Through the point of view of Beatrix
Anthony looks up at my question, clearly surprised at my boldness.
I can't believe I just asked that..
"You don't have to answer .. I was- I'm just curious." I'm nervous as I stutter over my words and face palm once the jumbled sentence comes out.
My face is so hot right now, oh my god..
"You're so cute," Anthony chuckles, and it only further flusters me.
I tell him to shut up, but still keep my face in my hands to hide my expression.
"Kali is my ex-girlfriend." He says, and while he speaks, I feel Anthony's wrap hand around one of wrists.
Of course, his hands are much bigger than mine and enclose around my hand gently. I'm ashamed to admit it, but it doesn't feel too bad.
His hands are warm, and they feel soft to the touch.
My heart hammers in my chest as he pulls my hand away from my face and reveals me to his piercing gaze.
When our eyes meet, it visibly softens.
Slowly, he pulls the other one away from my face as well and I can't help but feel a little shy at our proximity.
"We were really close in high school, and then after graduation I asked her to be my girlfriend," Anthony holds my hands gently as he begins to speak.
"We dated our first year, but she moved away to live her with dad. And after that, we decided we didn't want to do long distance and we broke up." I frown at this, sort of feeling sorry for him.
"I'm sorry to hear that." I'm earnest as I express my sympathy but Anthony merely shakes his head at my words.
"It's alright. She was just really close with everyone, and still is .. so that's why they always bring her up." Anthony's thumb gently caresses the skin on my hands, and I tell myself not to pay it any mind.
"You guys were so mature about it. I'm kind of jealous," I admit with a half smile, and Anthony scoffs jokingly in response.
There's a bit of silence.
"What about you? Do you have any ex-girlfriends or boyfriends?" The question makes me tense, and I swallow bitterly while recounting the memories of my ex.
"Cmon, this is your first date? I feel like you're lying to me,"
"You're so beautiful, Beatrix.. so beautiful.."
"I .. had a boyfriend, if you could've even called him that." I keep my answer vague, but it still feels a bit uncomfortable talking about it again.
Anthony sits up attentively at my words, and I continue.
"We um .. our relationship was just- it started in a way it shouldn't have." By the time I finish, it's only then that I realize I had been squeezing Anthony's hand.
I don't want to look at him, but I can't help that I do. I'm nervous as my eyes flicker up to his own, taking a a peek at his face.
"What did he do to you, B? Did he hurt you?" His tone is soft as he rouses the question, but his eyes convey a sense of worry at what I've said.
"Hurt me..?" I repeat his words faintly, and only doing so makes the memories rush back even quicker.
"What are you worried about? There's no one here, and they won't see anything."
"This isn't working out for me anymore. I think we should go our separate ways.."
"Anthony .. I don't want to talk about this anymore." I can't hold my demeanor anymore, and the minute my eyes start stinging up .. I know I'm about to cry.
He's dumbfounded as I pull my hands away and get up from the seat quickly. My heart hammers in my chest painfully, and my ears ring while I try to take a couple deep breaths.
Calm down .. calm down .. calm down..
"Beatrix?" Anthony approaches me slowly, and even though I know it's just him, and he's trying to help .. I panic.
"Don't touch me!" I snap, lurching back.
My voice is so loud that it shocks me and Anthony, and his eyes widen at my voice. His lips part, on the verge of consoling me once more but I cut him off.
"I'm sorry but I want to be alone. Now." I don't mean for my tone to sound so harsh, but it comes out unintentionally.
Anthony doesn't grow angry at my words, or try to speak again. Instead, he takes a couple steps back before collecting his things.
I turn away, and try to instead my composure with a couple more deep breaths. The sound of shuffling around echoes around the room and then Anthony speaks.
"I'm sorry."
His words are accompanied by the sound of the door closing shut, and are followed by an immediate deafening silence.
That night I go to sleep with a heavy feeling in my chest, one that only subsides when I close my eyes to sleep.