GREYHOUND

chapter three.

"Do you really think I go to school for fun? It's like torture, Jay, no way it's for fun." Nyla rolls her eyes, grasping tightly onto her phone. The light shines in her face, too bright for the dark room she's in. The screen shows Jaylina, on their facetime call.

Her face is free of makeup and is still perfectly clear and looks the same. It's almost like her pores are nonexistent and Nyla can't help the pang of jealousy she feels towards her.

I mean, looks aren't everything-
Besides, Nyla doesn't need to be pretty for the line of work she's going into. Since Jaylina is going to work at the bar forever, it's like a requirement to be beautiful. Looks attract customers, according to Marco.

Nyla pulls her thick hair out of her shirt and lets it flow down her back.

"I kinda want you to, like, not go to school." Jay says so quietly that Nyla can barely hear her and she watches her attention dart to the strand of hair intertwined between her fingers.

Nyla scrunches my nose, just flat out confused. Jaylina always complains about how she wished she stayed in college and got a good job so it's confusing hearing this from her.

"What the hell?" Nyla scoffs, throwing her head back.

"No, babe, not like that. I mean, I really wish you could just stay at the bar with me and not get some posh lawyer job or whatever." She explains with a shrug, chewing on her bottom lip. Her voice starts to sound husky and Nyla assumes she's getting tired, considering the amount of times she's yawned over the past 20 minutes.

"I guess I get that... but you know I've wanted to be a lawyer since I could, like, walk. Jay, it's my frickin' dream. I'll take you with me." She forces a laugh and Nyla's sure Jayline picks up when she rolls her eyes, "Yeah, okay, I'll be your roomate."

"Good," Nyla begins, listening to her own voice echo against the walls. The amount of blank and open space in this house is oddly suffocating and she feels like she needs someone else here, desperately. She's been lonely, to be honest, except for Jaylina.

It sucks living alone- don't listen to your parents, kids.

" 'Cause I need one." Nyla's eyes roll to the back of her head as she lets out a small sigh, "Anyway.." she shrugs, looking behind her shoulder at the alarm clock that sits on the bedside table. Its neon lights glow, revealing the time in red to her, "It's 1:30 so I'm gonna go to sleep, mkay?" Nyla asks with a meek smile.

"Yeah, sure. Love ya," Jay leans on her side with a sigh, "Goodnight, Ny." She smiles, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Goodnight, love you too. Byeeee!" Nyla slurs before pressing the red hangup button with her thumb.

She immediately rolls onto her back and yawns, outstretching her arms. Nyla slides up to her pillow, flipping onto her back. Pulling the covers up, she sets her phone face down on the end table, harshly shoving the charger into it.

****

It's almost 9 in the morning and Nyla is walking down the sidewalk on her way to the bar when a rough hand violently grabs her arm and begins pulling her down the alleyway. She begins to scream when another hand is slapped against her mouth, "Jesus Christ, Nyla, shut up!" They let go of Nyla and she turns around.

When she's met with the eyes she knows all too well Nyla begins yelling, "Christian?!" Throwing her hands up, she step closer towards him, "What the hell was that?!"

Christian crosses his arms promptly and chokes out some kind of scoff, "Well, I needed you over here so nobody would hear what I have to say to you." He defends himself in a voice too calm for this conversation.

"Well you could've fúcking said something. Damnit, Christian, I thought I was getting kidnapped!" Nyla scoffs, placing her hands on her hips and squeezing.

"Okay, okay, whatever." He rolls his eyes once again, a habit, she assumes. He doesn't even apologize.

"Anyway..." I exhale deeply, "What's so important?"

Christian steps closer, he's eyes burning into me. "I need you, Nyla." He pauses.

Nyla freezes and her heart flutters at his words. She hates it, hates feeling this. She clears her throat, composing herself, "What for?"

"To do some work for the hotel." He puts out a hand, "I know it sounds terrible but you already know what I offered you and I can provide more." He runs his temples, "I don't usually ask people, but I'm desperate right now... you understand." He sighs, "So, what do you say?"

She bites down on her bottom lip, looking up at him. He's much taller than her when she's not wearing heels.

"I.."