720 MINUTES

Chapter 2

"Why are you always so late when we have to go out?" Asia let a sight out.

"I am sorry, I got back home and couldn't decide what to wear. You did not tell me anything about this party!"

"So at the end this is what you opted for?" Asia sneered her, pointing at the casual dress her friend was wearing.

"As I said, you said nothing about it. Why are you dressed so elegant? What is tonight about?"

Asia looked at her with a perplexed expression. "Wait, you did not hear about it?"

"About what?"

"Sam is leaving for good. He found a good job in the city, and he is starting next week. This is why he is throwing a 'goodbye party'."

Clarissa was shocked. "What? That is so sudden. I didn't know about it! If this is the occasion, I should go back and change into something more suitable."

Asia grabbed her friend's wrist. "No way! We are late already! You should have thought of that earlier. Now get in the car. Sam's house is quite far."

Sam's house was indeed quite far. The problem was not the distance, but the road they had to drive down: a narrow road uphill in the middle of the forest, with many blind turns. And it was very dark, since no streetlight was on the way. 

"Be careful As. You know this road scares me."

"I will do my best. I would be more careful if we left on time."

Clarissa leaned on the car window.

"Let's talk about something, this silence is creeping me out." Asia snapped.

"Alright, what do you want to talk about?"

"What did you do today?"

"Nothing special. I spent my day at the bakery-"

"Ugh, usual. Will you ever get bored of that place?" Asia asked.

"You know I won't. I am planning on attracting people from outside, maybe Jake can help me with that."

"Oh, now we are talking about something I am really interested in. How is Jake? Are you two a thing already?" 

Clarissa rolled her eyes.

"How many times do I have to tell you? We are just friends. There is NOTHING between us."

"Yeah, yeah. Babe, I have eyes, you know? I can see you two when you are together. You act like lovebirds always teasing each other, you just avoid the romance - holding hands, kissing, sleeping togeth-"

"Don't say something like that, or I will picture him naked in my mind." Clarissa stopped her, pretending to be about to throw up.

"You keep on your childish jokes. We will see who is right."

"Asia, although I appreciate your interest in my love life, Jake and I have always been best friends, and that is how it will stay." She replied. "He even has a girlfriend from England now. That's fancy." She added, faking a British accent.

"You have no idea how much I am interested in that. Actually, I had something in mind for tonight."

Uh-oh.

"I knew it. What is it this time?"

"You know, Tom's cousin will be at this party as well. He is a few years older than you, he works at the-" Asia couldn't finish her sentence.

"Asia." 

"At least hear me out. He is a good opportunity, and he is really handsome. Promise me you will try and talk to him tonight."

Saying no was no use with Asia, and Clarissa knew that. "Alright, I can promise you that."

"You are finally here!" Sam shouted seeing them from the rooftop.

"Sorry, guess who was late, again?" Asia shouted back. "Give us a moment and we'll be with you."

Tom approached them. "Hey hun, you girls made it." He said, kissing Asia. He then turned to Clarissa.

"Clari, may I introduce my cousin to you? This is Leo."

"So you were part of her plan?" Clari whispered faking a smile. "Hi! I am Clarissa, but people call me Clari." She then said shaking this guy's hand. "Nice to meet you."

Clarissa took a better look at him. Asia was not wrong, he surely was good looking: light brown hair with green eyes. Oh, green eyes. She had a thing for green eyes. He was very different from Tom, luckily for her.

"I am Leo. Tom told me you were beautiful, but I suppose no words can match your beauty."

Strike one. Clari pretended to be blushing, but she hated those type of comments. 

"Well guys, we'll leave you two alone. See you on the rooftop." Asia said, grabbing Tom by the hand. 

The night passed and we were all having fun. I spent most of the party chatting with Leo. Usual topics people talk about on their first date.

What do you do for a living? What are your future aspirations? What is your dream job?

"I am a studying to become a lawyer. Law has always been something that fascinated me. I would like to do some pro-bono work, but I would also need something to earn money. For now, the plan is to move to New York. I have been accepted as a trainee in an important law firm. Hopefully, it will be good." Leo smiled at Clarissa. "What about you?"

"My life is not as exciting as yours I must say. I have always lived in this town, and since my mother passed away, I have been busy with the bakery she left me. My dream would be to be as goos as she was."

"Oh well, as the Arabs say, Inshallah."

Clarissa looked confused. "I am sorry, Insha-What?"

Leo smiled again. "It's a word that means something like 'If God wants'. It is used to say that hopefully something will happen. You know, I spent one year living in Morocco during my gap year. It really broaden my vision of the world." He explained.

"Morocco? Wow, sounds so amazing. I wish I travelled as much as you. Unfortunately, I never left this country. Who knows, maybe one day..." Clarissa sighed. 

"Inshallah."

"Exactly." She laughed. "So do you speak arabic?"

"Not at all. During my stay in Morocco I used my French to go around. I couldn't learn the dialect they speak there, the darija. I only learnt some basic sentences for daily life."

Clarissa was starting to like this guy. She could tell he liked to show off a little bit, but she found him genuinely interesting.

"Guys, are you having fun?" Asia stepped in their conversation.

"We are, but are you ok Asia? You seem to have had too many drinks for tonight." Clarissa was worried.

"Hey! The whole point of going out is to have fun, isn't it? And you can bet your booty I am." She replied, sipping her cocktail.

Clarissa looked at the time. "It's got quite late. I should probably go back home. Are you coming back with me or going with Tom?" She asked her friend.

"I am sleeping at a friend's place tonight. Can you take her home?" This time it was Tom speaking.

"Sure thing, but you have to convince her. She seems to be enjoying the dance floor."

Tom smiled at her. "Give me one second." And then rushed to get his girlfriend.

The guys walked them to the car.

"But I don't want to go home!" Asia was arguing.

"I know, I know. We can have more fun tomorrow night, I will be at home. For now, just promise me you will behave in the car and go get some good rest, okay?" Tom said softly.

"Uff. Alright. But promise me tomorrow we will have more fun. Pinky promise!" She said and raised her hand.

The girls got into the car. After fasting their seat belts, Clarissa drove off. The guys were waving at them, waiting for the car to disappear in the forest. 

"I don't get it. This is my car, why am I not driving?"

"Asia, you drank too much to drive. Let me drive you home and then I will walk home."

"Soooo, how was it? Did you have fun? How was Leo?" Asia started asking.

"He seems fine. I am pretty interested, we exchange phone numbers, and maybe - Inshallah - he will text me soon."

"Insha-what?"

"Nevermind." Clarissa smiled.

"Oh come on! Tell me more." She started teasing her friend, pinching her friend's belly.

"Asia stop, this could be dangerous."

But Asia was not stopping.

"Asia, stop it now!" 

But she got distracted, when she turned she didn't see a raccoon crossing the street until the very last second. As she tried to avoid it, everything went black.