She shook her head. "No. It used to be like this before and I didn't have a problem." *** Levy took it, giving a nod to Ben before turning back to Beck. Mari waved slightly. "Nice to meet you as well."
"Well, that's good to hear. Everyone needs that separation..." * * * Beck led herself and Levy out the door. She sighed slightly, tucking her hair behind her ear. "My apologies for that," she said lightly. "He gets very excited." * * * Ben turned to Mari as they left. "Did you know him?"
She nodded, tying back the curtains. "Yeah," she said thoughtfully, looking down at him momentarily. *** "That's alright," he replied. "I don't mind. I can tell you two are pretty good friends." *** She hesitated, looking as if she was hoping he wouldn't ask. "Ah.. I have seen him before. I threw paint at him after her startled me."
He wasn't looking up at her, the top of his head brushing the windowsill as he looked out across the city. * * * She huffed slightly in embarrassment. "Yes, well... Anyway. Did you know that girl in there?" * * * He blinked, looking like he might have been wincing internally. "You threw paint... at Beck's new boss?"
She looked out as well before pulling back quietly. "Thank you for helping me, Gideon." *** He squinted. "Yeah, I've seen her. She is a delinquent." *** "It was awhile ago!" she said, folding her arms stubbornly. "And he was totally overreacting."
He stood up, turning to look at her. "Of course," he said smoothly. "You bought me a shirt. I felt badly." * * * She laughed out loud, peering at him in surprise. "A delinquent? You sound like an elderly man on a doorstop." * * * He exhaled slightly before gesturing with his head. "Here. Tell me the story while I change."
She went to the kitchen, leaning against the counter thoughtfully before looking up at him. "Can I help you to dinner?" *** He glared at her gently. "I'm serious." *** She nodded, going to follow.
He squinted at her, standing up straight. "Then I'll owe you even more." * * * She raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Did she steal your newspaper?" * * * He went to the back, unzipping his backpack and pulling out a grey shirt with the logo across the front. "Tell me."
She raised an eyebrow. "I think we should be even. It's just an offer." *** He crossed his arms. "She threw a paint can at my head." *** She leaned against the wall as she waited. "Well, I was painting a wall with spray paint and he saw me and yelled at me because it was 'illegal' so I freaked out and threw my paint can at him and ran away. I think it hit his head."
He squinted at her. "I don't trust this one bit. You're going to die, and I'm going to have a debt, and you're going to haunt me for all eternity." * * * Beck turned to him, frowning. "Really? Why?" * * * He laughed out loud, pulling off his shirt. "I shudder to think of what would've happened if I had been more confrontational when I first met you."
She laughed. "You don't have to." *** He hesitated, shrugging slightly. "I think I scared her." *** "Paint can to the head."
He hesitated, watching her. “What are you making?” *** “So you’re saying you deserved it.” *** “That’s so mean. We wouldn’t have been friends.”
"I don't have much for anything fancy, so i was planning on making spaghetti." *** "No! I'm saying she didn't attack me for reason." *** She gave him a small smile. "But we are friends now."
"Hm..." he said, rubbing the back of his neck thoughtfully. "That sounds nice." * * * "You frightened her," she replied as they returned to their floor. * * * "I suppose," he said, slipping on the other shirt. "It's still scary."
She brightened, pulling out plates from a box. "So you'll stay for dinner?" *** He nodded, passing her desk. "Fair enough. Thank you for the coffee." *** "Don't worry," she said. "I'll never throw things at you."
He huffed playfully. "Fine. But we need to get this finished. * * * She shrugged out of her coat. "Of course," she replied, folding it over her arm. "Your meeting is in 15 minutes in Meeting Room 3B." * * * "Hm. If you say so," he said smoothly, putting on an apron.
He nodded, going into his office. *** She nodded, going back into the main room. *** She seemed happy, nodding as she went to continue cleaning. "Yeah, yeah." A bit into cleaning they would hear a knock downstairs. She looked up and waved him off. "I'll get that real quick. Be right back." She went downstairs. He would hear the door open and then silence. She wouldn't come back up.
The door was wide open. There was something on the ground. It was shimmering, green scales. Car alarms went off in the distance.
