III: An Unlikely Change

"So, do you have any special skills, Steph?"

"I can cook a pretty good omelette!"

"How you have survived for this long is beyond me."

Kris and Steph were casually sitting on the table (after pushing all the rubbish aside), and Kris wanted to learn more about Steph as her temporary roommate. So far, Kris learned that Steph didn't have any "special skills" of any kind. Most of her skills come from tricking people and finding ways to bullshit her way through jobs. Though, Kris couldn't help the feeling Steph wasn't telling her the whole truth. In her mind, she couldn't fathom a person not having any skills or unique qualities at all.

There had to be something that she was hiding from her.

"Well, Steph, are there any other home life skills you have?" Kris looked like she was about to give up.

Steph sighed heavily. "Why are you making such a big deal out of having a skill? Can't I just be fun to please you?"

Ignoring that last question, Kris replied, "If we're going to live together, we have to find a way to make ends meet. We can't just live like this."

"You make it sound like I have to get a job."

"That's precisely what I'm saying."

Steph sighed again.

"At the very least, what would you want to do? I know you said you really don't have any hobbies or interest, but there has to be something you to do for a job. Actually, what was your job before? I remember you mentioned it earlier."

In a sombre expression, she only stated, "I would rather not talk about it. But have you ever had a job?"

"Of course. I won't have this flat if I didn't have some source of income."

"Well, Mrs. Experience, what jobs have you had?"

"Only basic ones. I've worked in restaurants, retail, cruise ships, and a clinic."

"You worked in a clinic?"

"An illegally one, if you count them."

"Oh, oh, you're a naughty girl."

Kris chuckled at that, but she couldn't shake off this strange feeling. She felt that she was giving more than receiving, and Kris needed to know more about Steph if they were to live with each other. Instead, she decided to go with another approach.

"Hey, Steph, how about we go to the bank to get that money to pay off the rent?"

"Sure, but why both of us together?" She replied confused.

"Well, I thought maybe we could go around town. If we're going to live together, the least we can do is hang out."

Steph didn't seem too thrilled. Although, she got up and headed her way to the door.

"I guess that would make sense. Plus, I need some new clothes. This suit is not as comfortable as I thought."

"Knew it."

"Shut it."

It was an unusually sunny day in Liverpool. The afternoon had already arrived, but it felt like a bright morning for Kris and Steph. They were disjointed from the crowd, with Steph, still in her suit, and Kris, sweating away in her hoodie. Neither had any form of transportation, yet Steph did have money on her person to pay for a bus ticket, at the very least.

People stared at Kris, mostly, but went back to their bus. Kris didn't mind nor cared for the attention. Instead, she was focused on what to do during their outing. She could take her to the cinema or park, but she had no idea what she would like. Kris started to realise how bad of an idea this was.

Steph, on the other hand, was having a lovely time.

She was humming famous nursery rhymes as the bus rode along.

In her head, Kris was playing a game on how many she could recognise but only knew "London Bridge is Falling Down."

Suddenly, the bus reached its stop.

"I'll wait for you outside. I need to have a smoke first."

"Alrighty." And Steph hummed and skipped to the doors of the bank.

Kris couldn't help but smile at her.

'Who knew this was the same person that so passionately wanted to die?'

As soon as Kris pulled out a cig, she heard Steph's voice inside.

"What do...? But it was.... Oh, yeah..."

She walked inside to see a heartbroken Steph and a receptionist trying her best to cheer her up.

"Ma'am, please, it will be alright."

Kris rushed inside and immediately asked, "What's wrong?"

"I forget... I spent all my money on this suit and..."

She looked at the receptionist and then back at Kris.

Somehow, Kris was able to understand what she meant.

Steph used her money on something related to her suicide.

She figured that out through an assumption because she had done the same thing. Even though she knew that no one would miss her, the least she could do was make her death as inconvenient as possible. I mean, suicide was the most inconvenient death one could do, but Kris didn't want that to be the case.

'It really seems like we're both very similar people. At least, in this particular aspect.'

"Come on, Steph, let's go somewhere more private."

People around them started to stare at the two young ladies.

A morbid curiosity that Kris could understand but hated.

Kris took Steph by the arm and practically dragged her out of the bank. Luckily, there was a park nearby where they could talk there. Even though they were out of the bank, Kris kept dragging Steph around. It didn't seem like Steph minded it. In fact, she seemed quite content being forced along like a dog on a leash.

The pair found a bench that was isolated from the whole park. It was surrounded by trees and brushes that any bystander wouldn't notice such a bench. The fact it was there felt strange to Kris, but she was glad to find some privacy in the open air.

Somehow, she loved breathing the fresh air the earth provided.

"I'm sorry." Steph mumbled.

Kris looked for Steph, finding her laying on her shoulder, sniffly.

Kris replied, "No worries."

"But we do have to worry. How are we going to pay your rent?"

"We'll figure it out somehow." Kris liked that she said, 'we.'

Steph moved slightly off Kris' right shoulder. She looked close to crying but held back.

"I just wanted to be useful to you. I'm tired of being this person that leeches off others."

"Y'know, I feel the same way, but I rather you leech off me."

Confused, Steph turned her head to Kris, "Why?"

"I used to have to do the same thing a lot back then. With all those jobs I had, I was always relying on others. If I didn't, well, I won't survive to the next day. And if I failed at what I had to do, it won't affect them that much."

"Hmm..."

The two sat in silence. They both stared off to the open field with families playing off in the distance. Couples were seen kissing and cuddling with each other. Kids were seen running around and spending their endless energy away. Kris started to feel that feeling she gets where she wished to feel that.

That human connection all those people were having.

She slightly moved her eye to Steph's face.

She was off staring into space, as she seemed to do.

'Why did I save this person? Why didn't I join them? Why didn't I end my life with them, falling off that building? It would have been so easy. Too easy, in fact. And all these feelings and worries would be gone. I would be in God knows where, doing God knows what, not having to worry about life any more. Yet, here I am, still kicking! For what?'

The more Kris attempted to push those thoughts out of her, the more they came rushing in.

"To have some love for once? To feel good about myself? To spend some time with this beautiful wreck of a person? Though she's just as messed up as me, so I shouldn't say that. But why, Kris, why did you do this to yourself? Huh, why Kris, why? You probably did it to feel good about yourself. I know, for such a pathetic person, you somehow became more despicable than I thought-"

"Kris. You're speaking out loud."

"What...?"

Before Kris could notice, she was speaking loud and clear. The words she had spilled out started to flood into her ears. She felt so embarrassed but ashamed those thoughts were out into the world.

Especially because that flood had entered that 'beautiful wreck of a person's right next to her.

"Though, I won't mind being called beautiful again."

"Fuck you."

"Ha-ha!" Steph chuckled, filled with glee.

Though, the laughter stopped as her face fell into a sombre look. "I'm sorry about the money. I really thought I had enough, but I just...didn't want to cause trouble for people."

Kris only nodded.

"How do you suppose we pay for your rent now?"

Kris looked up at the bright, clear sky.

"Well, the only thing we can do is get a job. Keep living, I suppose."

Steph groaned loudly, while Kris only snickered.

"That's really the only way to move forward, and," Kris said much softer, "To stay together."

Despite Kris' best efforts, Steph heard that. Instead of teasing her, she kindly asked, "Why do you want that?"

Kris turned her face towards Steph.

She didn't quite know how to answer that.

And that's when she realised something.

"Because of your special skill. That being, how I can't help but want to be with you. Though, it's more like, it's reassuring to know that I have someone with me now. I never really expected this change in my life, but I'm glad."

Kris said all of this with the most peaceful look on her face as if she was envisioning happiness for once in her life.

Steph smiled slightly. "I feel the same way. Just a bit, though. I still want to die and all, but, maybe I can spend a bit more time with you. Maybe ... even get a job."

"If that's all it took for you to get your lazy ass moving, I would have said that sooner."

"Though I will only get my 'lazy ass' moving if you call me beautiful again."

Kris blushed slightly, moving her face away in embarrassment.

She really regretted saying that now.

Especially with how much fun Steph was having teasing.

"Fine, fine, I'll say it."

"Then say it."

"G-Gimme a sec, it's not that easy."

"It was easy before, why not now?"

"You know why."

"I really don't"

"God, you're insufferable."

"That's not what I wanted to hearrrr." She grinned like a happy kid on Christmas.

"... You're beautiful."

"There we go!"

Steph jumped out off the bench, hopping up and down with great enthusiasm.

Though, she could see the slight blush on Steph's face.

Kris could get used to this. She still didn't think of Steph in any romantic way and wanted to keep to those beliefs still. But, Steph being with her, for however long, welcomed that sudden change.

But what Kris didn't welcome was the realisation that she now had to get a job.

Sadly, there was only one person she could rely on to do so.

Alas, that was for the future.

For now, Kris just wanted to see this grown adult, jumping like a child.

Although, the sight didn't last long.

Steph grabbed Kris' hand and rushed across the open field (ignoring the bushes and trees that they had to go through, Kris wasn't bothered by it), and she spun Kris around herself. People over them glanced for a moment and went back to their business. At that moment, it seemed only they existed in that park. All worries slipped away.

Only adrenaline and joy stayed.