The Fly

Juicy Joy

**Author's Note**
Dear reader,
Thank you for your time. I truly hope you enjoy "The Fly". If you like the story, let me know. If you didn't, let me know. I'd like any and all feedback. It's greatly appreciated. Don't forget to comment, vote, and share. I will do my best to respond to all!
Love, Juli
**End of Note**

    What would it take to justify the act of murder? Talia gazed at the question she had written. People always answered differently. Would it take a hefty-sized trash bag for a reason? A simple one? Did the ditzy barista forget the whipped cream on your cocoa again? She liked this question. Her answer was simple—not much. Murder, when done correctly, was a pleasurable pastime to indulge in.
By thirteen, Talia had been numbed to death. The coroner ruled her father's drunk stupor as an accident. She had orchestrated it that way. A quick slip and a disastrous fall. An accident. No one would suspect a young girl of having a hand in it.
Talia put away her pocketbook, inserting it inside her ashy-gray satchel. She looked at her surroundings. Talia was at a local juice bar, Juicy Joy. It was exquisite. Clean. It had a natural aesthetic with white walls, white countertops, and even whiter light fixtures. It had pine cabinets and sage-colored succulents spread throughout. The place was topped off with a counter that displayed all the juices and their vibrant colors.
She sat at a wooden table. Talia's coppery hair was pulled back into a messy braid. The drink, Orange You Better, was nearly identical to her hair. A funny coincidence.
Talia's plans were to finish her drink, walk a few blocks, and attend a class at a nearby yoga studio called GreenPeace. A terrible name, but the studio was holding a promotion for free classes to newcomers. Talia was a sucker for good deals.
From her chair, she had a perfect view of the place. She saw anyone and everyone as they came and went. She sipped her drink. It had an earthy flavor with a citrusy undertone. As she drank, she heard a voice—sweet like honey. It came from an attractive woman near the front of the line.
"A 24-ounce Clean Greens to go please." The voice was soothing and firm. It's tone drew Talia in and time seemed to stop. The woman had a petite frame, bronzed skin, and chestnut hair to die for. Her loose curls cascaded down her lower back. The clothes she wore were snug, but they hugged the sweet curves of her body nicely. Charming. Talia was intrigued. She could imagine putting her fingers through her hair, but who was this woman? She watched her discretely, only stealing an occasional glance.
After ordering, the woman stood off to the side, waiting for her juice blend. Beside her was a man, some tragic hipster. He had the stereotypical man bun and beard, both groomed poorly, a shabby shirt, and mismatched socks. His clothes screamed, "I live with my mother." Talia watched the hipster eye the mystery woman up and down. He engaged her in conversation. Talia couldn't catch all of it, but she did catch his uninspiring pickup line. She swore all the women's ovaries in the vicinity dried up.
"Are you from the area?"
"Yes, I own a nearby yoga studio." Talia hoped the studio wasn't GreenPeace. The name alone held no originality.
The woman's body language showed complete disinterest, but the hipster either didn't care or wasn't too bright. Talia thought the socks and flip flop combination suggested 'not very bright'. She was glad the woman wasn't buying his act.
"That's perfect. I only date locally-sourced babes." He smirked, touching a hand to his mustache as if he were the sexiest man in the world.
The petite woman stared at the man, dead in the eyes, and said, "I'm gay." She smiled sweetly. It made Talia smile from her seat. This woman and her shared the same sexual preference. All Talia needed now was her name.
At that moment, a Juicy Joy employee called, "Miriam." The woman stepped forward on tiptoes and grabbed her lush green drink from the counter. Cute.
"Lose the line. It's not doing you any favors. Ask questions, and some poor soul might just fall for your flirting." Talia approved of the response. Miriam exited the store, she followed closely behind. This woman was something else. Free yoga be damned.