a Tablet. “I’m not used to having one,” he chuckled, and once again, I was reminded of how different we were.
Tallis stood and walked a respectable distance away before answering. While he was preoccupied, I took a moment to truly observe him. I took in his long legs and wind-swept hair. With my eyes, I traced each visible scar on his bare torso.
“My brother is too nice, you know,” a cool voice said, and I whipped my head to the left. Mia was decked in her usual leather get up and had plopped down beside me.
“What do you want?” I asked, picking the paint off my nails. Something about his sister rubbed me the wrong way. Perhaps it was her friendship with Ashleigh.
“I want him to be happy.” Mia sighed. “You know, it should have been me to go through the leadership trials. My brother is fearless and fierce. He’d kill anyone or anything that threatens his people. But he’s really got to work on that guilt thing,” she said softly. I wondered if she regularly made it a habit to chat up random strangers outside her social circle.
“Now, normally I don’t make it a habit to befriend bitches, but I love a good redemption story. I think you and me…” she began while gesturing between us. “…could be great if you stopped acting like you’re better than everyone.”
“Did you come here to insult me or…?” I asked. If I wanted to feel bad about myself, I would go back to the Black Manor.
“I came here to tell you that I don’t approve of you and Tallis, but I don’t really have a say in the matter. Might as well befriend you so we can get past the awkward hate stares from across camp,” Mia said while brushing her hands on her pants.
“Oh—Tallis and I aren’t like that. He just walks me back to the Dorms at night.”
“I know he walks you to the Dorms. I’ve had to cover his evening guard shifts since you showed up in your stupid dresses and shitty shoes. I mean, really… Who works in the Gardens wearing that?” Mia waved her arm up and down at me incredulously.
“Someone with a sense of fashion. Obviously, you don’t know what that means. You wear trousers, for God’s sake.” I shuddered. "What was the point of you talking to me, again?" The paint on my thumbnail was now completely gone, it looked naked and sad next to the flashy crimson red my other nails wore. Slowly but surely, they were each being stripped bare.
"Why does there have to be a point? Sometimes I just talk to people. You should try it sometime. I'm Mia, by the way. Last time we spoke, I was too busy saving your life, and the time before, I think you referred to me as that 'filthy Scavenger.’ Figured you'd like to have a name to go with your prejudice."
I took a deep breath and tried not to scream profanities. "Look, I'm not saying I necessarily like you. But you caught me in rare form that day. And I'm not a fan of Ashleigh's," I replied with a shrug.
"That's one shitty apology, babe. But I'll take it, we can work on it later. Oh, and by the way," she said while standing up. "You really should consider just moving here. Nikketa is about ready to kidnap you anyway.”
I considered her offer for a moment.
"Thanks, but I don't think so. Besides, I could probably fit my entire wardrobe in one of your dwellings," I replied with a smirk.
"Yes, well it would be a shame to lose your ridiculous clothes and gain a home,” Mia replied, walking off just as Tallis hung up his Tablet and headed back towards me. I rolled my eyes at Mia's retreating form, which made him smile.
“What did Mia want?” Tallis asked while holding out a hand for me.
“I don’t even know," I mumbled. "She just asked me to move here,” I added with a shocked tone. Was it common practice for Scavengers to randomly invite complete strangers to move into their camp?
"Wow. Really?" Tallis asked.
"Yeah, it was rather strange."
"She must like you. Mia is mostly a loner, except with Agrio and Huxley."
"I doubt that. She probably was coerced by someone," I said, poking Tallis in the ribs. I kicked the dirt beneath my feet and inhaled the smell of smoke, a scent I had learned to associate with the Scavenger camp.
"I think you're not happy at the Walker Dorms,