"GET OUT OF HERE YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT! AND DON'T YOU DARE LET ME CATCH YOUR STUPID, PATHETIC ASS BACK IN THIS HOUSEHOLD!'
Nora Cosma's mother's words echoed in her head as she rushed down the blizzarding, December streets as the wind rushed harshly down her cheeks. Trying to keep the tears from spilling, Nora reached out of her letterman jacket's pocket and grabber her phone out, frantically texting her boyfriend as she sought temporary shelter.
Arthur, are you awake? Having an emergency right now.
Hoping to receive an answer within a few moments, Nora felt floating until she left her neighborhood and crossed the street onto a city center, where several café's illuminated the streets. Though most of the shops were either closed or beginning to close down, Nora was thankful that the one closest to her block, After-Stars, stayed open until 3 AM most nights. Walking inside, she took a seat in a booth with velvet, purple seats, longing for food as this was the 3rd night in a row she was deprived dinner, before settling for a cup of black coffee, unable to eat.
She took out her phone once more in hopes to get a response, but was disappointed to find nothing other than a text from her mother, sending her a picture of the last family photo they had taken before her father, Warner, had passed in a magic accident that Nora was somewhat involved in. Ever since then, her mother, Mary, had somehow transformed from the person Nora wanted to be like most, into an empty shell of a woman, so pathetic that she was almost solely dependent on beer bottles to even get out of bed in the morning.
Most days, Mary wasn't so intolerable. She'd often hide herself in her room while Nora was at school, and would sometimes cry as he looked through Warner's things and photos. Some nights however, much like tonight, it seemed as if all the alcohol rushed through her body as she lost control, screaming and cursing as Nora had to dodge her attacks, only succeeding sometimes.
Fifteen minutes flew by as she sipped on her black coffee, not even a typing bubble from Arthur on Nora's message. Sighing, she dialed his number and held it up to her ear, barely getting by 3 rings before the automated voice told her to try again later. In a failed attempt to keep all her emotions bottled up, she couldn't help but let out a small whimper as small tears fell on her face.
"Excuse me? Nora?", a soft, male voice asked, making Nora jump slightly. She quickly wiped her face and looked up to see a green-haired boy holding a few Child Development and Psychology textbooks stand near her table, his matching eyes looking down at her with a sorrowful expression. He also wore thin, square-lensed glasses, and the green sweater and tight black jean-pants outfit helped Nora identify Linnie Clearwater, one of her classmates in Advanced Literature. He smiled gently as he held a comforting hand out, only drawing back as he saw Nora's shoulders square up and her body push itself somewhat backwards.
"Um…I-I just couldn't help but notice you here by yourself. I-Do you mind if I sat with you? O-Of course if not, that's fine I mean. I'm sorry, Nora. I know I shouldn't be disturbing you like this.", Linnie stuttered softly as he twiddled his fingers nervously, "I-I just…I'm sorry dear. I just wanted to see if you were ok."
"I-I don't give a damn.", Nora sniffed, after one last call to her boyfriend failed once more, this time barely past the second ring. "Not like anyone does these days."
"Well…do you want to talk about it? Maybe I can help.."
"Help? There's not jack shit you could do for me!', Nora snapped, earning a squeak from Linnie. Seeing his cower back a bit however, Nora sighed slightly, "Look, I'm…well I appreciate what you're trying to do, but you're not who I was hoping for tonight. Quite frankly, I'm surprised you're even here at all. I mean, this doesn't seem like your kind of place."
"Well, I don't come often.", Linnie smiled slightly, "I didn't get any babysitting calls tonight sadly, so I'm only here to catch up on some homework and have some coffee as a treat haha. I've had a bit of a rough day myself."
"What happened to you?"
"The little girl I mentor in my child development class accidentally shrunk me with Mr. Langston's wand. You know how he's always losing things. A-and right before he turned me back, I got cornered by the big roach."
"And you're still taking that class? I would've beat that child's ass and gotten kicked out."
"O-Oh goodness no! Why would you say something like that?", Linnie squirmed, frowning deeply at Nora. Nora shrugged.
"I mean if I was acting a fool, that's what my folks did to me, and I turned out fine."
"Well I personally don't see what that solves. That just makes the poor dear afraid of you."
"Well if I recall, I don't remember asking you.", Nora snapped, taking another sip of her drink, "Listen Linnie, I know you're just looking out for other people but I really would rather be alone right now."
"Well..alright then, but can I ask what's wrong first."
"It's not really any of your business is it?"
"Of course not, but I-I don't know. I'm sorry. It just seemed like you needed some help.", Linnie shuffled through his lime binder and grabbed out a pencil and sticky note, making Nora raise an eyebrow. Didn't I tell this bitch I wanted to be alone? So why the fuck is he trying to study here right now? Upon future inspection however, Nora saw Linnie write his name and a collection of numbers on the sticky note.
"Here, for whenever you'd like to talk. I-I'm so sorry to have disturbed you tonight, but I just want you to know that I'm here if you need anything."
"Yeah yeah..", Nora mumbled as she took the note while Linnie got up from his seat, collecting his textbooks. After Linnie had waved goodbye to Nora for the evening, she saw a small, blue glow in the corner of her eye; Arthur's name finally appearing at the top of her phone screen.
Sorry Nora. Was asleep. U ok?
I wouldn't have been trying to blow up ur damn phone if I was
Woah, someone's in the mood tonight. Where are u? Are u home?
I'll explain in the morning. Right now, I just need a place to crash.
Right now.
No, in like 10,000 fucking years, Sherlock. Yes, now. Would your folks mind if I spent the night?
Well, they're asleep right now so I dunno if they'll know you're here, but they are pretty light sleepers. Wouldn't want to disturb them.
Trust me, I'll be quiet. It'll be fine. I'll just leave extra early for school in the morning or some shit.
Once again, Nora felt the lingering delay of Arthur's text, except the response bubble would occasionally pop up. Nora felt her heart race every time she saw it, but disappeared after two minutes. Finally, tired of the waiting game, she sent another message.
Please Arthur? I don't have anywhere to go tonight and I'm struggling, bad. I wouldn't be asking this of you if it wasn't important.
You know what, sure. How long until you get here?
Prob about 15 minutes. Damn, I wish I would have paid more attention in teleportation. Wouldn't been useful right about now.
Hehe well..gives me a chance to straighten up. See you in a few then.
Nora tossed back on her leather man jacket and pocketed her phone, making the way towards Arthur's house past the city center, and into one of the neighboring areas. Though not by much, Arthur's subdivision was nicer than Nora's; litter didn't plague the sidewalks like her street and the houses seemed slightly better kept. Finally, towards the end of the street, Arthur's double-floored house stood cozily in front of Nora; the navy-blue roof complimenting the matching door and white walls alongside the neatly trimmed yard. Hoping that Arthur was wise enough to unlock the door for her, Nora jiggled the brass doorknob before entering the house, closing it gently behind them as the darkness engulfed her. She slowly made her way up the stairs, drowning Arthur's parents' snoring as she found his room, barely able to see.
At long last, Nora felt her eyes get heavier and heavier as a bed was closer in the reach. Finally allowing her eyes to shut, she threw off her letterman jacket and blue jeans off to the side; throwing them onto a pair of pink, women's underwear with the name, Willow, written on the back.