“As we go on, we remember, all the times we spend together. Is that ok?”

I said to Neil as we walked out of school and rested on a bench to wait for Allan and Roland.

“Is that Jeanne's little speech for our Christmas party?”

He replied as he rummaged something inside his bag as I nodded.

“Simp.”

Crumpling the paper I threw it at his head.

“I wouldn't be doing this if you guys didn't bet on me to date her for a week then I wouldn't be simping wouldn't I?”

It was the Royals -- the popular students -- idea on this speech before the class Christmas party, and Jeanne, one of my new found... Friend... is well known to be one of them.

As I raked my brain for words to come out, Neil then bought me a drink and should wait for Allan and Roland to bring us the snacks. Today's the 6th chess match for Neil, and I began to set the stage (Board) for them.

It was a chilly Wednesday. The lazy orange sun of the 4:18 p.m. afternoon made us remind ourselves that it's only a few days before the dreaded Christmas class party and a few weeks time before the year ends and only a few months left until graduation.

My mother promised me that I'll go to a nice community collage when I graduate. Then again, I don't know what should I course should I take since what I truly want is a decent job too make due, save up for a year, and think of course while working.

“Maybe you're more of a flag raiser than a simp,”

Nudged Neil at me when as I setting up the board, and day dreaming of boring office cubicle to a step for financial mobility.

Breaking from that reality and looking at where he pointed, there stood the class president. Erika. Equipped with a gray sweater and her favorite colour blue muffler around her.

“You three have to beat Aaron's ego with out me then.”

I tapped his shoulder as I strapped on my bag as the once short hair, sapphire eyed girl approached us.

“Have fun flag raiser.”

A smirk formed above his jawline as he slapped my back.

Ignoring his jeer, I quickly jogged my way to Erika who greeted me by giving her bag to me and waving a goodbye at Neil.

“Did I disturb your fantasy, resurrection, game world again?”

She said as we began to walk and reminded me about Allan's rage when she was invited in one DnD session.

“Nope, were just setting up a chess match between Neil and Arron again. We all know who the winner is and in fact you might have given me some free time.”

“So that means more time for the both us then?”

Though, her contact lenses has a blue color that emits a cold aura. Her smile was happy U and warm and fuzzy to look at.

“Can I say no?”

I raise my eyebrow at her.

“If you say no then I wouldn't mind telling your mom that we have a relationship.”

She then gave a sinister giggle as she trotted a few steps forward ahead.

“Not just with me of course.”

“Then I'll give you half an hour then.”

“Oh, cherry...”

She then waited for me and walked along my pace.

“I miss the dense old you.”

She breathed besides my ear.

Rolling my eyes, I quicken my pace forward which she almost tripped due to my sudden change of pace.

“Come on, and stop calling me cherry! That swollen cheek was your fault.”

For kissing me under a mistletoe in front of Jeanne and Mary that last Christmas party.

“Ehehe... Wait up cherry.”

Now that I think about it it's all of Neil's fault foe bringing that missile toe why I got this nickname.

****

“So, you decided where you going after graduation? Or at least a course you're taking?”

She asked as we walked besides the cliff overlooking the far off shore. The sun was almost sinking in the horizon. The once orange tainted sky was now an almost dark blue canvas whose stars were peeking out to see if the biggest star was drowned under the sea.

The breeze was cool and slow as it brushed our cheeks, and it slowly told me that I was keeping silent for a long time.

“I don't know.”

I sighed with the ocean breeze. Everyone seemed to have a chosen a brighter future ahead of them except for me. I've gotten used on working in a family restaurant and was paid enough to pay rent without diminishing my mother's own pay. Going out of this safe zone is... I don't know.

“All I know is I need to help mom get out of that dishwashing hole in the shortest possible time.”

I want to give her a life that my father disappeared away form. But, what course should I take? What am I good at? Most of all how much will it cost?

Skipping besides me, and a look of warmth? A smile of mischievousness? I don't know what she was giving me when she leaned in front of me and smiled at me.

“What?”

I lifted my left eyebrow as her blue eyes kept staring.

“Hmm... ”

She then held my cheeks and lifted up my chin, straighten my back and fixed my hair a bit.

“You should look up more, and worry less. Your face is waste if it will get wrinkles at an early age.”

I smiled a bit at this gesture, and nodded. Eye to eye. Those sapphire eyes may be contact lens, but... There was something alluring with those eyes and her subtle rose perfume that I almost felt mesmerized. After that, I sure could feel that those icy fingers were pulling my ear into her deep pupils, to her skin, and then her lips...

“I don't need a face,”

I removed her hands and whispered it to her.

“I need a better job, and somehow reject three of you persistent suitors.”

That, I smiled. It was her turn to be annoyed. By the sharp punch on my chest, and the pout she put out, translated success for me.

“But, I am pretty sure your mother will be very ecstatic if she becomes a grandmother someday, right?”

I made some space when she clung my arms.

“I'll give it to her when I'm 30 and have bought a house already.”

“Spoken like a true virgin.”

“Is that bad?”

“I miss the old you, you know. The one who spoke in an embarrassing poetry that I was a scornful flower who cared nothing else but my look and would prick the eyes of men whom I didn't like. I still can't shake that embarrassment you gave me that day, you know.”

I... Didn't know how to reply to that shy smile and reddening cheeks she gave. My mouth just couldn't move when I remember that day I got mad at her. Still, that all aside, we continue walking until was in sight, the streets were in traffic and tourist were everywhere now.

The lamp post turned to life, and the wide and long wooden pier held strong against the never ending trample of selfie taking tourists and the crash of the waves low tide wave.

Indeed, the place is, in itself, a stretch of amusement park and bazaar. A towering ferris wheel at the end, a sweet lollipop themed merry go round, and those loud button smashing arcade shops clustered around. Then, at the main entrance were a plethora of sophisticated seafood fine dining restaurants, bustling family diners, cotton stalls, roasted peanut wagons, popcorns and ice cream stands all popular to students, children, and lovers. Whereas, at the center of this pier were neon and florescent lights that blew the dark away. Small souvenir stores dropped bright adverts that attracts the attention of the very world, and the chilly sea breeze greeted the children that was born in a hot mess that is a city of stress and emissions. They all greeted the sea like they never knew it before. 5:47 the almost rusty public clock was telling us, and what my phone feeling me.

“Wait here, I'll get you some coffee and bread before you go.”

I said to Erika once we reached the wooden platform. It was a few steps away until the door of Sandy's - It was like the forefront, and face of this pier and where I work at.

“W-wait... ”

She pulled my arm before I could escape her. She was smiling, yet face down as her hair swayed by the breeze. I lend my ear and asked what's the problem.

“Nothing...”

She smiled, almost melancholic like, before softly letting me go.

“I just want to know if you want to spend some time with me - play around the pier for a moment.”

I promptly said no. Every seconds count when wage is per hour.

“Besides, I got in trouble because of the extension that you made. ”

I said before giving her bag and lead her to a nearby bakery.

“Sorry, if this is the only thing I could give you.”

Giving her a cheap muffin, and a small cup of coffee was still a bit embarrassing to give even after this is the twentieth time you've done this.

“No. It's ok. Thank you.”

And I never get over it when I see her cold eyes transform into life as her cheeks turn red.

“Umm...”

I was rummaging for words out of my brain if I don't find some quickly my heart will explode by this sensation.

“One ride.”

I looked at my cup.

“Eh?”

“Maybe, just half an hour... Ugh. You know what nevermind, we clearly rode every ride in this oversized platform and...”

She then took my hand,

“I wouldn't mind the ferris wheel again.”

She uttered. Which, I could see a blush on her face and that rare small smile that she attempts hide as soon I noticed it.

With that response I lead the way trough the bustling crowd and to the ferris wheel. None of us poke to one another, we just held hands and even when the line was long to the ferris wheel and time past by and even when we got in the ferris wheel... a conversation was hard to find.

Inside I think we barely even spoke as it was exactly when we saw last of the red orange sun dip down into the horizon. We were on the top to witness the sun's slumber.

“Can you celebrate Christmas with me?”

She said still looking outside as the the ferris wheel began to turn. I looked at her, and I noticed her knees were tight together and hands were tight in to a fist as she kept looking outside.

“I-I m-mean of course. You can bring your mom and friends to, if you want.”

She's not the first to invite me. Neil, Allan, and Roland were the first one to invite me and mom to celebrate Christmas at their house then Jeanne, and Mary soon after... Because all of them knows our financial situation that me and my mom are currently in. Yet, unlike them, I think Erika has a different reason why she want me and mom to celebrate Christmas at her home.

“I... I can't.”

I replied.

She looked at me with surprise as we finally reached the end and left the ride.