We Didn't Make It After All

Chapter Four

It was like Bella said. We were suddenly trapped in time.

I followed Ezra's movements as he removed his helmet, revealing his familiar face. His four o' clock shadow was more prominent than it usually was, his lackluster gaze lacking their usual vibrancy. He looked around the promenade, oblivious to the fact that I was observing his dark circles that were not there a few days ago.

Mama would say that when a person intrigues you, you begin to notice the little things about them that you would never notice about anyone else. You begin to search their face for tiny birthmarks, you begin to memorize the color of their eyes and you no longer need to look at them to recite the faint blemishes on their face that even their oldest friends could not recite with confidence. I closed my eyes, easily recalling his soft features: the sharpness of his jaw, the striking green in his glance and the faint dots of birthmarks canvassing his face. When I opened them again, he was still standing there, his eyes on a mission.

Bella cleared her throat. "Narnie?"

I felt my body gather warmth all at once. "Yeah?"

"You want to make it any more clear that you're dying to fuck him?"

"What are you talking about? I just want to be his friend."

Micah raised an eyebrow.

She leaned into me secretively, whispering, "Friends? Seriously? Friends don't undress each other with their eyes."

"I'm not—"

"Hi Narnie."

My breath hitched in my throat.

"I hope I'm not intruding. You were the first person I saw."

If I needed any indication that he felt the same way, maybe this was it. But I fumbled for words, still gravely unassured. Bella filled in the silence once again, smiling warmly at Ezra. "You're not intruding."

"Nice to see you again, Bella."

"You too, Ezra."

Ezra's eyes traveled to Micah. "Ezra," he said, extending a hand.

Micah took it. "Micah. Nice to meet you."

"He's my brother," Bella said sheepishly. "Do you want to sit with us?"

"I'm actually looking for Anderson—Anderson Flemming. Have you seen him?"

Bella's face fell. Beside her, Micah faltered as if the sudden mention of Anderson Flemming resurfaced memories he had long forgotten. He sympathetically glanced at his little sister, who then forced a smile onto her face. "We haven't seen him," she said calmly.

How did Micah know Anderson? I wanted to ask. Instead, I glanced at Ezra. His eyes were already on me, their dullness revealing that he could care less about meeting Anderson Flemming.

"Sleep well?" he asked me.

I nodded. "Like a baby."

"So what are you doing looking for Anderson?" Bella digressed.

Ezra must have sensed Bella's discomfort because he approached the subject with great caution. "Nothing, really. We have some community service hours to make up because Coach Washington caught some boys doing pot in the field." He glanced at her apologetically. "But I'd rather stay with you, Bels. Guy's a bit of a loose end."

The discomfort on her face morphed into a weak smile. "Thanks, Ezra."

"I have to go find him. I guess I'll see everyone another time?"

Bella pretended to glance at her watch. "Actually, Micah and I have to go home as well, run errands for Mom. How long were you going to stay here anyway?"