Chapter Text
3:38 A.M.
Incoming call.
Incoming call?
This couldn't be a good thing. Alpha could hardly think of any reason for a call this late that doesn't end in some kind of disaster. He had to answer.
3:39 A.M.
Ongoing call.
"Hello? Are you okay? What's happening? Where are y–"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I know it's late," Aisha's voice reverberated from the receiver. "I'm not in trouble. I just wanted to talk."
A pause.
"...Please don't be mad. I just– I can't sleep, and I couldn't think of anyone else that would answer this late. I tried calling Kimberly but she didn't pick up. The guys are busy with other stuff, I already knew that. So if you aren't busy…"
Another pause, from the other end this time.
"Alpha?"
"It's okay. I'm never busy this time of night. What did you want to talk about?"
"It's stupid."
"Stupid? How?"
"It's just school stuff. I know I have bigger problems in my life, so it's dumb, but there's this test coming up, and I feel like something is going to happen that'll mess the whole thing up. I've been studying for it, but you know how stuff is. What if Rita messes stuff up?"
"You're worried about Rita messing up a… test? Not destroying the town. But your opportunity to take a test."
"I said it was dumb, okay?"
"You did say that. I just don't think I understand."
Aisha sighed heavily, enough so that Alpha could hear it through the speaker.
"I can't do anything anymore without being afraid something might happen. My entire life is centered around waiting for the next disaster to happen. My parents don't even know. They want me to be a straight A student. How am I supposed to explain this to them?"
"I wouldn't recommend explaining this to anyone," and the realization hit. Painfully. "You… can't explain this to anyone but me. Is that why you went to me?"
"I'm sorry. I know the communicators are for emergencies only. Only for the important stuff, at least."
"As worrying as it was to receive a call so late, and as much as I do not ever want you to do this again without warning, I would never say that this conversation isn't important. If you have to talk to someone then that is what you have to do."
"But this isn't important. I'm not hurt or anything."
"Incorrect."
"But–"
"You are hurt. On the inside. Emotionally. Is that not right?"
"I…"
"I'm sorry that you had to come to me. I'm not well equipped for this."
"It's okay, I know. I’m sorry, again.”
"Oh, stop apologizing. Your emotions are important. You can keep talking. I promise, I’ll listen."
He could hear a shaky breath come through, but that was between him and whatever may be out there listening. He knew she was crying, but he didn’t have to bring that up if she didn’t.
"I'm just scared that something awful will happen all the time. It gets really tiring, but I signed up for this. It's what we have to do, and I wouldn't want to give up getting to do all the things I do. Still. I just want to be a normal girl sometimes."
"Ah. I, too, wish I could be a normal girl."
Stifled laughter rang through.
"You're– You're not– Come on. You're not a girl."
"I could be."
"Yeah, sure. I don't think you'd want to be. Nobody ever takes us seriously."
"Oh, please. You don't know what I would give to be like you."
"... A girl? What?"
"Human."
"Oh. Wow, I'm stupid."
"You aren't stupid. Don't say things like that."
"Sorry, Alpha."
"It's okay. I just hate it when you lie."
"Sure."
"I mean it. You aren’t stupid. It’s late and you’re emotional. I’ve seen the things that you can do, and I know for a fact that you’re one of the smartest people I know.”
“Including Billy?”
“No, of course not. Including him would be unfair. That boy’s a genius.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard,” Aisha giggled to herself a bit. "So… I think I need to go to bed. I'm about to fall asleep."
"Please do. You need your rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Silence. He waited a minute or two, but no sound came.
“Did you fall asleep?”
More silence. He couldn’t help but think that it was a bit endearing that she passed out talking to him.
“Right. Goodnight then, rest well.”
4:01 A.M.
Call ended.