Beauty's Beast
Chapter 3-Shadow of the Modern Machine
Hotaru tugged her jeans on, her eyelids heavy. She kicked her legs lightly, after finally getting them on, letting them bounce off of her bed. She hated school. She hated getting up early the most.
There came a knock at the door as she stood, finished. "Yeah?" she called softly, in case someone was still sleeping.
"We're stopping at the diner before you go to school. So if you want anything you better hurry up," Rei called from behind the oak door.
Hotaru sighed, "Alright," she replied. Running a brush through her hair she grumbled. The diner wasn't a bad place. They had a strange atmosphere about the place. It was mostly older people and truckers. There were the occasional teenagers there, but none Hotaru ever knew. She mostly kept to herself. Since they'd moved here it had been rather hard. Granted, she had Rei and Minako, but that wasn't the same. Rei was her blood sister, while Minako was still a sister because she had always been around.
There were certain things Hotaru didn't care to talk with them about. Sometimes, she just wanted someone to listen to her troubles. Her sisters had enough to worry about. She opened her door, shutting it quickly before stepping into the living room.
Minako sat with her legs crossed, a bowl of cereal on her lap. She was intently focused on the news, although it was nothing new. Hotaru glanced at the television, the anchor in the middle of a story about tax cuts and raises. Feeling someone watching her, Minako turned to face Hotaru.
She looked her up and down raising an eyebrow before turning back to the television. "What?" Hotaru asked, her shoulders shrugging slightly and a hint of attitude in her voice.
Minako shrugged, "Not a typical school outfit." Hotaru frowned, pulling up her shredded jeans a bit, and tugging the black tank top down a bit, "It's fine," she argued.
Minako shrugged, "Back in the day, we had to wear uniforms to high school." Hotaru rolled her eyes, grabbing her book bag from the floor beside the couch.
Rei frowned from the doorway, twirling her keys about in her hand, "Ready to go?" she asked finally. Minako and Hotaru nodded, Minako getting up to throw the empty bowl into the sink.
The silence of the drive was nauseating, and Hotaru sat uneasily biting her nails in the back seat. She turned slightly, watching the houses pass by. She pressed her back harder into the cloth seat, tuning her ears into the music from the stereo.
And the comet is coming between me and the girl who could make it all clean, out there in the shadow of the modern machine...walks St. Robinson in his Cadillac dream...
Life hadn't been exactly how Hotaru had wanted it to be lately. People changed as easily as the seasons. She couldn't shut herself down for trying, but it was enough to make her cringe. She hadn't been trying lately. Just giving up was something she wanted so badly, but she couldn't bring herself to fully quit. Life was a funny thing. It always took you for a ride, destination unknown. She turned, hearing a noise from outside.
Thunder. She looked away, unwilling to face the memories it brought. She turned back to the window suddenly though, watching the raindrops zig zag down. The roads were slick, and she felt the shock from the brakes grinding, trying to hold.
She felt the car turn, sliding a bit. It was really pouring outside. Hotaru stared blankly at the flickering neon light of the small diner. She sat up slowly, placing her hand on the back of Minako's seat, pulling herself up. She threw her door open, preparing for the water to rush.
The three girls ran into the diner, laughing at their antics. Minako smiled, shutting the diner door behind her and running a hand through her slick hair. She loved the rain. It always brought a promise, that thing's were going to look up soon.
Rei took a place on one of the stools at the counter, cocking her head and letting it rest in an open palm, her elbow propped up. Minako and Hotaru took a seat on either side of her.
A heavyset man peered at them, between the shelves blocking the kitchen. He emerged suddenly, his laugh deep and booming. "Where have you three been all of my life?" he joked. The girls giggled. They didn't come in often, but when they did, they always knew they were Gus's favorite customers.
He beamed back, "The usual?" he asked, and the girls nodded. Though they didn't come in often, they still always got the same thing. They weren't exactly forgettable either.
"Gus," Minako purred, her blond locks spilling onto the counter as she leaned forward, "You remember saying if we needed jobs, you'd help us out?" she asked.
Gus nodded, rubbing his goatee thoughtfully, "You quit dancing?" he asked, looking from Minako to Rei. Rei shook her head, biting open a coffee creamer and dumping it into the cup the waitress had brought. Gus nodded, "Things not going too good?" he asked. Minako shook her head, stirring her own coffee.
Gus nodded solemnly, "Come by tomorrow morning and I'll have some uniforms for you. I better go make sure your order gets started," he said, disappearing into the back.
The counter looped around, shaped like an L. On the smaller side, a boy sat thoughtfully, his eyes locked on the blond beauty. "Long time no see," he smiled. Minako turned towards the voice, a smile creeping onto her face.
"I thought you were leaving," she raised an eyebrow. Duo pondered a moment, setting his cup down, "We're staying a few more days. We have some things to take care of," he said.
Minako nodded, glancing around the boy, "Where's your friend?" she asked. Duo shrugged, "With the others," he said simply, buttering a slice of toast.
Rei glanced at him from over Minako's shoulder, turning the opposite way to hide her smirk. Hotaru's eyes squinted slightly questionably.
Minako shifted, glancing at Rei as Gus placed a plate in front of her. She thought a moment, deciding to seize the chance. "So are you coming back to that bar tonight?" she asked.
Duo grinned, shrugging, "Guess it all depends if your working."
Minako glanced down, smirking before looking up, "I am," she said nodding, her eyebrows raised slightly.
Duo nodded, taking a sip of his own coffee. "Well then, maybe the whole group might drop by tonight," he hinted, throwing some money onto the counter for tip. He got up, shrugging a coat on.
He passed, brushing against Minako purposely, pushing her forward a bit. Minako laughed, straightening back up, turning to his fleeting back.
He walked into the rain, his braid swaying with his steps.
Rei frowned, "Hurry up or you'll be late for school," she pressed. Hotaru sighed, picking at her pancakes.