervously.

"...I've slept worse."

"Something keep you up?"

Bri glared at Dalia.

"O-oh yeah... sorry about that."

Bri just shook her head and sipped her coffee, the same light brown shade as her eyes. Dalia hadn't expected Bri to be so... feminine. From what she knew about her in class, she was the cool, silent type that kept to herself. But being in her house, she saw a new side of her. Her gaze trailed back to Bri's well-decorated walls. Damn, Dalia thought, how cute. A flush ran across her face. No, what am I thinking? She shook her head. Bri's a girl. I-I'm not! She was earning a curious stare from Bri. She pushed away her thoughts. Bri did seem nice enough. But still, what about that drawer? Besides...

"So, uh, Bri?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you really live out here all by yourself?"

"By myself?"

"Ah, I guess just sorta assumed..."

"I mean, you aren't really wrong."

"What about siblings, or parents, or... roommates?"

"Do I seem like the type to have roommates?"

"No, but you never know. But if you don't live with your parents then-"

Bri looked away.

"They're traveling abroad right now."

Looking around, Dalia could imagine Bri's parents being rich. She certainly wasn't poor with all the knickknacks around just her living room. And she had a nice phone, from what she could remember. Something about her answer irked her, though. Bri was acting like she was leaving out something important, though as to what exactly that was, Dalia had no idea. But that wasn't so surprising either, seeing as besides a cursory encounter in class, they hadn't really spoken much.

"...Must be lonely."

"H-huh? Not really, I mean, I'm fine by myself. And besides," Bri added, "even if I live by myself, that doesn't mean I'm alone. I still have friends and stuff from school."

"Right..."

"Speaking of which, shouldn't you be going? You still have to get home and get changed, yeah?"

"I suppose I do. I think there's a bus that's nearby that stops in half an hour."

Bri got up from the couch, extending her hand out for Dalia, who gingerly accepted and followed Bri to the door. After gathering up her things in a wet bag, she turned to the brunette.

"What do you want me to do with these clothes?"

The other girl just shook her head.

"I don't really wear them that often. You can keep them, if you want."

"Really? Thanks so much, Bri!"

"Just don't show up at my house at one again without calling ahead, okay? And make sure you get some sleep once school's over. I don't think it's healthy to only sleep five hours every day."

Dalia nodded, embarrassed.

"See you in class."

"See ya. Text me when you get home, okay?"

"I don't have your number, though."

"Here, where's your phone?"

Dalia dug through the bag to find her phone, wet with rainwater.

"Well that's not good. Maybe try turning it on?"

She pressed the power button. No good.

"That sucks. I wish you'd have told me earlier; I might have some rice in the cabinet..."

"No, no that's okay! I've already troubled you enough as is. I'll see you in class later, anyway."

"If you're sure. I'll see you in class then."

Dalia muttered one last thank you under her breath before starting the long walk to the bus stop.