03 A greener side

I said the same phrase but why does it feel different she hasn't looked at me weird, has she noticed, is it because she saw him. she leans over the counter and whisper's, "I see him and I know what your trying to do" she smiles and leans back, "wait, I'm not actually with him if your thinking I am I'm just tryna make sure you don't get stolen like a magazine you know."

"Stolen like a magazine huh, that's funny and the first time I've heard that one hmm, suppose I believe you how long has he been there?"

"When I was walking here I spotted him already watching so probably longer than an hour."

"Huh that long eh well guess there's no use."

"You're really relaxed about this whole situation."

"That's because I'm a stage 1 and there's not much he can do to me."

I heard her say this and my eyes could be seen swimming with shock, "she's a stage 1 how the hell did I not notice," I couldn't really place that I was confused with my words so I stared at her and tilted my head slightly and I think she got the memo cause the next moment she said, "my name is Orisa and I took my evaluation in a shantytown a few years ago so I know that I'm high up."

"Then why do you work here?"

"Have you ever just wanted something simple and it backfires and gives you what you want but on such a supreme scale?"

As she spoke those words my mind drifted to earlier this morning and I realized, "yes, yes I have" I replied this subconsciously not actually paying much heed to my words not looking up yet I thought to myself, maybe she doesn't understand what I meant, maybe she believes I don't understand. I raise my head and see her smiling, "Okay mystery man let's go out."

"Oh I guess I haven't told you my name yet."

"Mhmm."

"It's Alton, Alton Shiv"

"It's nice to meet you Alton, I'm Orisa Holton."

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I walk with her outside the shop and stand in the street, where's the man, what's he gonna do; "tip toe, where has he gone the mice won't surely know" I frantically look around but don't catch a glimpse with my eyes and then I heard a blaring rending almost like metal on metal. I open my eyes and I'm tens of feet above the ground, "how the hell"

"so I'm a demon now" (Orisa)

"well if I were in hell, I wouldn't exactly mind you being my demon" (Alton)

"always mr smooth huh" (Orisa)

"well I'd rather be Mr. smooth than Mr. dead so thanks" (Alton)

staring at the ground I see the man that attacked us but then I think of something much more prevalent, why did it change. As we fly off I look to Orisa and ask, "um how exactly do you know how to fly" she looks at me vacantly and doesn't reply, damn I think I struck something I'll try and fix this later "hey go down here"

"what about the man" (Orisa)

"if he followed so what, I said I'd take you out and that's what I'm gonna do" (Alton)

she seemed taken aback by my words but I just meant the truth that sleazy bastard wasn't going to get in the way anymore I told her I'd do it so I will

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"we've been walking for a half hour where are we going" (Orisa)

"somewhere the food is incredible" (Alton)

we pass the evaluation center and go into the commercial district the street comes alive, people on the left drinking bantering about there day, vendor's to the right making as many sales as they can, single shop's for candy, light's hanging from one building to another, and streets paved with graffiti art which is a national treasure nowadays because of how hard it is to find spray paint, I wish there were more places like this the beauty of it shines through the people, the buildings, the music and especially the food.

"Welcome to wayside district" (Alton)

"I have never been here it's unlike anything" (Orisa)

seeing wonder in her eyes I smile and take her hand as I lead her through the winding of buildings, street preformers, bars and restaurants till we finally reach our destination, " lo-roes outback" I speak with pride in my heart as I say the name of this place, I look at Orisa and she's confused, "what's a Orleans, I've never heard of such a thing"

"it used to be a place that was far from here but after the war all states were formed into one and now the only place to find there music and food that I know of is here." (Alton) As I look to the building I can hear the music from inside a solo trumpet whistling a tone slowly and a sax player chirping with him to a rhythm and a humming of blues, I stare at Orisa who is mystified by the sound clearly her first time listening and it seems she enjoys it

"hey wanna go enjoy this inside" (Alton)

"oh um.. oh sorry yeah it's just I've never heard anything so..?" (Orisa)

"poetic." (Alton)

"yes that's the best way to describe this poetic" (Orisa)

"it's hard to describe Orleans blues when you hear it for the first time" (Alton)

I take her in and we sit as I look at her she's staring to the stage where the music is playing, beautiful, slow, somber, and powerful it has everyone's full attention except mine I come here almost every weekend so now it resonates with my soul instead of captivating my mind.

"what would you like to order at lo-roes" (waiter #1)

"Orisa come back to earth, you do wanna eat right" (Alton)

"huh, oh yes um let's see I'd like the alfredo pasta" (Orisa)

"mhm nice choice and you sir" (waiter #1)

"my usual if you please" (Alton)

"small rocks bourbon and sirloin steak yes" (waiter #1)

"hey Isn't that a bit expensive" (Orisa)

"well actually me and the guy that owns this place go waaaaaaay back" (Alton)

"how far" (Orisa)

"well I'm 18 today and we've known each other since we were 4 so 14 years almost 15" (Alton)

as the food finally comes Orisa and I sit and enjoy our meal, each other's company and the music the conversations went so well she asked me out again and gave me her number I enjoyed it.