From the Ashes

[38] For You

“Roman!” I shout above the din of the crowd, finally spotting his dark mop of hair through the mass of kids after searching around for him for a few minutes. “Rome!” His head turns, hearing his name being shouted, but not knowing exactly where the source lies. I wave, making myself as tall as possible in the crowd as I call his name once more. His face turns in my direction, and his smoky eyes finally land on me. My face breaks into a smile at the eye contact, my heart picking up pace as his face lights up. I push my way toward him, keeping my eye on him as he does the same on his way to me.

“There you are, I’ve been getting kicked and prodded for a year in this crowd, looking for you!” I grin, taking his hand. It’s cold in mine as he pulls me gently against him in the mass of kids, bending his head down to almost touch foreheads with me.

“I tried to find you to watch Sage’s match together, but there are so many god damn people here tonight,” he laughs, kissing my forehead.

“I know! He did amazing, though, I’m so proud of Wally,” I croon comically, pressing my free hand against my chest before daintily wiping an imaginary tear from my eye. His lips stretch wider against my forehead as he laughs.

“Don’t you dare say anything to him, he’ll kill me,” he says, and I nuzzle my face into his chest.

“Not a peep,” I giggle, my voice muffled.

We plow our way through the impressive amount of kids clogging every available space under The Gazebo, my hand tightly held in Roman’s as he leads me in a winding, searching path. I bump into his back as he pauses, squeezes my hand tightly, and starts to lead me with more purpose towards the edge of the structure. Once we break out of the crowd and into the starlit night, Roman’s hand slides out of mine just as I spot Mazie, Bennen, and Sage. The Cannon is getting his face paint wiped off by Maze, who’s flanked by Bennen. Roman and I move to the group at the same time, him to congratulate Sage, and me to pounce on Mazie before ruffling the winner’s damp hair. Conversation flies between the group, congratulating the team for taking another win. I ask Bennen if he has a match scheduled tonight, hoping there is since his are so amazing to watch. He shakes his head no, to the rest of the group’s disappointment.

“Roman, when’s your match?” Ben asks him, and he glances at me once before answering.

“It’s scheduled about 7 or 8 after Sage, so it’s coming up.” Mazie pauses in wiping the last of Sage’s paint off to turn her head and beam at Roman.

“I can’t wait for yours. We’ll be right there cheering you guys on, so don’t you dare disappoint us, you showboat!” she says with a growling laugh, throwing me a wink. “And I like the simplicity of the paint, Allie-doodle,” she chimes, her voice suddenly sweet. Roman and I exchange a look, and I have to force myself not to laugh as I watch the corners of his mouth quiver.

“Well thanks, Maze...”

The crowd behind us seems to become loud with unbridled teenage excitement for whatever match is next, which draws the curious attention of our group. I stand up tall on my toes, trying to look over the crowd into the middle where the mat is, but there’s no way I’ll see a thing from my view.

“Who’s fighting now?” I ask Roman, who towers above me at his full height plus tip-toes.

“I’m not sure. Come here.” He uses my hand to tug me behind him, and he hunches down for me to climb onto his back. I smile as I do, enjoying any contact. I wrap my arms around his neck as he rises and uses his hands to slide me up further by my legs. I move my arms to grasp the top of each muscular shoulder, now rising a good few feet above even Roman’s eye level. I gaze out across the crowd into the fighting mat just as the voice of the skinny announcer floats across the sea of heads.