When I met you

Adam Melchior From the bedroom doorway, Leo asks: — Are you coming? It’s the beginning of spring break because of the high season, with days full of daytime drinking and skipped classes.That afternoon there’s going to be a pool party at the house of one of the guys from the football team. I lift my eyes from the laptop. — Hey, did you see this? — I turn the screen and show him Taylor’s most recent photo: in the picture she’s hugging a tall, muscular guy, the two of them looking at each other with desire, and as if that weren’t enough, the caption seals the conclusion of what, by now, everyone already knows. “Forever you and me. I love you, kitty.” Faced with my friend’s lack of reaction, I speak again: — You broke up less than a month ago, where did this guy come from? — It doesn’t matter how long it’s been... — he leans against the doorframe. — It’s over. — he says more firmly than he appears. — Taylor has already moved on, and I need to stop being an i***t and thinking it should be any different. The truth is I should have been more casual, the way you were with girls, and just really enjoyed myself. We’re living the best phase of our lives, and when college is over I want to look back and remember when we went to pool parties to get wasted and hook up with girls... — he adjusts his sunglasses on his face. — ...and not how I wasted my time trapped in a toxic relationship. I nod. Whether Leo likes it or not, Taylor was the great love of his life. They had the kind of story that can’t be erased by time. They had their ups and downs, but without a doubt they were completely crazy about each other. Everyone thought they would end up at the altar sooner or later. However, everything fell apart when my best friend discovered that Taylor had been cheating on him with a rich kid from the law program. — Well, I really am very wise... — I shrug. — You’re very lucky to have me as a friend. Leo rolls his eyes and snorts. — I forgot that complimenting you is like signing a death sentence. Is there any chance you’ll forget I mentioned that? I tilt my head back, smiling. — Not a chance. — I grab my wallet and stand up, placing one hand on his shoulder. — How did you say it again? I should have been more like you. — Oh my God!!! — he closes the door. — You are unbearable, Melchior. I slip a hand into my pocket. — You know what else I am? — I flash a smug smile. — ...your idol. He lets out a laugh that sounds more like a bark. — I hate you. I’m about to answer him when a beautiful girl walks down the hallway, capturing my attention. Soft curves, an open smile, golden hair. She has a fantastic ass and a beautiful mouth too, full and insolent. She’s the kind of girl who dates guys who, sooner or later, will cheat on her over and over again.And I’m dying to tell her that I’m a decent guy, that if she lets me, I’ll fall in love with her, take care of her, listen to her dreams and sorrows, and be loyal and fun without ever forgetting her birthday or making out with her friends and then blaming it on the alcohol, nor coming home drunk and smelling like strippers after a night out with my buddies. But if I did, it would all be a lie. Because that’s exactly the kind of guy I am. That’s enough to make her melt. A minute later, the girl walks past me with a seductive smile on her lips. — Hi, Adam. — she knows my name, of course she does. — Hi, beautiful. Her eyes sparkle and her cheeks flush. I don’t need to look back when she walks away and creates some distance. I know I’ll end up having her, sooner or later. ✶ The party was packed and there were beer cups scattered everywhere. We weave through the people in the house until we reach the huge backyard and spot Rick, Elliot, and Izabel. We approach them, greeting them shortly afterward. — This party is insane... Rick says, already drunk, with his usual broad smile and a gleam of excitement in his eyes. The guy is the biggest in the group, definitely a mountain of muscle. Rick keeps his hair very short, military style, and like Leo, he’s a football player. — No, man. You’re the one who’s insane from being so drunk. Elliot replies with a smirk, taking a long drag from his cigarette, the orange ember glowing in front of his dark face. — Noooo... — Rick downs another gulp, making a face. — The girls are insane... — he says while looking at the sexy bikinis of some women passing by, drawing looks from the three of us. — Elliot Bennign! — Izabel elbows her boyfriend, gritting her teeth. If looks could kill, by now Bennign would be lying in a pool of blood. — Were you looking at something? — N-no, babe, of course not. Izabel narrows her eyes. As beautiful as she is deadly, with bright dark irises, refined striking features, and tan skin that glows in the sunlight. — Are you sure about that, dear? — Relaaax, Izzy... — Leo teases beside me, knowing she hates the nickname. — Shut the f**k up, Leonardo. — she shoots back. — Besides, shouldn’t you be crying while sketching your horns? I look at Elliot and realize he’s also struggling not to laugh. Coleman gives an awkward smile, and Rick closes his eyes for a moment, as if struck by a mild headache. He has clearly reached his daily alcohol quota. That doesn’t mean he’s going to stop. — Iza, go easy on him, please... — I wrap an arm around my friend. — The poor guy’s horns are still new. She smiles and presses her lips together, trying to stay serious but failing completely. She walks over to Leo and places an apologetic kiss on the youngest member of the group’s cheek. — No crying, little Leo... — she brings her hand to her mouth, joining her thumb and index finger, miming the action of zipping her lips shut. — No more teasing today. — she promises with a smile. We keep talking until Iza and I are tasked with getting refills for everyone’s drinks. She had been with Elliot since freshman year, but she was more than just his girl. Izabel is the only girl we allow to know who we really are. She’s family, our feisty sister who likes to scold us and pick fights sometimes, but who also supports us unconditionally. No matter what stupid things we do. — It may not seem like it to you, but everyone can see he’s crazy about you, Iza. You don’t need to doubt Elliot. Iza looks at me curiously, one eyebrow raised. — You men aren’t trustworthy, and your elevated testosterone levels are a danger to female society... — she retorts while filling the red cups with bottles spread across the marble counter of the outdoor kitchen. — Honestly, I should get a one-way ticket to heaven just for putting up with the four of you... and don’t come at me with stories because I know exactly who the Sword Quartet is! — Sword Quartet? — this time I can’t hold back a laugh. — Yes! What do you do when I’m not around, write a list of how many women you’ve slept with while comparing each other’s d***s? Another laugh, but this time I don’t deny her a mischievous smile. — Making a list would be too much work. Iza rolls her eyes and takes a deep breath. I laugh and take a step. And then, I see her. In the center of the makeshift dance floor in the game room, dancing as though the room belonged to her, eyes closed, absorbed in an aura all her own, while her soft, delicate face expresses complete immersion. I see a blinding white sky and an endless expanse of breathtaking beauty, her beauty. Dark hair sways like waterfalls, a few strands sticking to the back of her neck with sweat. Damn it, even that becomes attractive on her. The blue dress molds to her body, fitting her curves like waves upon the sea. And I can’t stop looking. Not even when her eyes meet mine. A guy appears behind her. He starts moving to the rhythm of the music, following her movements, staying close to the hollow of her neck and making his presence known on every visible part of her body. She notices and stops dancing. I stop with her. I remain motionless, watching the light leave her face little by little as she processes the situation. When she finally understands, she shoves him away. — Are you okay? — I feel Izabel’s hand on my arm, but I barely hear her. — Do I need to carry you? I swallow hard and keep watching them until my eyes hurt. The guy goes after her again while she’s weaving through the crowd, trying to find a way out of the room. He grabs her by the arm and says something that makes her react angrily. He hates that. As punishment for the girl’s audacity, he presses her into the corner of one of the walls. I leave the kitchen, crossing the room with wide eyes. The cups are lost somewhere along the way. My heart pulses in my fingertips as I anxiously wait for the chance to punch his face in. She wants to leave. He stops her. She turns her face away. He digs his fingers into her jaw and forces her to look back at him. She is strong. He is much stronger. And everyone is far too drunk to notice. To do anything about that piece of s**t who is burying his face in the space between the girl’s collarbone and chin. — Take your hands off her or I swear I’ll beat the hell out of you right here in front of everyone. — she stares at me, surprised, frightened. She’s so shocked she can barely believe what’s happening. Every part of her body analyzes me carefully while the guy slowly turns his face toward me. — And who do you think you are to do something like that? — The guy who’s going to beat you until you learn how to understand when a woman says no. The guy smiles mockingly, and that’s the breaking point for me. I slam him to the floor. I throw him down so hard that the sound of his back hitting the ground echoes louder than the music, making people stop dancing and start gathering around us. I punch his face. I unleash hell when blood stains my fist. I would kill him. I’d beat him until he was unconscious. I would. And my friends know it. They are so aware of what my rage can do that they stop me. Everything becomes fog and haze for a while. I can barely feel my hands against the bastard’s face when Elliot and Leo intervene, managing to pull me off him. The world spins when I’m thrown backward, and everyone rushes to help the guy. Izabel is stunned. And even Rick, drunk as he is, seems horrified by my recklessness. The girl with the blue dress, vanished as though she had been a hallucination. Except for the evidence lying on the floor of what I had done for her. When I met you, the light finally came to the surface, though turbulent enough to leave me temporarily blind.