Downtown was unusually busy that afternoon, or maybe I thought so because I seldomly came out. Privacy and solitude were all that mattered to me, plus I hated being around people too, their attitudes and insecurities irked. Alas, it turned out that the preparations for the Bald Slope Annual Festival had begun. The celebrations usually preceded the Christmas season and it involved a long trek down the narrow slope which led out of town, where the locals then gathered together at the Bottom forage and hugged, kissed each other with tears in their eyes like survivors of a plague.
A Bald Slope logo hung in the air, at the center of the town square which proved to be the starting point of the trek. The locals filled up the dense space, dancing to live music and feeding on pistachios - thereby making it difficult for me to find a space to park.
"Shit!" I cursed, then banged the steering wheel when the rear edge of Cuba - my sleek new sedan hits a brick wall. I got out quickly to check the damage, running a finger over the dent.
Now, I really wanted to chop Carter's head off.
A loud horn blared from behind, forcing me to look up. Cuba was blocking the courthouse entrance and there were at least twelve car owners behind, ready to murder me. I apologized as I got back in and managed to get it out of the way - finding a small space between a Cadillac and a Corolla, which I squeezed into.
The fuss clears as I hurried across the cavernous pink rotunda that smelt of spice and ice, drowning out the incessant glares and curses. It looked like a small shop from a distance with two glass pastry cases filled with cakes and grilled meat. A sandwich counter at a corner and two small round tables. There was no one as I approached.
"Y'ello?" I craned my neck into the darkroom behind the counter, then checked my watch anxiously.
"How many times must I tell you that it's over! Go away, I don't love you anymore!!" a manly voice yelled from within.
"Excuse me?" I asked - surprised.
A mass of unruly long black hair peeked out of the doorway, belonging to a well-crafted face with eyes so green..... like Carter... what?! No Carter.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Just having a bad day, how may I help you?" he asked in a much softer tone, stepping away from the darkness to reveal a stunning body. I blinked, recognizing him to be the good looking waiter from the other night.
"You work here also?" I asked, then took note of the hot sweat dripping onto my cloth from my forehead.
My mouth instantly goes dry when he squints his eyes again - his memory unfurling. "Oh, it's you." he pushed his hair back in one swift motion.
He closed the distance between us, pulling up a hand to my face. I stood still - rooted, wondering what he was about to do. His fingers brushed against my locks. "Now there goes a face,"
I found my voice at last. "Er... Personal space?"
How smooth of you Carlie.
"What?" his brows drew together in confusion.
"Tuna..." I say weakly, fazed by how close he was. "I need a tuna sandwich, Wrapped."
"Right," he stepped away from me, back into the darkened room leaving me to breathe in chaos. I fan myself anxiously with my palms. Seriously, what went on just now?
He came back with a paper bag. "Here you go."
I reached out to it slowly, extra careful not to brush fingers with him. The brute latches onto my wrist emitting a yelp then drew me forward to him.
I swallowed harder than I'd ever done, way harder. He scratched the back of his neck for a moment elongating the awkward silence.
If someone were to see us right now...
"Er...do you.. have a girlfriend?" he pops the question bluntly breaking into a nervous smile. My face goes hot at this, cheeks flushed.
He DID NOT just ask me that!!
Well, Carl, it's not like you didn't hope for this yourself. A voice whispers in my head.
But what about Charlie?
Pfft, you're dumb if you think things are gonna change between you both. Besides, has he given you a call since yesterday? Do you think he's thinking about you right now??
His low key laughter sifts me back to reality. "I'm sorry. It's just that the lady - "
"No," I cut him off, my guts squeezing at that very thought. "Anita and I are not together."
"Well, I never said you both were. She actually came here a few hours ago, telling me to go for you."
I took a step back in awe. "Anita was here?...to tell you that?"
Ugh, why does everyone in my life try to play cupid at some point?
He nodded fervently, his long silky hair bouncing. "She's a really great person," then his hand tugged at his back pocket, pulling forth a yellow legal pad. "Do you suppose we could - "
"There you are! I didn't expect to find you here." Sidney's high tone chirp caused us both to turn. She reached us now, her eyes shimmering all over the waiter guy. "Oh hi," she gave him a small wave, wriggling her brows at me.
"Hey," he beamed
She nudged my sides with her left elbow. "Whoa. He's hot!"
Even though it was a whisper, it was discreetly audible enough for him to hear.
"Thanks," he winked then his gaze fell on me intently.
Sidney colored.
A slight tug pitches it's way up my stomach. I glanced around, my eyes settling on Charlie who approached us - his eyes met mine, locking momentarily in a sort of blurry recognition. My heartbeat picked up faster when he fell into place beside Sidney, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Hey Carlie, hey Fred."
I averted my eyes down, feeling placed in a fix. He's gotten back with Sidney. They're together now. I fought hard to ignore the lump brewing in my throat.
"Where have you been all day?" The waiter - Fred asked, curious.
"Helping around," Charlie shrugged gesturing to a group of squealing college kids holding up balloons. "And then she came over and we headed out together for lunch."
"Lunch huh?" Fred states - smug.
Sidney glowed deep rep, like spiked wine. A shy smile stained her lips. "Nothing happened,"
Seems to me that someone has a guilty conscience.
"Great," I remarked in a flurry, taking hold of the pen and pad Fred held out. I scribbled my name and residence down, then handed it over back to him. I don't know what I'm doing, but I hope it isn't wrong.
He perused through it for a minute, his features brightening. "Alright, how about I come to pick you up tomorrow? Seven-thirty?"
"That'd be marvelous." I smile - catching Charlie's brooding eyes that flashed with a wilting emotion. He lowered his head to his shoes.
"Great," Fred chirped.
I watched him head back inside and whirled around to a smirking Sidney. "Smooth."
I swatted her arm. "Get out of town,"
"Oh no, you get out of town. With him obviously. So it's a date then? Oh my god, my rainbow bunny's having his very first date!" she gagged. "Shall I help with the makeup then?"
"You're nuts. Don't you dare touch me," my eyes shifted to the side to see Charlie's hunched back, his footsteps fading in the distance. He never looked back. Not once, then slowly he rounded the curb and disappeared.
He's okay with it? Does he agree to it?? For me to be off with another boy?
My chest ached, I drowned out Sidney's chatters of how the afternoon went, discreetly holding up my sleeves to wipe the tender teardrops away.