bec

marina and the diamonds // homewrecker

Lina stared at Bec for a brief moment before shaking her head. “Introvert, innit?” She would never understand how there were people out there who didn’t thrive in getting to know people. It was such a foreign concept to her. “That’s ‘cause you hadn’t met me…” She extended her hand out. “Hello, I’m Lina, I’m twenty four, I study Social Work and I’m giving you a free pass to my couch for as long as you want. I’m not good at making breakfast, though, so you might have to do that yourself.”

“No, actually,” Bec said, and laughed. “I just never stay in one place long enough to make friends.” She was quite extroverted, in the sense that she liked being outside more than in, and liked being around people more than alone, even if she didn’t really talk to them much. She shook Lina’s hand. “Pleasure, Lina. That’s just fine, I can’t cook either, but hear Tim Horton’s does great breakfasts!” She liked Lina already, so much so that she might take her up on the couch offer. It beat staying in a dirty hostel. “Social work, though. That’s interesting. You like that stuff? Could never get behind those serious careers, personally. But if you’re good at it, good on ya.”

alex’s eyes widened slightly as they took the other in. the hair caught their attention most of all. if alex was being honest, they expected someone a bit more… dull in appearance, like brown hair, brown eyes, average fitting clothing. realizing they’d slightly zoned out, they quickly spoke up, “erm, yes! hi, hello, i’m alex. you’re bec, right? i’d hope you are, because i’ve never met you before and if you’re just a stranger that’s not bec who knows my name, well… that’d be odd.”

As soon as it was clear that Bec had approached the right person, she took in Alex’s appearance. They looked quite young, but if they said that they were nineteen, then Bec believed them. When Alex spoke, Bec couldn’t help but smile a small bit. “Don’t worry, it’s me,” Bec said, taking the seat across from them and laughing a little. “Don’t take this the wrong way, ‘cause I don’t mean it bad, but you weren’t what I was expecting. I mean, it’s hard to know what to expect, but...” She shrugged. “Did you want to get something to drink?” She nodded to the cashier.

“I love when people give me TMIs, I think it’s amazing. I’m also prone to remember that kind of details instead of important facts… But yeah, noted. Bec, London, passionate about travelling. That’s the exact reason why you befriend people in foreign places, though — you can be sure you’ll have a nice bed to sleep in then. So, how old are you?”

“I don’t usually befriend people, honestly,” Bec said. “Just say hello here and there, I don’t usually get offered to sleep on couches. But yeah, I’m twenty. Enough about me, though. It’s your turn to tell me all about you.”

“It’s not too bad,” Nadi shrugged. “Hah, it isn’t you I’m worried about!”

“Maybe you should be!” Bec joked, giving her a wink. “It’s nice talking to you. I should probably head out though, lots to do in a new city.” She had a lot of plans, but she’d certainly be back to the cafe sometime soon.

alex nervously tapped their fingernails on the table. they’d choosen a table in the far corner of cafe plus, hoping to get some privacy. they hadn’t ordered yet either, because that seemed like the polite thing to do. alex honestly couldn’t remember the last time they’d been on a date. maybe when they were sixteen? wow, they thought, that was a different world. the brunet took another look around, wondering how they were supposed to recognize someone they’d never seen. alex was about to reach for their phone when they heard the bell for the door chiming and looked up.

It wasn’t usually like Bec to go on dates or try to do anything beyond exploring the city on her own, but after meeting Alex online and finding them quite interesting, she figured there was no harm in at least making a friend. Bec really doubted anything would come of it. She made her way into the cafe, lucky that she already knew where it was, and looked around. She didn’t really know how she was going to recognize Alex, but maybe if she used process of elimination... There were a few people who were far too old, some who were already paired off or in groups... there was only one person sitting alone, and they looked about the right age, so... Bec wandered over, smiling at the stranger, and said, “Hi. This might be a strange question if I’m wrong, but are you Alex?”

“I wouldn’t mind getting a little wet on a day like today. It’s hot as balls and I’m sweating like a pig. It’s not cute, but at least I’m honest! I may have to join you in the sponge relay, though, that sounds pretty nice.”

“The other girls, the bartenders, security, some of the regular clients, and the owner and me. We keep track of who is more likely to cause trouble, and security keeps an eye on them to make sure they don’t do something stupid. Keeps everyone safe. Plus, Caden likes to know what goes on in the club, especially on nights he doesn’t come in.”

“Sounds complicated. I’ve never had a job, unless you count paper routes when I was ten...” She chuckled. “Don’t worry, I don’t cause much trouble!”

“Oh, I don’t doubt that,” Nadi grinned. “We like to keep track of who’s nice and who isn’t though.”

“We?”

“I’ve never been to Vegas!” Bec said. “Figured there was no point in going ‘till I was legal in the US. That’s very cool.” She’d never met anyone from Las Vegas before. “No, no job. I decided to take some time off to travel before university. It was only going to be a year, but... I got sidetracked. And I didn’t really want to go home.”

“You’re very good,” Bec commended, laughing. “I’m from London, but I haven’t been there in, like, two years.” She had no doubt that it would grow on her, if she decided to stay that long. “Where did you live before then?”

“As new as new can be,” Bec said. “I just landed a few days ago. Came from Tenerife. I can’t say Toronto compares, but... it’s not too bad. I take it you’ve been here a while, then?”

“Well...” Bec said, smiling at her coyly. “Not the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.” She laughed. “I’m Bec, what’s your name?”

“Yeah that’s cool and if you decide to take me up on my offer, chances are you’ll find me here or Stockyards Boxing, that’s the gym I work at.” she shrugged with a smile. 

“I’ll remember that. Nice meeting you.”

“This isn’t so bad,” Bec said to the stranger. “I went to India last summer on a whim, and it was bloody awful. I only stayed for like three days before I left.”

“Good that means I’m doing a great job.” She smirked. “Don’t worry I’m not like a gym rat or anything, I work there. I would but for such a beautiful place there’s a thick cloud of judgement that follows my like a rain cloud and I’m not up for it to get any bigger.”

“Sounds like a bummer,” Bec said. She didn’t pry, though. “Well, listen, maybe I need to take a step out of the world for a while and settle down. Not that I’ll stay here forever, but... I’m gonna consider your offer of a place to stay. Is that cool?”

Closing in closer to you This could take all night Caving and crumbling on your Hips, your lips, they’re mine