Chapter Two: Anthony Anticipation

Quickly closing the door to her room, Kristine click-clacked down the stairs, and out to the driveway. She strolled towards her Eclipse, and unlocked the door, inhaling her wintergreen car scent that reminded her of winter in the summer. Kristine also had a summer breeze scent that reminded her of summer during the winter months. She drove off, and arrived at Le Cafe only seven minutes later. Kristine opened the door, and was greeted by jingling bells.

"Welcome," the waiter called out. Kristine smiled, and nodded to acknowledge the gesture. She silently walked over to her favorite corner booth in the cafe; the most quiet corner, and sat down. Only seconds later, the waiter brought Kristine a menu.

"Thanks."

"No problem. I'll be back in a few minutes to get your order," the waiter replied, looking slightly frazzled as he raced to serve the multitude of awaiting customers.

Kristine flipped through the menu, and finally settled for a strawberry mango smoothie with whipped cream on top, and a croissant. Once the order had arrived, Kristine immediately ripped off part of the croissant, and pushed the light and fluffy bread to the roof of her mouth, savoring the buttery taste. She then spun the straw a few times around the glass, pulled the cherry that had originally been placed on top of her smoothie off, and took a long sip.

"Hey! I haven't seen you in forever!" Anthony called out, pulling Kristine out of her daydream about the ideal college life. Slightly dazed, she couldn't remember where she knew Anthony from, and then it clicked: track camp.

"Are you here with somebody? " Anthony questioned.

"I wish," Kristine thought, then answered, "Nah, I came alone."

"What? I can't imagine you not being pursued by at least a few guys."

After blushing profusely, Kristine managed to answer, "No, but why are you here? No, I mean...don't you live in Washington?"

"I couldn't stand another snow-shoveling winter, and anyways, my uncle lives down here, so its free boarding."

"Oh."

"Yeah, and why not move in near my bestest buddy?" Anthony teased, while scooting into the booth, and nudging Kristine in the arm.

"So, do you know many people down here?"

"Do you and my cousins count?"

Kristine grinned, and for the first time in weeks, a few butterflies fluttered around inside her stomach.

"So what has been going on?"Anthony asked, "How's your boyfriend?"

"Oh, he's gone."

Sensing the newfound tension, Anthony went back to the first question, "So what's been going on?"

"Nothing much, truthfully. Summer just started, and all of my friends have left me, scampered off to out-of-state universities like I have the plague."

"Ouch, that sucks. Sounds like your summer hasn't had a great start."

"Yea...kinda."

"Well then, my arrival couldn't have been better scheduled!"

"Well..." Kristine replied, continuing the playful banter.

"I'm offended! I guess I'll just leave then."

"No," Kristine laughed, grabbing his arm, and anchoring him to the seat.

"So the tables have turned!"

"You play dirty!" Kristine complained.

"Yea, but you already knew that," Anthony replied, while his eyes glistened mischievously.

"So then," Kristine started.

"What are you doing over the summer? Any plans?" Anthony finished.

"Ummm...nothing major...that I can think of."

"Then how about some fun with a handsome guy?"

"Oh really? Who?" Kristine teased, craning her to look outside the cafe's window.

"Well, my uncle is single, but he's got a date tonight. I know! I'll be his back-up!"

"Your uncle is single?!"

"No, he's happily married with three children, but it was a good excuse, wasn't it?"

"Of course," Kristine replied sarcastically, while rolling her eyes.

"Awww, come on! Give a guy some credit!"

"Only when due."

"Due? Do what? Go out tomorrow? The beach? Why sure."

"What? I never..."

"Come on Kristy!" Anthony pleaded, while simultaneously grabbing Kristine's cherry from her napkin, and popping it into his mouth.

"Okay! Okay!" Kristine said, smiling to reveal her white teeth that were currently restrained by invisalign braces. Things were finally looking up, and the day was turning out to be way more than anticipated.

"Cool. How about Bethune beach then?"

"Sure, but how did you know what beaches there are down here?"

"Ha, I don't. I just memorized the names of the two closest beaches, and the locations of some fun places."

"No tourist fun huh?"

"Asking for directions is for dumb people."

"Hey! I ask for directions!"

"I forgive you," Anthony replied, a childish glint in his blue-gray eyes, "but I've never said you were smart."

"Not smart huh? I guess that's why I'm friends with you," Kristine said.

"That's hurtful," Anthony replied, wiping a fake tear from beneath his right eye.

"Oh come on."

"I don't know...you broke my heart. I think you owe me a hug."

"Fine," Kristine laughed, patting his back as they hugged. In truth, she was grateful for any excuse to get a hug. She needed one.

"Okay, I might forgive you."

Kristine tried to make a mad face, but it quickly dissipated as Anthony imitated her facial expression, and started to wiggle his eyebrows up and down. As soon as Kristine began to laugh, Anthony looked up at the restaurant's rustic clock. He wasn't the type to carry a watch on him. Instead, on his wrist lay a braided hemp bracelet that he had gotten from the Bahamas two years ago.

"Oh, sorry Kristine, but I've got to go."

"Oh, really?"

"Yea, I promised to help my cousin Matthew with his sprint."

"Oh. Okay then," Kristine replied, satisfied with the reason for his sudden haste. Kyle had never done such favors.

On his way out, Anthony paid the bill, and held the cafe's door open for Kristine. She felt like a princess, with her prince right by her side. She walked briskly to her car, and sat down inside. In the silence of her winter-green scented car, Kristine contemplated the strange meeting. Apathy wasn't included in the hundreds of new emotions that now churned inside her, and threatened to bubble over; but anticipation was.