30 Days of Writing: (8) Companion
“Who’s that man you’re always with, Maddy?”
“Hello, Krystal.” I did not need to open my eyes to know that the resident gossiper of the division was standing before me. She was one of the few who was not as frightened by the rumors about me. “Is that any way to speak with your commander?”
“Ah. Uh. Sorry, ma’am.” She sounded chastened, which was good, but I knew it wouldn’t stick. She sometimes forgot that we were no longer the same rank; good thing I did not care for such formalities. “Um, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but I was simply curious?”
“Better, but I was simply teasing you.” I allowed a smirk to form on my face at the sound of her spluttering. “My personal life is not one you need to know.”
“Awww, but I’m curious!” the redhead exclaimed. Probably pouting too. “I don’t really know anything about you.”
“And we never see you with any friends,” Rochelle added, being Krystal’s partner in crime.
“Untrue. I am with Jen, am I not?”
“Jenny doesn’t count! I meant friends outside of Avalon!”
I sighed and opened my eyes, knowing I would not get any work done when they seemed rather fixated on this topic. Plus, everyone within earshot seemed to have stopped working, busy eavesdropping on this conversation. I was not aware that my personal life was so popular. “His name is Noah. He is a friend.”
Sort of. Actually, I was not quite sure what our relationship was with each other anymore. We have hung out with each other a few times since that dinner party, including that one time at the amusement park that ended rather…badly.
“Now, is that all?”
“For now~” Krystal sang with a smile. “But I hope you realize that the rumor mill will be busy now.”
“I am well aware of that,” I said wryly. “Now will you please get back to work?”
As everyone scrambled back to their stations, Jen approached me. “Isn’t Noah a citizen of Valeria?”
I should have known that Jen would do a background check on him. “Yes.”
She bit her lower lip. “That’s where Ne-”
“I know.”
She hesitated and then squeezed my hand. “Please be careful, Maddy. If the Higher Ups were to find out who you’ve been hanging out with…”
I squeezed back, closing my eyes so I could focus on my work. “I know.”
She felt the wind around me pick up a bit, so she retreated. I sighed. I knew perfectly well what would happen if they found out, but I could not just end it, not now.