***
Rick turned off the laptop in exasperation and leaned back in the couch.
He sat on Facebook, listened to music, talked with his brother on Skype.
But the dream still did not go. All his thoughts invariably returned to Julia.
This girl insanely intrigued him. And, of course, he could not help but notice her amazing body. I wanted to ...
A stream of thoughts was interrupted by a familiar melody. Someone played the song “No fear” Jade on the guitar.
Listening, he realized that music was heard from the side of Julia's house.
Without thinking twice, Rick headed toward her.
He knocked, but no one was in a hurry to open, and he repeated the knock. The music stopped, and soon he heard uncertain steps.
- Rick? - Julia was still in the same shorts and a T-shirt that she wore on the beach.
- Forgive me if I ...
- It's okay. You didn’t wake me up.
Good ... By the way, you play great, Rick complimented, noticing Julia's cheeks blushing. “And you know the jade songs?”
Just one, she lied in an instant, turning to the door to close it. - What are you doing here?
I could not sleep, and ...
Me too, she answered, and smiled. - Do you want some tea? She asked after a moment's pause.
Previously, it would never have occurred to her to drink tea at half-past eleven - then she drank strong alcohol. But now she has changed. The clinic helped her.
You did it, Jade. You did it.
Fifteen minutes later, they sat at a table in her kitchen and drank freshly brewed tea. Rick started a conversation about his friends, and she enthusiastically supported him.
— You know, she said a little later.
You were right then on the beach. I do not like talking about family. This is ... too complicated. I myself do not fully understand how this could happen. Once upon a time, we were happy,
— Peters realized from the blurred look that she was mentally far from here, —
I, mom, dad. We went to the sea, or just to warm places twice a year, spent a lot of time with each other. And then ... In general, at the age of sixteen, I left home.
Rick sat in silence, afraid to break with the awkward movement or word the frankness with which Julia spoke.
It is unlikely that he will ever have such an opportunity to learn more about her. And what did she mean when she said that they know more about her than they think?
Suddenly the phone rang, and the girl froze, and then tore off and disappeared into the bedroom. With a sigh, Rick interrupted the tea and stared out the window. Soon the children will arrive, and the fun part of the work will begin. Dating, hiking ...
He heard a raised voice. It must have been a nasty call, and ten seconds later Julia confirmed his thoughts.
— Sorry, I don't want to seem rude, but you better leave.
— I see. He got up from the table. - Problems at work?
The girl grunted tiredly, rolling her eyes.
Something like that.
They embraced awkwardly and he headed for the exit.
- Rick ...
- Yes?
- Thank.
He smiled.
- It's my pleasure.
And shut the door.
***
As soon as she turned the key, Jade took an iPhone out of her pocket and followed the link that she had thrown to her Lynn.
“Was Jade really cured of her addictions? And where did she disappear? Can…"
Further, the girl was unable to read: her eyes darkened with rage. Lynn is right. This should not be released on the brakes. She is obliged to come to that photoshoot and interview to refute these idiotic rumors.