“ It’s fine, really. don’t bother calling 911. just give me a second real quick. “
A soft groan spilled from his lips as his digits slowly wrapped around the stick of the arrow, quickly pulling it out instead of slow and steady.
“ Learned it hurt less if you pulled it off like a band-aid. ”
➳ ❝I’m not sure if that applies to arrows…❞
Her lips twist into a grimace as she watched the arrow slide out, trying not to let her stomach churn at the sight. The bow dangled loosely in her hand as she took an apprehensive step toward the man.
❝You need to get to a hospital…Shit, I’m so sorry!❞
His eyes lingered on a page in the book that was held securely by his long fingers as the girl asked to sit by him. Nobody ever asked to sit by him. Of course, he had only been there a few times but that didn’t mean anything.
After too long of a pause, lost in his train of thought, the boy moved his eyes from the book to the girl, and immediately began to move over so that she may take the spot next to him. He examined her as he placed the book on the table, leaving his finger caught in the middle so he wouldn’t lose his spot.
“Uh, yeah. Of course. I mean, no. It’s not taken, you can sit… if you’d like.”
➳ Shifting restlessly, Lydia wonders if maybe she’d be better off returning to the barista to ask for her soup to be made to-go instead. Funny how she barely gives it a thought before loosing an arrow into someone’s chest, but can’t stand normal, social interactions turned awkward.
She’s about to turn around when the guy finally looks up at her. Whelp, too late, now. Managing a smile, (because at least the guy didn’t seem like a total jerk) Lydia slides into the seat beside him, setting up her laptop as she waits for the barista to bring her long- awaited soup (also the only reason she’ll bear the general awkwardness of a communal table).
❝Thanks.
❞
It’s only when her gaze returns to the screen of her computer that she realizes it’s opened to right where she left off before decided she needed lunch: autopsy photos.
