T H R E E

The house was perfect and I still hated it. The air is different, somehow. Treelined street with sidewalks. Perfectly cut hedges and rosebushes. It was the kind of neighborhood that had mailboxes designed to look like the homes they belonged to. Roxanne squealed and clapped her hands as we pulled into the driveway. "We're home."

When I made it into my room some of my things were already there. My father started the moving process a few days ago to get a head start and to make it feel more like home.  It didn't. It was still foreign to me. My dad came in my room holding a box of my things. He placed the box on a desk in the corner and sighed. "What do you think?"

He wouldn't be able to handle the truth.

"It's nice."

He frowned. "That's it?"

"It's cool."

He shook his head. "You know what's not cool? These damn stuffed animals." He picked up Anna. "Maybe it's about time we get rid of these?"

It was strangely the thing I loved the most in this world that he held on to, so I swiftly snatched it out of his hands, determined to hold onto that piece of my old life. With a sense of urgency, I carefully placed it back into its box, ensuring its safety.

"Mom got that for me."

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted, and my dad's silly demeanor vanished as if he had just remembered something important. He cleared his throat and instructed us to start unpacking, reminding us of the long list of tasks that awaited us. 

 As we began bringing in box after box, the weight of the situation started to sink in. The realization that I was no longer home made it difficult to catch my breath. The air felt heavy, as if it were suffocating me with the weight of uncertainty. But amidst the chaos, I mustered the courage to approach one of the movers, my voice trembling with nervousness. "Um...excuse me," I stammered, desperately trying to regain my composure.

 "Can I get that?" I pointed towards my bike, which the mover had casually thrown over his shoulder. His response was gruff, his actions rough, as he dropped my bike to the ground without a care. My heart sank at the lack of consideration, but I managed to muster a weak "Thanks" before he disappeared back into the U-Haul. Left alone with my bike, I straddled it, feeling an instant sense of relief wash over me. The worn-out grips beneath my hands provided a familiar comfort. Instantly I felt better. I felt free.

"Judeline, sweetheart.. where are you going?" Roxanne said in a laugh, but the concern was evident.  The truth is I didn't know where I was going but I knew I wanted to be anywhere but here.

I had to think of something. Roxanne was still vying for my affection and would absolutely cover for me if that meant it earned her brownie points. My father would not allow me to dip out on unpacking even for a moment, and that's why I needed to do this now while he was busy inside making sure the movers didn't scrape up the hardwood floors.

"I need to get tampons." I blurted out, hoping to sell my lie convincingly. I gave her a knowing look, silently invoking the unspoken rules of girl code. "Oh sweetheart," she responded with genuine concern etched on her face. "I can take you there."

"No, no need," I quickly dismissed her offer, shaking my head and waving her off. "There's a store just up the street. I'll be back."

"Jude-" Without a backwards glance, I stepped down on my pedals and glided around my street corner without hearing the rest.

It felt good to move. To breathe. The rush of movement was exhilarating. Finally, I could breathe freely. I had been cooped up in that truck for what felt like an eternity. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough, as I eagerly anticipated escaping to my dorm and leaving behind the suffocating atmosphere of the Brady Bunch-like household.

As I turned the corner, a vibrant array of suburban living shops came into view. The sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow on everything around me. It was a perfect day to explore and take in the surroundings, or perhaps I was just relieved to be anywhere but inside that stuffy truck. It was nothing like home.The town had a distinct college vibe, and the more I rode, the closer I realized I was getting to my school, the University of Pittsburgh. The signs became clearer, proudly displaying the university's name. The shops along the way started to transform as well, taking on a charming Ma & Pa feel that reminded me of the shops back home.

Life is a whirlwind of change and consistency. It's strange how much can happen in a short amount of time, yet some things remain the same. The world keeps turning, the seasons keep changing, and the mailman still delivers mail. But when life throws you a curveball, it can be hard to keep up. I remember when I found out I was moving, I was speechless. I had always dreamed of living by the ocean, but fate had other plans. The University of Pittsburgh offered me an opportunity I couldn't refuse, and Roxanne's promotion in the forest city sealed the deal. 

"That's no coincidence!" Roxanne exclaimed when I got accepted, but when your mind is as screwed as mine, I can only afford to believe in coincidences.

 Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly found myself  in front of a Mediterranean market. I was taken aback by its existence in this small town. I dismounted off my bike and just as I was about to push the door open, I noticed a delicate white butterfly perched on the handle. I crouched down to get a closer look, mesmerized by its beauty. But in a twist of fate, the door swung open at that exact moment, smacking me right on the forehead. A sound of surprise escaped my lips as I instinctively covered my forehead with my hands. Still hunched over, I heard a male voice speak up.

"Fuck."

When I hear his voice, I feel my back freeze.  He grabs my arm, and I yank it back, coming back to my senses. I wasn't prepared at all for what I saw next.

Wow.

Wow on every part of him. His face, his presence, his shoulders, his eyes. His eyes are glowing, alive—green and deep. 

"Are you okay?" His stare is . . . the deepest I've ever seen. His eyes—I can never seem to stare enough. There's something strange about the air. He's a dark individual. Dark as his hair. There's an undeniable  aura of mystery surrounding him, like a storm cloud that engulfs his very being. Something magnetic. Electric. I don't even know what to do, how to respond.

Caught off guard, I find myself at a loss for words. In an attempt to regain composure, I shut my eyes momentarily, hoping to escape the overwhelming emotions that swirl within me. Thoughts of the  dream briefly cross my mind, but I quickly dismiss them as foolish and refocus my attention. 

 When I open my eyes, he's standing dangerously close, the scent of his cologne lingering in the air. A cigarette tucked behind his ear catches my attention, instantly igniting a sense of disgust within me. It breaks the spell he had cast over me, snapping me back to reality. Before I can utter a single word, a woman emerges from the building, her face etched with concern. She scolds him, clearly worried about the safety of her customers. I'm relieved by her interruption, grateful for the distraction from the dark  stranger.

"Sorry Ma." His eyes scan me, like trees on a windy day. "I didn't see her."  I'm no longer in pain, but I'm uncomfortable. I feel off.

As they both turn their gaze towards me, I suddenly realize that I haven't spoken a word. Feeling the weight of their stares, I divert my attention to the ground, desperately searching for an excuse. "I'm fine, really," I stammer, my voice barely audible. "I dropped a coin and was just picking it up." 

 His eyes narrow as he scans the ground, realizing there is no coin in sight. I inwardly cringe, regretting my feeble attempt at a lie.

 "Ah, okay," he responds, his tone laced with skepticism. "...Well, I did almost give you a concussion, so whatever you want is on me."

For a moment, I contemplate declining his offer, but the realization hits me that I left my wallet at home in my escape. And I did need to bring back evidence of the tampons. I enter the store, aware of his gaze following my every move. It doesn't take long for him to casually stroll past me in the aisle, his arm lightly brushing against the side of my jacket sleeve. I turn to face him, and he graces me with a mischievous smile before settling himself take a seat in the entrance of what I would assume to be the back office. He waves at me, and his lips curl in sly amusement. I quickly turn my head not realizing I'd been staring like a weirdo.

I grab a pack of pads, and try to convince myself I don't feel his eyes on me. Whenever I reach the counter with the pack. The lady is there to greet me with a smile. She puts the pads in a bag and holds it out for me. 

"Thank you." It takes me too long to say.

She chuckles. "Don't mention it. It's not the first time a girl has fallen for that boy."

My protest stays hidden, I'll probably never see her again. It doesn't matter to correct her that he actually hit me with the door instead. It's too obvious and I don't have the energy.

When I leave the store, and turn to my bike he's standing beside it.

The air between us pulse.

"Hi."

"Hello." I say when I walk around him and straddle my bike.

He stands in front of it. "Do I know you?"

I stare at him.

He smiled  "What's your name?"

"If you tell me, I'll never speak to you again." 

 Something told me that wasn't true.

He crossed his arms. "I'm Oscar."

I wait for him to move. "I didn't ask."

Just as I had done with Roxanne, I  don't wait for a response.