Coincidences

Act XXV

Tyrone stopped by the pier for ice cream. The summer heat was already hot when you lived in the desert; it was no different from the heat he felt now. The only unique way to cool off in the beach is by swimming, but that was for another day. He came inside Gusto's, and an Italian accent greeted him, "Buongiorno, welcome to Gusto's!"

He pointed at the black and white ice cream. "Cookies and cream, please."

After the Fabio Ravinetti had scooped him a cone with ease and elegancy, he made his way to an empty table. On the process, he found Zoey sitting alone, tasting away a still compact ball of cookies and cream ice cream. He also concluded that there were no more vacant tables around. Giving up, he marched his way to her.

Waving, he called her attention. "Hey," he said, "Mind if I sit here?" He motioned to the room, hinting that there were really no available vacancies.

Zoey was caught by surprise, seeing him here in all of the other places. She hesitantly responded, "S...Sure. Go ahead."

At first, the two remained silent. In their head though, they felt a sense of deja vu. They recalled that moment when they first met, carrying KO'd Martin down the halls. Not wanting to have that same situation again, Tyrone breathed, unable to think of any other topic to talk about, "What's your favorite animal?" He regretted ever saying that.

He was thinking that he made a mistake, but, as he looked up on Zoey, she was holding in her laughter. She chuckled, "That's the same thing Martin asked me, right in this very spot."

Phew, Tyrone thought. That would have been a catastrophe. It was already awkward as it was.

With a sigh of relief, he calmly said, "So, what is it?"

"Cats. You?" she asked, curious.

"The same," he admitted, with pride and, this time, no regrets.

Zoey remarked, "Then, that makes us three then."

Tyrone figured, "Martin, isn't it?"

She nodded excitedly. The two continued to chat about other topics, with the intention to know each other better. Zoey relayed all of her hobbies and interests, and Tyrone narrated his experiences with Rocky and Martin.

The ice cream was already finished before it melted, and Ty and Zoey left the ice cream shop. Since there was nothing else to do for the entire afternoon, they decided to stroll around the beach. Summer was kicking in, and the beach had more visitors than ever. Bathers were gathering over by the shore, even more eager fishermen did their daily patrols, and the place was covered with picnics and parties.

"Sure is feisty here," Ty whispered to himself.

They stopped by a guy making a show on a unicycle, blending a large crowd. He was stereotypically juggling plastic bowling pins and beanie bags. A couple dropped a nickel or two in the tin can, and Zoey and him followed suit. The guy saw this and instructed the lad to pass him another pin. Tyrone, baffled, obeyed and masterfully threw him the pin. He caught it, then launched the pins, and, while they were suspended in the air, he kindly lifted his hat in gratitude.

They continued on and walked under the pier's boards. The shade provided a cool shelter from the heat, and they gladly rested their legs. All of that walking was tiring, especially if you try to run in the soft sand. While Zoey massaged her ankles, she said, "Today was fun."

Tyrone looked up to her, saying, "You don't have fun like this often?"

She spotted a sparkling shell and inspected. "No, I do. It's just that, until now, I've only gone with Martin or my girl friends."

"Martin?" he questioned. "He's the only boy you've gone on with?"

"Yes," answered Zoey, who then took it back. "Wait. No, I mean, we are not a couple; we're just very, very good friends."

"Then, you are also saying that you don't have a boyfriend, or never had one."

She looked down on the ground. She replied, "No, I'm not generally interested in having a boyfriend."

Tyrone silently reflected on this, as Zoey strayed her view to the seashell. Both stayed quiet and said no word. While she was toying with the object, he pulled himself closer to her. He then instinctively neared her. She suddenly turned her head to face him and say something, but, instead, their faces aligned with each other and their lips met on their own. It was exactly a kiss; it was more of an accidental touch. They both withdrew, embarrassed, and the silence grew longer.

"Sorry," he apologized, scratching his head. "On my behalf, it was my fault."

"No, no, it's okay, I think," she mumbled, still blushing in embarrassment. She picked up the shell again and put it in her pocket.

They stood up. "I think we should get going," announced Zoey. He silently nodded and waved as he turned around.

Before he took another step, she stopped him and shyly voiced out, "Thank you..., for that other time. When, you know, Rocky was..., um, yeah."

With his evermore emotionless and somewhat redder face, he said, "Nah, it was nothing." He finally took off, leaving Zoey under the pier.