GREETINGS FROM W

Nineteen

“You've got to be kidding me!” Tyler was horrified after he looked at himself in the mirror. My friends and I snorted behind, and we hurried to look away, for fear to make him angrier.

“There's no way in hell I'm doing this,” Tyler shook his head as he pulled the long black wig. “That's ridiculous,”

I pressed my lips tight to avoid bursting out laughing, and Shadow cleared his throat and mouthed don't laugh. But the funny thing was that he was dying to laugh too. 

“Come on, Ty,” Jay rolled his eyes and stood behind him, “You look sexy,” he said in a sensual voice as he caressed his long hair gently and rested his hands on his shoulders, “If I see you in the streets, I will chase after you for sure,”

“Shut up, you asshole!” Tyler pushed Jay and shot him a deadly glare. “Do you see this?” he asked, pointing at his n***d legs. “I had to shave them for this stupid plan!”

“So, what?” Jay chuckled, “They are smooth now. Why are you complaining?”

“Exactly,” Aleyn approached, “Men shave their legs too,” he shrugged.

“But I love my hair!” Tyler yelled.

“I can give you mine if you want,” Kaela laughed, “I have hair everywhere,”

I laughed, “Tell me about it!” I winked at her. 

Shadow asked us to stop mocking him, and he approached him. “Ty, I know you hate this idea, but it's the only way I could think. Everything is risky.” 

“Why me, then?” Tyler raised an eyebrow, and as soon as he turned around, I had to cover my mouth to avoid laughing. I was not mocking him, but I was baffled by how gorgeous he looked with his long wig and his bangs, as well as the denim skirt which traced his slim body perfectly. Kaela did his makeup, a little rouge on his lips, some mascara, a black eyeliner, and some blush. 

Tyler looked like a model.

“You're quick,” Shadow replied, “You have good reflex, and that's very much needed during similar situations. Kye Wright already met me, and Skylar. Jay and Aleyn can't pass for women because of their height and their muscles, and you are the perfect one for us.”

“Because I'm short and skinny?” Tyler frowned. “That's one way to insult me,”

“No one said we're insulting you!” Kaela widened her eyes and hugged him, “You're going to help us, and we can't be more thankful,” she kissed his cheek, then she took a look at him, “Damn, you look hot,” she whistled, “I'd definitely take you,”

Tyler rolled his eyes, then he smiled. “Do I look that good?” he asked, checking himself in the mirror. 

“I can't say no,” Jay smirked, “And you know how much I love beautiful women,” 

Tyler looked at him with disgust, “Wake up, Jay. I'm still a man,”

It was time for Aleyn to approach him and lean down to press his head on his shoulder,

“And I love beautiful men,” he whispered, causing Tyler to push him on the bed and making us all laugh. 

“Alright, let's stop this game,” Shadow said, “It was a test, and I got to admit that Kaela did a pretty good job,” he smiled as he looked at the outfit. 

“Lots of girls buy this skirt and this coat nowadays,” she said, “Even if they try searching, they'll find that more than a hundred people bought them from the shop,”

“That's good,” Shadow nodded, “Make sure to keep your head down,” he told Tyler, “You look unrecognisable with the makeup, but it's just in case,” 

Tyler sighed, “Alright, boss,”

“And keep your gloves on,” Shadow added, “Don't leave your fingertips anywhere,”

“What about us?” Jay asked, “Should we only go to work?” 

 “Yes, we go to work, and Skylar will meet her parents at a restaurant. Everyone will be busy, even Tyler.” Shadow said, and we looked at him with confusion. 

“Tyler?” Jay raised an eyebrow, “Isn't he supposed to post the videos?”

Shadow nodded, “But he needs alibies, don't you think?” he smiled, “We talked about it yesterday,” he added, winking at Tyler.

“I have training tomorrow,” Tyler spoke, and I couldn't stop looking at his red lips. “I'll start the match with my team, and then I'll pretend to get injured,” he sighed and ran his fingers through his long locks, provoking quiet laughter. “I'm not a big fan of this idea because the coach won't let me play for at least two matches if he knows I'm injured. But nevermind, I'll tell him that I need to shower and meanwhile, I leave to the cyber and come back as soon as I can,”

“Exactly,” Shadow said, “There's a cyber near the training centre, so it won't be difficult to act quickly.”

“How about the cameras?” I asked, “They'll catch him leaving the centre,”

Tyler chuckled, “Trust me, my club is too broke to afford us new footballs, let alone cameras,” he tapped my back, “And when there's a match, usually everyone is outside in the field, playing or watching. I'll run to the cyber and come back before anyone notices,”

I nodded as I looked at him and Shadow, “Well done, boys,” I raised an eyebrow, “That's well thought,”

“I hope everything goes well though,” Shadow rubbed the back of his neck nervously. 

It was cold outside, and I regretted not taking my dad's car or asked Shadow or Kaela to drive me back home. I put my hands in my pockets to warm them up while I walked to the underground station. I took the stairs, and I sighed as it was warmer down. I walked past a café, and I saw a girl sipping her tea, and I thought, why not have a cup myself? I wasn't in a hurry nor did I have anything important to do at home, so I entered inside and said hello to the woman in the counter.

“What would you like, my dear?” she asked with a smile, which I was very thankful for as it was rare to find people smiling outside.

Everyone looked depressed and drowned in a million problems, so a simple smile from someone warmed up my heart.

I traced the menu card with my finger until I found the teas and infusions section. They had many choices, and I hesitated for a moment before I found what I needed to end my day.

“I'd like the mango-flavoured tea,”

“Nice choice,” she winked, “Anything you would like to eat, beautiful?”

“A croissant. Warm if possible,”

“Of course, my dear. I'll warm it up for you. Would you like it here or do you want it to go?” 

“Here, please. Thank you,” I smiled and sat on a chair behind the counter as I waited for her to prepare my order. 

The mango fragrance caressed my nostrils right when she placed the cup in front of me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as a smile formed on my face.

“Smells like heaven, right?” she chuckled, “It's one of my favourites,”

“And it tastes good!” I exclaimed after I took a sip of the warm drink.

“Still loyal to the tea drinkers club?” a familiar voice sounded from behind, and I looked around to find an officer looking at me. I raised an eyebrow as I stared at him, then I widened my eyes when I recognised none other than my ex-boyfriend. “Daniel?!”

“Hey, Sky,” he grinned, showing his familiar crooked front tooth, which I always found adorable. “It's nice to see you here,”

“Same here,” I chuckled, “You're an officer now?” I furrowed a brow as I looked at his black uniform, “Weren't you studying forensics?”

“I was, and I finished my studies,” he smiled and took a seat in front of me. The café owner placed the plate with my warm croissant next to my teacup.

“Hey, Laura,” Daniel greeted her, “The same, please,”

“Sure,” 

“Forensics were my dream,” Daniel continued, “But I couldn't get a job,” he sighed, “It's all about connections nowadays.”

I pressed my lips as I nodded, “Right. The world functions this way. Who your parents are is now more important than your curriculum,”

“Exactly,” he nodded, “So, when did you come back? I haven't seen you in years,”

“About two months ago,” I replied before I sipped the tea, and the mango flavour kissed my lips as it sent its sweetness through my system. “I came for Wolfe's funeral,”

“Damn, that's true,” Daniel looked at me sadly, “I'm sorry for your friend. That was unexpected,”

“I know,” I sighed. 

“Detectives in my station worked on his case,” he said, catching my attention. 

“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow, “Did you get to enter the hotel room?”

Daniel shook his head, “That's not for me. They won't let me as I'm new, a rookie as they say,” he chuckled nervously, “They keep these cases for the big heads in the station. We never know about them, especially if they're celebrities,”

“It sucks,” I mumbled, a little disappointed as I expected to get some information from him. 

“Yeah, it does,” he sighed. “My job consists of walking from an underground station to another to keep an eye on the citizens.” he rolled his eyes. 

I smiled, “At least you're doing something and not unemployed like me,” I scoffed. 

There was a silence, and I regretted making things awkward between us. I sounded pitiful and made my three years of disappearance sound useless. 

“Anyway, I got to go,” Daniel stood up, “I only have five-minute breaks,” he gave me a sad smile, “It was nice to see you again, Sky,” he squeezed my shoulder gently.

“Same here,” I smiled, and he was about to leave when I called him, “Wait,”

He turned around, “Yes?”

“Um,” I rubbed my neck, “Do you still have the same number?”

He nodded, “Always the same,” he grinned.

“Good, I'll call you sometime. You know, to grab a drink or something,” I pressed my lips, and I mentally cursed myself for taking advantage of him. 

Daniel wasn't the worst of my exes, so I was cool with him. But being a police officer sounded quite useful to me as we were working on a case. I hated to take advantage of people, but as it was a serious matter which involved two of our best friends, I had to use every option in my disposal.

“Sure,” Daniel smiled, “I'll see you soon then,”

I sighed and returned to my seat to finish my tea and my croissant. Laura was eyeing me from the corner, and I guessed she was dying to know how I knew Daniel. But of course, I wasn't going to tell a stranger the story of my life, so I let her and her curiosity far from me.

My phone rang, and Shadow's name showed on the screen.

“Hey,”

“Hey, Sky. Are you at home?” I raised an eyebrow as his voice sounded shaky.

“Not yet. Are you alright?” I asked, and I took a look at Laura, who was now buried under a mountain of questions she wished I would answer.

“It's, uh, it's about the letter,” he spoke with a breathless voice, “You... You have to come, Sky,” 

“Shadow? You're scaring me,” I said as I hurried to pull out the wallet from my coat's pocket. I paid Laura and thanked her before I left the café. 

I heard Shadow let out a heavy sigh, and he stayed silent for a moment before he recollected himself and said, “It's exactly what we feared, Skylar,”