BRAIDED BROOD

cycle. Her helmet was securely fastened, but beneath it, she was smiling from ear to

of college boys running drills. "Just wait, okay?" she whispered to herself, a g

dered. "Hey, seniors! Your pizza delivery is here!" she called out cheerfully. Once t

e crossed paths

rom a powerful family, thoug

elmet still hiding his face. He was walking steadily toward a group of me

His voice wasn't a shout;

rash, signaling the others to rush him. It took Jeffery all of a minute to put

knowing the context, she completely misread the situation, mistaking him fo

ront of me?" she muttered angrily, her grip tightening on th

hrough the afternoon traffic, yelling the whole way. She was closing the

smacking the tank as if it might listen. "Tha

led with beautiful trees and colorful flowers. Breathing heavily, she peer

s where he is. Fin

its owner, who beamed with gratit

y locked onto him. "Please allow me to buy you a coffee, at leas

licked his visor down, started his eng

dazed woman, who was still staring smi

g with that guy who just

my knight in shining armor." She hugged the purs

s?" Emily blinked, her vo

d. She checked her wristwatch, suddenly gasped as she

d, rolling her eyes. "But it seems like t

hone buzzed loud

Emily flipped the fuel switch to her reserve tank and kicked the start

store. She approached the store clerk, Mr. Dudu, holding a shopping basket and o

c girl," Mr. Dudu mutte

nyway," Emily countered, completely unbothered. She opened a paper bag and began transfe

all," he yelled, wavin

An absolute angel!" she praise

?" he aske

waved her han

ndows of towers, cathedrals, and small homes shone gold in the dark. Em

he couch, happily enjoying a large bowl of crispy fried chicken. The good kind, crispy a

, kicking off her worn sneakers

alled out, turning to look at her with disdain

them really well next t

s I left at the dry cleaner?" Yar

forgot. I'll pick them up first th

!" Yara yelled, rolling her eyes. "You don't know how

ously," Darus said,

htened; she looked down, blinked hard, and walke

umpled list of part-time jobs, then unwrapped an expired

crumpled paper. "Okay... I'll get my paycheck from the convenience store

ing in her eyes brightened at the numbers there. "I'm