Sixteen and Dead

vi. Juliet

All the photos that I've taken over the past few months of Feldro lay in front of me. I examine each one, taking my time; making sure I don't miss anything.

Right before I'm about to give up, a photo catches my eye. I look at the photo I took about two months ago of Feldro talking with a group of men outside of a warehouse. But the background of the photo is what makes me look twice. It- It couldn't be. . .

It's my Dad. Well I'm pretty sure it is. I can't say for sure considering I haven't seen him for years. . . But if it's not him, then he definitely has some kind of doppelganger.

I squint at the photo. He's just standing in the background. He isn't standing with the group of men. He's just kind of shadowing in the background.

When he left my mom and I when I was only four, my mother was heart broken. I grew up without a father figure to teach me the ways of life, to care for me, to be everything that I didn't have.

In the picture he's in a suit, scratching his chin, watching the group. Is he with or against them? It's hard to say. But why would he be in the Secret Society? He's made some crappy choices in his life, but joining a drug cartel couldn't be one of them. . . Right?

I decide to do some research on this later because my mind has already drifted off. Drifted off to the boy with the plastered smile, the loud laugh, the endearing look in his eyes. Usually I'm more closed off with boys. I never approach them. And they never talk to me. Well, none have talked to me for months. . . until Xavier. I wonder why I caught his eye?

My mind shakes and I remember his number that is burning a hole in my jacket pocket. Should I call him? Oh screw it. . .

My fingers hit each number on my phone as I read it off of the slip of paper. I can feel my heart beating. What if he doesn't answer. . . What if he thinks I'm weird. . .

The sound of his voice on the other line shakes me out of my thoughts.

"Hello?" He says.

I'm frozen. I want words to come out of my mouth but I'm just stuck. My mouth is open trying to say some words. . . any words!

"Hello? Who is this? Is this a prank call? Don't call this number aga-"

"Xavier," I breathe, finally.

"J-Juliet?" He sounds surprised.

"Yeah" I smile even though I know he can't see me.

"Wow. I've been waiting for you to call. I was starting to think you never wanted to speak to me again." He laughs.

"Well your line about me being as pale as a ghost definitely caused some hesitation." I joke.

"Hey! Cut me some slack. I get nervous around gorgeous girls."

My breath hitches in my throat. He thinks I'm gorgeous? I can't stop the smile that begins to grow on my face as my cheeks redden a bit.

"Well, I guess you'll just have to make it up to me." I can't stop smiling. God. . . How embarrassing. I've been trained in martial arts, self defence, boxing and here I am freaking blushing over a guy complimenting me!

"Hmm. . . I guess you're right. Tomorrow night. Dinner. At eight o'clock. Meet you at our park."

"I-"

"Good night." I can sense his smile as he says that. Before I can say anything else, he's hung up on me.

Usually that'd be rude. But I can tell its a part of his offish charm. I smile to myself before drifting off to sleep on the couch. . .