Alexis Macrae
'Yes boots, no boots, yes boots, no boots' she held up the black combat boots. 'I say yes to the boots' a voice behind her said. 'Doctor Magnus' she said as she turned around to face the women. 'What are you doing here'.
Magnus smiled, 'Kate wanted new shoes'. They turned to look at Kate, who was looking at ankle boots. 'Looks like the shopping trip is a success' Magnus said as she looked down at all the bags. 'It's mainly room decoration stuff. I'm thinking about renting an apartment off campus.' She bit her lip, while looking at Magnus. 'Does Declan know about this' Magnus asked as she sat down in one of the chairs. 'No, to be honest I haven't even told any of the girls about it. Not even my best friend, she'll kill me'. Alexis went to sit down next to Magnus. She sighed, 'I don't know. Maybe It's a bad idea but'.
'I think it's a good idea. You only have one and a half year of college to go. Having you place might be a good way to learn independency.'
'I know but, if I'm gonna live off college, I'm gonna miss out on all social events and stuff. And eventually there gonna forget about me. I've seen it happen with other girls'. 'No cute college boyfriend' Magnus asked. Alexis laughed, 'nope, I don't really like people my age. When we go looking at boys, I always go for the guy that turns out to be 10 years older than me.'
'People' Magnus said, 'what' Alexis looked up at her. 'You said people, not guys'. Alexis blushed, 'I had a girlfriend first year in college. She moved away, something to do with parents.'
'Boss' Kate said, she was holding a plastic bag in her hand. 'I say yes to the boots' Magnus said as she stood up. 'you had already convinced me the first time.'
'Do you need a ride home' Kate asked. 'That would be nice, thanks'.
Helen Magnus
Helen looked back at Kate and Lexy who were sitting on the back seat, talking about shoes and stores. She kept looking in the rearview mirror to Lexy. Lexy didn't notice. She saw Kate pick up a strand of hair. 'There is this little shop, where I buy all my dye. The owner she is so nice, and she has really colorful hair' Lexy laughed.
'I like the blue' Kate said as she let go of the strand of hair. 'Tell that to Declan for me, he didn't like it. It looks even better when I curl it. I can do your hair to if like. I've been doing my own hair since forever, I'm practically a professional'. Kate looked up at her, 'Magnus what do you think'. 'It's your hair if you wanna dye it, I'm not gonna stop you Kate'. Kate turned back to face Lexy.
A little later she was sitting in the library, doing some light reading, when the door opened. Lexy stood in the door opening, 'do you mind if I join you'. She was holding a cup in one hand and a book in the other. 'No of course not'. Lexy went to sit down next to her on the couch. 'shouldn't you be in bed already? It's almost midnight'.
'I know but I couldn't sleep. Being back here brings back a lot of memories'.
'Like?'
'I know it's gonna sound stupid but, memories of when my parents just died and I just moved in here. This big strange place and Declan working all the time. James, he kind of took care of me. Being back here, without him being here, it feels weird'. The girl sighed and Magnus felt the motherly urge to hug the girl and tell her that it was going to be alright.
'You weren't at the memorial service' she said as she looked at the girl.
'No, I didn't think I could handle it. Being I a room with people saying how sorry they are for your loss. Shaking everybody's hand and listening to them telling you how good a man he was. I know it's selfish, I'm sorry'.
'It's alright' she said and placed a hand on Lexy's hand.
'Come here' she said as she hold out her arm, Lexy moved to sit next to her and let her head rest on Magnus shoulder. 'So James and you were very close' she asked. 'He was like a second father to me. One time, when I was sixteen, I came home drunk. He gave me a lecture for almost two hours about alcohol and the brain. And that I shouldn't be drinking that much at such a young age' she laughed and then shook her head. 'Declan, when stuff happens he can't handle, he tends to work a lot. Nonstop, no sleep, no food just work'.
Magnus stroked the girls hair, 'I've noticed'. 'That's how James and I became so close. When I had nightmares, he would be there. He made safe and loved'. She closed her eyes, 'doctor Magnus?'. 'You can say Helen'. 'Helen' she tried slowly, but then went silent. 'what is it Alexis' Magnus asked.
'Why are you so nice to me.'
Magnus went silent for a minute. Why was she being so nice to the girl. She didn't know it herself. She couldn't explain it, there was just something. 'I don't know' she answered honestly. Lexy closed her eyes again and yawned.
She didn't move or made an attempt to get up, but Magnus didn't mind.
- Flashback-
James Watson
He was about to go to bed when he heard her cry. Alexis had moved in a week ago and every night since that day he heard her cry. He had talked to Declan about it, but knew that Declan had no idea how to take care of his younger sister. Too much age difference. He walked to her room and knocked once. When he opened the door a set of big blue eyes looked up at him. Even though it was dark, he could see she had red eyes from crying. 'I'm sorry, did I wake you' she asked. 'No of course not my child' he said as he walked towards her bed and went to sit on the edge of it. 'Why are you crying' he asked, even though he already knew the answer. 'It's just a dream' she said, looking down at the blanket. 'It's nothing bad or anything, it's just…' she went quiet and then started crying again. 'I'm sorry' she whispered. 'there is no need to say sorry' he pulled her in an embrace and let her cry on his shoulder.
When she stopped crying, he stroke her hair. He knew she wasn't gonna fall asleep again like this. 'have I ever told you about my younger day back in London' he asked, she shook her head. 'Helen and I we worked together sometimes. And when her father was away, she would asked me to come over and spend the night. Keep her company. We would stay up till late, in the library, reading about newly discovered abnormals. Debating about what was best for them. There was one night, we were talking about an abnormal that was supposed to give of this pheromone that would make people sleepy'. Alexis giggled, 'What happened?'. 'She had it in a little cage standing on the desk. we upset the it and fell asleep, right where we were standing. Her father found us the next morning. You can imagine what he must have been thinking, finding us like that'. Alexis laughed, 'Tell me more' she whispered as she laid her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes. 'Tell me everything'.