Page 8 of Fervency Love

“That one spot. You’ll see.”

She raises her head to look at me.

“You weren’t there,” she says after a moment. My hands are sweaty. What do I say to that?

“Yeah, tough week.” I hope that’s enough. In vain.

“What happened? What made the week so tough?”

“Abbs, if it’s all the same to you, I’d rather not talk about it.”

“Sure, sorry I asked. I just…” She breaks off.

“Just what?” I ask, a bit colder than I should have.

“I was wondering,” she replies, blushing. Something’s bothering her.

“About what?”

“If something happened or you were just ghosting me,” she says, giggling with feigned reproach, her cheeks growing redder by the moment. How is it that she can be so bold and confident, at the same time looking something completely different?

What am I supposed to tell her now? I can’t reveal that I got scared of the power she was developing over me.

“What, you missed me?” I retort with a smirk, deftly avoiding a real answer.

“Maybe.” She cuts the topic short and turns her head to the window.

When we arrive, I ask what she’ll have. She chooses the same beer I’m having, only with syrup. It’s really nice. Abbs is charming, sharp, and funny. I can’t stop staring at her. I feel such bliss when she’s sitting next to me. I’m overcomewith happiness and the feeling that I can do anything. Her eyes pull me in. There’s something in them that I can’t quite define. Nevertheless, when our stares meet, there are particles of energy floating in the air, enveloping me like a warm coat. What the fuck? Warm coat? Particles of energy…? What the hell is happening to me? What’s with the cheesy lines?

I can’t quite wrap my head around this euphoria and the fact that I simply have no control over it. It’s all happening on its own. Magic.

“So, another beer?” I ask, seeing she’s already finishing hers too.

“No, that’s probably not the best idea. Unless you want to carry me home.” She chuckles.

“Oh, come on, don’t be silly. After two beers?” I mock slightly.

“You’ll see,” she replies, growing more serious but keeping that beautiful smile of hers.

“Also with syrup?”

“Yes, please.”

After a while, the bartender brings us another round. Time flies quickly, and I so wish it would stop.

“Gosh, I booked a tanning session for eight. I completely forgot!” Abbs cries suddenly.

The fuck?I think.

“Just cancel it,” I reply, almost demanding.

“No, I can’t; I’ve already paid.”

“Alright, finish your beer. I’ll go with you.”

As we leave, Abbs stumbles. Maybe two beers really were too much for her.

In any case, I can already see her pretty face smashing on the pavement.