009

009

Gaia
"Uhhhh." I took a good look at the black dress Olivia waved in front of my face. “I don't think that'll do either."

"You've got to be kidding me, Mila.” Olivia groaned and I flinched at the name Mila. I knew that was the right thing to do, but it didn't make things any easier. My new name was going to take some getting used to, and I only hoped I wouldn't get caught. “This is like the twentieth outfit I've shown you."

"It's not my fault." I shrugged. “None of them are really speaking to me. I'm more of a pants person, I really don't do dresses.”

"Pants eh?" She stroked her chin thoughtfully, her cogs visibly turning in her head. “I'll be right back."

I took the opportunity to survey my surroundings. I was currently in my apartment but in Olivia's room instead. It was nice and comfy, aside from the fact that it looked like a zombie apocalypse had just happened. Her walls were black with pink jagged streaks all over and punk music posters outlining almost every corner of the room.

She reappeared moments later brandishing a different outfit than the previous ones.

"How about this one?" She held up a pair of really short denim shorts and a white lacy kimono dress with a really low cut neckline. “You likey?"

"I think I just might." I smirked, running my hands through the fabric. “I'll go try it on."

It didn't take too long for me to slip into the dress my roommate slash new friend had gotten me, and the moment I got her famous seal of approval, we headed out the door and towards the club Olivia swore was the best place on earth.

"Damn it, girl." Olivia whooped under the neon lights of the club we were currently at. “You are killing it."

Loud upbeat songs pulsated through the bass speakers in the tightly packed club. We were currently at Club Soda for some random sophomore's birthday party. The party was great and raving but I just wasn't feeling it.

Bobbing my head to an overly excited Olivia, I whipped out my phone and sent a message to our group chat.

11:10pm

“Hey guys,” my fingers flew across the screen of my phone. “you up?

“Totally.” A small smile made its way to my lips the moment Aly’s text notification popped up. “What's up?

“You called?” Tate’s text followed next, and believe me when I said I rolled my eyes.

“I didn't exactly invite you, Tatum.” I punched the words in. “I thought it was going to be us girls.”

“Aw,I thought you'd at least miss me.” Tate's text came up again, but with a sad emoji this time, and I grinned.

“You wish.” I shot back.

“Anyway, are you okay Gaia?” Aly's text bubble showed up. “How's your mission going?"

“It's going alright.” I looked over my shoulder, just to see Olivia dancing with some random dude now. All around me, people were having fun, and I knew I should do so too, but I couldn't bring myself to do that. Not when my thoughts seemed to claw around a certain blue eyed man. “He's such an ass!

“Are you going to report that to the Chief too?” I read Tate's text in his voice. “Please say yes, that you'll add he's an asshole.

“Actually....” mentioning Chief wasn't the direction I thought our little catch up session would go, but there was no way I could keep them hanging. “About that…”

“You haven't spoken to Chief,” I could almost hear the judgement in Aly’s tone. “Have you?

“Not exactly.” I shook my head like they could see me.

“Ouuuuu, busted.” The laughing emoji Tate sent next could only signify he was having a blast with my midlife crisis right now. “You're gonna be in so much trouble.”

“Shut up,” I shot back. “He hasn't even called me yet, so I'm safe.”

Scratch that.

I'd barely texted my next response, before my phone buzzed with an incoming call

“He's calling you right now, isn't he?” Aly's text popped up next, but I was lowkey losing my mind to pay her any mind.

Against the backdrop of the loud music thumping around, I allowed myself stare at the incoming call. Maybe if I did that, he would know I wasn't in the mood and let me be.

I was wrong. Very very wrong.

Without thinking, I swiped away Chief's caller ID, flashing continuously at the top of my phone.

“What do I do?” I continued texting. “He's called me four times already!

“Pick it up and talk to him.” I hated Aly's sense of reasoning sometimes, and this was one of it.

“And tell him he's an asshole too.” Tate added, like that was going to help.

“You know what? I have a better idea.” I fought my keypad. “I'll just ignore him. I'll speak to him tomorrow.”

“You can't do that!” I could practically see Alyssa shaking her head furiously at my decision at the back of my eyes.

“Yeah Gaia, tell your professor off to Chief” came Tate again.

“I have to go now guys,” I belted out another response. “and don't tell chief anything if he asks you. You know nothing.”

“And what if I do?” Trust Tate to make a joke out of everything.

“Then make that 12 broken bones I owe you”. I hissed.

“I don't feel too good about this….” Aly had barely finished typing before I cut in again.

“But I do.” It was final. “I'll talk to you guys later.”

I didn't wait to see anymore of their responses. I was already feeling shitty for ignoring Chief, and I knew for a fact that if I stared at the screen for a little longer, I would be tempted to pick up.

If I picked up, I would fold. I always did.

Switching my phone to silent, I slid it into my pocket and made my way to the bar. I ordered a drink and glanced around the club. I was going to deal with Chief later, hopefully, it wouldn't be too late.