After fifteen minutes on the bus, I arrived in downtown Chester. Within a few minutes of walking, I approached the liquor store.
Right back where it all started.
I stood outside for a while, terrified to enter the store.
Gripping my bag, I pulled as if desperately trying to transfer my uneasiness into the straps.
All I have to do is give the phone to whoever is behind the counter and ask them to pass it on to Ray. Here I go.
Another minute passed, and I remained frozen in place.
Come on, Kichi. Nothing to it. Easy breezy.
Loser much?
Three minutes later, I was still standing there. I still could not bear to enter the store.
I was a total loser.
I shook the nerves away.
Okay! Here I go.
Suddenly full of courage, I pulled on the door, but it did not open.
Locked?
I attempted again to no avail. I placed my face close to the door, straining to see through the tinted glass. Stepping back, I looked for something… a buzzer.
“Go around back.”
I spun. A bald man stood in the building’s doorway next door.
“Excuse me?”
“They close for an hour around this time,” he said. He had small, intense gold eyes and wrinkles underneath.
“Oh!”
He pointed. “Go to the end of the building, around back, buzzer number three. Someone should answer,” he instructed.
“Thank you.”
I followed his instruction. There was a basketball court at the back of the complex, barbeque grills, white chairs here and there, and a large inflatable oval frame pool.
Seemed like a fun place.
I pressed the buzzer and waited. No answer. I pressed again.
“Hello?” came a voice through the speaker.
My chest constricted at hearing Ray’s voice. There was no avoiding her now.
“Ray.”
“Kichi?”
Don’t sound so happy to hear my voice. You’ll get my hopes up.
“I have your phone. Rias told me where you were and asked me to bring it to you. You can come down and get it.”
“No.”
“No?”
“I need to see you.”
Her words sounded desperate, or perhaps it was I who hoped it was so.
“I am letting you in, okay?”
“S-sure.”
I took the stairs instead of riding the elevator, hoping to delay confronting Ray.
The door opened, so I removed my shoes and entered the surprisingly large and nicely decorated apartment.
“Excuse the intrusion,” I said.
“Kichi.”
I looked forward. Ray’s trim frame dressed in light grey boy shorts and a T-shirt. She’d just showered, I noticed. Her yellow hair with chartreuse green highlights was damp. She looked like she was getting ready to shoot a shampoo commercial.
Okay, my heart. Please calm down.
Each step Ray took made my heart race faster.
“I’ve been thinking about when we first met. You were wearing glasses.”
“Huh?”
“I think they impeded me from kissing you like I really wanted to back then. You’re not wearing them now.”
I usually just wore my glasses at school and for studying.
“Do I look weird without them?” I shifted nervously and unintentionally touched my face. Not wearing glasses didn’t trouble me, but to have it pointed out suddenly made me feel naked.
“You’re missing the point.”
“Oh. Then what is the point?”
Ray sighed and stepped towards me. She leaned down and placed a soft kiss on my lips. Then wrapped her arms around me and pressed against me. Our bodies now flaming from contact.
“The point is, dummy, this time I get to kiss you like I wanted to back then.”
Right after she said that, my lips parted. Ray lifted my chin and took my mouth.
“When I kiss you, close your eyes,” she whispered, holding my chin.
“I will close them. Kiss me again.”
“Now you’re taking the lead.” Ray brushed her face across my heated lips, then deepened the kiss.
Oh, my! It felt good. Pressure. Heat. Desire.
As Ray entered my mouth, I involuntarily growled. Every inch of her mouth was pure ecstasy. I didn’t want her to stop and I couldn’t find the will to push her away even as my lungs cried out for air. Ray’s hold on my face loosened, and she gripped my waist. Tight. I winced.
As I attempted to gasp for air, Ray would take my mouth. My legs buckled, causing me to hold her for support. Then just like that. Our kiss ended. Ray broke away, leaving me panting. Flushed from head-to-toe. I felt dizzy. At a loss.
“I needed to do that one last time,” Ray said, looking composed.
“One last time?” I swallowed. Despair fell over me like a sudden downpour.
“We won’t see each other after today,” Ray said.
I flinched. “We won’t see each other?”
I was such an idiot, repeating everything she said.
“Sorry,” she said.
“You’re returning to Bridgeport,” I replied.
“Aye.”
I knew she had to leave eventually, but I still wanted to keep her close. Even if only for a short while.
I could barely find the strength to pull her phone out of my bag.
“Sorry for the trouble I cost,” I told her. “Safe travels.” I nearly choked on my own tears.
She took her phone from me, seeming careful not to make any more physical contact.
“Goodbye, Kichi.”
Those last words did it.
Warm tears fell to my cheek as I turned away from her, as shapeless emotions welled up inside me.
If only I could stay at her side forever. If only I could become special to her.
These kinds of thoughts swirled through my head as I just continued to walk, unable to glance back. Not that I could see very much at this point. My vision blurred, and I felt like all the life had left my body.
I collapsed.
“Kichi!”
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