Chell looked down at her pay check and mentally subtracted her rent from the amount.
Tight, she realised, heart sinking. If only Bobby would give me more hours.
Her library job wasn't ideal, and it certainly wasn't a career, but it suited her for the moment. Bobby had been very understanding about her needs, letting her off the duties that she couldn't do. And it was quiet. She liked it just for that. Well, that and the books. Speaking of…
She went to Classical Poetry and found the gleaming new edition that had just come in.
Me 12:11pm
[1 attachment]
Look what I just found
Doug 12:12pm
Impressive. You really are sold on Emily Dickinson. At the library again?
Me 12:13pm
I practically live here
She hadn't told him she worked there. They had the same area code. Yes, it was a large area, it was unlikely they were in the same town, and even more unlikely that they'd walk into the same library, but still…the chance was always there. He seemed nice and intelligent, and was by far the easiest person she'd found to talk to in a long while, but that didn't mean they knew each other. Not really.
Doug 12:14pm
Student?
Chell hesitated. They hadn't pushed for personal details, except for names. She wasn't sure it was wise to start. And yet…she wanted the friendship. She was starting to look forward to hearing from him, to chat about books or have mild, vague grumbles about work or life. As long as she was careful, she saw no harm in answering the question honestly.
Me 12:16pm
No, but I guess I'm flattered you think I'm college age
To read between the lines: I'm an adult. If he was some sort of creep, he'd probably lose interest right about now.
Doug 12:17pm
Actually I'm relieved. Talking to a student would have seemed… questionable
She huffed a small laugh. He was probably worried about the same things she was.
Me 12:18pm
Ok, I'll bite the bullet. How old are you? Just so we're on the same page here
Doug 12:18pm
But I could just lie…
Me 12:19pm
I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, how's that?
I'm 26
Doug 12:21pm
34
Chell felt a small weight leave her shoulders, one she hadn't even been aware she was carrying. They were doing nothing wrong, but still…she couldn't deny it was a relief to learn that they were both old enough to make sensible choices. She found herself smiling, deciding what to write next.
Me 12:22pm
That's good. At least I'm not being out-literatured by a teenager
Doug 12:24pm
Out-literatured? Really?
Me 12:25pm
Does that make your eye twitch? You're a grammar freak, aren't you?
Doug 12:26pm
How did you guess?
Me 12:26pm
Just a wild stab in the dark!
"Chell?"
The voice made her glance up guiltily, and she caught sight of her best friend's intrigued look.
Oh great…
"Who are you texting?" Mel's voice was full of insinuation, a smirk on her pretty, freckled face.
Chell shoved her phone in her pocket, raising her hands to sign, 'Just a friend'.
"Which friend?" The question was a valid one. She didn't have many friends, and Mel knew that all too well.
'A new one.'
"Ooh! Tell me more!"
Chell couldn't help smiling at Mel's eagerness. There was very little in either of their daily lives that they could get excited about.
'You'll have to wait five minutes,' she signed. 'I'm still working.'
"Yeah, you really looked like you were working."
Chell stuck her tongue out, and Mel laughed. Mel was on a mission to drag Chell to the gym with her during her lunch breaks. Chell went for moral support, mostly, to encourage Mel in her Olympic dreams, but she found she enjoyed being active. Her job and her book-related hobbies kept her fairly static, so she relished the chance to keep her body in trim.
Her phone buzzed, and she placed her hand over her pocket automatically before remembering her company.
"Oh, don't let me stop you," Mel said cheerily, a too-innocent smile on her face.
There's no way I'm living this down.
Shooting her friend a glare that had no sting in it, Chell unlocked her phone.
Doug 12:29pm
Sounds dangerous
She snorted, sending back a laughing emoji.
"Okay," Mel said, crossing her arms. "Now you've got to tell me."
Doug 4:47pm
Got any distracting jokes?
Chell 4:48pm
What do you call a patronising criminal going down some stairs? A condescending con descending :D
Doug 4:49pm
Not bad!
Chell 4:49pm
Thank you. What am I distracting you from?
Doug 4:50pm
Trying not to kill Henry
Chell 4:50pm
Is he stealing your stuff again?
Doug 4:51pm
No, but he's just…Henry
Chell 4:51pm
He can't help it!
Doug 4:53pm
I know, which is why I'd feel bad for killing him
Doug 1:21pm
Why have you sent me a picture of a cat?
Chell 1:22pm
It's cute!
Doug 1:22pm
Can I call it Schrodinger?
Chell 1:23pm
Oh, very original
Chell 9:05am
Do you have ice cream near you?
Doug 9:06am
It's barely 9 in the morning. In November.
Chell 9:06am
That's a no then?
Doug 9:07am
Definitely. What do you want ice cream for?
Chell 9:08am
Killer sore throat. I can't get any until I leave work, I was just making sure that I didn't have to be jealous
Doug 9:08am
Sorry to hear you're not well. I'd send medicinal ice cream if I could
Chell 9:09am
I appreciate the thought
Doug 9:13am
[1 attachment]
This is the best I could do
Chell 9:14am
Oh my god, did you draw that? That's awesome! I love the little cocktail umbrella!
Doug 9:14am
Every sundae should have one
Chell 9:15am
You're really good. What else do you draw?
Doug 9:17am
Just stuff that pops into my head
Chell 9:18am
Can I see?
Doug 9:19am
Maybe.
If I feel brave enough
Chell 9:19am
No pressure at all, I'm just interested :)
Doug 9:20am
Thanks
Chell 8:41pm
Hey, Doug…
Doug 8:42pm
Chell…
Chell 8:42pm
I just wanted to say that I'm glad you mistook me for Henry. I like our chats
Doug 8:44pm
Me too. They brighten my day
Chell 8:45pm
Likewise :)
But I just wanted to say that I'm here if you ever need to talk. Type. Whatever. Because we're entering proper friend territory now, and I make sure that all my friends know that
Sorry for getting all serious, but…yeah
Doug 8:48pm
Thank you, but I wouldn't want to burden you
Chell 8:48pm
You wouldn't be a burden
Doug 8:52pm
You don't know that
Chell 8:52pm
?
Doug 8:58pm
I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by that. Thank you for the kind thought, and same to you
Have a good evening
Chell 8:59pm
You too
A/N: Very short and sweet this time. I'll hopefully get the next one out after Christmas. Have a wonderful holiday :)