Rose: Mhmm
What did you say?
Collin: I said I like this.
Rose: The vodka?
Collin: You know there's no way I'm letting you have that, right?
Rose: Yeah, yeah. I don't even like alcohol anyway.
Be my guest.
It was such a bummer that Collin couldn't confess his love like he planned to, but perhaps it wasn't the right time.
Mom: Time went by, and we ended up chatting like we usually do. I actually enjoyed it and was glad we had this outing. I didn't read much into it, but thinking back, I guess I should have. A lot happened after that night.
Wait, I think I am getting ahead of myself.
Anyways, we had a good time. We ate and drank. I had juice. Plus, the popcorn was good.
Me: Mom?
Mom: What? It was, though.
Me: (Facepalm)
Mom: The ride back was serene. Peaceful, I will say. But there was something off about Collin. He seemed deep in thought. I wanted to ask if there was something wrong, but I also didn't want to intrude.
Every now and then, I'd sneak a peek at him. Unable to keep quiet anymore,
Rose: Collin...
Collin: Rose...
Mom: We said in unison.
We stared at each other for what seemed like forever until I turned and saw someone in the middle of the road.
Rose: Collin!!!
Mom: I screamed, and in shock, he made a sharp turn on the road. He stepped hard on the brake, and the car screeched to a halt. I was terrified. I started to panic, and worry edged on his face.
Collin: Rose, are you ok? Are you hurt?
Mom: I shook my head as my words got stuck in my throat.
Collin got out of the car.
Collin: Stay right here. I'll be back.
Mom: He said as he walked away from the car.
I nodded, but my eyes never left him. I looked back in the car and saw him walking towards the person. The person was crouched down in a bowing posture.
It was weird. From what I saw, it was as if the person was bowing to Collin. I couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman.
He or she was in all-black attire with a mask covering their face.
Collin stopped right in front of the person. I couldn't see what was going on, but I could tell they were having a conversation.
My heart was beating so hard that it felt hard to breathe, and it hurt. My chest hurt so badly.
After what seemed like forever, Collin came back, but when I turned back again, the person was no longer there.
Rose: W..Who was that, Collin? W..what did the person want?
Mom: I was choking on my words. My eyes started to blur.
Collin: You are not okay, Rose. Let's talk about this later. I'm taking you home.
Mom: With that, he started the car.
The way he rode, I felt we were flying. We got to my house within a few minutes. By then, I had calmed down a bit. He then took me to my room, and I sat on the sofa.
Collin: Stay, I will get you some water.
Mom: I nodded.
I looked at him move with ease in my room. I guess the days we spent having fun together made him used to my place.
He brought the water, and I realized it was warm, just how I liked it.
Rose: ....
Mom: I opened my mouth to speak but stopped myself.
Collin: What? Drink.
Mom: He stood there staring at me as I gulped down the water and emptied it.
I felt the warmth seep through me. He still stared at me with worry in his eyes.
Rose: I'm fine. Stop staring.
Collin: Are you sure? You scared the hell out of me.
Rose: I'm not that fragile, you know.
Collin: Did you see yourself?
Rose: ....
Collin: No, you didn't. I did. So, yes, I was worried.
Rose: Okay, fine, I agree I was a bit shaken up. But I'm fine now, okay?
There is something I'd like to know, though.
Mom: I looked at him with questioning eyes, trying to gauge his reaction, and he seemed to have read my expression, but then his face changed from that of worry to something unreadable.
The aura around him changed, and I felt like I was sitting in front of a completely different person.
I got shivers. Yet instead of giving me an answer to my questions,
Collin: I will go now. I will see you tomorrow, Rose. Take care of yourself.
Rose: ....
Mom: I was speechless. Before I could step out of my stupor, he was gone.