=Chapter Nineteen=
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Mays task
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Monday, 16th of September

"So, you moved here from New York?" Jason asked while walking along side me, and as a gentleman he was, he carried the bag of mail for me.

"Yeah, Long Island." I replied, thinking of my mom and her husband.. and Estelle.

He hummed thoughtfully. "Thats not super far, couple hours right?"

"Little over 4 I think." I shrugged.
By car it was at least. However I took busses so it took me a long time.

"Not bad." He shrugged.

"Yeah, I suppose." I agreed.

We shuffled down the sidewalk casually, sometimes in peaceful silence, other times talking about random things, especially books, which tended to be the main part of the leading factor in our relationship.

"What's your favorite part of Anne of Green Gables?" He asked with a grin.

"Oh gods. Uh.. I think the part where Anne's boat sinks while she's reenacting the Lady of Shallot scene.."

He laughs, and because he laughed I started laughing along with him.

"That's one of my favorites too." He finally said. "The movie really makes it so much better too. My favorite part of that is her friends frantically running around thinking Anne has drowned." He grinned.

My eyes widened. "The movie?" There was a movie!!

Of course there's a movie, seaweed brain.

"Yeah, my favorite adaptation is the BBC, but there's quite a few out there.. have you not seen them?" He raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

"No.. I didn't grow up with a tv." Technically.

"That's.. unfortunate. But I hope you have one now..?" He asked hopefully, and I shook my head.

"No. I don't even have a laptop. I'm just kinda living off what May is kind enough to give me for cheap." I admitted with a shrug.

I honestly don't know how much money I have in my bank account yet. I've set up my card but I always forget to use my phone for the banking app, to which I haven't downloaded..
to be fair my usage of my phone has been under 30 minutes a day, in worry that any prolonged amount of time will be too much of a temptation for monsters to try their luck in breaking through.

But I do need to download that app.

"Ah, there it is." I looked up as Jason pointed out a small shop with a little mail logo on top.

"Finally." I joke. "Only took us hours.."

He huffed sarcastically. "So many hours.."

(It was only 15 minutes)

I opened the door for him, and yes, I know ordinarily the guy opens the door for the lady, but let's be honest, he had no hands right now.

We walk in and a guy lounging at the counter looked up lazily.

"Hey." He said, getting up with a sigh.

Jason Placed the bag on the counter and started taking the packages and the letters out.

"Here to drop off." He stated, and I watched curiously. I had never had to use standard mail carriers, I always had Hermes or someone else from Hermes delivery service to use, so it was interesting to see how it worked.

"Uh huh.." the employee nodded, taking the stack and scanning it in. "Okay you're good to go.. have a nice day.." he said emotionlessly.

"Uh.. thanks..?" I said in question, and Jason just took my wrist and led me out of the building.

"What?" I asked, looking up at him.

"That place wasn't safe." He said, his face weirdly cold.

"It's a Mail Drop off center." I asked confused.

he was still leading me down the sidewalk.

"Yes, among other things.."

"How could you tell?" I asked skeptically, and he groaned.

"I just can.. trust me on that, okay." He gripped my wrist tighter.

"What was so shady about that place? All I noticed was a lazy employee."

"Percy.. here in Gotham, many people can't make enough money doing simple jobs.. even if it's a government run mail center, the owners could potentially be.. something like drug dealers.. or even something more illegal." He explained.

Our pace had lessened significantly, and we were back to walking, however he still was holding my wrist.

"Okay. I'm just curious how you saw.. I donno, a sign?"

He sighed. "I'm very aware. Don't worry about it. Let's worry about your own awareness. It needs to be alot higher if you plan to live here."

"Got it. Be more.. aware..." I repeated sarcastically.

"I'm serious, Percy. You're a be-.. you're a woman on the streets of a very dangerous city, I'd prefer it if you were taking this a little more seriously.." he finally stopped and looked me dead in the eyes.

"I can take care of myself." I stared back confident.

"I know." He replied. "But it doesn't hurt to be careful so you don't have to defend yourself.."

I nod, relenting. "I know."

"Good." He smiled slightly.

"Sorry I took you out of there pretty fast.. I just.. felt like I didn't want to let that guy get too good of a look at you." He explained hesitantly.

"I get it. Thanks for looking out for me." I smiled back with a shrug.

"Sure.." he finally released my wrist.
"So back to the shop?"

"Well May wants me to go get some lunch.." I explained as we started to walk again.

"Oh? I know a good place. Italian?" He asked.

"Ooh yes I love Italian!" I exclaimed.

"Great. I'll take you there." He grinned.

He needs to stop doing that..

"So.." my eyes drew up to his hair, the white tuft standing out against his black hair. "Did you dye your hair?" I asked, unable to keep my curiosity at bay.

"Huh? Oh. No.. it's natural." He replied, and I couldn't help but notice how he grimaced and tensed at the mention of his hair.

"Cool.." how do I deflate the situation?!!

"I got something like that myself.." I laughed hesitantly.

"Yeah..?" He glanced down at me.

"Mhm.." I nodded, lifting my hand to my hair and pulling out a piece of gray that was hiding beneath the rest.
It was kinda hard to hide it, and you might be wondering why I'd ever want to hide something that others might see as a cool thing. Technically it doesn't matter, however Id prefer to not stand out, and in addition.. it reminds me of.. darker days.

He stopped suddenly and took the strand from me, and studying it.

"What?" I asked, looking up at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Just wanted to look at it.." he stared at it for a second longer and let it go, and I tucked it under my hair again.

"Naturally?" He asked.

"Not really. From.. stress I guess." I said casually.

"I see.." he started walking again, and I jogged a few steps to catch up.

There was an awkward silence between us for a couple minutes, the topic had proven to be very touchy. For both of us.

"So.. what do you like to get at this Italian restaurant...?" I asked, finally braking the silence.

"Usually something pasta. Think of it as an Olive Garden. They have other options, of course. But the main part is their pasta dishes."

I nodded. "Okay." I felt a buzz in my pocket and I pulled out my phone.

It was a text from May.

"Don't forget to eat out!"

I quickly responded.

"I won't, Jason recommended an Italian restaurant. We'll be back soon."

There was a short pause before mays reply.

"Have fun on your date!❤️"

My face flushed as soon as I saw the text and I shut off my phone immediately.

"What?" Jason asked seeing my face.

"May is just teasing me.." I rolled my eyes.

Jason was about to reply, however a dark shape darted between us, and my phone was snatched from my hand. "Woah- hey!"

Jason immediately leapt into action and started running after the figure.

I stood there in shock for a moment before I also started jogging after.

Why are they so fast..

Before I knew it, Jason had given up on the pursuit, which surprised me.

He ran back to me with a scowl on his face. "I'm sorry Percy, I shouldn't have run off after that man like that." He apologized.

"What do you mean? Isn't that the normal response to something like a theft?" I frowned at him.

"Yes... but I left you alone. It could've been apart of a larger scheme to separate us." He explained.

I hesitated to respond. He was partially right, but I also felt as if he was being paranoid. But then again, what do I know of the Gotham streets?

"Thanks for trying to look out for me. But.. I don't have a phone now."

He sighed. "I know, I'm sorry. I'll buy you a new one."

My eyes popped out of my head. "What?! You do not need to do that."

"I didn't get it back in time. That's on me. And your phone is awful."

"Hey! It is not!"

"It was. I'll buy you a brand new one." He insisted.

I shook my head. "No. I literally shouldn't have a new phone." I refused.

Cause it might be too big of a signal..

"I might break it. I'm super clumsy."

"Fine, I'll buy you a semi new phone, deal?" He said firmly.

I sighed. "It has to be blue.." I relented.

•*•

Hi! Hope you all are enjoying your weekend!

Toodles!

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