Liam

“The good news is that I finished grading all the essays from exam week. Bad news is I haven’t slept in 36 hours. But I no longer have to hear them whining about ‘GPAs’ and ‘why don’t you actually give us grades’ and ‘Gus, we need an actual grade to pass the class, do you know how school works’, and all that. Maybe I should teach kindergarteners. Just eating paste and gold stars.”

“I can see how that could be a pain in the ass.” Despite the confusion laced on the features of his face, Liam let out a laugh. “But I think your students had some legitimate complaints.”

Nadia had been in the middle of coloring with Keith when a knock sounded. “One sec!” She called. She wasn’t expecting company, but maybe it was Bliss surprising her. She certainly wouldn’t mind seeing the woman. A hopeful smile on her face, Nadia opened the door. Her smile immediately slipped to a look of pure shock. Was she seeing things? “L-li?” Nadia cleared her throat, “Liam, what… what are you doing here?”

Liam felt really bad, he should have found a way to reach out more, before just showing up at his sister’s door without any warning. He was compelled to give her a hug and immediately apologize upon seeing her face, but he figured a move like that might be too much considering her shocked expression. “Well I’ve actually opened up a practice in the city...and I heard that you lived here. I thought we could catch up.” It seemed far too casual to say, but he didn’t know exactly how he should word anything.

“I think I’m inept to scary movies. I feel like I’ve watched all the classics and they’re not as scary as everyone says and the new ones are just gory. Help me out? I can only watch Halloween so many times.” 

“Don’t judge me too hard but there are just some horror movies that I can’t watch. Halloween and any other slasher flicks are fine, but the paranormal ones seem to get me every time. I heard that movie Hereditary was pretty scary.”

Fall was in full swing in New York and Xyla Villanueva was unprepared, as always. Dressed in only a pair of jeans, blouse and leather jacket, she cursed herself for not checking the weather as she left the warmth and comfort of her little apartment. Of course she picked one of the coldest days to leave. Of course. Xyla wandered the streets of Manhattan in search of a coffee shop, any coffee shop, that wasn’t full of patrons lining up for their annual taste of anything pumpkin spice. The odds seemed slim as she walked past shop after shop and saw nothing but full seats and orange decor. Finally giving up, Xyla turned on her heel, ready to go home, only to feel another body crash into her. 

“Fuck, sorry. I’m so sorry,” she said, holding out her hands in the attempt to catch the stranger if they were to fall. “Are you okay?”

The constant alerts that kept coming from his phone was causing him to be distracted as he walked on his way back to his place. Children, work, parents. It seemed like everyone was trying to get in touch with him and urgently at that. He was so busy reading one of the messages that he didn’t see the woman who he collided into. Naturally, he stuck out his hands to catch the stranger as well, but ended up gently grabbing her wrist. “I’m so sorry!” He apologized immediately, before noticing that neither of them were exactly falling. “...Well this is a little awkward. Again, I’m sorry.” He chuckled, letting go of her wrist. “Are you okay?”

“You aren’t looking so hot,” Abbey looked over at them, taking a bite of her salad. “You sure you don’t want to just go back to your place and rest?”

“I do?” He asked, acting as if he was shocked to hear that but he had thought the same thing earlier while he was getting ready for the day. “I think it’s just exhaustion. I’ve been pulling some long hours. But I wouldn’t be able to rest even if I try, so I’m sure. You don’t have to worry about me.”