Helpless

F - Give me any options, like ‘hot or cold?’

You didn’t give me any options, so hot I guess!

T - 3 things I love unconditionally.

my brother, dogs, can I say netflix?

K - What my full name is.

A - If I’m in love.

No, I’m not

E - How many piercings I have.

I have four, but you’re going to have to guess where they are

I - The last time I felt jealous, and why.

I saw a dog in a cute hat today on my way home from work and it made me jealous because I want a dog in a cute hat and also a cute hat

O - Where would I like to travel

I’d love to see the northern lights, so anywhere far up enough to see them

U - Favourite time of year, and why

“Are you a teacher?”

“Yeah, just Kindergarten though, so I guess you and your teachers are probably a hell of a lot more stressed than I am”

Winona pulled a face, hissing herself as the woman sat down, deeply sympathetic to her suffering. “Jesus fucking Christ, that looks sore. Have you tried aloe vera?”

Zara nodded in agreement at the face the girl pulled at her “I would ask you if its really that bad, but I already know it is” She shook her head. “I cant find any because I’m a mess and I’m pretty sure I lost a box with a load of extra stuff in the move and it was probably in there”

TASK THREE- MACKENZIE IS MISSING

Zara’s hand was shaking uncontrollably as her eyes scanned the letter in her hand for the third time. She was convinced that this wasn’t real, that this was just some sick twisted game that her mind was playing on her, or it was a prank. Yeah it must be a prank. The loud bang of the gun hitting the table cause her to jump backwards, snapping out of the trance the swirl of voices and thoughts in her head had caused. fuck this. I’m going to bed.

Jada scanned the girl’s body examining her very burnt skin. “I’m not going to laugh,” She assured her, moving in her seat so she was closer to her. “But did you not even consider applying sunscreen today?”

Zara sighed and pouted slightly. “ I was just going to sit on my balcony to read my book and eat lunch but suddenly it was I was asleep and it was three hours later and I’m now considering peeling my skin off to make the pain stop”

She nodded. “I think I might have some aloe.” She didn’t get a sunburn herself, but she had aloe if needed. “I can run up to my apartment and go double check really quick.”

“No, it’s fine, I don’t want you to cause you any trouble.”

“It’s like Christian or Christoph… which one is the guy from Frozen?” She shrugged, maybe she should have been paying more attention to that part. But it wasn’t like the kid could really talk or be offended, so who the fuck cared? “I think he already likes you more than me,” she said as she watched Zara play with the baby. “You think I should get him a bike?”

“Ah, Kristoff, he’s the one in Frozen” She nodded in an over exaggerated way, grinning at the baby before beginning to sing a little bit “Reindeers are better than people, Sven don’t you think that’s true?-That’s a song from Frozen” She quickly explained to Brighton, sure that she probably thought she was a little odd for just breaking into song. “No, no, he’s too small for a bike. If you were feeling really generous, maybe a walker. He’s probably getting near enough to walking, and apparently they can be really expensive.”

Kennedy studied the girl and was quiet as she spoke. “Don’t worry, I won’t make fun of you.” She said. “Uh, do you need anything though? I can probably make you a home remedy.” She offered.

Zara shook her head, wincing as she leant back in her set “No thanks, I find with those things I’m either allergic to something in them or they don’t work. Thanks for offering though”

“I got you, girl.” Mackenzie said with a bright smile. This might be the perfect way to actually make up for her stupid comments. She still felt incredibly bad. “You wanna head up to my room? I have iced tea and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies - I mean, cookies won’t really cool you down, but we all know that they’re the cure for everything.”

“Lotion and Cookies? God, you must feel bad about laughing at me.” Zara joked before giving Mackenzie a reassuring smile to show that she wasn’t still holding a grudge. “But, yes, that sounds amazing please lead the way to this promised land of Iced Tea and peanut butter cookies”

“…You sound like you’re repressing some anger, here.”

“I just think if you’re paying that much for school then all the equipment should be included. I also don’t think that schools should be run like businesses”

“I agree with you, actually, but Cece’s going to a private school. Partially because of the public school bullshit. I’m aloof, not politically clueless.”

“Oh, well then she has to have a notebook because they’re bleeding you dry of every cent you have. It’s probably a school monogrammed notebook and will cost $35″

“College,” her eyebrows shot up in surprise, “That’s not right. A halloween college party is a must for you this year. Feel free to reprise an old college girl-esque costume.” It came out just as flirtatiously as she’d planned, sipping her coffee as her eyes did a quick sweep over the woman’s body. Zara was, in short, beautiful, Lois would have had to have been blind to think anything otherwise. Her gaze danced over her just quick enough to not make it uncomfortable between them but enough to make her thoughts clear. 

“Feel free to bill me,” she grinned, playful, “It shows me I’m doing a good job.” The idea of dealing with teenagers elicited an irritated groan from her mouth, “Yeah, agreed. That sounds like hell.”

“God, yeah that’s actually a long time ago. I’m still so used to thinking I’m fresh out of college, but it’s been like five years now..” She frowned and looked down into her cup before muttering “...God I’m getting old” She noticed the flirty tone in the woman’s voice and let out a low chuckle. “I wasn’t really much of a costume girl then either. I think I was a nun last time?” She furrowed her brow and leant backwards in her seat, thinking for a moment “Yeah, we were meant to be slutty nuns, but I got the wrong costume, so I was a normal nun, while my hotter friends wore the lingerie versions.” She shook her head, a smile crossing her face as she remembered that night “It was fun though, I kept telling people to leave room for Jesus”

As she looked up from her coffee she noticed Lois’ eyes rake over her body quickly, and she felt her heart rate increase. Of course, she was no stranger to being checked out, she had actually considered herself quite good looking when she was younger. But it had been a long time since she had even thought about dating or even sex, and it scared her a little. Not that she was expecting this stranger who had showed up on her door step to suddenly proposition her, it was still an odd feeling. 

“Well, I’m sure all your loyal listeners tell you you’re doing a good enough job already, but I understand wanting the extra validation” She teased before nodding her head in agreement.