Free mate

New friends

The place is cozy and Lina seemed nice but she didn't have time to sit with me after bringing me a cup of tea and a piece of chocolate cake. I didn't have anything to occupy myself but I didn't want to go back just yet and I could see into the main room from here. It was fascinating to watch people come and go, Lina and another girl in their similar clothes bringing them drinks and food. I sipped my tea and looked, following couples and groups of people, an old woman reading a paper and a mother with two kids sitting next to the big window.

I've never seen this many people, all in different clothes and so focused on their own life. I had been staring at everything around me absorbed in this new world for a long time when Lina sat on the chair in front of me. She'd taken off her apron and was opening her long hair from the ponytail.

"I'm so tired, sorry I didn't have time to come over earlier. Surprisingly busy day", she stretched her hands high above her head and arched her back before slumping back.

"Oh that's fine", I try to come up with something to say, "so are you in Daniels pack too?" She nods smiling.

"Yeah, my family has been in this pack for ages. My mom is coming to work soon, she'll be happy to see you too. Everyone is so happy for Daniel to finally find his mate." I force a smile, wondering if Lina knows how horrible mate I am. Before I can talk she gets serious.

"So like, we don't know much about you but you're one of us now and we're not gonna let anyone hurt you anymore", she says quietly. I feel uncomfortable under her gaze when she apparently knows at least something of how I came here.

"Thanks", I mumble. Lina changes the topic easily, probably seeing how embarrassed I was.

"Anyway, Sera says you like to make food! I make all the cakes with mom, I love baking but somehow whenever I try to make food it just tastes like cardboard." I laugh at that and Lina grins, a ring on her lip reflecting light.

"I've never baked sweets, only bread, and pies", I confess. I didn't think it would be that different but if Lina struggled to cook after making something as amazing as the cake I just had there must be a difference. I had no idea how to make that kind of stuff, I was just sniffing spices and guessing what could taste good together.

"Oh we should totally make something together. Sera won't let me in her kitchen because I always make a mess but I live in the building next to this cafe", she waves to her right and her knee hits the table, making my teacup rattle.

"s**t, sorry", she laughs loudly. I see a woman with her kid staring at her but Lina either doesn't notice or doesn't care. She looks so carefree, and I had seen other people stare at her as she worked and Lina didn't seem to notice or care.

"I've never cooked with anyone", I say. It didn't feel like an activity you would do with anyone, I made food to keep myself busy and before everything I did it just because there was no choice. Lina clearly doesn't agree.

"Great, you should come over soon. Can I get your number?" She pulls her phone from her pockets.

"Oh, I don't have a phone", I wince. Lina looks surprised but nods. I knew everyone else in the house had phones but I've never had one so it didn't cross my mind to ask about it.

"Okay, well that's not a problem. Anyway, you've been living with Sera right, how's that been?" Avoiding all the bad stuff I tell her about my last few weeks, playing games with Matt and sitting in the kitchen with Sera. I mentioned Matt has been training me at the gym which seemed to amuse her. Lina listens closely and laughs in the right places, her effortless support encourages me to keep talking.

"Wait you've never seen Friends?" She'd accepted my lack of knowledge regarding everything else but when she mentioned the tv show and I told her that I'd never heard of it she clutched her heart. I got worried for a second but she was laughing so it couldn't actually be that serious.

"Not that I know of", I giggle at her overly dramatic reaction. She shakes her head and takes my hands in hers.

"Girl, we need to fix that. Honestly it's not even that good but still, you need to watch at least a few seasons", her words barely registered when I was focusing on her hands touching mine. It was such an easy move for her, meaningless and open but I was hyper aware of her touch until she pulled away, still talking about the show. It had been nice to have that contact with someone, just touching and it not meaning anything special.