Page 9 of Xavier

Three

Her

12 years ago

The bell hanging over the door dings as I enter the ice cream parlor two blocks from my high school. The walls, each painted a different color, are covered in faded posters of different types of sundaes and milkshakes.

“Hey, Malynda, I saved you a seat over here,” Randi calls over to me, waving me to her table. I wander over, pushing myself through the crowd. It’s only mid-April and already the temperature is in the high 70’s. The snow has long ago melted, spring has settled in early this year, and Mainers are taking advantage of the sun.

I drop my backpack onto of the pile of bags in the corner and flop down onto my seat.

“I didn’t think I’d see you,” Randi says, handing me a spoon and pushing her sundae over to me. It looks good. So good, I’m almost tempted to take a bite. But I know better. I promise myself, in one month I can have all the ice cream I want.

“Yeah, I was supposed to have an extra dance training session tonight, but my partner bailed.”

“Really? I thought he would’ve needed it even more than you.”

“That’s just it, I think he’s given up.”

I sink back into my seat thinking about Pierre, my partner for the contemporary dance I have planned for the end-of-year showcase. Until I have an acceptance letter to the college of my choice in my hand, I’m not giving up. I know recruiters are still roaming the schools, looking for their next class of freshmen.

Until I have that acceptance, I can’t let up. That includes no ice cream.

I reach for the bottle of water in my backpack, looking around. It’s 4 p.m. and there’s barely anyone here that I don’t recognize. The crowd is made up mostly of juniors and seniors from my school.

“Psst. Stalker, 3 o’clock,” I hear Randi’s voice whisper into my ear. I instantly turn my neck to the right. But I don’t see anything but groups of familiar faces.

“What? Where?” I crane my neck to the left.

“Oh, shit, he’s gone. A guy was seriously giving me creeper vibes, staring at us.”

“You think everyone’s staring at you,” I say, only slightly envious of her blue eyes and perfect pout.

“Yeah,” she grins, “but this time, I said us. You included.”

“Well, now I know you’re nuts. No one ever notices me when you’re around.”

“Shut up, you’re fucking beautiful. And your body looks like your Dad had sex with a cheetah. All sleek and gorgeous.”

“Ew. Thanks for that imagery.” I shake my head to clear it.

“Shush, there he is again!” she squeaks and points toward the counter.

I look up, just in time to see a pair of deep green eyes staring at me before the gap of talking heads closes in again, and they’re gone.

I feel like an entire bucket of ice water has just been dumped over my head; and I keep looking, hoping to catch another look at him.

“Creepy, huh?” Randi says, through a mouthful of ice cream and nuts.

“Um…” ‘Creepy’ wasn’t what I wasn’t the vibe I was getting. More like curious, intrigued.

“Do you know him from somewhere? Have you seen him around?” she asks, twirling her spoon in the air.

I don’t recognize him from anywhere. But he looked like he knew me. Intimately.

“Er, no.” I force myself to turn back towards her, keeping my voice light. “Do you?”

“Nope, but don’t worry, we’ll protect you. Right, guys?” Randi shouts to the group sitting around the table.