Strange Noises Fiction by Rachel Greenham

Jeoda wakes up in the evening. The sun sets and the city cools and expands and comes alive. I watch from my bedroom window as the lamps come on one by one; red, blue, purple, green, pink. The sky is darkening blue, striated with pink clouds at high altitude. The door behind me opens. "Sure you don't want to come?" Sam asks. "No, I'm fine babysitting." I was never one for going out pubbing or clubbing or whatever before, and that hasn't really changed when I'm not being paid to play music, which I haven't been since Denhall. "Jalsone can do that." "I know. I want to." I turn around and stop. "Are you wearing make-up?" "Wasn't my idea! They ganged up on me!" "Yeah, right." "It's true. Chirasel said she wasn't going to dance with me if I didn't, and then Beni joined in and---" "Yeah yeah." I mime a talking sock-puppet with my hand. "It's about time. You look lovely. Go on." Actually what I don't say is that it's a weird combination having the make-up with the black leather leggings and the oversize white tunic and the black waistcoat-type thing and all the jewellery... Sam grins. "’Suti's got the baby. Little ones are playing in the hall. I said you'd tell them a new story after supper." "You said _what?_" Sam grins again and makes her escape. "Why'd you even ask if I wanted to go with you then?" I yell after her belatedly. "Bitch."