Cat twisted her nose as the scent of smoke assaulted her sinuses. She scratched her cheek to hide her distaste as Julie finally returned from her smoke break. She stubbornly powered through the smell, though she grabbed a scented handkerchief from her purse as a precaution. Her skin itched, and she hoped Julie stayed put.

No such luck.

“Catherine,” Julie’s nasally voice, like the buzzing of a particularly large bee, grated Cat’s nerves. “Can you take my shift this evening? I have an appointment with my hairstylist.”

Cat turned and gave an apologetic smile. Julie stood just outside her little bulletproof cubby, flicking through a phone with one hand while the other contended with a purse Cat was fairly sure was heavier than the microwave Angelli looted earlier. Of course, it was a designer bag, one of Grey Filament’s ‘high end accessories’ tailored for ‘customers of modest means and modest income.’

Julie was a chubby girl, though not overweight. Men might call her ‘fluffy’ or ‘plush,’ but those words didn’t really mean much. Round cheeks, wide hips, short with stubby fingers and long hair dyed a strange silver-blue color, lips painted to match. The two gold hoops clashed with the dull blue-gray SuperLife vest and slacks.

Slacks in general were a poor fit on Julie, though Cat remembered what the girl looked like in a miniskirt, as much as she wish she didn’t. Julie, however, was one of those girls who believed more was better, and moderation was cowardice. Or some such nonsense like that. Heavy makeup and misplaced fashion sense aside, her hair was quite stylish.

“Sorry, Julie,” Cat said. “I have a date planned tonight.”

“A date? With a boy?”

[i]No you idiot, with a stage.[/i] “Yes.”

“Is he cute?”

“Mmhmm. He has money, too.”

Julie pursed her lips. She seemed impressed, and gave Cat a small nod of respect before she turned away, believing the conversation finished. Cat forced back a sigh, then grabbed her purse as she saw Thomas striding out of his office in a quick gait. There was tension in his jaw, though Cat didn’t get a good look at him before he went out the back entrance.

[i]He must know Angelli is still here[/i], Cat thought, hiding a snicker. [i]He wouldn’t want to risk glancing at her the wrong way.[/i]

That was fine with Cat.

“That bitch is still loitering outside, isn’t she?” Julie asked disdainfully.

“You’re lucky I like you, Julie,” Cat said. “Else I might tell her what you just said. She’s a good friend, despite what you think of her, and despite her occasional...lapses in judgement.”

Julie hesitated. It was a mark of Angelli’s reputation Julie backed down so quickly. Angie surprised Cat when they first met, but as she grew to know the woman, Cat enjoyed the delinquent and her occasional antics. Angie was reluctant to speak about her gang and what they did, even though Cat knew she was part of one, though not for lack of trust or friendship. The two girls got along well. Surprisingly well.

Catherine gathered her belongings as the shift finally came to an end, though Arthur was late again. But since Thomas left early and Julie was stuck here anyway, Cat decided it was time for her to go. So she stepped out of her cubby, locked the gate, then strolled out the front doors.

Angelli straddled her bike outside, leaned like a picture straight out of a biker magazine, all black leather and lipstick, though her hair was a silvery platinum. The older woman noticed Catherine but didn’t react as Cat approached the parked car beside Angie. She made sure to stay a pace or two away—Angie got testy when Cat got too close to her bike, despite Cat’s countless reminders it was safe. 

“So,” Cat said, smiling and noting the microwave strapped to Angie’s bike. “Rob anyone interesting today?”