Death Dancer

Chapter Four

I was right in my prediction that we would become good friends. Currently Olivia, or Liv as she told me she prefers, and I were walking through the city. She was patient as I cooed over all the amazingly weird things around me, even laughed as I made her join the cue to a cookie dough shop, that sold it by the scoop. I had to restrain myself from dragging her into a waffle house, stopping for flower shape scoop ice cream and buying at least three of the best looking hot dogs I had ever seen just so I could try them with the different toppings the vendor offered. I reminded myself that as I lived here now, they were all going to be here tomorrow and that pacing myself was probably a clever idea.

We had talked the afternoon before, and I had walked down to the library foyer with her and made her promise to meet me in the same spot at midday the next day. I exchanged numbers with her just in case I needed to hunt her down, but there was no need for any drastic measures, she had showed up- subdued and nervous, but the fact she had, proved to me that I had made a little bit of a difference already. We had text each other non- stop for most of the evening getting to know one another, so it didn't feel like I was meeting up with a stranger.

I had learned that Liv is super smart. Like the super duper smart you see on stage giving presentations on how their latest innovation is going to save the world. She is studying Engineering and happy, I learned, to be spending her weekend out of the library.

She laughed for the first time since we met when she told me she got her results last week from her latest exam and had aced them. I was so happy for her I had practically jumped on top of her to give her a big hug.

Everyone needs someone to give them a big hug once in a while.

We were currently sat in the park, lounged out on the grass licking the remnants of cookie dough from our spoons.

"I had a really good time today." Liv said, putting down her spoon and picking at the grass beside her.

"Me too." I agreed, giving her a smile.

"And thank you." She mumbled, not looking up to meet my eyes.

I knew what she was talking about, and my heart ached for her pain.

"Your welcome. Any time you feel like that you call me, OK? I'm here for you."

She glanced up at me, watery eyed. "I really needed to hear that, thanks."

I sighed, reaching over to grasp her hand in mine.

"You know that this isn't over though, don't you? Making friends- no matter how awesome, beautiful, smart and funny they are-" I teased, "will not make these feelings go away."

She smiled ruefully at my joke then sighed and nodded, looking out to the distance her eyes glazing over as she thought about what I had just said.

"I'm going to call him, tell him I'm going home next weekend. I'll talk to him then, properly. Tell him everything I'm feeling." She said, nodding to herself as though she had convinced herself that this was the best thing to do.

"Great Idea." I replied. "And I'm here for cookie dough ice cream and what was it? Saturday Night Live? When you get back." I was eager to watch a new show, especially if it would make me laugh as much as Liv said it would.

Liv went home soon after that to call her dad and I trudged home feeling full. Home. It was weird that I was already calling it that in my mind, but I liked the fact that I was settling in already.

Dagon met me at my front door, laughing as he saw me waddle through the door and collapse on the white sofa I had previously been tentative to even sit on.