FAR FROM ERIS • FreenBecky •

TWENTY - FOUR

-Well, you could tell me that a hundred times and I still wouldn't believe you. Does it have something to do with your 'stuff'?-

-What stuff are you referring to?-

-I don't know, the other day you said you had 'stuff.'-

-Right. Yeah, well, I have stuff.-

-And do you feel like talking about it?-

-I don't know.-

-How are you adjusting to the city?- Irin asked, pulling Becky out of her thoughts.

-Very well, actually. I love this place- Becky smiled. -The tranquility, the sea, the people.-

-The people? I guess you mean us- Irin joked.

-Of course- Becky laughed.

-Can I ask you something?-

-Sure. Go ahead.-

-Did you know Freen before moving here?- Becky felt her back tense up.

-Uh...- she hesitated.

-I mean, I say it that because it seems like you have a somewhat strange way of interacting. It doesn't seem like you've known each other for just a week.-

-Oh-

-Freen has been acting pretty weird since you arrived, to be honest. You're not an ex, are you?, are you two keeping it a secret?- Irin laughed, and Becky blushed, relieved to see that Irin didn't take her eyes off the road.

-No, no,- Becky cleared her throat. -Freen and I didn't know each other before, not really. It's just that she's...- Becky wasn't sure if she should continue. -She's special,- she finally said.

-Yes, she certainly is. What I don't know is if she's special in a good way,- Irin joked. -No, seriously. Freen is quite a peculiar person, as you'll see. But I have to admit that lately, she's been different.-

-Different how?-

-Different. I couldn't tell you if 'better.' But I notice she's more... alive.-

Becky felt a flutter in her stomach, desperately wishing to be the reason for Freen's change. Although one thing she was clear about was that today she wasn't being that reason. Not in a positive way, at least.

-Is she okay?-

-Well, she's been through things. But she's much better than when she arrived,- Becky fell silent for a while, looking out the car window. -You care about her, don't you?-

-Huh?- Becky replied, coming back to reality.

-That you care about her, about Freen,- Irin repeated. -I can see how you look at her.-

-Oh, come on, Irin...I don't know what you're talking about,- Becky said, shifting in her seat.

-Is that why you took the book with the dedication?- Irin asked. Becky widened her eyes and felt her stomach freeze. -Hey, it's okay, I haven't told her anything. In fact, she thinks it's the one I have on the personal shelf behind the counter.-

-And why didn't you tell her you sold it?-

-Call me crazy, but I saw your face when you read the dedication. I sell books to live, Becky; I know when a book is for someone.-

-Really?- Becky felt a bit dizzy.

-Your secret is safe with me. What I don't understand is why you didn't tell her yourself.- Becky hesitated. She knew why. -But hey, seriously. Don't worry. I won't say anything if you don't want me to.-

-Thank you,- she sighed. Becky had no idea how to handle that conversation. -She hasn't told you why she's so mad at me, has she?-

-It's Freen. Whatever is bothering her, she won't tell us directly. I can only tell you that I think it has something to do with me inviting you to come.-

-That's what it seemed like.-

-Maybe she's jealous,- Irin said, raising an eyebrow, causing Becky to laugh.

-I don't think so,- the girl replied, sighing again.

-Well, I would be if I were interested in you and someone invited you to something like this,- this time Becky raised an eyebrow, looking at Irin.

-If I knew you better, I'd say you were trying to flirt with me,- Irin burst into laughter.

-If you knew me better, you'd understand that it's not me who's trying to flirt with you.-

-How's Irin been lately?- Freen suddenly asked after half an hour of silence.

-Well, look who's alive!- Heng joked. -Well, I suppose she's fine. Normal. As always.-

-Nothing interesting?-

-Freen, what do you want to know exactly?-

-Nothing, why would I want to know something specific?-

-Because I've never heard you ask about anyone just out of interest. Never. It's not your style. So, tell me, what's going on?- Freen sighed. -It's just that... I was wondering if you know if she's interested in someone.-

-Wow,- he raised his eyebrows so much they disappeared under his bangs. -That's something I didn't expect.-

-It's not what you think, Heng, I don't like Irin.-

-I didn't say that.-

-But you think it.-

-I think you've been acting a bit strange these days. And those days mysteriously coincide with Becky's arrival, so no, Irin wasn't the person I had in mind.- Freen suddenly sat up straight, feeling the heat rise from her neck to her forehead.

-Am I acting strange?-

-Yes, you are.-

-Strange how?-

-Strange, Freen, strange. Not bad strange. Just strange,- Heng said. -But hey, I like this version of you much better. It's like before you only had two bars of coverage, and now you have five.- Freen frowned. -But I love you both ways.-

-Thanks?-

-You're welcome.-

-Oh, and I think Becky is very nice.-

-Heng.-

-And very pretty.-

-Heng, that's enough.-

-And she looks at you as if you were candy.-

-Heng!-

Freen had to suppress the nervous laughter that fought to escape her chest. It was going to be a very long  hours of travel, and the idea of ​​having to spend almost forty-eight hours straight with Becky was starting to knot her stomach. She couldn't stay mad forever, not with her.

Meanwhile, Becky and Irin sang along to Irin's playlist songs, which turned out to be a hundred percent to Becky's liking. Both had discovered their passion for music during those hours of travel and ended up doing improvised duets full of laughter. Becky felt calm and at peace in that car. Irin's words hinting that Freen wanted to flirt with her echoed in her head, bouncing off the walls of her inner disbelief, and yet, every time she saw a sign and checked that there were fewer kilometers left, she became a little more nervous. With every meter they advanced, there was less time left to see Freen, and she needed to make her stop being angry with her.

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