Tomorrow

Chapter Four

Mom and I sat in a small ice cream parlor within the mall. She had found a nice skirt and pair of jeans earlier in the clothing store, and was currently telling me about her week.

"While you were at work yesterday, I went to visit your Aunt May. She told me that she misses you and wants to visit before you leave for college."

Aunt May is Dad's younger sister. Dad died when I was seven, and my aunt had been close to us since I was born.

I take a spoonful of cookie dough ice cream and hold it to my mouth, "That would be nice. I haven't seen her in awhile."

Mom takes a bite from her raspberry dark chocolate and nods in agreement.

We sit in silence while eating our ice cream and observing the parlor around us.

Mom decides to break the awkward silence. "So, how is work? You haven't said much about it."

"Business is good. Everyone is nice...for the most part. I got an order on Tuesday that took me 10 minutes to finish."

Mom laughs. "Quinn, you're growing up too fast. What happened to the little girl who loved watching Sesame Street and could eat a whole box of Oreos in one sitting?"

"Mom, I eat Oreos all the time! I also watch an occasional episode Sesame Street now and then." I wave my spoon towards her.

Mom chuckles and shakes her head.

We both finish our ice cream and get up to leave the parlor. I pick up the shopping bags while turning to look at Mom.
"So where are you taking me next in this exotic and magical jungle?"

"Hmm." Mom waggles her eyebrows at me while pretending to be in deep thought. "How about the candy store?"

"YES! I am considering this the highlight of my day. A million times yes." I almost pounce on Mom as we walk towards the entrance of the store.

Mom sighs in my direction as people turn to stare my abnormal behavior. "I'll take back what I said earlier. You're still a child."

I playfully stick my tongue out at her, while grabbing a bag for candy.

I eye the endless rows of sweets and instantly realize that I was going to regret eating all of this sugar a few hours later.

Mom takes my hand just as it's about to indulge into a mountain of Sour Patch Kids "Quinn, I'm going outside to take a look at the fragrance store across from us. I'll be back in a few minutes. Don't get too carried away."

I am still eyeing the candy as I distractedly reply. "Mhmm....Ok. Sure Mom."

******

A few minutes later, as I am about to take a large scoop of Skittles, I hear a deep chuckle from behind.

I instantly turn around to see where the voice's source was coming from and the room suddenly feels degrees hotter. It was the same guy who rudely spoke to me at the coffeehouse AND saw me in the clothing store. It might have been my fault on both accounts but history has yet to be interpreted.

How many times did I have to run into this guy?? It was already enough that he made fun of me on my first day on the job. Now he was in the same candy store, and watching me embarrass myself as I grabbed handfuls of candy.

I try looking away as he slowly heads in my direction.

"Fancy seeing you here, brownie." The smirk on his face said that he couldn't have enjoyed a better time seeing me here than this.

Brownie?? What kind of nickname is that?
"I-I don't know you." I stammer as I slowly try to make my escape. So much for playing it cool.

"Sure you do. You're the one who thought it was opposite day." His green eyes playfully challenge me.

Who does this guy think he is? Why is he so mean? I didn't do anything to him to deserve this!
"It was a mistake Mr. I-Know-Everything. What's your problem?" I snap back.

"I don't know, Quinn. Why don't you tell me?"

I stare at him in surprise.
"How do you know my name?"

He put a hand to his chest to mock me. "With that look on your face, I should be the surprised one. You honestly don't remember me?"

I clench my bag of candy and stare blankly at him. I try to make sense of what he was talking about but can't help but notice a bag of candy in his hand too. His tousled brown hair was swept away from his face so that his green eyes shone lightly. He wore a loose button down shirt and dark jeans with red converse shoes. My eyes began to squint as I tried to make sense of all this. I would have noticed within a few minutes if I had known him from before, but my mind wouldn't function properly.

"I'm s-" I am abruptly cut off as a girl's voice calls out towards the candy store.
"Cyril! Cyril!"

His head turns towards the source of the sound as he turned to leave. His eyes briefly meet mine and the bright green eyes I had seen moments ago suddenly look empty and dull.

"Gotta run, brownie. I can guarantee that this won't be the last time we run into each other." He turns back to me and his brief expression is gone. He grins mischievously and walks out of the store leaving me absolutely confused.

What did he mean by it not being the last time? Who on Earth was this guy? My head hurt from all of the questions circulating in my brain. I suddenly felt self conscious of myself standing in the middle of the store. I was embarrassing myself enough with a large bag of candy in hand, but add a blank expression and the fact that the store cashier was eyeing me suspiciously. That pretty much summed up the atmosphere.

Who could he be?
Cyril...Cyril....the almost unnoticeable expression in his green eyes....Sad and empty.
Cyril.

Then it all came to me at once. I was too shocked for words.