It was a solid hour and a half later and the whole time I spent cutting up slices of cakes for kids who wouldn't stop eating.
"You've already had three," I said, looking down at the little guy. He frowned, but still held his plate out for another serving. Whatever. After giving him a slice, I wiped my hands on the dress. If he ruined his appetite for dinner, that was hardly my fault.
I was feeling a bit rebellious. It isn't like anyone would possibly wear this pink dress again, I thought as I looked at the stains I 'accidently' got on it.
I walked inside the empty kitchen and grabbed an ice-cream carton. Sitting on the floor against a shelf, I took off the lid and sighed in delight. Of course, the ice cream was also pink, but hey, it was ice-cream. I took a spoonful.
I could stay here forever. Forever it was.
Or a couple of hours later, when three quarters of the carton was empty and my lips were feeling numb. That's how Darius found me.
"What are you doing?" he asked, placing his hands in his pockets and swinging back on his heel. I held up the tub. Wasn't it obvious?
"Don't judge. I haven't had a proper meal in ages."
He bent down and sat on the ground next to me.
"And this is?" He asked, making a grab for my spoon.
I pulled it away from him. "Hey, get your own."
I worked hard for this ice cream. I had to deal with annoying kids running around everywhere. I love kids, but not spoilt rotten rich kids. They had no discipline and didn't know the good things in life. They aren't kids; they are monsters.
He leaned back against the shelf with his feet stretched out and I stifled a laugh. His legs were so long that his feet had reached the other shelf, and he was awkwardly pushed up against the other shelf.
"It's melting," he said, motioning to the ice cream carton.
I looked down and saw the ice cream-turned-sludge. I patted my stomach.
"I'm too full to even move," I said, leaning my head back.
"That's why you’ll give it to me," he said and I moved the ice cream away from him.
"No," I said, taking another spoonful. I'd eat it all before I give it away!
Damn, the ice cream was making me sleepy.
Darius suddenly leaned forward and I leaned to the side. "What are you doing?" I raised my eyebrows at his outstretched hand.
"You have ice cream on your face," he said. I looked down, but my nose was in the way.
"I can't see any."
"Stay still, then." He moved closer and I rolled my eyes, finally looking up and meeting his gaze. It was like time had frozen his face close to mine and I couldn't do anything but stare into the depth of his eyes.
It nearly felt like there were invisible strings pulling us closer. But then a loud bang sounded as the door slammed shut. We both jumped apart when we heard footsteps and I could feel my face flaming up like I did something wrong.
"Well, kill me if I found you a day without ice cream."
I looked up to see who it was and squealed and jumped up into the arms of one of my best friends.
"When did you come back?"
Jeremy laughed as he hugged me back, taking all the oxygen out of my chest. I coughed and tried to pulled back.
"Jesus, you still try and squash me with your hugs," I laughed. He ruffled my hair affectionately and wiped my cheek. "You have ice cream all over you."
I wiped my cheek and looked up at Darius who was now on his feet watching us.
Jeremy looked over and smiled, extending a hand. "Jeremy. And you must be Darius, eh?" he said, winking at me. I rolled my eyes. Darius nodded, and hesitated a bit before shaking Jeremy’s hand. Jeremy leaned against the bench top, placing an arm around my shoulder,
"When did you get back?" I asked again.
"Yesterday and your mother called," he said grimacing. I laughed. Of course she would have.
"Oh right, we were friends from high school," I told Darius, who nodded quietly.
"Now what did you bring for me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Jeremy laughed and excused us and pulled me with him outside.
He had left a few months ago to his trip to France and I couldn't wait to see what he brought back for me from France. Every time he’s away, he brings me a souvenir from that country and I keep it in a box. Last time, it was a piece of the Berlin Wall!
"Well, he's hot," Jeremy was saying as he walked me to his car.
"Whatever." I rolled my eyes. I swear Jeremy was gay when we were younger, and I bet one day he still may be. He had the softest blonde hair that was shoulder length. It was silkier than the girls’ in the shampoo ads and he combed it more than three times a day.
"Oh my god! Is that a peacock?"
Jeremy raised an eyebrow with a confused expression as he pulled out a bag. I sighed when I realised what it was. It was a bag that was the same blue color as a peacock.
"Oh my bad," I said as I opened it and pulled out a small box. It was wrapped in a ribbon of the French colours. Inside was a necklace with the Fleur de Lis pendant. I couldn’t help smiling.