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“You, doing her hair.” She pulled out her phone. “Fade is going to meet us there.”
“Of course he is.” Brittanya mocked Whitney. She smiled at her through the mirror, “Excuse me, you’re not allowed to fake smoke inside.” She teased.
“Ugh, is that what we are calling this?” Whitney’s voice thickened, “I’d hardly call this smoke.”
“What is it?” June asked.
“It’s The Council’s way of helping those who are recruited, to quit nicotine habits.” Brittanya sprayed June’s hair.
“Oh, interesting. What’s in it?”
“Some herbs and shit.” Whitney’s eyes traced the back of her cartridge before looking back at June. “Not actual shit and not even the good herbs.” She smirked.
“Shianne!” Whitney bellowed.
“What?” She echoed down the hall.
“Are you ready?” She screamed back.
“Yes! I’m out here waiting!”
“Let’s go before she thinks we were having a meeting without her.”
The four of them piled into the small baby blue, household car. Whitney claimed the front passenger because she wanted to drink and June sat in the back next to Shianne. June never learned how to drive and didn’t want to spill that just yet. Before coming to the island she always walked and if it was too far she had to take the bus. After she became alone she did the bare minimum because the streets slightly scared her but Ben scared her more.
The drive was short, a few blocks down, next to the police station and the fire station, the community center sat, lit up and the doors were open. They could hear the music from the parking lot. An older man was standing next to the door and stopped June after Whitney passed through. “I need you to scan.”
“Okay,” She hesitated.
“It’s because you’re new.” Shianne piped up.
The pad flashed green, “You’re good to go.” He smiled down at her.
The community center had dark wood floors with a red tint to them. The walls were white and the room was dimmed with a few perimeter lights for the tables, where people were eating. June followed the other three to a round table for six and took a seat next to Brittanya and an empty chair. “So,” Whitney placed the filled glasses on the table, “June, what is your story?”
“What do you mean?” She hunched over with her hands in her lap under the table.
“Like what was your life like before you came here? What’s the situation?”
“I was a seamstress and I am the only survivor of my family.” It was still hard opening up about her family, after they were gone nobody seemed to care about her, she had shut out everyone, and then Ben came and it turned out he didn’t care either.
“I’m sorry,” She looked at June with sympathetic eyes, “I don’t have anyone from my family either.” A cloud of awkward silence hung over their table for what felt like too long, “Where are you being placed to work?”
“Sixth Street Clothing Company.” June looked down at her drink and placed it closer to her on top of her cloth napkin to protect the white tablecloth.
“That’s where Amy started.” Shianne added. “I think everyone who starts there gets bigger and better jobs.” Shianne’s eyes scanned the room. “I work at The Supply Store. Don’t be fooled, I have a lot of talent, I’m just waiting for a certain someone to come around and sweep me off my feet.” Shianne swallowed the last of her drink as Whitney began cackling.
“Our little hopeless romantic.” Brittanya added. I could sense their sarcasm but I don’t think Shianne did.
“You were born here?” June asked Shianne.
“Yep, I was the fourth baby born here.” She didn’t make eye contact. “Margaret is my Aunt.”
“Oh,” June said, unsure how to respond.
“She’s a spoiled brat because of that.” Whitney filled her in as June nodded in confusion.
A waiter came out with a roll cart and stopped at their table. “Tonight we have the fried Mahi-Mahi with a side of steamed vegetables and a baked potato or we have grilled Yellowfin tuna, on a bed of fresh greens with a spicy vinaigrette.” The girls made their choices and Whitney grabbed an extra plate in anticipation of Fade.
