Page 16 of You + Me – Against the World

Night has now fully fallen, and the fishermen have deserted the far end of the pier where they usually set up. We lean side by side against the worn railing, brushing against each other, still not speaking. The fluorescent lights of the Ferris wheel reflect in the water, and the view of the Pacific Ocean takes my breath way.

Or maybe I just find it hard to breathe with Vadim beside me.

The sea breeze makes me shiver. I regret not taking that damn sweater.

Vadim tosses a candy into his mouth before offering me the packet. Then, he finally breaks the silence. “Did you know this is where they shot some scenes for Titanic? And Forrest Gump, too. When he buys a shrimping boat with his war buddy… You know, that guy who’s a bit slow.”

“Bubba. I love that movie.”

“Have you seen it more times than Titanic?” Vadim smiles.

“Only once, both of them. I guess you’ve seen them, too.”

“You might be surprised to hear it, but I don’t think those films are lame.”

“Arcadi, what’s gotten into you?! You actually like things now?”

“I like the ocean. I like simple-minded people; I envy them. And I love Skittles!”

I slip my fingers into the bag of candy he’s holding out, but I can’t seem to grab a single one. I suspect Vadim is clenching his fist to stop me. He watches me struggle as I watch him tease me, and then disaster strikes. I shove my hand into his through the wrapper. He lets go, and the colorful candies fly in every direction before falling into the water. It’s almost beautiful.

“You let go!” I cry out.

“You made me drop them!”

“That’s what you wanted, isn’t it?”

“At least I got to eat one.”

The insolent asshole watches me, an infuriatingly charming smile plastered across his face. I console myself by taking a few sips of my drink.

“Are you okay with a straw, or do you want me to hold your cup?”

“I don’t know what’s keeping me from throwing it in your face.”

“I don’t know either. Do you dare?” he says challengingly.

I hesitate for a split second. A split second too long.

“So, Tom Hanks or Leonardo DiCaprio?”

“Hanks. I don’t even need to think about it,” I mutter.

“He’s at least sixty years old!”

“At least he doesn’t hook up with girls half his age. And you didn’t specify in what sense.”

“Well, you’d hook up with Abrams, so that makes sense!”

“Also no. But apparently if you’re not a hundred percent devoted to Vadim Arcadi, it means you want to hook up with the entire world!”

“Oh, so you want to hook up with Vadim Arcadi, too?” He widens his beautiful eyes, feigning innocence.

“Not in a million years!”

“So, would you rather die or sleep with Abrams?”

“Die… No, actually I’ll take Abrams; it can’t be that bad.”