Natureborne

II. Darya (Edited)

Shoutout to ProjectPr1de for giving me my first vote and comment! Thank you!

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The city was loud and bustling. Even with earphones on, the noise could not be cancelled out. She could hear the rhythmic honking of cars stuck in traffic. Like that would cause them to move faster, Aerin thought, rolling her eyes in amusement. The voices of the couple arguing above on a balcony were loud enough to be understood from a mile away. There was the persistent barking of the dog who had seen a cat up a tree, and so much more.

The brunette disliked how loud it always was. Growing up in the system, Aerin was not always in the best of homes. She used to run out into the streets and understood that the city was always like this, whether it be day or night. In the supposed silence of the night came the more unsavoury members of society. She still could hear the screams from the alleyways.

Aerin shook her head, dismissing the thought. She wasn't so defenceless now. Being a swimmer and a gymnast (though no longer training) meant she was strong and she could throw a good punch or a knee where the sun doesn't shine then outrun any assailant. Okay, so maybe she can't fight in the whole sense of the word but what use were several punches compared to a knife or, God forbid, a gun. She was just being street smart.

A passing car blew dust and smoke against her face and she coughed. "Clean your exhaust idiot," she grumbled, once again wishing she could retreat into the countryside away from the dirt and the noise.

On a side note, the car had been a literal reality check and she realised that the sun had set and her feet had led her to the front of her best friend's extravagant high-rise condo complex.

The swimmer wiped the dirt from her face with the back of her jacket sleeve, which was not quite effective considering it was a leather jacket but it would do. She walked up the steps and through the door. As usual, the snooty doorman gave her a suspicious look, though he didn't stop her as he had seen her many a time coming and going.

Aerin would stick her tongue out at him if that wasn't incredibly immature. People like him annoyed her. She turned to the receptionist, removing one earbud and pausing her music. Now this person she could definitely tolerate. "Hi, Jenny."

"Hey Aerin. Here to see Darya again?" the quirky receptionist asked.

Aerin thought best to answer anyway. "Yep." Then, for small talk, she asked, "Changed your hair colour again?"

Jenny was individualistic and did not care what anyone else thought. One would think working at a luxury apartment like this would cause her to be much more formal and as composed as the doorman, but no. She changed her hair whenever she felt like it. Right now, it was pastel pink with darker highlights cropped to her chin.

It fits her quite well, Aerin thought. But then again, Jenny rocked every look.

"Yeah. The green was getting boring, and Old Man Freddie was getting used to it."

Old Man Freddie was a sixty-year-old grumpy banker who made a fuss whenever something went against his very outdated ideals. He always gave backhanded comments to Jenny about 'presentable women' or some other sort. Aerin found him creepy as the man usually gave her slimy looks that makes her want to shower. He also called her nicknames that really should not be said by a man old enough to be a grandfather to a seventeen-year-old girl.