A/N: Hey, I admittedly don't have much to say at the moment except I hope you enjoy the story.
Disclaimer: All original content belongs to its orginal creators.
I've had a dim recognition of this for the past couple of days now. It's not like I ever think about it often though. It's kinda like gravity, it's there, but you're never really thought about it. It just, kinda, happens.
I'd guess you'd only ever notice it if it broke.
These things usually happen over the dull breakfast scrabble, and today was no exception.
"Well, I don't know, can't she share with Carmen or Tee until we get this sorted with the council?"
"It's not like we have the space anyway."
That's definitely Mike and Gina, having a professional disagreement again no doubt.
"Look, this girl's been shunted around an awful lot; it's the council's decision, not mine."
"And what has that got anything to do with anything?"
"Listen, Gina..."
"What girl?" Jody piped up.
"And why do I have to share with her?" Carmen objected.
Typical. Bloody typical...not that I'm in a position really to start hurling dirt clods, but, eh, it's what I do best. Beside, they're too thick here to notice me contradicting myself.
There's a brief pause before Mike wanders over and stands at the head of the table that same tired concern etched over his features, he starts to address us.
"Guys listen, there's a new arriving, Emily, so..."
Rick cuts across, "...so try not to scare her off."
"We've been here long enough; I think we know the drill by now." Tee added.
Hmm, Emily? Could be anyone I suppose. New people come and go. No skin off my back.
"So what's the new girl like then?" Faith asked, still optimistic I see?
"Well, she around fifteen..." Mike began, before the typical wall of noise erupts.
"Where's she from?"
"What kinda things does she like?"
"Is she another nutter?"
"That's not very nice..."
"Is she fit?"
"Johnny!"
"He has got a point..."
"Good to see you're having a good influence..."
"I still don't see why I have to share with her!"
"Mike said I might have to share with her..."
"That's not the point..."
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Mike finally managing to stop the tide of yapping, "You can get to know her all you want when she arrives this afternoon, but until then, less of the questions."
The general rumble of breakfast resumes and Mike goes off to continue arguing with Gina.
When I think about this new girl, actually...meh, probably just another slack-jawed moron, they don't come all that different 'round here.
But then again, and again, if you think about it...things only really come to bite at a later point. Things are annoying like that. They never bite when you expect them to, and when they bite, they kinda don't...
I never knew I could spout such bullshit, for God's sake...
The morning slipped away, like drinking wall-paper paste. Dull, flemy, grim, grey, something like that anyway. I was minding my own business, as per usual, sitting in the living room, legs hooked over the scrolled sofa arm, reading, I can't quite remember what, it was something, just leave it as that.
You kinda get used to people going at speeds which would either be reserved for fires or psychopathic axe killers, it's kinda desensitising. Yet, there are some things you still notice, like the spring in someone's step, or an overly excited expression.
Voices start echoing down the corridor from beyond the glass partition.
"What's with her? Those pinky eyes and white hair are really weird! She looks like a rat!"
"That's a bit harsh, she's hardly that bad."
"Weren't you going on about sharing a room with her earlier?"
"Yeah, but..."
"Jody, are you sure you're not thinking of those white mice they use in labs and in magic acts, not rats?"
The new girl's an albino? Well...
Tyler, Carmen and Jody came charging round the corner drawing the sudden attention of the room. I try to blank.
"Hey guys," Carmen started, "the new girl's just turned up, and she's in the hall."
"She's called Emily right?" came Tee's voice.
Idiot. You do realise Mike said that at breakfast.
"No she's not!"
Eh?
Jody continued with her typical lack of indoor voice, "She really called White or something like that!"
It must be her surname, it has to be.
"Are you sure that's not her surname?" Faith asked.
I said that before...well, I thought it, but that's not the point!
"I'm not lying!"
"Yeah," interrupted Tyler, "she really is called White."
I then became aware of every eye in the room on me, every eye tunnelling into my brain. It was a bit of an odd reaction when you think of it, to drop my book with a clunk like an exclamation mark. I couldn't really help it, as I said before, things coming to bite.
"Elektra?"
All I manage is some kind of cough, a growl at the back of my throat, and a, when looking at it, suspect quick walk to escape what felt like the angry red specs of laser sights.
I don't quite get it; I thought I was supposed to be more confrontational than that.
It feels like a bit of my brain just broke.
I need my...I need my breathing space, yeah, my room, yeah. Wait, didn't Carmen say she was in the hall...ah fuck.
She's definitely an albino this White, her hair scruffy at the sides and long down the back, androgynous, stiff breeze would snap her in half figure, pink eyes lost in a milky fug.
Move before...
"Ah, Elektra, this is..."
I had hit the upstairs landing before Mike had finished his sentence.
I think the rest of the afternoon is going to consist of a game of stare aggressive at the furniture. The art is to hope nobody notices. This has to blow over at some point, she can't stay, there's not enough room...
Jesus Christ I hope they don't notice.