Mondays with Alice

The First Monday

Matt sat there awkwardly at a booth in a small cafe, waiting for an old friend's arrival. They'd been separated since the move, but they finally will meet up once again on this fateful Monday that they planned. He almost forgot what her face looked like. She was going through rough times though... Was it still just as angelic?

With that the cafe bell rang, signaling that someone had walked in. Matt quickly looked down at his hands in his lap, blushing madly, avoiding all eye contact. He heard soft footsteps and a small voice whispering a hello. Matt looked up to see a small frail blonde standing in front of him, wearing a flowing dress, almost covering up the already visible baby bump. Matt blinked, gazing at how her long blonde hair fell perfectly on her shoulders and back. She was just as perfect as he remembered her.

"May I sit down..?" Matt quickly nodded at her question, unable to speak. She giggled as she sat in front of him, suddenly studying him with her bright green eyes, "How are you? How's your dance carrier-?"

He interjected quickly, "I'm focusing more on swimming now." She blinked, eyes wide, then laughed lightly, "Yes, yes! Of course, you are a good enough dancer as it is. Matthew doesn't need lessons." She smiled brightly. He blushed. Damn it.

He glanced down at her small pale hands, her fingers intertwining with her own, and he noticed the small wedding band on her finger. "Nice ring." He spat out almost coldly.

Alice gave him a worried look, and quickly hid her hands under the table as she looked down, "Sorry..."

He scowled and looked away. He didn't mean to be so rude, she just meant everything to him, that's all. He loved her. She was all he cared about. She was his first true love, and they haven't even dated once. She was always with someone else. He didn't blame her though, those times were bad and he couldn't be trusted. He was one of the worst guys out there.

Hours passed quickly as the thick air was lifted, and they both talked about what happened after the move. Who was doing what. Who was dating who. How their family was. Matt loved it when they laughed though. When they laughed so hard the two blondes cried.

Then it hit 5 pm.

"A-ah..." She glanced down at her small silver watch that hung loosely on her small wrist, "It's time for me to go."

Matt sighed. He dreaded this moment. He slowly nodded his head as she stood, and the air became thick again as something caught his eye. He had to ask. "Is that why you got married, Mrs. Alice Mizutsume? Because he knocked you up?"

The room suddenly got so silent, it was almost terrifying. He quickly regretted what he said, even though he meant every word of it. She was only 17 for God's sake. Alice's brows furrowed in worry, and she looked around to find words but nothing came out. All that she could manage was a small, "I-I love him. We were going to marry anyway..." Even Alice seemed unconvinced by her own words.

Were they going to anyway? He didn't show any real interest until they were alone on that vacation....

Matt was about to speak up, but then the atmosphere became cold. He felt something on his back and he quickly turned his head to see him standing there. The guy that everyone seemed to worship at some point. The guy who faked his death. The guy who she loved. And adored. The dark blue haired young man stood there at the door, half in and half out, glaring around the corner at him with his bright red eyes.

He didn't say a word, he didn't make a gesture, but stood there coldly and easily transferring every piece of hate towards Matt, looking mysterious as ever standing at the doorway. Alice quickly walked over, muttering a small goodbye over her shoulder as she hugged him. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her and lead her out of the cafe with his arm around her shoulders, the cold demeanor gone.

Matt sighed and stood, grabbing his school bag as something fell off it. He bent down and picked a small piece of paper up, unfolding it to see the small handwriting he knew it was Alice's;

"This time make sure to fall in love again with someone else."