Chapter 1
"Ivory!"
Thanking a smiling barista, a woman in her mid-thirties gingerly took a small coffee from the aproned man's hand.
"Have a good day miss."
"You too, thank you."
The cafe was small, a well-lit and homey shop. With only a few tables it was easy to find her fiery haired friend, who was currently eating a muffin and scrolling through her phone aimlessly. The morning felt calm, relaxed.
"Have you heard anything from the potentials?"
Short, dark red hair fell to delicate shoulders in thick ringlets that looked ready to frizz up at the first thought of rain. Soft, tanned skin boasted of her frequent outings, something Ivory wasn't able to share in as of late. Taking a sip of the fresh coffee seemed to take too long, making her companion set the phone down to look up for the first time since they walked in.
Bold, dark eyelashes framed irises so unique they were one of a kind. One held blue and green in a swirling pattern while the left captured an image of dark and light browns so distinctly different it was like you could point out every dotted shade difference. It had been years since they met, yet those eyes were still showstoppers.
"Want a picture?"
Ivory smiled, shaking her head and blinking to compose herself.
"Your eyes still wipe my mind clean sometimes. They should be studied."
Her friend's smile was slow, docile as a cat's grin.
"On that note, the potential openings? Anything new?"
With a sigh and another sip of coffee, Ivory shrugged.
"I've been through four interviews and a meeting that felt like an interrogation, but no call backs. I never expected to be starting over like this."
"That company lost a damn good scientist. Still, everything happens for a reason, right? This might be the change you've been antsy to step into."
The coffee was cooling off, but it still warmed her insides with a thick dose of caffeine as long blonde hair rubbed against her naked shoulders. The weather was warming, welcoming in another spring and soon the heat of summer would burn her flesh once more. It was a good change, the dark winter a bit depressing amidst all the other life changes she was experiencing.
"When I said I needed to change something I don't think I had a complete upheaval in mind."
The gorgeous woman across from her, sitting up tall and poised, shrugged and picked up her phone once more.
"This might be the start to a beautiful journey, Ivory."
With a scoff she took a long, deep drink before retorting.
"You sound so ominous sometimes, you know that?"
Just like always, the woman remained stoic yet radiating. It was oddly like looking at a doll.
"I'll tell you what. I have a few friends from back in my college days I can reach out to. I'm not a fan of labs, you know that, but I can ring a few bells and see what comes of it. If I get anything good, I'll send it your way."
Eyebrow raised in unsure gratitude; Ivory noted the soft twist of her gut. Thinking of what friends her companion could possibly have in such positions left her mind in a tizzy.
"How would you know anyone in my field?"
That same smile, mischief incarnate, marred her porcelain-like features.
"Oh Ivory, surely I am allowed a few secrets."
If that didn't sound like a perfect one liner in a horror movie, she didn't know what would. Thinking of her failed job interviews and growing pile of bills, she conceded.
"Thank you, Clotho."
The woman reached out, patting the slacken hand of her weary coffee date.
"Of course, my friend."
