Chapter 3

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

Aldira’s footsteps were quiet despite how much she was walking, however, her quick steps back and forth in the small corridor made Marie dizzy after watching her for a half-hour.

“Listen, we’ll get to talk to the judges, with or without your presentation”

“Uhuh…” Aldira mumbled biting her nails, her eyes zoning out after she glanced at Marie. Marie rolled her eyes and ran her hands through her brown hair, the ends getting caught on her silver rings.

“Alright, enough” Marie grabbed Aldira’s arm, turning her fully to face her. “We are going to meet them. No, Matter. What. So we are not gonna sit here depressed, nor walk around like a schizo, alright love?.” Aldira focused her eyes, narrowing them. “Alright… I got it.” Her eyes brightened playfully.

“Wanna eat something?”

“I do not understand you” Marie breathed out, a smile hinting at her lips.

“So… is that a yes?”

“Fine but I’m choosing this time”

“Hah you would have to be fast then, won’t you?” Aldira spat out in Marie’s face before sprinting away.

How does this girl even have energy? Marie thought before clumsily running after Aldira.

𓇢𓆸

“Two viennoiseries, One scrambled egg, and two orange juices” Aldira huffed, clutching her chest. Marie was bent over, her hand holding onto her knees, breathing heavily.

“I actually hate you.” She wheezed out.

“That's all, thank you” Aldira tried to smile at the waitress, but as light-headed as she was, it faltered into an awkward half-frown. “Ofcourse… Let me lead you to your seats.” The waitress said, looking over the two girls disapprovingly when they loudly groaned as they walked.

“One day, you are taking me somewhere that's not a bakery” Marie stated as she hung her head behind her and leaned into her chair.

“That one day you would have to run faster than me” She giggled

“Matter of fact, I’d probably be injured. I-Id probably be in a wheelchair and you would barely get there first” Cackled Aldira.

“You are hilarious,” said Marie in a monotone voice.

“I know right? I should pursue comedy instead of gymnastics.”

“Hah, as if one pays more than the other”

Aldira laughed and sipped the orange juice that the waitress brought.

“How old do you think you will be when you get bald?”

“Oh shut up”

Aldira snorted, rubbing her nose awkwardly after. “How long do you have until your next class”

“I have kinesiology at three”

Wasn’t it canceled”

Aldira shook her head. “It’s on the other side of campus, so no cancellation”

“Ah, I see. What do you think those judges thought? First day here and a fire breaks out right outside that class.”

“No idea, but as long as I meet them Thursday, they are gonna leave impressed. “

“You’re talking like you represent the entire uni” Marie rolled her eyes.

“Might as well you know.” She said as she moved around her eggs with her fork. “What about you?”

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“I got applied arts at 2”

“Alright. Let's go out for dinner!”

Marie looked up from her glass. “Honey I cannot go out to eat twice in one day.”

“Awh c'mon, I’ve had practices for so long now, plus one today.” She raised her glass towards the shorter female, who had an unimpressed look on her face.

Join me for dinner”

“Wow how formal, very well” Marie replied with a loud dramatized British accent, waving around her juice and fork, before realizing she caught the watchful eye of the waitress, who had an annoyed look on her face, She then coughed awkwardly and put down the objects slowly.

“We should probably leave soon” she half whispered to Aldira

“No shit” She giggled. “Alright, I’m free for two hours. I'm gonna go practice a routine. You joinin?”

“Mm no I gotta revise soon”

“Mmk.” The chair creaked violently as Aldira got up, the turning of people's faces making her walk faster towards the register, Marie following close behind her.

“Next time we are going to a less judgemental bakery.” Stated Aldira

“Next time we won’t be going to a bakery” Marie replied snarkily.

“Mmm” Aldira hummed in response, pulling out her phone to order a taxi.

Marie breathed in deeply, her eyes taking in the brightness of the sun, basking in the light.

“You like the sun way too much.” Aldira spouted as she booked the car

“I think I like it a normal amount” she responded, her deep brown eyes closing as she breathed again. “No, I like it a normal amount. You don’t. Breathing like you got asthma” The statement broke Marie's trance as she choked on her laughter. “Car’s here. I’ll see you tonight. I’ll text you which restaurant” “How fancy” Marie answered as she waved to Aldira as she got into the car.

“Bye!”

“See you!”

Aldira shut the door and sank into her seat, waving back as Marie blew a kiss from outside. She groaned as she moved her bag off her back, she had forgotten to leave it at the campus and was too tired to take it back home. The smell of the taxi sickened her, the thick overwhelming fragrance coiled around her. It's that new car smell, and who needs 3 air fresheners?

She crinkled her nose, and laid her neck into the seat, staring out the window. The sky a bright blue, and the thin clouds scattered under it couldn't hide the deepness of it. Pulling out her phone, she snapped some pictures of the sky before the phone vibrated, her eyes catching the notification before it disappeared.

Dealing with a random shithead that's talking to me rn

You’re paying for dinner ;)

Aldira snorted out a laugh before clasping her mouth shut, the taxi driver's chair creaking as he looked behind him confused, Aldira replied with a curt nod, her hand still around her mouth. Laughing silently at her outburst, she breathed deeply, the uncomfortable thin fabric pulling at strands of free hair. Aldira fiddled with the clip holding most of her hair, as it dug into the top of her head. She sucked in a quick breath as the clip pulled out a strand, her fingers working into her hair. I just need to make it bearable for this ride gosh. She held her breath and continued, before huffing as the aching of the tips of her fingers was too much, and pulled off the clip, her hair falling onto her shoulders, the bulk of it crumpling above her head as her head was laid against the seat.

After ten minutes of scrolling on her phone, the car slowed down before changing lanes finally coming to a stop. Aldira ran her hair behind her back and stretched out her hand to pay the driver, a crack sound erupting as she opened the car door. He really needs to buy a new car Aldira thought as she closed the car door gently as if scared the car door would fall. She turned around quickly, swinging her bag over her shoulder, pulling a face as it caught onto her hair. Her eyes took in the familiar sight of a building that stood in front of her. A smile broke out as she read the large yellow sign in the middle of it. “Arène des arts aériens et de la gymnastique” She chuckled lightly as she recalled all the times she noticed the sign was much too long for the building, the last letters awkwardly curving to not jut out of the studio. She sauntered towards the entrance, checking her phone, her eyes flickering at the time. I have some good hours. Excitement built up inside her as she opened the main doors, flicking a keycard on a scanner, Her pace increased as she waved at a security guard energetically, her eyes now bright, she continued down a large blue hallway, medals and achievements placed in glass against the walls. Hearing familiar voices down the hall, and growing ecstatic with the thumps and squeaks of the floors that she knew all too well. She rushed though, trying to contain her composure and keep what was left of what the others knew of her dignity. Her smile never leaving, she opened the double doors fiercely, ignoring the faint smell of smoke that engulfed her as she stepped inside.