The Ghosts in the Meadow [Ehefra / Julia]

A chuckle wafted out of the bedroom.

“Kinda depends if you’re getting lost in a metaphorical or in a literal way, I guess. And besides, I’m not myself if I don’t get my daily vanilla spice latte.”

Immediately after these words Julia’s head, adorned with a big grin, popped out of the bedroom door.

“That was a joke, by the way.”

She disappeared again and for a few moments Ehefra could hear some drawers and wardrobe doors being opened and closed. Julia was putting together some clean clothes for herself, an oversize t-shirt for Ehefra to sleep in, if she wanted it, and some towels, if her guest wanted to freshen up herself. Pillows and blankets weren’t necessary, the lounge area in Julia’s living room offered enough of both. Actually even more than her bed, which only had one large blanket and two pillows. In fact Julia slept on her couch (i.e. the matresses and pillows etc. that covered that corner of her living room) quite often because she found it incredibly comfy.

While she went through her wardrobe she kept thinking about getting lost. It reminded her of her first days here in Japan. How lost she felt back then. How alone and small. Her neighbour, this sweet old lady, had no small part in helping Julia settling in. She was also one of the reasons Julia felt so obligated to at least try and keep her neighbourhood safe.

“Hey,” Julia said a few minutes later when she re-emerged from her bedroom. She had a small stack of towels with the t-shirt on top in her arms. Other than that she was only in her underwear.

“Imma grab a shower. You can, too, if you want. I have some fresh towels for that here. And a comfy t-shirt for the night if you wanna get out of your clothes and not run around stark naked. But anyway, just feel at home, it’s just us girls here. Oh, and don’t worry, of course I don’t mind. Wouldn’t have offered it if I did.”

Julia grinned and put the small stack of fabric down for Ehefra. Then she disappeared into the bathroom and not long after the rushing of water could be heard.
In the bath the blonde girl was smiling into the hot water. One reason was that it felt really good to shower. It always did. Water was a nice thing and felt good on her skin and not even the space whale with his deadly water had changed that.
The other reason was Ehefra crashing at her place. It was like…like a sleepover. Only that this time it was someone she had chosen by herself, and offered it without asking anyone for permission. It felt like just another step towards self-determination and independence. Julia also liked Ehefra. They seemed to have a lot in common. Well, maybe not in the sense of similar personalities, but at the very least Ehefra knew what it was like to be a runaway.