Chapter Text
Zoya was going crazy. If she had to spend one more hour inside the office, she would probably end up quitting.
Her boss, mr. Morozova had probably taken the day to infernize her. She felt like he was totally ignoring the fact that she had actual work to do and could’t take new cases for the next few weeks.
The case she was currently working on, the Osborne case, was killing her. Marcus Osborne was being accused of murdering, and it was her job to prove the guy guilty, which was more difficult than she had imagined, because she didn’t have enough proof. That was the part Zoya hated most about this job: having to defend someone she thinks is guilty. And she couldn’t drop it now, or Morozova would fire her.
When she finally closed the search tab of her computer, it was already past six. If she was fast enough, she could still get the 6:30 train. Getting her things and heading to the elevator, she saw Matthias coming back from the restroom area and waved at him, who waved back. He worked there since before Zoya, and was the responsable for her getting a job there, but his shift only ended at 8pm.
On the elevator, Zoya got her phone and sent a message to her friends group chat, asking if they could have a girls night. Thank the saints it was friday. Alina was the first to reply, with a “ yes!!!” Genya sent an “ ordering the pizza” and Nina said she would bring the wine.
As she entered the train station, it was strangely empty. Usually, this time was the fuller the car would get. Today, though, there were only a few people. The usual old couple at the front, with their black leather jackets. the old man from walmart was there too; every single friday, he would be in the same spot, with the same blue shirt from the market and at least fours plastic bags.
Among the passengers, was the hot guy. Also known as hot guy from subway station and its variations. It’s been almost a year since Zoya first saw him, when she started working at Morozova’s. And since then, she sees him every day, in the same car. She doesn’t know his name; doesn’t know who he is. The only thing she knows about the guy is that she has a huge crush on him.
He is wearing his typical button shirt and black pants, with black shoes. His coat rests over his bag, and his red backpack is on his side. He doesn’t look at her, as usual, too busy reading a book. Who reads in the fucking subway?
Zoya has the theory he is a professor at Philadelphia’s University because of the clothes he uses - he really looks like a professor. Who has a formal bag and a backpack? -, but it’s just a theory. She could always ask Alina if she knows him, but she’s not sure if she wants to know.
When Zoya finally gets home, her friends are in the living room of the apartament she shares with Alina, and Gilmore Girls is playing on TV, which makes Zoya think Alina is forcing the other two to watch.
“Hello” she says, taking her coat off and hanging it with her keys.
“Hey you,” Nina says from her spot on the couch. “The pizza is on the counter.”
“Finally!” genya exclaims. “We can finally stop watching this.” She throws her arms up as she talks.
“Oh shut up,” Alina gently slaps at her. “You can just admit you love it.”
“Never.”
Nina and Zoya laugh as the latter sits in one of the armchairs.
Zoya and Alina met in highschool, but weren’t actually friends. They only became close when both of them moved from Mayfair, their born city, to Philadelphia, to study, and ended up becoming roommates, because both of them needed someone to live with.
They met Nina the first day living there. She lives upstairs with Matthias, her boyfriend, and the couple helped Zoya with the boxes. After that, their friendship only grew.
And then Genya and David came into picture, introduced by Nina and Matthias. Genya lives across the hall, and David in the apartment atop from her, across from Nina. Zoya stills believes they've had something in the past - feelings involved - but doesn't say anything. It’s a small building, so all of them became friends really fast.
Alina finally stops the show and hands Zoya a glass full of wine. “So…” She says. “My birthday is coming.” When she has all of her friends' attention, she goes on. “I was thinking about doing something, but I’m not sure.”
“You should throw a party.” Nina says.
“I don’t think we have time to plan a party. It’s literally tomorrow.” Zoya shakes her head. Of course they let the planning to the last hour. She doens't say she has a lot of work to do and it's not in the best mood to go to a party.
“Why don’t we go to Garage?” Genya asks. Garage Passyunk, or just Garage, is a bar not far from their builiding, and if Zoya’s right, the owner is kind of Alina’s friend. “Isn’t from one of your friends?”
“Jesper is not that of my friend, but yes” she says, considering the idea.
“You can call that Nikolai guy too. And whoever you’re friends with.” Zoya agrees with Nina.
“Wouldn’t you guys mind?” Alina asks. “Maybe he, Kaz and Inej can go. Wylan is probably going to be there anyway.”
“Of course not!” Zoya says. “It’s your birthday, and you should celebrate with your friends.” When Nina and Genya only confirm with their heads, Alina gets her phone. Zoya's own phone beeps as she sips her wine, just as Nina and Genya’s, and she knows Slina just sent a message to their groupchat with Matthias and David.
Later that night, when her friends are already gone and Alina is slepping, Zoya lets herself relax and tells herself she deserves a night out with her friends. Her job could wait until monday.