Sorry about the wait, but my summer vacation has been packed. I am so glad that my story has made it this far. I would really like to make it to at least chapter 8 before school starts up again. I just published my project for Legion of Super Heroes, if you are into that.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, but the plot.
626 Stella Avenue, building 201, Alice repeated in her head. Her kind employers had offered her a place to stay due to her awkward predicament with her ex-boyfriend.
Who was that man, Alice pondered. She had felt sure that she had met him, or at least seen him previously, but didn't pursue the topic. If she had been wrong, she would have been thouroughly embarassed.
Her mind drifted from topic to topic, with no logical explaination. He had even mentioned her father. Why had he done that, and how did Jervis know him?
Looking at the green street plaque, she noticed that Stella Avenue was approaching extremely quickly. Instead of nodding off again, Alice began to pay more attention to her surroundings. She figured it would be helpful, especially if she was going to live around here.
A part of Alice felt guilty for barging in on her employers, but she knew that they would take care of her.
A twang of discomfort began prickling her shoulder, and she shrugged off her backpack. Setting her bags by the nearest wall, she began massaging her aching muscles. Letting out a sigh of frustration, Alice took a pencil from her backpack, and put it in her hair.
Twisting it gently, Alice set the pencil in place, and brushed her bangs straight. She wanted to look at least presentable for her agents.
Hearing a click behind her, she turned with dark eyes to find the noise. It was familiar though...
Niall!
Her eyes brightened, and she chimed "Veronica!". The familiar face appeared out of the shadows and gave Alice a hug. Niall followed behind her with a camera.
"Natural habitat of a broken-hearted young adult" simply said Niall as his eyes remained glued to the camera screen.
A tear ran down Alice's face, and Veronica wiped it away. "Tell me the whole story. Niall will take your suitcases." Veronica pulled his camera away, and gave Niall a toxic look "Right?"
This caused Alice to let out a nervous giggle, and asked "How did you know where I was?"
Niall grunted from behind "There are only so many Blondes moving all their belongings in this part of town."
Alice only started beginning taking in her surroundings consciously. This was not the part of town that she was used to. The alleys, and dirty streets were behind her. Ahead transitioned into high class penthouses of Gotham.
"Y-you live here?" Alice asked, fully intimidated. Nodding, Veronica and Niall answered "Yes, of course."
They were rich! So why had they picked her to model when they could have had anyone they decided to leave the question alone until a better time.
After being escourted to the penthouse, Alice was able to pick her room. She had always been assigned a room, so she was delighted that she had an option. She chose a first floor room, and took her bags in so that she could settle in. She began unpacking, and as she placed her last shirt on a hanger, she smelt a warm, chocolatey scent fill the air.
Was Veronica making hot chocolate? Alice had never met anyone so kind before. For a second, she wondered if it was all an act, but chased the thought away as her door opened.
Alice smiled with empty eyes. Veronica shuffled in with two cups of hot chocolate. Handing one to Alice, Veronica began rubbing Alice's back. A single tear ran down the curve of her cheek.
"Oh, honey." Veronica cooed "Telling me what happened will make it feel better, I promise."
Rather than expand the story, Alice simplified it, only telling the main points. The confession was enough to bring Alice over the edge, bringing her to desperate sobs.
As her story ended, Alice told Veronica about Jervis, and how kind he was. Then she told her about the date that he had offered. Then Veronica cut off Alice. "He asked you out on a date!" she exclaimed, a tone of worry present in her voice. Alice obviously didn't listen carefully enough, and sang happily "I know, right!"
Veronica didn't wamt to upset Alice, so she played excited during the conversation. Alice smiled a little, and hugged herself tightly.
Just then Niall walked in holding a shiny new phone. He presented it to Alice, who gasped.
"First, we need to keep track of you, since you are our model. Second, you live with us, so you'll need it to coordinate. Lastly, you probably want to keep in touch with your family." he stated professionally before giving her a smile.
Glancing over at the mug in the girls' hands, he fake pouted. "You made hot chocolate without me?!"
Smirking softly, Veronica stood up and walked over to Niall, swaying her hips. "Here, have some." Then she kissed him gently on the corner of his lip. He grinned madly. "Delicious."
Alice was too distracted by the new device to care what had happened between the couple. She tapped the power button, and the phone lit up.
She checked the contacts page, and saw that both Veronica and Niall's numbers were listed. She quickly plugged in her mother's phone number.
When she looked up, Veronica and Niall were still hugging. Alice could feel at tugin her heart at the sight of endearment. She wished someone would love her as much as they loved eachother.
She coughed slightly, and the pair separated. Veronica spoke up first. "I'll be making chili in the kitchen. If you are feeling up to it, we would love to have you join us."
She nodded her head. She opened her mouth, but closed it suddenly. "I have to go to my father's funeral, so I wanted to apologize for my emotionns that will be present in the next few days."
Veronica nodded. "We'll just leave you alone right now. Feel free to settle yourself, since you'll be living here indefinitely."
Alice, again, felt a little bit guilty for imposing, but she knew that she had no other choice. She quickly went through everything she owned again, to familiarize herself with the room.
From her room, she smelled dinner simmering on the stove to improve the flavor.
As she reached in her closet to go through her shirts, she heard a small crinkle. Another note, Alice thought as she rolled her eyes. She found the small note, to find out that it was from Jervis.
Her harsh judging softened, and she read the heartfelt note. Jervis must've mastered the English language to be so suave with his writing. Her heart fluttered.
Jervis wanted to meet her at the park so they could learn more about eachother. Her bedroom door creaked open, and on instinct, Alice shoved the note under her leg. Her hands shook from being startled. She smiled guiltily as Veronica's head appeared behind the door. Why was she keeping secrets from her generous employers?
"Dinnertime." Veronica trilled, her eyes filled with glee. Standing uo, Alice made her way to the kitchen following Veronica.
She sat down at the barstool, and accepted a porcelain bowl of steaming chili. Niall sat to the right of Alice, and she saw his eyes full of desire for the chili.
She giggled "You really like chili, don't you Niall."
He nodded as a full bowl was handed to him, and he stuffed his mouth. Veronica smiled. "It's his one comfort food. His mom always used to make it for him. I doubt he would even care if it was made well, as long it is chili."
Taking a small spoonful, she nodded. Swallowing, she agreed "This really tastes great!"
Waving her hand around, Veronica denied it. "The recipe is really easy, anyone could make it." Alice shook her head. Every good cook seemee to doubt the quality of their own meals. It seemed to be a trait they all had in common.
An hour passed, and all three people finished their meals. Silently sipping their drinks, Alice announced "I'll do the dishes."
At the same time, Veronica said "No", Niall exclaimed "Yes!". Casting a glare at Niall, Veronica insisted, "You are our guest, I could never allow that."
Niall groaned "But if she doesn't do the dished, I have to." Smirking, Veronica leered "I know. You do have to help out around the house sometimes. Marriage is a partnership, neither are subservient or opressed."
Alice smiled delightfully, and internally dreamed for someone who would love her as much as Niall loved Veronica.
Veronica motioned for Niall to get up and do his job, and he did so with a groan. Alice laughed, but informed them that she would be heading over to her room to get some sleep. Glancing behind her she walked down the dimly lit hallway to her bedroom.
She shut the door quietly, and then locked it to make sure that no one would come in. Sitting on her new bed, she looked under the cover to find the note that Jervis had left for her.
His note had really boosted her confidence, and she felt lighter. Rereading the note, she found Jervis' phone number, and quickly copied the number into her new phone. Feeling bold, she typed:
"I got your message. I would love to meet you at the park. I'll tell you if anything comes up."
Sending the text, Alice covered a giggle, and opened her pajama drawer. Pulling a nightdress on, she heard her phone vibrate on her bed.
It was from Jervis!
"Dear Alice, I am truly delighted at your acceptance of my picnic proposal. The park is called Storybook Land, and it is one of my favorites."
Alice grinned. Her parents had taken her to the park when she was younger. Hopefully, some of the charm remained.
"Thank you for your eloquent response, Mr. Tetch..." she typed, before disagreeing with it, and deleting it.
Instead, she wrote "I am dreadfully homesick. I know we barely just met, but can I call you?" He replied instantly "Of course."
Alice took a deep breath in, and pressed in the numbers. Holding the phone delicately to her ear, she waited for him to pick up.
Hearing a click on the other end, and she knew that he was listening.
"Jervis?" She breathed.
"Yes, child?" His voice rumbled gently.
Collapsing on her bed, she asked "Will you read something to me to help me fall asleep?"
"Anything you like, Alice. I can only imagine your discomfort." he answered kindly.
She thought about it for a moment, and then asked "Could you read me...", she paused as she heard the door creak open.
"Good night, Alice." Veronica whispered, letting some of the light from the hallway creep into her room.
Horrified at the thought of being caught, she waited for the door to close, and she picked the phone back up. "Sorry, Jervis. I'm alright now. I'll talk to you later." She hung up, and put the phone on her nightstand.
Folding her hands over her blanket, she closed her eyes, and took a deep breath in.
Her bed was very comfortable, and she fell asleep earlier than planned, although her mind remained heavy with guilt.