always red.

Chapter 13 - snake oil

Maria

1990

I used to wear my hair in pig tails. That's the way he liked it. I'd never tell him that I knew. I did all the things he liked.

"What's up, Red?"

I smiled hello to the passerby, jogging swiftly to my class in the upper east building.

"Hey Red, you'll be at the mixer tonight?"

"Yeah, sure thing!"

I scanned the concrete maze for Cyan. I went the long way, the one that passes the track field. I knew he'd be getting out of track practice five minutes before my history class. I'd have an excuse to lay my eyes on him. Maybe he'd catch me jogging to class. He'd see my ass shaking with each stamp of my foot on the ground. I'd pretend not to see him, to be too busy to care.

"Oh, hey Cyan. Fancy seeing you here!" I'd say. No. "Hey, Cyan. Just heading to class. Catch you later." No.

Maybe I wouldn't say anything. Just smile if we happen to lock eyes.

I didn't see him that day. Maybe he had class right after.

I didn't see him. I waited for him as long as I could. Five minutes into my class, I knew I had to let it go or else he'd probably see me and think I was crazy.

Waltzing in late for my class, I spotted a seat next to Poppy. Her blonde roots saying hello to me before she did.

"Why are you so late?" she whispered.

"Woke up late." I lied.

She shrugged.

The class ended promptly. Poppy and I would walk to the coffee shop on campus after class.

That's when I saw him. Him and his friends congregating, slapping each other's butts, ordering coffee. He was the star on campus, a big campus at that. I admired that about him. I wanted to be like him- well liked, loved even. He mattered. People cared about him and what he had to say. You could just tell by the way he carried himself.

"I was invited to a party tonight. You know, with my sorority and everything..."

Poppy's nonsensical monologue trailed off.

She was invited to a party. All the elites would be there. I knew he'd be there, so I went too. Of course, I met his blue eyes. It was like he was waiting for me. The alcohol had him nice and ready for me.

"Hi." Was all I had to say to get his attention.