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- You need to get some air and relax! - Tayani was unwilling to give up, continuing to pull her younger friend by the wrist while her girlfriend stood back, leaning her shoulder against the lockers, calmly watching to see what would come of it.
- No and no! It's not legal, don't you get it, my parents will kill me," Nicole tried to resist the girl's entreaties. She wanted to go home. It was the end of pairs, Friday. Two free days that she could spend in her room doing important things or going out to play basketball.
- Oh, come on. You haven't been yourself lately. Come on! - Her friend wouldn't give up, now she was pulling on both of her arms, trying to move her to the exit.
- All right, all right, I'll go with you! - The Filipina couldn't stand it and with a growl responded to all the entreaties and requests that had been made this week.
The agreement of the youngest in their group of friends made Tayani smile and her girlfriend lift the corners of her lips. They both picked up the younger one under her arms, leading her toward the exit.
Nicole highly doubted this venture. Her mother wouldn't appreciate her daughter's decision like this, to go to an illegal motorcycle race. She doesn't even like that kind of thing, so why agree to something like that at all? Just to get her friends to leave her alone, to show that she's okay after all? Sounds like a great excuse for her.
How long has it taken her to get all her thoughts out of her head so that she can already stand there and watch the preparations for the start? Too many questions and thoughts that are still eating away at her whole.
- Hey, Tala, look. That biker over there is my favorite. She always wins! - Tayani pointed to the tall girl. Her clothes were slightly torn, but they didn't look sloppy, and they fit her perfectly. On her head was a helmet that hid her head, giving no opportunity to examine her facial features. Nicole was sitting far away and she couldn't see the fine details. She was wearing fingerless gloves on her hands, allowing her to see how the rings glistened in the light and the seeming tattoos on her fingers - I bet she'll win this time too!
- Tyani, be quiet. At least let Tala get used to the idea of us being here," the German was like a control for her girl, not letting her emotions swoop in and take over. At least in some situations.
- Ladies and Gentlemen! I ask all participants to the start! - a young girl began to announce the start, she stood at the track, adjusting her clothes and handkerchief in her hands, - everyone knows the rules, I don't see anyone new here... on your mark...
All the participants, who had been preparing for the start, saddled their bikes and got ready for the start. Some started the engine, making it louder and louder, and some relaxed, waiting for the command.
"Attention..." Tala watched the woman her friend pointed out to her. Holding her breath, the Filipina bit her lower lip, nervously grasping the edge of her blue sweater. She didn't even know who the rider was, she'd never seen her or even her face, but damn. She was already wondering who she was and what she represented.
"March!" the yellow handkerchief fell to the ground and was immediately lifted into the air as the racer rushed nearby. It seemed to be the same girl who had been in the lead since the first seconds.
***
- And the winner is, Fade! - the girl raised her handkerchief, freezing to watch the winner.
The racer decided to do a stunt on her motorcycle, to stand out a little, so to speak. "A little." It's a trick everyone knows and can be done by just about any beginner or amateur. A woman rode on the back wheel and let go of the handlebars at the last moment, crossing them under her chest. No one could see her face, but without exception everyone thought she was smiling. They were right, though.
Returning control, the woman stopped at the finish line, quietly pulling away. Guys and girls were already waiting for her to talk or ask for an autograph.
- Tala, did you like it? Would you like to... where is she? - Tayani looked around, turning around for the younger one, who was nowhere to be found. She exhaled heavily, chuckling softly.
- Um, excuse me, are you by any chance... Speed? I mean... Я.. I like speed... you... I mean, you! Very fast... conquer... well... drive on the track and I... - Nicole stood in the crowd, making her way over to the woman who had removed her helmet, fixing the strands of hair that just wanted to block her view.
The girl was nervous, trying to say some phrase she'd rehearsed in her head just a few minutes ago. But even in her mind the right words were lost. The notebook on the past subject, and the blue pen, clutched harder and harder in her hands.
She must have looked silly from the outside. Behind her, people began to whisper and chuckle. Filipina's notebook was taken from her, along with her pen. Hazal looked at her outline, leaving her handwriting where she could safely tear the sheet out and then put it away elsewhere.
Nicole was right. There were beautiful patterns on her hands, from her fingertips to the back of her palm. Beautiful, even considering that half of it wasn't visible because of the gloves. The piercings on the winner's face, only emphasized her beauty and the seriousness of her face, one might even say austerity.
- I like your blue hair," the girl touched her shoulder, smiling lightly and going back to the other people. Nicole couldn't hear anything anymore, only the humming in her ears and her own heartbeat, which was only getting louder. "Did she like the color of my hair?"
***
- If she gave you her number, it means she's waiting for you to call her. Tala, this is your chance," Taiani supports their mutual blond friend, eating something while watching into her girlfriend's phone.
- She likes you, at least write something! - Clara joins the general entreaty, holding out crackers to someone else's mouth.
- I don't know what to say to her! - The girl rolls over on her stomach and embarrassedly snuggles into her pillow, covering her face with her hands at her sides.
- How about "Hello" for starters? Really, Tala! You have to write her," the Korean woman exhales. Her voice seems too tired, but not because of the situation, but because of the big dog she volunteered to walk.
- TTala Nicole Dimaapi Valdez! She didn't give her number for you to stare at, dumbass! Stare at her eyes, not at her phone number and the "gorgeous handwriting of my favorite pen" - a new person who couldn't take it anymore intervened in the conversation and gave her opinion to the girl. The redhead took the leash so that Son could more comfortably persuade the girl to write to the biker girl.
- All right, all right! I'll write her," Filipino growled loudly, clutching the pillow tightly in her hands instead of her face, which was no longer healthy red.
All the girls exhaled tiredly. You could hear the calmness and contentment in their voices that their youngest friend had given in after a day.
How long would it take her to get out of her "confused tomato" state and finally find that number? About an hour, maybe more. Nicole pulled her headphones out of a drawer on her bedside table. After untangling the wire, she calmly plugged it into her phone and finally turned on her music.
She's calm, should just take that piece of paper with the number and signature, punch it into her phone book, and write the usual "hello." It's ledi so simply, easily, but not for this confused buzzer (perhaps we should change, based on the title Neon from the second act of the contract), who is afraid to do even that. But she only does half of it, can't write a regular word.
It seems too dry, some kind of cliché. It needs to be written, something original or at least not so boring.
- Hi. It's... - "That girl you gave your number to, I don't know why, maybe because she was stupidly trying to flirt with you." No, that definitely won't do. Tala erased her message, thinking it over again.
"I'll write later when I figure it out."
- So you never wrote her? - Clara exhaled disappointedly, smacking her forehead lightly so it wouldn't be heard.
- I did. - The girl was trying to keep track of her friend's dialogue and the Lecturer's lecture, trying to write down the dictated words.
- I hope there's a "hello"-the other girl didn't write it down, she'll rewrite it later from someone in the group. The main thing is to pretend that you are doing exactly what the instructor demands. Otherwise, it's not going to be easy.
- "Thanks for the number"... she never answered, she didn't even read it... - exhaling sadly, the blue-haired woman gave up in order to have time to answer her friend and write her lecture. She chose the former.
- Your message sounds creepy, maybe you should delete it and write another one. - The German could have begged her friend to rewrite the message to something else. Even willing to help or write in person from Tala's phone.
- Fourth row, please stand up and leave the classroom, since you don't want my lectures. If you allow me to talk in my classes, then you do not need credit. That is - you don't have to come to the exam, - Callas slammed her palm on her desk, exhaling and pointing her hand, in which she still held the white chalk, to the door. Her patience was breaking. The girls silently gathered their belongings and walked out into the hallway.
They were free from this occupation to continue their conversation, but not in the most pleasant Method. With a glance at each other, the friends decided without a word to go to the cafeteria and wait there for Tayani. Of course, later they would send a message telling them exactly where they were.
- I sent a new message," the younger girl confirmed her words by showing the phone with her old message and the sticker with the kitty.
Clara had expected to see something worse, so she shrugged and continued to rewrite the notes that Tala had made.
- She had a cat on her avatar, so I thought maybe she'd like it," she sighed, laying her head on the table, waiting for the pair to finish so they could go for a walk.
Covering her head with her hands, the Filipina managed to doze off in almost complete silence. All around them were rare people, students just like them. It wasn't just Dr. Kallas kicking them out of the classroom without giving them a chance to walk into today's class again. They were also talking, joking, laughing. They did pretty much the same thing Nicole and Clara did. After a little talk, they wrote notes, and some refused with the words, "I'll do it at home," and would actually forget or not want to do it at all.
The sound of the incoming message had no effect on the girl's sleep. The German shook her friend by the shoulder, forcing her to break away from the beautiful world and wake up to look at the phone. With a quiet growl, the girl rose, rubbing her eyes sleepily. She wanted to make up for lost time to sleep. Without lifting the phone in her hands, Tala had already seen who had texted her.
She all perked up and immediately grabbed the gadget to unlock it and immediately open a correspondence with new messages.
(Fade): Selam, I'm sorry I didn't reply. I was busy at work.
(Fade): Are you free tonight?
(Neon): Yes, of course!
(Fade): By the way, kitty is cute.
- Ooooh, is someone going out with their new girlfriend? Maybe she'll give you a ride on her bike. М? - Clara saw all the messages. Yes, it wasn't quite right to look at someone else's correspondence, but she couldn't help but take a look and start teasing her younger self by rubbing her hair.
- Oh, come on! - The girl blushed looking away. She was glad and warm at heart that the "winner of the illegal motorcycle races" had answered her after days of silence. It was like a stone had been lifted from her soul.
(Fade): I'll pick you up.
"Where? What time?" Tala blushed, contemplating how she would explain to her parents what kind of woman would pick her up at her house and where she would be gone for a while... She's picking up at her house, right?
***
Clara and Tayani poked their elbows at their friend almost simultaneously, winking at each other and chuckling softly. How the girl wanted to disappear now. It was too awkward, like everyone was looking at her and whispering. Once again that feeling of slight fear and intense awkwardness, just like the first time they had met.
- How did you... Find out I was studying here? - Tala swallowed a lump in her throat, trying to find the strength to walk over to the woman and take the outstretched helmet. Exactly the same color as the owner of the transport.
- Saw it on your notebook," was she being serious now? Or is she lying? The Filipina doesn't remember leaving any information about where she studies, especially in her notebook.
Nodding briefly, she put the helmet on her head, uncertainly Walking closer, the girl sat up, wrapping her arms around someone else's waist.
Oh god, now there would be rumors of an unknown woman coming for her in broad daylight, clutching her arms around her waist and trying to snuggle harder to the point of obscenity.
The rumors won't be as scary as the jokes from her close friends. Neon will die of embarrassment. The tinted glass of her helmet, thanks to which no one could see the tips of her ears flushed just as much as her cheeks.
- Don't worry, I won't do any tricks, you won't fall. Just... Lean behind me," the Turk chuckled, realizing that this girl was either afraid of her tricks, or this was her first time on this type of vehicle, and with someone else, too.
***
Neon didn't even know where they were going, for how long, or how far from her place of study. All she could do now was follow the movements of a woman whose name she doesn't even know. All she knows is her nickname and that she is a winner of an illegal motorcycle race. Gave her a number along with an autograph there just and now she's sitting behind her, squeezing her waist, through her black leather jacket.
My parents taught me not to get into women's cars, much less motorcycles. Even if they were delightfully beautiful women that attracted the eye in an instant. Making my jaw sag and my drool flow and all I have to do is swallow it.
They stopped at a traffic light. As the woman put her right foot down, Fade turned around, trying to get a good look at the girl. A minute and she turns back around.
- Give me a better hug. It hurts me a little, the way your fingers are literally digging into my skin, through my clothes," the woman admonished, lifting her leg as she continued to drive straight into the green light.
Neon did so, wrapping her arms around the stranger's waist, resting her helmet on her shoulder. It felt good to feel that warmth spilling over her whole body.
"Tala, she's literally a stranger."
***
Somewhere still echoed in the girl's mind. She had a damn fine-looking Turk in front of her. Who in this case would listen to her inner fears, much less her inner voice. Certainly not Tala.
The Turk left her motorcycle in the parking lot, along with her helmets. It would be a nuisance to lug them around. The coffee shop is a pretty sweet choice for a first... date? A walk? What were they even having right now? What was the point of this walk and meeting?
Trying to process and digest everything in her mind, Tala didn't notice how time passed. She was getting too much into herself lately.
With a quiet clinking of utensils, a medium-sized white mug was placed right in front of the younger one. It looks delicious. Nicole wasn't a fan of coffee, but a mug right now would be quite nice
- I got you a latte. I don't know what kind of coffee you prefer, but it's not bad either," the woman smiles awkwardly, takes a seat opposite and rubs one of the earrings in her left ear with her index finger.
- You don't like it? I can take another, just tell me," Hazal notices that the girl doesn't taste the drink. Touches her fingertips to the hot mug.
- Oh, no. I think it... should be delicious... We... Don't even know each other's names," Tala looks away awkwardly, lifting her mug and taking a few sips before setting it down and smiling. It's delicious, she didn't lie.
- Hazal Eilethmez," the woman chuckles. She forgot to introduce herself. But she knows the name of the girl across the street, her age, height, weight, interests, hobbies, a certain daily routine. She's researched everything about the person who so interested her.
- Tala Nicole Dimaapi Valdez, you could just say Tala, Nicole, well, or Neon," the girl wanted to hold out her palm, but quickly had second thoughts, drinking her coffee with a blush on her cheeks.
It was awkward when a woman brings you to a coffee shop, you drink coffee and even then you learn each other's names.
- You're a good rider. It's probably not the first time you've heard this, and it's been said many times, but... You're a really cool skater," Tala tried to keep the embarrassment from taking hold of her and the words from disappearing. Not this time. This time she would be able to say a lot of things to the Turk, and not just foolishly flirt. It was flirting then, wasn't it?
- I rarely hear from such beautiful girls," Feyde smirked and smirked, breaking away from looking at her mug and peering into her blue eyes.
- Are your parents cats, by any chance? I mean... well... they're not cats, are they? They're definitely cats, aren't they? And if they're not, how did they get a kitten like that? I mean... well... fuck... Your parents are cats and you're their baby. You look like a kitten in general-- "you did it again, Neon. Good for you."
- Do you always stammer and embarrass yourself like that when you flirt with someone you like? - Fade laughed quietly. She knew! She knew about those feelings that Tala herself had not yet realized.
***
- Thank you for this evening, it was nice," the girl waved a hand to her new acquaintance, who raised her palm and left. But was she an acquaintance to her?
- Tala Nicole Dimaapi Valdez! where have you been all this time? Your mother is out of sorts," the girl flinched at her father's voice, which made her turn her head and look at him. The man sighed, shaking his head from side to side, he calmly walked back in, leaving the front door open.
The blue-haired woman tensed. Now she had to think of some excuse for her parents. It didn't take long for her to stand like an accreted pole, and she ran straight into the house when her mother already called out to her.
- It was late. Where and with whom have you been? - The woman collapsed tiredly into an armchair. Apparently the shift was the hardest. Covering her eyes with her palm, she exhaled repeating the question, "Your friend drove you straight home. That was nice of her.
- Yeah... We were in a coffee shop," the girl rubbed the back of her head, smiling stupidly and ridiculously she quickly disappeared up the stairs that led to the second floor. Straight up and to her room.
There was no request to return, so the conversation was over. Neon was tired for the day. Dropping her backpack from her shoulders beside her bed, the girl fell back onto the soft featherbed.
Finally a long-awaited rest. Maybe tomorrow she'd go with the guys from her school to the playground to play basketball.
Smiling with her eyes closed and her hands behind her head, Tala thought about the day that had passed. Ah, what a wonderful time it had been after all. She could easily see the whole woman and note every detail that had eluded her when she had first met her. The scar on her face that went behind her ear. The colorful eyes, the piercings under her lower lip, in her nose, and a bunch of earrings in her ears.
A new notification on her phone, Nicole happily picks up her gadget to hopefully see a message there. Looking at the message, she jumps up from her seat looking at the time.
(KJ) : did you write the Dr. Callas lecture? Raze said there was a lot to write.
"I'm screwed."
The only thing left on my mind right now is a couple of the most formidable Teachers. Okay, she'll write tomorrow morning as soon as she wakes up. It's late now, and I'd like to get some sleep after all.
***
Alarm clock set, shower taken, new pajamas on a clean body and a warm bed under the covers. What could possibly stand in the way of that? Thoughts of the imminent session and the exam at Kallas.
It took an hour of misery and a thousand thoughts of passing the exam of the world's most toxic woman to fall asleep. Indeed. Living up to her nickname, "The Viper."
***
(Viper): you raise a lot of suspicion for someone who "just" wanted to take a girl for a ride on a motorcycle.
(Fade): Dr. Callas, it seems your wife is retired. Decided to be sheriff in her place?
(Viper) : Do what you want. Just don't scare the hell out of the girl.
(Viper): And don't take her out in front of the university.
(Fade): Whatever you say, Doctor Poison herself.)
(Fade): hello Lin and good night old ladies.