"Aquí tienes."
"Thanks."
The server slid her tray across the counter, then ducking beneath it to retrieve a small basket of packaged condiments. Placing it to the side and nodding politely, moving to the next customer.
Sienna picked through the packets, tossing a few onto her tray before carrying it over to her spot and dropping into the cushioned seat.
Next, she opens up her purse hung over her shoulder—grabbing her ear buds and slipping them in, an opaque screen manifested just off the side. A video starting up while its audio was fed through her ears. Afterwards, she unwrapped her burger, peeling of the wheat colored bun that bounced back to shape the moment she let go.
rip—split!
With the condiment packet ripped open, she spread it across the bun. Giving it an even coating across, then putting the burger whole again.
chff—munch…munch.
The video played on, for every minute spent—the burger lost bite sized pieces, dipping the fries in sauce before drowning it with her drink.
And then again.
And again.
Now, repeat the scene a handful of time, embodying her and the other patrons inside the joint.
Not long after, Sienna finished her meal. Leaning back in the seat, letting the food settle in her stomach for a moment, absentmindedly glancing at the screen.
With a small shake of her head, she yawned, pushing the lingering food coma aside.
She's free today…right?
She lifted her wrist and scrolled through her contacts until an icon caught her eye—a figure sitting beneath a tree.—a person sitting under a tree.
tap. tap.
brrt—brrt—brrt!
「Hellor.」
The screen faded away when she lowered her hand.
「Whats up?」
"Are you free today? At all?"
「Yeah, in an hour. We're on break right now—what's up?」
"I just got back, so I've got some time today."
Turning her gaze, the patrons around her moved in fast forward, their conversations blurring together.
Babbling. Lounging, sight seeing. Babbling. Lounging, sight seeing.
Repeat it until the cycle is broken.
"Mhmm, mhm. Yup, I brought my clothes with me."
"See you soon then."
Just like that, the call ended.
Sienna stayed seated for a moment before sliding out of the seat and lifting her empty tray.
She leisurely walked over to the trash bin, pushing the wrappers and cup through the opening before setting the tray on top of the stack.
Frame after frame—she drew closer to her car, from opening the front door, through the lot. She lifted a hand to shield her eyes from the blazing sun while unlocking the door.
Click!
Sienna slid into the seat and leaned over, pulling the door shut with a thump.
With a foot on the clutch and brake, she placed it into neutral and gave it a quick shake.
chk—rrr—vrmm!
The car cranked to life, vibrating her body ever so noticeable, she eased her foot off the clutch as it settled into a steady idle.
Her earbuds cut out, replaced by the car's speakers booming.
She pulled them from her ears, then putting then tucking them away in their case inside her purse. A moment later, she let the car roll backwards before slowing it down and slipping it in first gear.
she cruised forward, then took a right onto the street and merging with the traffic.
Rolling the window down, she let the breeze brush against her skin.
The sidewalks, a way of life.
Stopping at a light, she sunk deeper in the seat.
Then, suddenly, a trio of teens darted over the street. One stopped before her and lifted a bottle, squeezing it until a soapy substances splattering across her front windshield.
She closed her eyes and sighed softly.
When she opened them again, the boy had already grabbed a towel from a bucket on the ground and was dragging a squeegee across the glass.
Sienna rummaged through the center console, digging into the slot under the radio and pulling out a bill.
"Toma chamaco. Cinco dólares."
His face lit up like a festival. He snatched it from her hand and bounced away.
"Thank you."
The light turned green almost immediately after and the trio scattered off the street, quickly putting into first.
The street soon became an on-ramp, and then a highway, stretching into the rising horizon.
Bump after bump, the highway widened a bit more then turned into individual lanes, concrete walls slowly closing in the closer she got to the structure ahead.
A tunnel of a kind, one of many for every plot of moving land.
sleeper lines.
Then again, and once more.
Traffic slowed as they approached, caution lights ahead sighing through blinking hazards. Just before the entrance, a heavier bump jolted the car, dropping it slightly when it crossed the threshold.
Inside, a hum took over. The hum from the fans above droned everything else, through the warm light blanketing them. The glow at the far end felt distant.
A journey that took five minute but felt like forever.
And that eventually led her into a quiet neighborhood, far from the heart of the city. Sienna eased off the throttle, slowing as she entered it.
House by house, their lawns nicely trimmed.
Vrrrm…mmm…
With the car shut off, she grabbed the bag from the passenger seat and stepped out, tugging at the door to make sure it was locked.
Circling around, she headed up the driveway and took in the modest home—quickly, she rung the bell before knocking in the door, throwing a peace sign at the camera beside it.
tchk!
The door cracked open and a head of red hair peeked out from the side, tied up. Stubby, fluffy ears twitched the moment their owner locked eyes with her.
"Yikes~ you look exhausted. When was the last time you slept? You've got lines under your eyes."
Amber eyes, curving into crescents.
"Hmhp, I'm doing just fine thank you."
Sienna pushed in without a though, bumping their shoulders lightly. The woman closed the door with a thunk.
"Is that right, so—how's it?"
"How's what?"
They passed through the overly furnished living room and into a small studio, four mats were lined up next to one another—facing the backyard.
"Tus huesitos duh."
thmp.
"I wouldn't be here if they didn't hurt all the time."
The two faced another.
"Alright, abuelita. Go change, okay?"
Sienna knelt and unzipped her bag, pulling out loose-fitting clothes and draping them over her arm. Her hand brushed the flap once more before grabbing her sneakers.
She turned around and headed for the bathroom, closing the door behind her when she found it.
Briskly, she swapped into blue sweatpants and a loose long sleeved tee—a castle printed across it and a lone tower piercing through a cloud made of flying beast, pushing her necklace inside.
A few steps later, she crossed the studio and took the farthest mat. Uncapping her water bottle, taking a swing of freshness.
Taking a moment roll her limbs, throwing a look at her friend.
"Ya?"
Sienna said nothing, settling onto the mat and stretching her legs out. Leaning forward, her fingers hovered just shy of her toes. The room was quiet except for the soft rustle of fabric and their breathing.
"So. Nothing exciting happen lately?"
The feline nudged her, pressing down until Sienna finally brushed her toes.
"L...ike what? I've been gone for a week."
"So no."
The woman let go and she let out a sigh of relief.
"You're stiff today."
Sienna exhaled, flashing a cheeky grin. "Heh, I'm always stiff."
"Alright, that's enough."
They moved through a few more stretches in rhythm—stretching their arms overhead, twists their bodies into pretzels, then standing up for a few more. Light swear began to accumulate on them, slowly rolling down their bodies.
"So—" She said casually, adjusting Sienna's stance a little. "Did you ever fix that leaky sink, or is it still winning?"
"I've accepted defeat so Ike called someone to fix it."
"Woww~ look at little ol' you, pushing your pride aside for the greater good~"
Sienna pushed her head back and knocked on the felines nose.
They moved through another set of stretches, their conversation moving the way it always did—nothing of note, just weekly gossip.
"Oh. Did you hear about Rachie?"
Sienna paused mid breath, arching her spine over the foam roller, looking to her right, where her partner was doing the same.
"Mae…whut?"
"She got engaged. Like—actually. Ring, crying, the whole thing."
"Rachie?"
"Mmhm."
She said nothing. Just adjusting herself, moving once the break was over.
"Congrats to her, I guess."
"What about you—do you ever see yourself getting married?"
Mae's face planted itself in her view, showing a soft smile, riffled with sweat sticking to the skin.
"Mhmm…nah. I think I'd rather keep moving—like when I was younger, y'know?" Sienna smiled, a glow in her beany eyes. "Heh, I used to jump five feet easy!...didn't worry about anything back then. I'd rather travel. Do stuff."
"And what's stopping you now?"
Mae stood up, and Sienna's expression dimmed just a touch. She waited a moment before answering, lifting both her gaze and her hands together, her sleeve sliding back just a nudge.
"...work."
Her hand, wrapped in white and tan band aids.
Sienna pushed herself up. They didn't stop there.
The two of them worked through a few more stretches until an alarm chimed softly in the background. They switched positions, mirroring each other, then finished with a long forward fold.
When Mae finally stepped back, Sienna straightened with a low groan, rolling her neck from side to side.
"…much better."
"Right?" Mae said, already reaching for a towel. "Go shower, I'll clean up a bit."
Sienna nodded and grabbed her things, padding down the short hall to the bathroom.
Closing the door, she turned on the shower to her preferred temperature while steam began to fill the bathroom moments later, the rush of running water drowned out the whirling fan before stripping herself of the damp clothes.
Like a strip of static film, the moment skipped forward and back, repeating—until fifteen minutes slipped by.
"Hwah, I feel so light."
She rummaged through her bag, pulling out her regular clothes and setting them on the counter. After drying her hair a little more, she slipped them on un unhurriedly.
Inside the small studio, Mae was drinking bottled water.
"Thanks for the shower. I feel way better."
Mae paused, glancing her over.
"What is it?"
"I'll be heading out soon. We're going on a trip, so we won't see each other for some time."
Sienna said, leaning on the wall.
"Where ya going?"
"My homeland."
"Gasp! You have one? You never really talked about it."
She rolled her eyes, coughing into her hand.
"'Cause I don't remember much, not even my own parents." Looking away, she raised her hand a little.
They lingered a while after, gossiping a healthy amount. Nothing much really—just loose thoughts passed back and forth.
"Anyway. Thanks again."
At the door, they said their goodbyes. Sienna snapped her fingers at Mae, her account losing an insignificant amount.
Taking a step back, when she turned around to step off—she was already walking to her own front door.
The drive blurred into repetition, streets folding over themselves into a single drop.
With her bag in hand, she pulled out her keys and unlocked the door, swapping her shoes for a pair of fluffy slippers.
Passing through the entryway and being greeted by a short stone wall. The greenery clinging to it pleased her eyes, she took a right and cut through the pantry, and past the living room.
Already in her room, she dropped her bag onto the bed. Unzipping it and taking out her clothes, in a few frames, she was loading them into an empty washing machine, adding detergent and starting the washing cycle.
Satisfied, she left the laundry room and turned right, heading straight into the small lounge. She threw herself right into the bean bag, sinking deep into it.
Once comfortable, Sienna glanced toward the shelves to her left, skimming the rows of books. She found one she liked and flicked her fingers in a lazy wave.
The book slipped free and sailed into her grasp.
Flipping through the first few pages, she began to read. The words passed easily enough, though the plot barely mattered much—her mind wandered outside these walls, searching for answer.
She cast a glance toward the small speaker perched on the desk.
beep.
The speaker played music before it switched to something else entirely, a soothing melody replaced the dull astrosphere.