Black Iris

It's Complicated.

Rose

The morning after the kiss in the park, I was buzzing. The night before seemed like a fever dream, something that had happened in some alternate reality. The whole scene seemed fuzzy, blurred at the edges as though my brain couldn't quite work out the details.

In fact, the more time that went on, the more convinced I became that it was just a dream, that I'd fabricated the whole exchange. Or, at least, it hadn't happened the way I thought.

A few nights after it happened, I was lying in bed thinking about it all when I decided I needed to see the park. I wanted to go there to try to bring back the details, and prove to myself that I hadn't imagined it all.

So I pulled on some shoes, chucked on a hoodie, and snuck out again.

I didn't wander aimlessly this time, though. I went straight through the streets in a beeline for the park I had stumbled to just nights before. As I walked, I started doubting myself. It was madness, walking around in the dark like this. I'd been kidnapped in a Target carpark in broad daylight, so there was no knowing who could be lurking in the shadows.

Then again, I reasoned. I was kidnapped in broad daylight in a target carpark. If there was no protection even then, how was it any different to walk in the dark?

In truth, though I knew I should have been, I wasn't scared of what might happen in the dark. It seems crazy, but I was really only worried about what I would find once I got to the park. I was scared that the magic of that night would be gone.

I was scared it was all a lie.

As I turned the corner of the street into the park was, I forced myself to slow, control my expectations.

But it turns out, I didn't really need to. Because sitting in the park, perched on one of the swings, was a familiar shadowed figure.

She stood up when she saw me.

"Hey," She said, shifting on her feet nervously. "I wasn't sure you would come again."

I stepped towards her slowly, confused. "I don't understand... Have you been waiting for me?"

She nodded, and in the dim light, I could see her bite her lip. "I've come out every night since... you know. I was starting to think it was pointless like it was just some kind of messed up dream."

I let out a breath I hadn't realised I was holding. "I was having the same thoughts. Listen, I'm sorry for what happened the other night-"

"No, please," she said, "you're not the one that should have to apologise. What I said about my boyfriend or whatever, that was cruel. I'm sorry."

I frowned, feeling a flight of hope flutter in my chest. "Wait, so, you don't have a boyfriend?"

She let out a sigh and sat back down on the swing again. "It's complicated."

I looked across at her, the flight of hope fading away. Nonetheless, I was curious. "How so?"

She met my gaze and gave me a concerned look. "You sure you want to know? We only just met."

I shrugged. "I mean, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But if you're worried about boundaries or whatever, I remind you that the other night you told me about your parents' violent makeup sex, so..."

She laughed. "Oh god, that's right I did."

"You did," I said, grinning.

She shook her head, smiling, then let out a sigh. "Alright, then. Do you want the short story or the long one?"