The streets were covered in darkness, with only the neon lights and passing headlights to part it. Passersby walked back and forward, of different ages, genders, and status. Regardless, all moved with their heads down as if to avoid bringing attention to themselves. Their steps upon the hard concrete created a rapid tapping.
Ire and Julia walked hand in hand, or in better terms, Julia dragged Ire along by her hand. Ire glared at Julia's face. She had had the same smile the entire silent walk. Not once had she stopped to turn back or even say anything. The two had been silent for well over thirty minutes.
Julia suddenly stopped, causing Ire to stagger forward. Ire looked past Julia to see they had stopped at a crossing in the street. The light across from them shone a bright red as cars passed.
Ire turned to look at Julia again—the same identical expression. It was as if she was carved out of stone. Ire's thoughts scrambled; she looked for anything she could say to break the silence.
The light across turned green, causing several cars to come to a stop. Right before Julia stepped forward, Ire spoke. "Why were you there? On the roof?"
Julia continued to walk, dragging Ire along, but this time she tilted her head down, touching her chin with her free hand before dropping it to speak. "I like to see the sights this city has. It wasn't just any building you chose to climb; it was the Cascade Apartment Complex. The tallest building in this city. You can see everything from there, don't you know?"
"I-I do," Ire responded. "I live there. I didn't really think about height when I chose it."
"You live there?" Julia briefly looked back. "As a student?"
Ire shook her head. "No, I live with a roommate. He's the one that pays the rent; I just help around the house."
"Got yourself a comfortable home with a husband," Julia teased.
Ire sped up their walk to be next to Julia. "No, that's not what we're like. I barely ever see him since he works all throughout the day."
Julia suddenly stopped. Ire looked ahead, expecting another crossing, only to see the sidewalk go onwards. She looked toward Julia. "Why did we stop?"
Julia pointed to their right, prompting Ire to look. They had stopped right next to a building, its exterior slick and grandiose with arches at its top. The warm orange light from the inside covered her face, passing through stained glass. Its interior was decorated with multiple sets of chairs and tables, with potted plants and paintings arrayed against the walls. A group of waiters clad in suits walked back and forth, cleaning and preparing tables.
A dark brown door stood at the center of the exterior. Julia brought Ire toward the door and opened it, the two of them taking a step inside. Ire looked around astonished. Julia let out a small giggle. "Have you never been to a place like this before?"
"Not even once," Ire responded. "I didn't think you meant a place like this."
After looking around, Ire noticed the lack of customers in the store; not even one was present. "Are you sure it's even open? There's nobody here."
Julia let go of Ire's hand to pat her clothes down. "That's because I booked it."
Ire paused, not believing what she heard. She waited for Julia to say she was joking. Julia sighed. "Don't you know your doubt is oh so hurtful?"
"How could you afford this?" Ire said. "You booked an entire restaurant."
One of the waiters made their way to the two. They quickly bowed before speaking. "Good evening, ma'am. Please, take any seat you like."
Julia pointed toward a table with two chairs next to the window. "Those two will be fine."
Julia and the waiter made their way to the table. Ire frantically followed behind. Julia and Ire took a seat at the table. The waiter placed two black binders in front of each of them before bowing once more. "Please call me over when you want to order."
Julia nodded before opening the binder in front of her. The waiter walked away from the table, giving them distance. Ire looked at Julia as she flipped through pages, leaving her own binder untouched. Julia briefly glanced up and spotted her. "You can order, I'll be paying."
"How much can I get?" Ire inquired.
Julia paused for a moment before answering. "A maximum of one thousand."
"One thousand!" Ire said, accidentally raising her voice and standing up. She sat back in her seat and cleared her throat before speaking. "How well off are you? How do you have this much money?"
"Hmm, I won't tell you," Julia said, returning to her binder. "We're here to talk about you."
Ire looked down at her hands. "It's a bit of a long story."
"Then let's order first." Julia snapped her fingers. The same waiter from before quickly rushed toward their table. From their pocket, they took out a small notepad and pen. "What would you like to eat?"
Julia placed her menu on the table. "Could I have some tagliatelle as well as steak?"
"How would you like your steak?" the waiter asked.
Julia answered, "Medium rare."
The waiter turned to look toward Ire. "And what would you like, sir?"
Ire spoke. "Actually, I'm a—"
"She'll have the same," Julia interjected. "And could you bring two glasses of wine and—"
Julia briefly looked at Ire. "Actually, could you make one water?"
"Will that be all?" the waiter asked.
Julia nodded. The waiter quickly noted everything down onto their notepad. "Your food will be ready shortly."
The waiter quickly ran off. Julia turned her focus to Ire. She crossed her legs and leaned forward on the table. "Now why don't you tell me how you got here?"
Ire was nervous, her body was shaking at the thought of it. Julia tapped her finger on the table, bringing Ire back to her senses. Julia spoke "Why does it matter? You'll never meet me again , especially if you throw yourself off that roof after this. Your station can't get much worse can it?"
"I d-dont want to bother you" Ire faltered. Julia smiled "But I want to be bothered. Im so curious, wont you be a doll and tell me"
Ire took a deep breath in. She closed her eyes and slowed her breathing. Her heartbeat slowed down and the nausea retreated. Ire opened her eyes and looked Julia in the eye and opened her mouth.
"I hate my life. That's not some hyperbole or me being melodramatic; I actually despise my life… where do I start? My parents, I guess. My mother was killed by my father in a fit of drunk rage before I hit the age of ten. I grew up with my older brother. I ruined everything for him. He had dreams, he was smart, but now he had to care for someone like me. He was miserable. Every single time he saw me, he looked like he was about to die. Once I was fifteen, I started working a part-time job, and at said job I met Aster. He's the guy I live with. He heard my situation and offered me a place until I could get on my feet, but by the looks of it, I won't ever. I'm barely able to afford food, let alone a place to live."
"He's a good person," Julia claimed. "What about your school life, surely you have friends to talk to"
Ire spoke quietly "… school. I'm doing alright, if not a bit above average, but I don't really have any friends or people I really like to talk to, and I— I— there's these— I met, sorry, the w-the words aren't— they're not coming out."
Ire was shaking; her voice was faltering and her tone prone to break. Julia spoke "take your time, plan it out"
Ire slowly calmed her breathing until it stopped. She took another breath and composed herself.
"There was a group of classmates, four or so. They would— they torment me every day with no rest. Every day I have no choice but to endure them. They're bigger than me and people like them more, and my school won't even do anything. It's just hopeless. My life is a hell with no end in sight. I don't have anything to aspire towards and no dream to make real. I'm— it's hopeless."
"Why today?" Julia questioned. "These problems have been around for a while. You got this far, why give in now?"
Ire hesitated before speaking. "Today was the straw that broke the camel's back."
Julia said, "Tell me about it. What happened on your final day?"
"Julia, why do you want to know?" Ire inquired.
Julia sighed, reeling back into her seat and regaining a professional posture. "I want to help you, but right now, I am none the wiser. I want to make you smile. Won't you let me?"
Ire paused before nodding. "Alright… I'll tell you. I'll tell you what he did"