Halapatov

Chapter Nine

"I'll see you later then?" Sophie inquired with a raised eyebrow, slightly concernedly.

"Yeah." I uttered, distracted, almost breathless. I glanced up at the block of apartments before me, reaching high up into the sky like most Halapatovian architecture and slightly gleaming in the morning rays. Shaking my head to regain my senses, I turned to look directly at Sophie and nodded my head in determination. "See you later." I said firmly.

She patted my arm in support and flashed me a grin. "I'll be off then. Enjoy your reunion!"

"Bye!" I said and waved as she started to move off down the street. She looked back at me and then waved as she turned the corner, off to do.... whatever it was she was planning on doing. I didn't really know. She might've mentioned it but I probably wasn't paying attention. I'd been so fixated on today, on coming here, seeing Leila, that I'd hardly been able to think of anything else all morning.

Well, now I was here, and I drew in a deep breath as I turned over the postcard with her address on it in my hands, nervously. It was so weird to have missed Leila so much and to now be scared to be here seeing her. It's not hard for people to tell I am socially awkward in most situations (for instance, look at the last ten years of my life) and this was freaking me out. It had only been just more than a month since I'd seen her but I couldn't help worrying that something would go wrong, that she wouldn't want to see me.

You're letting the Personal Flaw take over again, I chided myself. Leila was your best friend for the majority of your life. Think of all the things you did together! All the conversations you had. Of course she'll be happy to see you! Don't worry about it you numbskull.

I nodded absently in response to my own thoughts, and steeled myself to enter. As I passed through the entrance of the building my shoulders relaxed and a smile alighted my face as my words started to ring true and excitement flooded me. I was going to see Leila! This was awesome!

I climbed swiftly through the building, until I found the floor Leila and her family lived on, and surveyed all of the few door numbers to find the one I was looking for. Then I found it. Forty Two. I checked the address once more with the postcard before shoving it away, something I really didn't even need to do because I'd looked at it so many times already I had it memorized. I knew this was it.

Gently, I reached out and pressed the button beside the door, nerves thrilling through me. I couldn't hear the repercussions inside the house, but was sure that the bell was sounding loud and clear. As I waited for someone to come answer the door I did a mental checklist.It wasn't a school day, so Leila definitely wouldn't be there. I'd come in the morning, increasing my chances that she would be here, as on Halapatov those who weren't working tended to be out later in the day. So, all things going well, I was going to see Leila within barely a minute! Nerves and excitement seemed to be reenacting an battle scene within my stomach, but I utilized all of my self control to push down my emotions and focus. I had missed her so much, but now I was here, and that's what mattered.

I had to stop myself from holding my breath as I heard the locks turning on the other side of the door and it started to creak open. Behind it appeared Leila's mother, and as she caught a glimpse of me her face lit up in shock. A grin split my features as she opened the door wide and just stared at me in surprise. I could tell she was happy to see me, yet as I searched her face I sensed something darker, like worry. Why would Leila's mum be worried about seeing me?

Before I had time to contemplate this further, the expression disappeared and she moved forwards to wrap me in a hug. "Abigail! Welcome! It's so good to see you again! I have so many questions. How are you on Halapatov? Why didn't you call in advance?"