Flagrant Fragrant by Heron Djenne Canvasback

Reunion (romance)

Melina fell in love with a gothic albino named Rokus during her high school freshman year. He was the center of attention, and her world. Intolerant and ignorant people called him names for no purpose. He had a lot of heart, but the closest she got to him was his best friend and hers, Neville. It was like she was stricken illiterate and mute by Rokus' presence. Neville and her grew apart as the years past, but never did her love for Rokus wane.

After 14 years, Melina randomly bumped into Neville at the bank. She was caught off guard by this, so her smile was like a hyena's.  He wasn't as lanky as he used to be, and his awkward facial features were now in tune with the rest of him.

"Wow, I didn't expect to run into you. What have I missed?" he said.

"Not much. I went to the state university, and now I'm a dermatologist." She said

"Impressive. I'm an engineer at the shipyard. I got married to Harriet, do you remember her? We have a two year old, and another one coming," he said.

"Yeah. Congratulations! Um, have you kept in contact with Rokus?" she said.

"You still got a thing for him; I though you dropped it awhile ago? I tried to hook you two up, but you'd never cooperate." She blushed. "He's an oceanologist. If I give you his number, will you call him this time?" 

"Yeah," she said.

He scribbled something down on the ripped corner of a piece of paper. Where it is," he said.

She put it in her pocket. "Let's pick up our friendship where we left off," she said.

Her hands and voice shook as she called Rokus, but she took a deep breath and regained control of her body. He agreed to meet her at Red Robin.

            He'd let his hair grow out into a short cut, where as in high school he went bald. He was still gothic, but she didn't catch sight of any tattoos, and his piercings weren't overboard. He had framed his eyes in a light coat of black eyeliner to give them character. "Hello Melinda," he said. His voice had deepened, and she couldn't help the smile that curved on her lips. "How have you been?"

In the background she could see people staring at him, and mocking him. Her temper boiled inside, and she bit her gums to stop her anger from showing. She focused her entire attention on him, which wasn't hard for her to do.

They talked about the last fourteen years, and what was going on presently in their lives. The mood had lightened, and she decided to take a chance. She held his hand, and when he looked into her eyes, she kissed it.

His eyes were very gentle now. "Melinda, I never thought you liked me. Everyone said you did, but you'd never make a move, and fled from my sight. What's with this change of heart?" he wiped away a crumb on the corner of her mouth.

"I've loved you ever since we were children. I'd always make up excuses as to why I couldn't be with you, but I've tired of them after all these years of yearning," she said.

"And you won't fight it anymore?" he took her hands in his.

She no longer cared if everyone around her laughed at or were sickened by them; he was all that mattered. "Never," she said and he ended her agony with his kiss.