Renewed

"So what's her story?"

“I can’t believe you spoke to her.” Mila was draped over the edge of the couch with her legs propped up against the cushions and her hair sprawled over the floor, looking at me upside down and I knew it couldn’t be comfortable but I was sure I wouldn’t hear any complaints from her.

“She was just there again,” I took a tentative sip from my glass of wine, closing my eyes to somehow will the entire conversation with Julissa to disappear from my mind. “I was over it and so I asked her about it. She’s kind of…”

“Hot?”

“Ditsy.” I shot her a glare over the rim of my glass. “It’s like...she’s confused...a lot. The scar...I think something bad happened to her and now she’s being reintroduced to normal life again.”

“From how big you told me it was, you can’t really assume she’s had it easy.” Mila swiped out to scoop Mrs. Ginger into her arms but the cat stealthily evaded the trap and had the gall to turn and offer Mila a brief glance before wandering away. “What do you think happened?”

I would be lying if I said that it hadn’t crossed my mind more than once that day. In fact, Julissa kind of hadn’t left my thoughts all day. They all somehow drew back to her.

“It’s...really none of my business.” I decided to respond, because in truth, it wasn’t. One interaction with a girl didn’t warrant me entry into her entire life. It was simply that, one interaction. 

“Come on, you’ve got to at least be a little curious. I mean, I am and I don’t even know the girl.”

“Neither do I.”

“You know her name.”

“You’re absolutely right,” I scoffed. “And now I know her parents’ names and birthdays and I know her favourite colour is lilac. Purely because she told me her name.”

“Well, is it?”

“Is what?”

“Her favourite colour lilac?”

“I don’t know!” I rolled my eyes. “I only know her name.”

“Julissa.”

“Yep.”

“Pretty name.”

“Okay, yes, Mila, she’s cute, can we be done with this now?” I turned to pour myself another glass. 

“Just a few more questions.” This roused a groan from me but that didn’t seem to halt her. “What are you gonna do tomorrow when you see her?”

“Nothing, I don’t owe her more than maybe a greeting.”

“But you’re curious about her.” Fascinated, I was fascinated, not curious. I can live with fascination. If I was curious, I’d have to get to the bottom of it. 

“Please let this go. What will it take?”

“A night out and you finding me a cute girl to flirt with.”

“You can do that all on your own, you’ve got plenty of experience in it.”

“You don’t want to find yourself a cute girl to flirt with?”

“I have three open cases I need to be working, so no, I don’t have time to be flirting with any cute girls.”

I could see the boredom settle in her eyes and knew she’d be out late tonight because when she was in one of these moods, she needed to do something about it. 

And sure enough, a couple of hours later she was waltzing around the house in a dress short enough to warrant scandalous but looking as beautiful as ever. She’d managed to persuade a few of her friends from work to head out with her, relieving me of my duty tonight. They always managed to get her home in one piece, or she found someone to go home with. 

She was sure to confirm with me that I didn’t want to tag along but I wasn’t lying when I told her I needed to do work that night, I was falling behind, not by much, but I knew I needed to catch up. 

And that’s how I found myself sitting at the dining table with my laptop settled before me and sheets of paper sprawled around it with the sound of the fireplace crackling through the house. 

Everything felt warm, like that comfortable kind of warm where the winter weather outside was cold enough to balance out the flames scorching through the logs. 

There was a soft hum from the blowing wind outside.

My glass of wine was half full with a smudge of my lip balm staining the rim.

For all intents and purposes, I was content. It was quiet and cozy and I was content. 

And then my eyes roamed to the window right at the moment that she was walking by my house. I checked my laptop for the time only to frown at how late it was. Surely her appointment couldn’t have lasted the entire day. 

And that wasn’t what seemed to bother me most, no, it was the short sleeves of her shirt and her arms hugging one another as she walked by at a pace that screamed hypothermia. She was practically shaking as the wind blew her hair all over the place.

“Fuck.” I mumbled to myself, because this wasn’t my problem and I shouldn’t make it my problem. 

As if reading my mind, Mrs. Ginger eyed me with suspicion and her usual glare. And for some reason, that seemed to prompt my next movements. Because a minute later I found myself outside of my front door, running down the porch steps and making my way over to Julissa with a coat slung over my forearm. 

“Hey!” I called out and if I wanted to sound more like a jerk, I don’t think I could if I tried. 

Nevertheless, she turned with keen eyes and even managed a small smile when she recognised me. 

“Winter.” She spoke my name into the wind and it seemed to want me to hear it because it touched my ears softly.

“What are you doing?” 

“I’m walking home.” She said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“It’s freezing out, where’s your jacket?”

“I forget things sometimes,” She shrugged only for another shiver to wrack through her petite frame. “Today it was a jacket.”

“How far is your house?”

“Three, no four blocks away.” She looked like she was still doing the math in her head as she said the words. “Sometimes I take the bus but it’s out of service.”

“Here,” I offered her the jacket and she looked at it for a moment before hesitantly taking it and slipping her arms into it. For only a moment did she seem to snuggle into it, soaking up the warmth it offered until she noticed me noticing her reaction. “Come inside, I’ll call you a ride home.”

“Your house?” She looked to the house I’d pointed out to her that morning. “Because we do know each other now.”

There was an excitement to her tone again and I couldn’t help but let a small smile slide onto my lips. Hers seemed infectious.

“I guess so.” I gestured over to the house and began making my way back there. “I have a cat, she’s miserable, don’t mind her.”

“I like cats, I think.” She took her steps a little faster to keep up with me.

“You think?”

“I can’t remember that well,” She pointed to the top of her scar again. “I feel like I do.”

“I guess we’ll see.” I opened the door and let her walk in first before closing it behind me.

I didn’t mean to notice her reaction to my house but I couldn’t help it. Her eyes were just too expressive. Everything seemed to fascinate her. 

“It’s warm.” She smiled and walked in further. For a moment I feared she may break her neck at how far she was tipping it back and circling it in an attempt to see everything. 

“Fireplace.” I gestured to the spitting flames as we made our way into the living area.

“My mom doesn’t have one.”

“You live with your mom?” I didn’t say it in a mocking way, I was curious. She didn’t seem much younger than me.

“I have to.” And she didn’t seem to feel like she needed to elaborate. “Hi!” Her eyes landed on Mrs. Ginger and made her approach with too much enthusiasm for my pessimistic cat. 

Mrs. Ginger looked like she was cornered, her eyes wide with fear as Julissa scooped her up and snuggled into her fur. I’d never seen my cat more docile in that moment, probably contemplating her next move. I could see her trying to figure out which would be the best way for escape or if it would be best to remain completely still in the hopes she’d be released soon.

“I was right,” Julissa looked to me. “I like cats.”

“That’s great,” I chuckled softly. “But my cat doesn’t like people very much.” I ushered to Mrs. Ginger’s pleading eyes.

“Oh,” Julissa slowly began to place the cat down again. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” I scoffed. “Mila has caused that cat enough trauma, she can handle a little foreign affection.” I waved off her concerns.

“Mila?”

“My housemate.” I clarified. “She’s out at the moment.”

We fell into a silence for a moment after that, her eyes still fascinated with everything in my house while my eyes watched her intently. I didn’t quite expect this to be how I spent my evening and usually I’d be agitated by the interruption, but she was interesting to watch. It’s like everything was new to her.

Eventually, after her curiosity was sated, she made a point to perch herself directly in front of the fireplace, extending her hands out to warm them up. 

I hated it. 

I hated that Mila was right. 

Because yes, Julissa was beautiful. 

And dammit, now I was curious. 

I sat down beside her, turning my head to watch as the reflection of the dancing flames shone in her eyes, lighting them to a chocolate brown. From the angle I could barely see her scar aside from the small piece of it on her forehead. 

“I like your house.” She spoke softly, as if anything above a whisper may make everything disappear.

“Thanks.” I leaned back on my hands. “Can I ask you a question?”

“You can, I can’t promise I’ll know the answer.”

“The scar….”

“Oh,” She touched at it lightly and flinched for a moment before looking at me. “I only know what they told me after.”

“After?”

“When I woke up, in the hospital.” She looked back to the fire. “I had a boyfriend, I remember...little flashes of him. He had a nice smile. I think I liked it, but I can’t remember.” A small smile played on her lips for a moment. “My mom said she didn’t hear much from me while I was with him, she’d see me once a month. I remember her a lot. We’ve always been close, I guess. She found me, I mean, he called the paramedics but she was paranoid and she called every hospital until finally she found me.”

She wasn’t making much sense but I tried my best to keep up.

“He said I fell down the stairs,” And with those words, I finally realised where this was going. “I mean, I’m clumsy. I always have been, I think.” She looked at me with a small chuckle escaping her lips. “My mom says he did it. She says he hurt me like that. I-um-I don’t remember.”

“What do you think happened?” 

“I’m really close to my mom, I always have been,” She shrugged, almost cringing into herself. “I’ve never avoided seeing her.”

“But you did when you were with him.” I nodded. “You think he did it.”

“I don’t know what to think. My appointments,” She leaned back on her hands as well. Her mouth opened to keep talking but the buzzing in her pocket brought her to a halt. She retrieved her phone and answered it without hesitation. “Hi.” Her eyes widened for a moment after hearing the person on the other line. “Sorry, I stopped at a friend’s house, I’m okay.” A friend? “A new friend, I met her today. She’s nice.” I’m nice? Mila would argue otherwise. “I promise, I’m okay, I’ll see you soon.”

She hung up the phone and looked to me apologetically, as if I was owed it. 

“My mom,” She waved the phone lightly. “She worries.”

“It’s warranted.” I pulled out my own phone and looked at the time. “I’ll call you a ride, I didn’t think it was this late.”

“Oh,” She frowned at my phone as if it offended her. “Okay.”

“Unless you want to...keep talking?”

“The last two months the only people I’ve talked to are my mom, my therapist and the officers working my case. This is...refreshing.” She admitted. 

“Because we’re friends now?” I c****d a brow.

“Sorry,” She ducked her head sheepishly. “I just-”

“I don’t mind having another friend.” I shrugged. “Posey.”

“Huh?”

“If we’re gonna be friends, you should probably know my last name. I’m Winter Posey.”

“Winter Posey,” She let the words play on her tongue for a moment before smiling that infectious smile again. “I’m Julissa Davis.”

“Julissa Davis,” I offered her my hand to shake and she took it eagerly. “Give me your phone.”

I held my hand out and she hesitated for only a moment before placing it in my hand. I was quick to punch in my contact details, shooting myself a message so I had hers, and giving it back.

“Now I can remind you tomorrow to take a jacket before you leave the house.” I nudged her playfully.

“Don’t,” She rolled her eyes. “I’ll become reliant, it’s the last thing you want.”

“As long as my new friend isn’t freezing her ass off outside, you won’t see me complaining.”

She opened her mouth to respond but again, she was cut off by an outside force. In this case, it was Mila’s drunken state making her way into the house.

“Oh no.” I spoke under my breath but it seemed loud enough for Julissa to hear me. 

Her head shot back to see my housemate stumbling into the house, accompanied by one of her friends practically carrying most of her weight.

“Well look what the three-legged cat dragged in,” Mila was quick to zero in on Julissa and I knew this would not end well. “Park Girl.”

“Park Girl?” Said girl looked to me curiously.

“It’s where I first saw you, ignore her. Please.”

“Park girl.” Julissa smiled more to herself, ducking her head in amusement as I stood up to relieve Mila’s friend from her duty.

I guided my housemate to the couch and let her slump down next to the cat before giving Julissa an apologetic smile.

“Her name is Julissa.” I reminded my housemate. 

“I didn’t know Julissa would be joining us this evening.” Mila slurred, her eyes having yet to leave our guest. “She’s really pretty.”

This left the girl in question a blushing mess. 

“Shut up.” 

“What? If you’re not gonna shoot your shot, I will.” 

I groaned in annoyance and looked to our guest again. “I’m so sorry about her, I’d say she’s not usually like this but I’d be lying.” I turned my eyes back to Mila. “No one is shooting their shot, we’re friends, quit it.” I opened my phone and handed it over to Julissa. “Punch in your address, I’ll get you that ride before your mom worries too much.”

“You still live with your mom?” Mila scoffed and in turn, earned herself a slap on the back of the head. “What the hell?”

“Mind your f*****g business.” I watched as Julissa typed away on my phone before handing it back. “Again, so sorry about her.”

“She’s funny.”

“She’s a nuisance.”

“Nope, I’ll take funny, nuisance can go in the bin.” Mila offered Julissa a lopsided smile with droopy eyes. “So Jules, are you single?”

“Please stop,” I practically pleaded with my housemate. “She doesn’t know you.”

“But I want to know her. You could be standing in the way of me and the love of my life right now, Win.”

My phone chimed alerting me Julissa’s ride was waiting for her outside. She caught the look in my eyes and stood promptly, walking over to Mrs. Ginger scratched her behind the ear, surprising me a little when the cat didn’t flinch away from her touch and actually snuggled into it a little. 

“It was lovely meeting you.” She looked to Mila next but my housemate seemed completely starstruck by my new friend, her eyes twinkling with admiration. Mila was a simple girl, she saw pretty and that was enough for her.

“Don’t be a stranger. Like, ever again.” Mila took Julissa’s hand and brought it to her lips, kissing the girl’s knuckles and eventually releasing her. 

I had to roll my eyes because it was so typically Mila to be that overdramatic. 

I walked our new friend to the door and watched as she was about to take the jacket off but I stopped her promptly.

“It’s still cold out, hold onto it, I’m sure I’ll be seeing you soon.”

“Are you sure?”

“Am I sure I’ll be seeing you soon? Why? Sick of me already?”

“No,” She chuckled lightly, ducking her head and I began making a note of her doing that a lot. Part of me began to wonder if the scar had anything to do with it. “I meant, are you sure about the jacket?”

“Oh, yeah definitely,” I waved off her concerns. “I’ll see you tomorrow, don’t be late.”

“Apparently I never am.” She offered me a soft smile and I was brought back to Mila’s words.

She’s really pretty.

She was indeed. Even with something as jarring as the gaping scar on her face, she was still easily one of the prettiest girls I’ve ever seen.

I watched as she left, my eyes following her until she made it into the car and even after, I watched the car disappear around a distant corner, only then did I make my way back to the living room.

“So what’s her story?” Mila asked as I slumped down onto the couch on the other side of the cat.

“I don’t know yet.”

“Yet,” She jumped onto the word instantly, her eyes studying me intensely. “Meaning you’re gonna figure it out.”

“Yeah,” I nodded, because my curiosity had been spiked and I knew there was no going back now. “I am.”