Ghost Human Bones

Victor’s deep chestnut eyes open wide when Violet approaches the double doors of the Milk-Lime Mint Burger restaurant, just as he was on his way out, holding a bagged meal in one hand and a chilled chocolate shake in the other.

He needed to decide his fate quickly.

Nudging the door open with his shoulder, he propped it open with his back and held his breath.

“Thanks Victor,” Violet says, smiling.

She entered with the sun on her shoulders, but Victor scarcely saw her. He was preoccupied trying not to look too pleased, trying not to smile too much or too wide. Although it was difficult to hide his delight after inhaling Violet’s smooth, tart berry scent.

“Y—yeah, no problem, Vi—”

She was already gone.

Victor watched her longingly as she met up with friends gathered at a table inside. One of them was Tom Myers, who pointed at the empty seat near Violet, urging him over.

He shook his head no.

She’s too beautiful to eat a cheeseburger and onion rings next to, Victor thought. I can talk to her another time.

There was always an excuse.

Once the flow of people entering slowed, Victor realized he was still holding the door open. He glanced at Tom again, then at Violet, and took a chance.

Violet freezes when Victor sets his food down, taking the chair to her right.

“Now you can talk about how much you wanna kiss each other. HEYOO!” Tom exclaims, loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Tom!” Violet scolds.

“Hah! — Ow!” a girl next to Tom nudges him hard in the arm. “Sorry… Jeez.”

In his peripheral, Victor sees Violet turn to him.

“Hey,” she whispers.

“Hey…”

Victor forces himself to meet her gaze. Her smile is steady and contagious.

She likes you Vic. Tom told you so…

His heart cheered him on, encouraging him. And soon, the spotlight on them subsided as Tom regaled the group with his strange adventure tales.

“Wanna… go out sometime?” Victor blurts. His eyes widened as he looked down, surprised and nervous by his bravery.

“Yes,” Violet says, lightning fast.

Victor looks up, surprised. “Yeah? Okay, cool…” he sighs and nods, trying hard to contain his elation.

“Tomorrow night?” she asked. “You have my number, right?”

“Oh yeah, yeah… I’ll hit you up.”

Victor memorized it after all the times he almost called her but chickened out.

“You better,” she grins and waves him goodbye, joining the gaggle of girlfriends waving her over to sit with them.

Victor opened his bag of food as he watched Violet go, desperate for tomorrow.