Chapter 2 Before the storm

Three months ago.... Sunday morning hits at five sharp. Nyx dragged herself out of bed stretching her hands to kill the alarm on her bed light stand. The night light flickered on and she turned it off immediately. With the water bill unpaid she knew a shower wasn't an option but she desperately needed the coffee shop wifi to get moving so she stepped out into the milling morning air, walking over to the cafe across the street where Sophia works. As nyx came in and pulled a chair, Sophia noticed her and went and sat on a chair at the same table.

Sophia crinkled her nose and leaned back slightly. "Are you now enemies with the shower?". "The water got cut, don't have a penny for the bills so yeah". As she carried out papers from her backpack. " What are you working on,Miss Sherlocks?". Sophia joked,her tone dripping with sarcasm. Nyx groaned, resting her chin on her hands. "At this point, I'll book a therapy session because of the way you're verbally abusing me". They both giggled but the mood didn't last. "I'm thinking of bringing about my dad's case. I've been having these weird dreams and for the past week,I swear I'm seeing him". "Oh, like a vision huh" Sophia interrupted, giggling after. "I'm being serious," Nyx said with a faint smile on her face. "The only real memory I have of my dad was when he took his working bag and told my mum goodbye right before she passed".

Sophia nodded sympathetically. "Okay no problem. Can you come to my house for some drinks later today?" Nyx shook her head pulling out her laptop. "Oh no. I'm going to meet Jax,he said I had to come get something from him. He said it was really Important. And I also need some new data base stuff." Sophia sighed looking at her best friend. " You work too hard. What about that scholarship for the state University? I literally can't go another semester without you with me in school" . Nyx beamed. "Oh yeah, surprise, surprise,I got the scholarship". Sophia jolted with joy, thrilled for her friend "that's wonderful. Congratulations!!!". Let me get you a coffee to celebrate,then you come to my place after meeting up with Jax so you can take a bath,you don't have to pay for the water there".

Nyx laughed, rolling her eyes playfully. " Oh so after today, I'll have to pay for water in your house now?. Sophia laughed and tapped the rim of Nyx's cup. "Hey inflation is hitting everyone,even best friends I might even let you use my new body wash". Nyx laughed and agreed then Sophia left to attend table 6 as a customer there needed her assistance.

After some hours,Nyx packed up her laptop and left to meet Jax. He leaned against his desk, giving her a pointed look. "You wasted time, Nyx. I've been waiting for hours. What took you so long". Nyx shrugged "I'm sorry,you know how it is when I meet Sophia". Jax shook his head through a faint smile and touched his face. "You're so unserious sometimes even if you do work hard". They dove into technical discussions. Nyx requested a specific prototype for her investigative work and the things Jax told her to come get. Jax wrapped the gadgets then put it into a bag together with the documents he told her about. "By the way, I saw some info on that University scholarship". Nyx beamed. " Oh yeah, I got in". Jax broke into a wide grimace. " We need to go to the bar later to celebrate". "I can't. It's girls night at Sophia's" Nyx said.

Later that evening, unwinding on Sophia's couch, Sophia brought up the morning session. "Are you going to admit you were trying to impress Jax, or are we sticking to the database story". Nyx groaned into a pillow playfully. "Really Sophia?, why would you say that". "Right,right. Because any girl always gets super detailed about database systems at five in the morning for just anyone". Sophia teased nudging her. "Look, you have the looks, the brains, and you're just here playing detective. If anyone should have top tier confidence in love and life, it's definitely going to be you". Nyx felt her cheeks burn a little, but a real laugh escaped her. "Confidence in digging up old secrets?Sure. Confidence in flirting and being all lovey dovey? Absolutely zero". " That's why you have me, silly". Sophia said dramatically, putting her right palm over her heart. "Love class 101, don't mention data servers on a date". They both burst out laughing as they ended the night being drunk and sleeping off.