Broken Ice

Chapter 3: Kent?

The late November air bit at my cheeks, turning the once pale flesh pink. "Thanks for helping her and being so nice."

"Well, she's a good kid, so it isn't hard." I stare ahead, feeling awkward from the thanks.

He just stared ahead as we waded through the swathes of people to get to Central Park. "I know. She's the best kid I know, even if her dad sucks."

"Your uncle?"

He shook his head, "My cousin, Richard Abernathy Jr."

"Wow, even his name sounds...." I trail off, trying to find a word that didn't sound completely rude.

"Pretentious? Stuck up? Trust me, there's nothing you can say that's worse than what I thought." Hearing the grim tone of his voice, I decided not to probe anymore.

"So, baseball. You like it?" He turned to me before chuckling. "What?" I laugh a little with him.

"Do I like it? That's all you can think about for a discussion?"

"Well, what was I supposed to say?" I defend. "What's your favourite movie?"

"Sure, it's better than if the captain of the baseball team likes baseball." He laughed.

"Fine, what is your favourite movie?"

"The Joker. The Heath Ledger version."

"So original." I point to a burger shop, "Want to go here?"

"Why not." He opened the door, holding it open to let me pass through as the ding of the bell announced our arrival.

"Not weirder than any normal person."

"And it's a good movie." He added as the warm air of the shop hit us.

"I never said it wasn't, it's just that every guy ever has said that."

We quickly order, then sit off to the side before finally getting the burgers and entering Central Park. "Fine, if you're so great, then what's your favourite movie?"

I lower my voice to a mumble.

"What?"

"I-it's Legally Blonde."

"Wow, Gianna. You're so innovative and creative."

"I know it's basic, but you have to admit, it's good."

"It is pretty good." He lowered his voice slightly.

My eyes widen, "You've watched Legally Blonde?"

"Maeve can be very threatening." We find a spot looking out at a large lake, surrounded by trees, with the New York skyscrapers peeking out just behind them. "Anyway, shouldn't a Clarke's favourite movie be Superman or something?"

"Well, I've never watched it."

"You've never watched Superman?" His mouth fell open slightly in disbelief.

"No," I snort. "Why is that such a...a crazy thing to imagine? I don't do action." I pop another warm fry in my mouth.

"Everyone does action and more than that, you're a Clarke. You should respect your namesake, Kent."

"Kent?"

"Yep, that's who you are, now. I'm calling you Kent."

"Please don't," I laugh.

"Too late, Kent."

30 minutes later, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, the alarm ringing out. "We should probably head back," I said, quietly, not eager to pack up.

"Yeah." We took the final bites of our food before tossing out the trash and making our way back through the busy streets, weaving through people before coming face to face with the first floor of the large recreation centre that housed my aunt's ice rink. "I'll get her and bring her out to you."

I saw Fran talking to another little girl and patted her small shoulder to alert her. "Fran, your cousin's here." She pouted, her bottom lip jutting out, but she still followed me despite shuffling her now shoe-clad feet.

"I hope you had a good time," I said to her.

She gave a small nod and said shyly, "Yeah, I did."

"I'll see you tomorrow." He smiled at me.

"Yeah, bye."