Into The Fray

What is this like the eight hundredth time she had moved? She was walking up the steps with the last box for her new home. She was located on the outskirts of a busy city. Her house was surrounded by many neighbors. It wasn’t that she minded the people, it was more of her noticing the uselessness of neighbors. She had done well so far in ignoring her neighbors in the past. She looked down to notice the time. It was time for her to call the office to setup her schedule with her new assistant. She was a museum curator and was moved by request to keep the fact she doesn’t age a secret. She knew she needed to change her look again before tomorrow. She locked up the house and headed to the local shopping district. She found a red hair dye that would be similar to her once original color. She then headed to the clothing department and picked up a few semi-professional outfits. After this job, she would have to change her identity again. Someone would start to notice that she was getting up in age. She hated when normal people started to become suspicious. This was the reason she was alone. Trying to explain why she had lived so long and how she couldn’t die, was a real pain. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.” A cart had hit the back of her feet, “just be careful in the future.” She was lucky she had put on a wig before she left the house and changed out of her contacts. Meeting someone that could possibly work with her or meet her later was a risk she never took. She was happy she had already decided to use her natural voice here instead of an accent. It would be hard in a situation like this to remember. “Are you new here?” The woman said as she riffled through the clothing rack. “I haven’t seen you in the store before.” She looked up to see a stunning black haired, pale woman. It was the first time in a long time that her heart had skipped a beat of someone’s raw beauty. She had noticed the woman’s gaze travel up and down before settling on her eyes. “Hi, I’m Zayla. This may be bold to say, but you have a Renaissance beauty about you.” Her cheeks deepened to match her hair. “I’m Avery. It’s nice to meet you. Thank you. I honestly don’t know how to respond. ” Avery knew that Zayla batted for the same team she did by the way she carried herself. She didn’t know if she wanted to attempt any type of relationship currently, but now was heavily debating it. Zayla reached into her purse and grabbed a business card. “This is my business card. Call me when you get settled.” Before she could open her mouth, the lady was gone. She had reminded her of a young Mary of Scots and for a moment wondered if she would see her again. The thought was confirmed when she read the card. Zayla Harrison Lead Auditor of the smithsonian. They may not work in the same location, but her being the curator at one of the history museums, she imagined they would constantly cross paths. Cross paths they did, she thought as she saw Zayla enter the house next to hers. This was fate she told herself. There is no other reason this woman worked in the same field and lived next door. Normally she would ignore such a coincidence, but this woman invaded her mind. Avery entered her home and instantly got to work on the preparations for the next day. “Well tomorrow is the first day. I wonder if I’ll find any of my old belongings at this museum?” Avery had a bad habit of talking to herself. “Maybe I’ll see Miss Zayla soon.” “You must be Avery.” The plump woman with auburn hair was her new secretary. Her name was Maddison and she had been working as a secretary for two years here. Avery made a note to ask about Zayla, as soon as possible. She wanted to know if they did much with the local smithsonian. Her mind was pulled from Zayla as they walked into her new office. “Well I know you have some paperwork to start, but if you have any questions...” “I do have one.” She picks up the papers on her desk, “what is our relationship with the smithsonian? I have recently met an auditor there.” Maddison gives a confused look, “Um... we have fundraisers together with a lot of museums, but the smithsonian being our sister location... we tend to share a lot of exhibits. Who did you meet?” Avery smiles to herself, “Zayla Harrison.” “Oh she is really important. She helps get all the the money for the museums around here. If she introduced herself to you....she must really took an interest. She normally doesn’t go out of her way to talk to someone without it gaining something.” She glances at Maddison, “well that is nice to know. Do I have any business cards?” “Oh yes! I apologize! I have them at the front desk. I will get you a stack to hand out and keep on your person.” The day goes along without any issues. Avery started to get excited as the day was coming to an end. The amount of items she had gone through in such a short time was impressive. The faster though she was done, the fast she could get home. Going home was a possible chance to run into Zayla. “Alright Maddison, I will see you tomorrow.” Avery had two vehicles in her possession one was a Ford Escape and the other was a motorcycle. She had taken the motorcycle to work today and was excited to show off her riding in-front of Zayla. This was odd for her. She often drove as far away from feelings like this. Once in the view of her home she noticed Zayla outside. Avery pulled into her driveway and saw Zayla talking to a beautiful woman. Avery flung her leg over the bike. Zayla and the other woman’s attention went straight to her. She turned her back as she pulled her helmet off and flipped her hair back. As she turned, she caught the other woman’s eyes roaming over her. Zayla made eye contact and smirked beautifully. “So you are the person who moved in next door?” Avery sits down the helmet. “Nice to see you too!” Zayla walks over, “you never gave me your name.” She leans on her bike, “you never asked.”