Salted Wound

Chapter 64 Zamari- Apr 19, 2019

I wait impatiently outside the diner, perched on a low sidewall swinging my feet. Ana gets out of work soon, and I texted her that I'm here. We haven't had a whole lot of time to ourselves lately and decided tonight would be a good time to just take a walk. I crane my neck, trying to look into the glass front door for a sign of her, but I can't see anything. The only sound is the occasional car passing by, a nearby cricket, and my feet scraping against the brick wall as I kick my feet back and forth. The parking lot is near full, but nobody is in sight, everybody inside enjoying their food.

    Finally, the bell on the door jingles and Ana pushes through, her curly hair pulled up into a bun on top of her head, short wispy pieces escaping and clinging to her cheeks. Without thinking I brush the hair back off her face, tucking it behind her ears. Her lashes lower slightly at the gesture, and the look she gives me sends shivers through my body.

    "Hi," I say, my voice rough, as I hesitantly lower my hand from her face. The urge to kiss her keeps creeping up on me, but I refuse to be the first one to make a move, I keep reminding myself to let her make the first move. Even as I'm thinking this, her cheeks turn a flaming red, and she won't meet my eye as we start down the sidewalk.

    "So, no food for me?" I tease, and she rolls her eyes, opening her bag and pulling out a to-go container. My jaw drops, and I laugh.

    "I was kidding! You brought me food?"

    "Don't get too excited, half of that is for me," she says with a chuckle. "I knew we'd both be hungry."

    "You're officially my favorite," I say, accepting the half of the hamburger she offers and digging in as we walk. The sidewalk is dimly lit from the storefronts we pass, most of which are closing down for the night. Most people are either driving by us, or already at home, but few people besides us are actually out walking right now, leaving an eerie quiet quality behind. We pass a darkened dress shop, with mannequins in the windows flashing cloth shoulders below the thin straps of elegant gowns. The sight makes me realize that prom is usually right around this time. I know Freddie and Jade are going together, a fact that completely shocked me. I was certain she'd turn him down, not because it was him but just because she was never into dances, now that dancing isn't really an option for the foreseeable future, I was certain she'd be at home for the night.

    "When is prom?" I ask, wiggling my fingers into the container in her bag for a couple of french fries.

    She gives me a weird look, taking one of the fries from my hand instead of from the bag as she says, "Zamari you don't keep track of dates at all do you?"

    I shrug. "I'll get a secretary for that someday. When is it?"

    I had been planning to ask her, but not in a huge way. I don't have the courage - or money - to rent a giant bear suit. My plan is to ask her when it's just her and I. Now seems like the perfect time, we'd have some time before prom, I have a vague notion of girls needing time to get a dress and stuff for the day.

    "It's tomorrow."

    I choke on my fry. I guess there won't be that much time after all.

    "Tomorrow?"

    "That is what I said."

    "As in the day after this one?"

    Ana snorts. "That's usually when tomorrow takes place."

    "Wow, I thought there was more time."

    "Why the sudden interest?" She asks around a handful of fries.

    I wipe the fry salt off my hands onto my pants, my stomach tightening with nerves.

    "I was wondering if you were planning on going." Shit, too vague