for our future (noremma)

The surprise.

The brightness of the sun blinded me for a moment, which forced me to stop the bike in the middle of the park trails. The same sun that gave me my freckles years ago was also responsible for my burning eyes. I usually hate gray days, nevertheless, at that moment, all I wanted were some clouds to make my mission more pleasant.
My cell phone rang and I made an enormous effort to focus my eyes on that little bright screen. It was Norman. A soft smile morphed my overwhelmed face into sweetness.

I made sure I wasn’t disturbing anyone on the road, leaning my bike against the old tree before I answer his call.

“Hi, sunshine,” I heard on the other side of the phone.

Inevitably, the blood went up my neck to the tips of my ears.

“Hi,” I said, then paused for a moment, “what are you doing, love?”

I couldn’t see his face. I wish I could have. Calling each other like that was a new thing for both of us. I liked how it felt the first few hundred times, so delightful. A little bit cheesy but I didn’t mind.

“I was thinking about you. Ray is on his way, are you coming?”

“Yes. Sorry. I was working late and I forgot to buy a couple of things for today.”

I couldn’t tell him where I was but I wasn't able to lie to him neither so I omitted a few things.

“That’s fine. Don’t take too long or there won’t be pizza for you,” he joked.

I heard him laughing and I rolled my eyes. He truly had no idea what was going on behind his back. The plan I've been developing since our feelings came to the fore was underway, and it was at that moment when I received a call from Ray, who was comfortably sitting on the sofa of his own house.

“Sorry, my boss is calling me, but I promise to be there in less than an hour, well, one and a half… maybe two. But it’ll be worth it!”

He laughed again, calm and sweet, as if he were letting out a sigh. Gently dropping a love poem in the air.

“You know I’ll wait you forever, dear.”

I put my head down. Wavy reddish streaks fell all over my face, making me feel strangely protected.

“You. Stop.”

I really didn't want him to stop. In fact, my racing heartbeat and the silly nervousness that swept over me from head to toe would not let me lie to myself. I really loved when he called me that. I sighed and ran a hand across my sweaty forehead, wishing he was next to me so we could break down the last wall between us, the most difficult and embarrassing one.

“Okay, okay. See you later.” he said.

“See you, love.”

My voice cracked and I quickly ended the call with Norman to answer Ray.

“Hello there, everything ready for the big day?”

The tone of his voice, compared to mine or Norman's, was relaxed and slowed down, as if he was taking his time between each word. And when he let out a slight groan as he stretched his body, I confirmed that he was lying on a couch.

“Almost.”

“What do you mean almost?”

“I’m on my way.”

“To his house?”

“To the flower shop.”

“Emma!”

“Look, if I hang up now, I'm sure I'll be there sooner than expected.”

I took my bike and dragged it to the trail.