Faking Robin

Chapter 16 - Lightning Bold

Chapter 16 - Lightning Bold

“Thanks for today,” Anthony said, his hands in his pocket. I could barely see his face with all those messy strands of hair over his eyes, but I knew his eyes were glowing gold. Just like a sunflower on a sunny day. His lips were curved into a thin smile and for Anthony, it was enough to tell me he was sincerely thankful.

“Yeah,” I nodded. The sun had already set, giving each of us less ability to see each other clearly. I played with my fingers, not really knowing what to do. Standing in front of the apartment’s door, my feet felt like they had frozen there. 

“So, see you tomorrow?” Anthony said, more like a question. He didn’t move as well. It seemed like he was about to move, but he just couldn’t, or didn’t want to. His leg would shift a bit, but then it wouldn’t move from its place.

I decided to take the initiative to go in, saying the final goodbye for today. When I finally seemed to have melted the ice on my feet, I felt a warm touch on my right hand.

I turned my head, to see Anthony’s hand holding mine. “W-wait,” he told me. I went back to my original position of waiting, as he told me to. 

“For Reagan’s party,” he said. “Would you… ugh,” he scratched his neck, raised his head to see the sky, took a deep breath and then finally opened his mouth to continue, “come with me?” 

My brain didn’t seem to process it well; it took me quite a long time to finally figure out what he had said. “Come… with you?” I repeated.

“It’s really okay if you don’t want to! I wouldn’t be surprised if you were going with someone from your… world,” he replied fast. I could feel the bitterness when he said the last word. No, Anthony, I wasn’t in ‘this world’ or economy level. Not anywhere near it. My daily routine was very similar to yours, maybe except I still went to school.

I wanted to reply the way I had thought, but the words were stuck in my throat. If I told him, it would be like a suicide attempt for me. Game Over. 

Unconsciously I held my skirt tighter, causing its shape to mess up. Like my messed up thoughts. “I would love to,” I replied, trying to smile. I was actually happy he had asked, really happy. But it was sad that the one he asked to accompany him was Robin Apple.

With mixed up feelings, I pushed the door to my apartment building, hoping Apple would be there to listen to my worries. I gave Anthony one last smile before I walked away to the apartment’s elevator.

***

I was welcomed with an off-white dress with floral accents held high by Apple. I had just opened the door and the act of Apple putting the dress on his body made it seem like he had worn it. Believe me, he looked good, but funny as can be imagined.

I burst out into laughter as soon as I saw it, my hands on my stomach. I almost cried from it. “What’s so funny?” Apple complained. I pointed at the dress, but Apple didn’t seem to get it. “I thought this dress was good,” he said.

I stopped laughing, trying to control myself. After thinking so much just now, being able to laugh like this  made me really happy. “No it does look good…” I said, “...on you.”

“Hey, not for me!” He handed me the dress, which I eagerly picked up. The moment it touched my hand, I could feel how soft it was. I put it on my body, it hung almost to my knee, which meant when I’d actually wear it, it might fall above my knees. 

“This is beautiful,” I commented. I had never imagined there would be a day when I would wear a pretty white dress. Maybe except on my wedding. Just like other girls, once in a while I would imagine myself marrying my dream guy.