The Essential Bride

The Essential Bride (7)

Another week had passed, and it was finally the dreaded day. I had stayed up to midnight to wish myself a happy birthday and could tell. School had been going easier than usual, the homework was a breeze, all the papers didn't take long to write, everything was going pretty smoothly. Leon hadn't made an appearance, and I found it very odd. I didn't want to complain, if he wanted to drop off the face of the world, I wouldn't say no. It just seemed very off that he just vanished the way he had. 

Of course my birthday would land on a Friday; all of my girlfriends were thrilled to be going out to a Mexican place that never carded anyone. The last thing I wanted to do as drive two hours out of my way to some place to get hit by a bunch of drunken guys, but Nicole, Rose and Carly were beyond themselves happy that they would be seeing me. Stephanie, Nicole, Rose, Carly and I had grown up together, and I haven't been able to hang out with them as much as I used to. I was glad they still wanted to be my friend, and I didn't want to disappoint them.

 School dragged painfully slow, Stephanie and Ryan had been fighting for weeks now and Stephanie seemed completely done with all his garbage. I guess this new guy named Patrick was treating her like a princess, and things were going awesome. He would be meeting us there with a couple of his friends. It didn't sound too bad, but I was having a hard time caring about anything lately.

I was glad she was completely done with Ryan though, he was a jerk and Stephanie could and now is doing better. He better be a good guy, he better be exactly what Steph has been saying or I'll threaten to beat his face in. I was one of those friends.

Today felt smaller than it probably should. I was now legally able to buy cigarettes and scratch tickets, but I felt bland. There is no other way to explain it besides I was just indifferent about the day. I would go through the motions, smile, laugh, be the best friend I could be but the entire time I'll be looking forward to my bed.

The Mexican place was hopping. It obviously wasn't a club, there was no place for people to dance thank god, but they were having a two dollar burrito deal so we were lucky to get a table to fit ten.

"Would you ladies like a round on the house?" A dark skinned man asked, his accent thick but sexy. I could tell Carly, Nicole and Rose swooned heavily and I giggled with them even though I was having an even harder time getting Leon out of my thoughts.

The guy walked off without carding us, and I sat there amazed. The five of us looked good, Stephanie was wearing a red strapless dress with minimum make up, Nicole was wearing a cardigan and sparkly tank top combination and Rose was wearing random patterns that made her look like a hipster. I was the only that didn't even bother trying to pretend. I wore jeans, my Julia Nunes Living Room tee, that she signed and a black cardigan. We didn't look remotely twenty one, not even the dim lighting could be enough of an excuse.

We were on our second round, talking about how ridiculous AP Chemistry was getting, when for the first time in almost a month a familiar feeling crept over me only this time it was impossible to ignore. I shivered, making Rose and Stephanie look at me funny but they said nothing. My head stood on end almost painfully, and goose bumps spread on my body instantly.

Leon had to be near.

I excused myself from the table claiming I had to use the rest room and raced away before anyone could join me. When I was out of their sight I looked around the packed restaurant. The hustle and bustle was too thick to see through, between the waiters and waitresses and people coming in and out it was impossible to search for him.

Why was it so important to see him again? He was such a mystery, I needed answers. I was tired of lying up in bed wondering where he was, what he meant by telling me I would be safe. He paid for my car, he had paid the car dealership to not let me return it, he had gotten brand new tires on it and made sure it was in tip top shape, and when I got it checked myself paid for that. He kept popping up in my life in unexpected places.