Page 34 of Crystal Iris
“I don’t know, it only happens with you.”
“Something to do with the prisms, I guess.”
“I’m not alone here.” I’m trying to explain… I can’t be seen with him.
“I know. Give me your number.”
I drop Akira off at her place, wishing I could go with her. I need to talk about everything that happened. But I can’t find a reason to leave Aaron.
“Brunch tomorrow?” she asks me.
I love her. She knows me well.
“Sure, text me where.”
“Are you okay?” Aaron asks on the way home after she leaves.
“Too many drinks, I think.”
“Between you, Lara, and Akira, I don’t know how you guys are standing.”
I laugh. “Yeah, I think they were doing shots at one point.”
“I don’t think people noticed, though; they were handing out drinks nonstop.”
“I didn’t know you were giving a speech. I’m sorry, Aaron, I should have known.”
“Nonsense. I could have mentioned it… it was no big deal.”
“Yes, it was. I’m your fiancée. I should know if you’re giving a speech.”
“We don’t talk about work much.”
“Maybe we need to change that.”
I’ve had too many drinks. I take an aspirin and go to bed. I make sure to put my phone on silent in case… in case Hoyt messages me.
He has my phone number. He has a prism.
I don’t know how I sleep. My alarm reminds me in the morning that I did, though. It sounds louder than normal. I shut it off quickly; Aaron is still sleeping.
There are two unreadtexts.
One from Akira:Cafe Magnolia, 11 a.m.
And one from an unknown number:Hi.
I dress quickly to meet Akira. I haven’t replied to Hoyt yet. I don’t know where to even begin. If it weren’t for his prism, I’m not sure if I should keep up with whatever is going on between us. Only now that I know he has a prism, this changes everything.I need to know everything he does.
Too many people have the same idea to meet for brunch at the popular spot. “Downside of living in the city,” I hear someone in line say.
“What are you getting?” I ask Akira while reading the menu.
“Benedict, bacon, butter.”
“Sounds perfect,” I agree with a smile.
“Start from the beginning,” she says, pouring cream into her coffee.
