second nature

by and it feels like finally

"i don't know how, and i don't know why, but texting you has become second nature, and i don't know what i'd do without seeing your name on my phone every day" / when you call a wrong number, it's commonplace to just apologise and forget about it. when beth accidentally texts alison, it doesn't quite transpire that way. [[soccercop texting au]]

2. Chapter 2

a/n: i'm super sorry this has taken me three weeks - it turns out exams and procrastination aren't a great combination when it comes to fanfiction (or revising, actually) - but here's the next chapter, and i promise i'll update more quickly next time!

---

Tuesday 28th October.

[20:13]
It suits you.
[20:14]
Your name, I mean.
[20:14]
(sorry I didn't reply earlier the battery on my phone is crap)

[20:17]
You don't even know me?
[20:18]
(apology accepted)

[20:19]
Don't I?
[20:25]
I know your name is Alison.
[20:26]
And I know that you don't think it's safe to tell someone you've never met what your name is but you told me anyway.
[20:26]
And I know you're probably regretting that now.

[20:26]
No.
[20:29]
I'm not... Regretting it.

[20:30]
Okay then.

[20:30]
Okay.

[20:31]
Elizabeth suits you too.

[20:31]
It's Beth. Just Beth.

[20:32]
I /like/ Elizabeth.

[20:32]
What, and you don't like Beth?

[20:32]
No no no Beth's... Great.

[20:33]
Okay.
[20:34]
So Beth it is then?

[20:34]
Beth it is.

[20:34]
:)

[20:35]
How's the library tonight then Beth?

[20:36]
I'm not in the library any more, idiot.

[20:36]
Because of your phone battery, right, sorry.
[20:37]
How's wherever you are now then?

[20:38]
Um, well I'm on the floor so my phone can charge.
[20:38]
So I'd say it's pretty good.

[20:39]
You're... On the floor?

[20:39]
Yeah.
[20:39]
I did say the battery was crap.
[20:40]
And my roommate's spread her sciencey shit all over the place so I'd probably be on the floor anyway.

[20:40]
Your roommate's a scientist?

[20:41]
Kind of - she's a student, so.
[20:41]
Studies some ridiculously complicated evolution thing.

[20:41]
You are too, aren't you?
[20:42]
A student, I mean, not a scientist.

[20:42]
A student, yeah.
[20:42]
With the amount of time I spend in the library you should probably be concerned if I wasn't.

[20:42]
You don't spend /that/ much time in the library.
[20:43]
This is the second time we've talked when you're at home.
[20:43]
Okay so maybe you are there quite a lot.

[20:45]
I thought talking in the library was kind of our thing?

[20:49]
Yeah... It is, I guess.

[21:17]
(hey, this is beth's roommate (DON'T WORRY BETH I HAVEN'T READ YOUR MESSAGES) but beth fell asleep (she had kind of a busy day so don't worry i don't think it's because of talking to you) and it sounded like you were texting quite a lot earlier. idk i just thought i'd make sure you know she's not ignoring you)

[21:20]
Thanks.
[21:21]
Wait, she fell asleep on the floor?

[21:21]
(i gave her a pillow it's fine)

Wednesday 29th October.

[00:09]
bethy beth are you awake from your little nap yet?

[00:11]
Cosima please tell me you're not high again.
[00:12]
And your text woke me up so I'm really not in the mood.

[00:13]
i'm not. just tired.
[00:13]
and don't worry i'm staying over at delphine's.

[00:15]
Good.
[00:15]
Now do you want to explain what you sent to Alison?

[00:15]
do /you/ want to explain who alison is?

[00:16]
Not really.

[00:16]
well that's a shame.
[00:17]
am i going to have to come home and make you tell me things?

[00:17]
Cos, we both know that half the reason you're over there is so that I don't kill you for looking at my phone.
[00:18]
And we both know that you're not going to leave just to learn more about my life.

[00:18]
i /told/ you, i didn't read your messages.

[00:18]
You just sent a couple.

[00:19]
yep.

[00:19]
Why do I put up with you?

[00:19]
you have a /thing/ with her, beth!
[00:20]
when was the last time you had a thing with anybody?
[00:20]
(and don't you dare even mention paul's name because we both know that was a lie)

[00:20]
Cosima.

[00:20]
okay so maybe i did read a few.
[00:21]
just the recent ones i promise!
[00:21]
what did you expect? beth, i'm a /scientist/, i study the world.

[00:22]
I expected you to leave /my/ phone alone!
[00:22]
And I expected you to come up with a better excuse than that.
[00:23]
(just for the record I also expected you to run off to your girlfriend's because you're scared of me)

[00:31]
(is she cute?)

[00:37]
Go away.

Wednesday 29th October.

[10:53]
Sorry about last night.
[10:55]
(and sorry about my roommate too)

[11:03]
It's fine, don't worry.
[11:03]
And I thought it was nice of her. I appreciated it, at least.

[11:06]
Really?
[11:07]
Damn, maybe I shouldn't have been so annoyed at her.

[11:07]
Well, she did give you a pillow.
[11:08]
Then again, she looked at your phone.
[11:08]
As long as you didn't kill her in her sleep, it's probably fine.

[11:09]
Nah, she ran off to Delphine's in fear of that happening.

[11:09]
...Delphine?

[11:09]
Her girlfriend.
[11:09]
Sorry, I kind of forget we don't actually know each other.
[11:10]
Everyone around here knows Delphine, so.

[11:10]
Everyone?

[11:10]
Yeah.

Wednesday 29th October.

[11:10]
Hey Aynsley sorry if this seems a bit weird but do you know someone called Delphine?

[11:10]
Delphine Cormier? Who /doesn't/ know Delphine Cormier?
[11:11]
And how do /you/ not know her?
[11:11]
She's going out with that girl that Felix's sister is friends with.
[11:11]
We met her like three weeks ago?

[11:11]
Sorry Ayns I really don't know who you're talking about.
[11:12]
But thanks.

[11:12]
Ohh I remember you went out with Donnie that night.
[11:12]
You really should give him another chance he's still whining about it.

[11:12]
I'm not going on another date with him. Set him up with someone else and he'll move on within about ten seconds.

[11:12]
Also why were you asking?

[11:19]
It doesn't matter.

[11:19]
Okaaay then.
[11:20]
You're still coming round later, yeah?

[11:20]
Yeah.

[11:20]
Can't wait!

Wednesday 29th October.

[11:12]
Does everyone around there know you, as well?

[11:13]
The opposite.
[11:13]
It's hardly surprising, you know how often I'm in the library.

[11:13]
You say that like it's a bad thing!

[11:14]
Nah - it's our thing, remember?

[11:14]
Of course.

[11:15]
Shit Alison I'm really sorry but I didn't realise what time it was and I'm going to be late for class so I have to go now.
[11:15]
I'll text you afterwards, okay?

[11:15]
Okay have fun!
[11:15]
Actually wait a second... I'm sorry if this is really invasive, and you don't even have to answer me, but do you live in Toronto?
[11:16]
I know it's a bit weird but I do and I thought maybe?

[11:16]
Yeah.
[11:16]
How did you know that?

[11:16]
You said Delphine's the girl that everyone knows.
[11:17]
Well my best friend's the girl that knows everyone.

[11:17]
So you asked her?

[11:17]
Sorry.

[11:17]
Don't be.
[11:17]
It makes you seem more real, you know?

[11:18]
Yeah.

[11:18]
Do you think we've ever walked past each other?

[11:18]
Maybe?

[11:18]
God, that's weird.

[11:18]
Yeah.

[11:18]
Fuck I'm /really/ going to be late now.
[11:18]
My Professor hates me enough as it is.

[11:19]
I find that hard to believe.

[11:19]
Bye, Alison.

[11:19]
Speak to you soon, Beth!