Chapter Text
London, the city of love!
Wait, no… That’s actually Paris, am I right? Well, then:
London, the city that never sleeps!
Hold on… I’m pretty sure that’s New York, isn’t it?
Alright, I got it. What about:
London! The city of…
…tea?
Okay, this isn’t working.
Who has even determined that these cities represent just a single thing? It's all just prejudice! Stereotypes that should be eradicated, as they limit everything a place can truly offer.
However, we once again find ourselves back at square one. Because… Why London among all the other cities someone could choose? The possibilities were endless, and yet, Enid Sinclair had been clear about it from the very beginning.
It's not as if she had spun a world globe some random day with her eyes closed and her finger had landed in the capital of England by pure chance. Enid had already set her sights on this city a long time ago. A true fan since she was a child, completely amazed by every fashion magazine she could get her hands on.
And as for the why, she no longer quite knew how to describe it in words. It wasn't just the beauty she had always thought the city held, or the great and attractive atmosphere that each street carried, but rather...the strange certainty of knowing that her destiny lay in that place and that place alone.
That it was there, and nowhere else, where she truly belonged.
The same thing happened with the vocation she ended up choosing. Enid had always been a girl with great social skills. Always involved in drama, keeping an eye on what was fashionable and what was out of trend. But above all, gossip. A social media expert from a very young age, she even had a blog in high school in which she documented every rumor and piece of news circulating around—which actually began to be considered the students' own newspaper!
It seemed almost written by destiny. And one day, she simply woke up and said: “I'm going to be a reporter in London!”
I know, it is a rather fanciful thought for a 14-year-old girl—the age at which she began to harbor that seemingly unattainable dream. But as Enid grew older, the feeling persisted. And then it was at 18 that she finally decided to study journalism at university, and then at 23, newly graduated, when it was almost inevitable that her next destination would be the one she had always had in mind.
After a flight of almost 12 hours—San Francisco wasn't exactly right around the corner—Enid couldn't beam with a happier smile. Not only has she reached her destination, but she could finally feel her legs working once again. Seriously, sitting for so long isn't for the faint of heart. If it hadn't been for the three extremely cheesy movies she had watched in the first half and the eight albums of her favorite k-pop group that she had listened to in the second, she surely wouldn't have survived. Or at least, the baby crying at her side wouldn't have…
Either way, here she was, with two massive, light-pink suitcases that contained the sum of her entire life, standing just a few meters from the exit doors of the crowded and busy Gatwick airport. She let out an excited squeal full of joy just as her phone began to ring all of a sudden.
The blonde didn't even have to look at the screen to know who it was.
“Yes Dad, I’m alive, don't worry.” she expressed with an uncontrollable giggle.
Her father, Murray Sinclair, although known as a calm man, was not one to find peace when it came to traveling by plane. Especially not when it involved his only daughter.
“Oh, thank goddess.” Enid could practically feel the weight of the great sigh of relief from her father on the other end of the line. Even so, his nerves didn't seem to calm down. “Did you get all your bags? Suitcase? Purse? Keys? Phone—?”
“Dad.” Enid interrupted, an incredulous but tender smile set on her face. “Calm down. I’m okay, alright? How do you think I'm calling you right now? Of course I’ve got everything with me.” Another laugh left her lips.
“Right! Right… Uhm, sorry kiddo. You know how I am about these things. I still don’t understand how something so big and heavy can travel through the air, honestly.”
“Mmh… Maths, I think?”
The blonde could make out certain young, energetic voices on the other end of the phone. Quick runs along with playful laughter that seemed to have no end. She had no doubt they were her younger brothers. Although, that phrase could be attributed to any of them; out of 5 siblings Enid was the oldest.
“Jayden! Vincent! Get down from there, you are gonna get hurt!” Murray yelled away from the receiver.
Enid's cheeks lifted with a new endearing smile. Anyone could fall victim to her father's nerves in the face of any kind of danger.
“Sorry, sweetie. Your siblings have climbed back up onto the fridge.” Murray sighed, coming back to the call.
Being able to hear the familiar surroundings so close, yet knowing she was incredibly far away, made her feel a strange but warm ache in her chest. She had only been in her new life for an hour and she already felt homesick. Come on Enid, don’t you get emotional now, girl! She encourages herself as she tries to hold back some ugly tears.
“Anyway, are you sure you don't need anything? You know you can ask for money if—”
“Don’t,” she said firmly. “Don’t you even dare. I swear.”
“But, Enid—”
“No, Dad. We’ve already discussed this!”
Likewise, not everything can be achieved simply by wishing for it. Enid hadn’t been working her ass off ever since she started her degree for nothing. Everything she had done up to now, everything she had fought for, had been to get to this point.
The jobs weren’t particularly glamorous—varying between dog walking, babysitting, or, if she was lucky enough, working as a waitress in a local café during the summer. She wouldn’t lie if asked, it had been exhausting and stressful at times. After all, she needed to balance it with her tight academic routine, and the extra hours often took their toll. But she had pushed through and saved enough money to allow herself to take this big step.
“I'm going to do it myself, without help.” She stated firmly once again.
“I know, I know dear. I know. But… I wouldn’t want you to struggle. Just keep that in mind in case of any emergency. Okay?”
Enid snorted. “Oh, please… For you, burning your toast at breakfast is already an emergency, Dad.”
“How could it not be? It's a complete disgrace!” The comment made the blonde laugh, and Murray was satisfied with that. “Well, then… I will tell your mother you are doing fine. I know things have been a bit…tense, between you two. But you know how she is, don't hold it against her.”
Right. How could she forget?
It wasn't just the charm of the city that had drawn Enid to travel there, nor her dream of working for a successful magazine, nor even the silly illusion of experiencing a romance with some local boy. No, the reason shared its weight in a very different matter—as was generally the case with the vast majority of her decisions throughout her entire life.
It was no other than her own mother, Esther Sinclair.
A complete opposite of her father. She could be considered a woman of harsh words and a strong will. Many would think twice before telling her what they really think—most of the time it's better to remain silent, keep your head down and agree with everything she says. Yet, that’s an advice Enid refuses to follow, however convenient it may be for her.
The saying ultimately prevails above all else—like mother, like daughter. And it is for that very reason that Enid ends up being the only one who dares to stand up to her mother properly.
The argument had been one that seemed to have lasted for years. It could all be summed up as raised voices, disappointed sighs, and glances over one's shoulder.
“A freelance journalist? In London? Don’t be ridiculous, Enid. You'd starve to death in just a month.” Her mother's words haunted her mind like an annoying fly impossible to kill. Just thinking about it made her frown.
Not to mention that...bet.
Born from a competitive and unsatisfied impulse to prove her wrong. Enid didn't like to remember it.
“Let me know if anything comes up, alright?” Murray's voice finally cut in, pulling Enid out of that bitter memory. She wasn't there to see him, but she knew her father said that with a sympathetic smile on his face—not wanting to delve deeper into the complicated relationship between the two women.
At least one of her parents accepted her decision. It wasn't as if she would have made a different choice otherwise, but having his support was a massive relief.
“Thanks, Dad. I’ll text you once I arrive at the flat. ‘Kay? I love youuu.”
“Love you more, kiddo. Take care.”
Enid hung up the phone, and despite it being something that left a shiver running down her spine, she couldn't feel anything but a great surge of determination filling her entire body.
“You will see, mom…” She whispered to herself.
This was the beginning where she could finally take control of her own life and show the world (and especially her mother) that she could forge her own future on her own. What could possibly stand in her way?
“You’ve to be kidding me…”
Okay so…a lot of things were standing in her way, apparently. Or at least, on her way to her new apartment.
To begin with, just after leaving the airport and before she could sing "Hellooo Lond—!" a car drove right beside her, spilling a whole puddle all over her clothes. Welcome to England, I guess…
Then, she got lost. Completely disoriented among so many stations, buses and streets. Strange names she had never seen before. Like…what the hell was Elephant & Castle station? Was there some castle with an elephant inside or something like that…? That was what Enid wondered when she desperately tried to get her way around using Google Maps anyway.
Then, to make matters worse, it started to rain. Which made sense since the British city wasn’t known for its sunny days. And it was just a light drizzle—typical of September. Still, part of Enid couldn't help but feel frustrated once she saw the first drops begin to fall.
Either way, after three long and exasperating hours of running around in circles she finally reached her destination. Though, that didn't mean things improved, to say the least…
Her apartment was part of a four-story building that, even through numerous renovations, still looked quite old and daunting to anyone who saw it from the outside. The tales of the roof were dirty and the brown bricks from the walls struggled to avoid being eaten away by mold. However, ironically, this was the best option Enid could find among all the others available on the market.
The money saved over almost 4 years had been a considerable amount, but it didn't feel like enough when it came to living in London—a city that was brutally expensive for the most part. At least the neighborhood still retained the typical charm of a classic British street, just the way she liked it.
The building wasn't very different on the inside, maintaining the same timeworn appearance as its exterior. Although, there was something about all that weathered aesthetic that made it slightly comforting. The same affection you might feel for a worn-out plush toy. A new one would be nicer, but the first one will always be the most precious.
Still, that didn’t matter once Enid glanced at the stairs. Because another obstacle was getting in her way. And the worst one yet. Of course…
…there was no elevator.
Back to the present, Enid covered her face with both of her hands, absolutely defeated. I’m doomed. She groaned in her head.
But, no. That’s something past Enid would say. Not me! She uncovered her face with a new much more determined expression. What are just a few stairs, huh?
(37 minutes later…)
Okay, maybe there weren't that many stairs, but the weight of her suitcases certainly made them seem way more than there actually were.
Enid finally reached the top floor panting for air, back resting on a wall nearby and hair a mess. I shouldn't have skipped all those PE classes… She groaned after a deliberate pause to compose herself. Then she looked for the apartment key among the absolute mess inside her bag.
“Okay, 4B… 4B…” she murmured, searching for the assigned door.
In any case, she couldn’t really miss it; the hallway ended with a single window overlooking the street, and only two white doors facing each other, representing the only two apartments on that floor.
The agency had told her it would be the first one on the right, so Enid went straight towards it without a second thought. The jet lag from the trip was starting to sink in; she didn't have much energy left to think. But just arriving at the place she could call her own home vanished all the previous setbacks in an instant. Hope and motivation coursed through Enid’s veins like an electric surge, her characteristic smile once again gracing her face.
Standing in front of the door, Enid let out a sigh of relief at the thought that she could rest for a while at last. She just had to insert the key. Turn it. And…
…
Wait.
Why isn’t it…moving?
Enid tried again. She turned the key with all her might, forcing the mechanism to give way. But still, nothing happened. What the…? Was it stuck? Was the lock faulty? “Come on,” she muttered, twisting harder. Jerking the doorknob in different angles as if trying to find some probable old building quirk.
However, the metal didn't yield.
Frustration flared up in her chest. Her gaze now marked with a single objective. Okay, door, you asked for it! Enid gathered her strength and threw her weight against the wood, turning into a struggle that was repeated over and over again, in which each shove became more intense. Anyone who saw her might think she was fighting with the door itself.
“Open. Up. You stupid. Piece of—WHA!”
Oh. The door finally opened. And with it, Enid fell to the floor with a sharp squeal.
“Ow, ow, ow, ow…” A pained groan left her lips while writhing on the ground. The inertia had made the fall much more painful and her face had received most of the impact. Jeez, why do bad things always happen to me? She whined.
Well, at least she had managed to—
“Why are you pounding on my door like a rabid dog?”
…
…Huh?
Enid's eyes—which had been squeezed shut due to the sudden fall—opened abruptly at the sound of that voice. A stern, firm, and strangely dark tone observing her from above. She also noticed a pair of black leather boots positioned right in front of her face.
She hadn't forced the door open; someone else had opened it from the inside.
The blonde scrambled to her feet in the blink of an eye. “W-Wha-a—whe—W-Who are you?!” She exclaimed in fear, pointing at the presence as if it were a ghost. Although, when Enid was finally able to put a face to the unexpected stranger, she doubted for a moment if it really was one.
A girl who appeared to be the same age as her, stared with her arms crossed and a frown that screamed pure irritation. Her skin was a dull tan completely devoid of warmth, contrasting directly with her deep dark hair, which was gathered into two precise braids that rested on each of her shoulders, along with straight bangs that gave her a much more intimidating image. She was wearing high-waisted dress trousers and a fine-knit sweater with the hem tucked in. From head to toe, all her clothing was black, matching her eyes—threatening and sharp.
She was a little shorter than Enid—perhaps only by a few inches—but the difference in height was irrelevant given the sheer pressure she managed to project.
Anyone who saw her would think of a haunted Gothic doll—the kind that appears in horror movies and kills all the characters. Enid swallowed hard. Perhaps that was why the apartment had been so cheap. Maybe she is the next story in the newspaper.
“Take that finger away from my face unless you want to eat with a straw from now on.”
The order sent a shiver down Enid’s spine. Her hand withdrew in less than a second as an immediate reflex. Nevertheless, shortly afterwards, the offense and confusion returned to her as quickly as they had vanished. She took a breath, steeling herself with indignant courage.
“W-What—What are you doing in my house?”
“Your…house?”
“Yes! This is my apartment!”
The stranger reacted only with a slight flinch of her eyebrows. “Is it?” She asked, a sharp hint of sarcasm cutting through her tone, though Enid didn’t seem to catch it.
“What do you—of course it is! I've got the key right here! Look!” Enid shook the key like a bell.
The goth tilted her head ever so slightly, still maintaining the same impassive gaze. “How odd. I wasn’t aware this place was a circus.”
“A circus?”
“Well, given your attire I have no choice but to think that the only place you could be demanding entry to is nothing more than a ridiculous spectacle.”
Enid's lips fluctuated between open and closed, her eyelashes widening at such an offense. The blonde looked herself up and down. It was true that her outfit was far from simple or boring. But it's not like she was wearing a clown costume or anything like that, either. “What is wrong with my clothes…?” She whined. No matter how much of a stranger the other girl was, having your outfit mocked was nothing short of painful. Enid’s eyes focused on her again; her anger was beginning to boil over. “Are you making fun of me or something?”
The girl raised her chin, as if answering that question required her greatest of efforts. “That is not necessary. You are already doing an excellent job of making a fool of yourself.”
“Wha—Okay, what is your problem? Why are you being so rude? I could... I could report you, you know? Call the police for—trespassing!”
“I highly doubt that is the only crime I will be charged with once they get here.”
Enid narrowed her eyes, confused. Was that…a threat?
“I-I mean it!”
The goth simply sighed, closing her eyes. “You're beginning to bore me.”
“E-Excuse me?!”
Both their gazes met once again. “If for some reason a key fails to open a door, one should consider the possibility that it was never meant for that door to begin with. Don’t you agree?”
“…Huh?”
“I understand this may exceed the limits of your intellectual capabilities.”
“Huh?!”
“So consider this a courtesy. Or a warning—however you prefer. But, there will be no more from now on. Don’t disturb me again. Or I will ensure you never have the capacity to do so in the first place.”
SLAM!
The door closed in Enid's face with such force that the blonde was convinced the walls shook for a few seconds. Leaving her completely speechless in the middle of the hallway.
Okay, who the hell was…that?
“And she was in a good mood today.”
A humorous voice snapped her out of her shock. Enid turned to face it, only to find a tall boy on the other side of the hallway.
He was wearing a dark wool beanie that was covering almost his entire head, as well as a plaid shirt and baggy pants. Her friendly smile reassured Enid that he posed no threat—at least, far less than the girl before him had. Even so, the blonde was speechless, so bewildered by the previous interaction that her mouth remained blank.
The boy looked at her, puzzled but not in an uncomfortable way, rather in one of those moments when you can't help but smile at the strangeness of a scene.
“Umm… You're the new girl in 4B, right?” He asked, pausing for a moment to let Enid answer. But seeing that the blonde wasn’t replaying, he continued. “Your door is the one on the left.” He pointed with his index finger.
Enid blinked once. Then twice. And at the third blink she turned slowly to the place he was pointing at. Only then did she notice a small brass plaque on the wall next to the frame that read: 4B. Enid turned around again, an identical plaque on the parallel wall read: 4A. Confirming that, indeed, the apartment she had tried to enter was not hers.
“O-Oh god…” She breathed. “Oh my god, I’m—” Panic gripped her, looking at the boy with total haste, gripping her hair with one hand and covering her mouth with the other. “Oh my god, I’m so stupid!”
While dying of nerves and embarrassment, the other couldn't stop laughing. Approaching slowly as he offered his hand in a friendly handshake. “I'm Ajax, by the way.”
“Enid…” The blonde accepted his hand without hesitation. Her cheeks flushed from the shameful misunderstanding. “Gosh… I’m such a dumbass. The agency told me it would be this door, though I guess I’ve read it wrong, maybe? Ugh...” She whined. “I should apologize to her right away.”
“W-Wow, wait!” Before Enid could press the doorbell, Ajax stepped forward with his hands raised, his expression turning into one of full panic. “I wouldn't do that if I were you.”
Enid frowned, backing down a step. “Um, why?”
“Because…” he shrugged, moving his hands in the air as if trying to find the right explanation. “You wouldn’t like to mess with her, alright? When she tells you not to bother her anymore, you really don’t want to bother her anymore. Trust me.”
“Okay…?” Enid gave in with a confused smile. Part of her thought it was all just an over-the-top joke. The girl was rude, sure. But she had every reason to be; after all, it was Enid who had been in the wrong. “What is she? Some psychopathic serial killer or something?” She snorted.
But Ajax didn’t laugh. He stared in complete seriousness. Enid's smile faded.
“Just…try not to run into her on the stairs. Or…when you're taking out the trash. Or, when you’re collecting the mail. Or, actually—you know what? Just avoid eye contact as much as possible. Yeah.”
Enid frowned at the clear warning of danger. It was true that both the girl's voice and appearance carried a sign with a written “BEWARE” in capital, red letters. But even so, the blonde couldn't help but wonder about the reason for such a bad reputation. Should she be afraid? She was her neighbor, after all—two meters from her door, to be exact—and if the accusations were true, she wouldn't want to get on bad terms with someone like that. Who knows what that girl might do while she's asleep? Just thinking about it gave Enid the chills.
“...Do you think I’m dressing weird?” Enid asked all of a sudden.
“Come again?”
“It’s… It’s whatever. Anyway, thanks for letting me know. I just arrived in the city and…wow. It's as if everything had gone from bad to worse. Do you live here as well?”
“Yeah, I'm on the second floor. 2B. I wanted to introduce myself and say hello. You’ll like it here, it's a nice building. Except for… Well, y’know.” He muttered under his breath, glancing sideways at the clearly-not-Enid’s-door.
The girl let out a defeated sigh, but offered a grateful smile nonetheless. “Well, at least I know there's someone nice around here.”
Ajax's face seemed to light up as a silly smirk lifted his lips, his cheeks turning a light pink. “Y-Yeah! Of course, anytime. Uhm, feel free to ask me for anything at all. Really. I could…help you unpack or...”
“Oh no, that’s okay! I can manage on my own; don't worry. Thanks anyway though.”
Ajax nodded, pressing his lips together a bit shyly. “Great, then… I'll let you settle in. Pleasure to meet you, Enid.”
“You too, Ajax.”
By the time he disappeared down the stairs, Enid let out a sigh filled with a little bit of everything and nothing at the same time. She wasn’t quite sure why, it could be relief, frustration, shame that she still carried from before… But if she had to find one word that surpassed the others, it would be exhaustion.
Enid picked up her suitcases and took them to her side of the hallway. Then, she used the key in the door she had previously ignored. Sure enough, it opened with ease. Hah… A little more weight was added to the scales of her remorse.
Door ready to open, Enid couldn't wait to finally get into her apartment, and yet, she found herself looking back one last time, her gaze lingering on the stranger's door.
Something inside her was wondering something, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. The blonde shook her head and turned away.
What a weird girl…