Clear

Clear: Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Different Strokes

The cold wasn't my favorite, and our city was extra cold on a Friday night. Despite the rude weather, there was an everlasting smirk on my face that wouldn't fade through mild winds at the far side of the city. Ezra was with me, yet he refused to look me in the eye and admit that overprotection was his theme as we idled in a long line waiting to hop inside of an old bar. Instead of relaxing, he chose to eye the "sketchy" patrons that the huge bouncer permitted into the bar.

I was still hanging on Ezra's arm since Kyle dropped us off a few blocks back, and I tugged at him for the third time in trying to gather his attention. He wouldn't give in, and it I couldn't hold back from laughing anymore.

With mild laughter, I reminded Ezra, "C'mon, I used to come to places like this all the time. I will be fine in there... by myself."

His eyes scanned our general surrounding. "It's other people who I don't trust, Ada."

"I said I will be okay," I insisted with another tug.

Finally, his head drooped enough to let me catch a glimpse of those pretty eyes. His face veiled in unmistakable worry, but he had to know that me going to places a little far from home would happen eventually. Though, from the constant resistance, I wasn't sure he'd ever be ready for something like this; I could feel in his tense muscles that he wasn't ready for my solo, nightly ventures just yet... despite his encouragement.

About a week had passed from when Ezra questioned me about friends outside of Greta. It wasn't easy for me to just pick up my phone or go online to rekindle neglected friendships when my fading relationship with Andre pushed me to drift into the comfort of being anti-social. It took a third try on a third day of Ezra slyly asking me about it for me to give in and use the strangely incredible power of Facebook. To my surprise, as soon as I logged in, I caught a hold of someone who wasn't shunning me.

Faith Yee was always a good friend, and I was a little surprised to know that she had come back from tour a year earlier than she told me and our old college group. I felt relieved that she wanted to meet, regardless of me assuming that she had seen my obvious social media exile online. Ezra was glad I found an old friend, but he was dying to repeat that he didn't want the reunion at a part of town he was unfamiliar with. Unfortunately, a late night at a questionable bar was the best time she said to catch her, and I wasn't about to let Ezra's brimming paranoia sway my decision to see her when he pushed me to meet her as soon as possible.

Ezra let another minute of silence pass. I would have liked to poke fun at the weird conversations around us, like we might do on any other day, but I knew my fodder would skirt right around the pensive look on his face.

We weren't far from the entrance anymore, and Ezra finally cut the silence. "I'm going to come in with you."

My head turned at a sloth's pace, so I could peer at him. My questioning eyes contrasting from a questionable smile pushed him to add, "Just until you find your friend."

I was about to say...

"Okay," I droned without dropping the leer, but he easily picked up on my slight annoyance.

I wasn't surprised that the bouncer gave my ID a double take, but I was even less surprised Ezra's got the triple. He just had to keep on his nice attire from the office, even after I persuaded him to pick a different coat at the least.

Nope. Didn't listen to me. Of course, they're going to look at you sideways here.

He was extremely resistant when I suggested he dress down, if he was going to take me to meet Faith. By no means did he have to match me in a pair of canvas sneakers, a v-neck and jeans, but a silk fiber tie would be noticeable where we were going. I was taking his difficult attitude with stride since we began the work day, but the closer time moved toward a setting sun the more he decided to shut down on me.