Broken Pride

“That’s what everyone says but I can’t help but say that that’s just one of many versions of the world.” Lyra said, feeling as if people’s comments about it only reflected their reality. “Oh, we get a lot of people from there it seems. At least you made it here alive.”

“Can’t help that mine is pretty terrible.” He smiled, seeing through her point; and yeah, he was pessimistic about it, but how could he not if that’s all he knew? “Do they? Should I take that as a good thing or a bad thing?”

Ella lifted her hands up to rub her face at Trystan’s question, she didnt even think she had an answer for him. “Try not to let this get anymore awkward?” She suggested lamely. “Do you have any clothes in here or are they in your room. Please tell me you have more than a towel in here.”

“True, sure, we can attempt that.” He said disheartedly but still with a tone of amusement. Awkwardly remaining where he was he as he shook his head. “I really didn’t know you were here so I just came with this...”

As Trystan stepped out of the shower, she spun around to face the door. Her face heating up. This could not be happening. It was like every bad teen rom com come to life. Exhaling softly, she tugged on the door. “It locked behind me. I think this was one of the rooms we can get magic to work in.” She explained, without looking at him. This was all her stupid fault, if only she had payed attention before walking into the bathroom. 

Trystan watched as Ella attempted and failed to open the door, he too suddenly remembered what he had been warned about in regards to some of the rooms being compelled from using magic. “Oh...” he said, quietly chuckling at the how awkward things had gotten. “So, what do you think we should do?”

“I’m not sure if he is. Now I’m paranoid about that, too.” She took another glance over her shoulder, hoping that he wouldn’t be looking at her again. “If he comes over, rescue me, okay?”

"My bad, but really how bad can not getting a tattoo from you be? Are you a bad artist?" He teased, trying to derive the conversation from the possibility that the man could be followin her. He too glanced at the man and found him just as odd, but decided not to comment on it. "That I can do."

Lyra took a deep breath before nodding. “Yes, I am, to both. Always been here and from what I know I’m bound to never leave, just like everyone else. Where are you from?”

"Well that can't be that bad, can it? The world out there is pretty crazy, I like it much better here." He commented, knowing deep inside that he only felt that way because of his family. "I'm from Massachusetts, in the good old United States, so not too far."

Bonus:

“I’m not sure I need him to be scared off,” she said with a shrug. “I’m just trying to figure out if he’s worth being nervous over.”

“Well as long as he’s not following you then I’m sure it shouldn’t be a problem, though aren’t there hunters that live here? I haven’t run into one and I don’t even know if they’ll be able to tell-” He stopped himself short. “I don’t want to ramble but just ignore him.”

Before the island, the only person she had ever lived with had been her parents and after her sisters disappearance and her mothers death, her father had never bee home. So it had almost been living alone. Because of this, she had assumed that moving in with Trystan would be something that she needed to get use to. But they had easily slid into a routine. Working as a Bartender had Ella keeping more unusual hours than she was use to. So when she crawled out of bed that afternoon, she expected Trystan to already be at work. With the thought of taking advantage of the shower while she was home alone, Ella shimmed out of her night clothes and wrapped a robe around herself before making her way to the bathroom. 

 Had she been paying attention, she would have heard the shower running and realized that someone was in there but her mind had slipped elsewhere. Entering the bathroom, the door shut behind her, an audible click sounding behind her pulling her from her thoughts. A curse left her lips. “I didn’t know you were home!”

At first Trystan had not even realized what happened until he heard the door lock again. He turned off the water, and when he turned noticed a silhouette through the thin shower curtain, which startled him. He grabbed the nearest towel and wrapped it around his waist before pushing open the curtain and coming face to face with Ella. If it had not been for the steam that had already turned his face red, then that moment would have definitely done it. “Shit, is it your turn? I mean, didn’t you hear the wa-  woah and where are you clothes? Wait...” He sighed, pushing back the wet hair that had fallen over his forehead with his free hand. “Why haven’t you walked out yet?” 

“Well that sounds interesting, as long as you enjoy it that is the main thing. But if you’re falling asleep in bookstores maybe you’re working a little too hard.” Leila suggested with a soft smile, hoping she wasn’t over stepping by suggesting so. “Oh no, i get a great thrill from alphabetizing books, it gives me a sense of accomplishment that I don’t gain from another profession.” Leila spoke with a small shake of her head in amusement. “It might not be the most interesting, but I enjoy books and it pays my rent so, I can’t complain. Oh really, I scared you that much huh? Well when you are ready, just let me know okay?”

“I’m sure it can be interesting but the way I’m dealing with it really isn’t. I don’t want to be cliche and say it’s complicated but unfortunately it is... that’s why I fall asleep in public places.” He added with a smile. “Oh really? You definitely make it sound so convincing but maybe it is better than dealing with magic.” He finally let slip before clearing his throat, and half hoping she wouldn’t catch that comment. “Sorry, but I think I’ve seen far scarier things, I just need one more book and then I’ll buy them.”

“Well compared to all others that end washed up ashore, yes, but underwater is completely different view.”

"Underwater? Then you must be a mermaid huh?" He asked, finally realizing her interest in shell sizes. "Are you originally from here? Since you know so much about the shells and what not."

Trystan woke up late that afternoon, having stayed up until the early hours of the morning reading and practicing how to conceal his magic better after the incident he had at the library. With the apartment sounded quiet, which made him think that perhaps Ella had stepped out, Trystan decided to take a quick shower that way he could use the rest of the time he had alone to practice some more and clean up the messes he had created when he first moved in. 

“Where do you work?” Leila asked curiously as she turned her attention back to face him with a soft smile on her lips. “It’s okay. That’s a shame though, I think you might be the most interesting thing that has happened today. You should go get some sleep, I can put the books you need in the back so no one buys them today. Looking after yourself is more important.”

“Eh I’m kind of self employed for lack of better words. I do research on a life long problem, nothing too crazy.” He shared, avoiding getting into too many details. “The most interesting? Are you telling me that alphabetizing books by the author’s name is not a thrilling experience?” He teased, shaking his head. “Believe me, I’m wide awake now, and no, it’s fine. I’ll buy them.”

“She’s not a singer, so I don’t think it takes much to do her justice. She was a contestant on some reality show, but the scene kind of blew up on the internet a while back. I’ll do that, become your own personal alarm.” She teased. “Magic problems? Why is there so many of us that have magic problems? Or so it seems, everyone I run across seems to have them.”

“Oh, that explains it. I was never too big on reality shows, the magicians never do actual magic any justice.” He commented before laughing at her comment. “I think I’ll pass, though to be honest it would come handy if I ever fall asleep in public again.” The smile faded as soon as she mentioned magic problems. Things had not gone well last time he ranted about his problems and he didn’t want the same to happen. “Makes me feel better to hear I’m not the only one.”

“That’s okay-..just maybe not in a book store. Well, that makes two of us.” Leila said simply, her attention focused on the authors names in front of her. “I think my boss could possibly ban you if you made it a frequent habit, so I’d avoid doing that if I were you.”

“Right.” He replied as she finished putting his stuff away. “Yeah, I can’t afford getting banned when my... job relies on these books. Thanks for the warning though, neither you or your boss will find me asleep around here again.”

Ella sighed deeply and lifted her hand to rub the bridge of her nose as Trystan continued to talk. It was times like this where she wanted to throw something at him. “Believe me, if they want to find me bad enough, they’ll find a way on this island. Which is exactly why I don’t want to think about it.” She let go of his arm and shook her head. “You shouldn’t worry about me.” Stepping forward, she embraced him, she didn’t do it often because she had a thing about no touching but Trystan was her best friend, it was different. “I shouldn’t need you to do it again.”

Trystan noticed how his comment had hit a nerve by her reaction but all her could do was to manage to smile at his own pessimistic thoughts. “Fine, you don’t have to. I just can’t help myself at times.” He commented, feeling taken aback by her embrace for a slight moment. He eventually returned the hug. “Yeah, let’s keep it that way.”