Chapter Forty-Three

The Applebee's looked just like Cierra remembered. There were stained glass lights above the tables and the booths alternated between light brown and maroon. Whoever created Applebee's had worked hard to create an unobtrusive, relaxed setting. Everything about the place suggested 'Have a seat and chat for a while.'

It wasn't the most romantic place, but then again, Cierra thought to herself, she wasn't even sure what today was. Now that she had all day to mull it over, she realized this could simply be a friendly get together of two people who happened to be stuck in the same group. Like going out with a classmate to discuss a group project.

Still the gym and the time to think hadn't been enough to combat her nervous energy. She found herself wondering what do with her hands, and if there was a certain food order that might make her look the most attractive. On TV women seemed to always order salad when out with a person they liked, something Cierra had rolled her eyes at the second she noticed the pattern.

Now, she found herself flipping to the salads section.

"Do you already know what you want?," Hans asked, watching her, "I was thinking we could do the two for twenty or two for twenty-five?"

Cierra laughed, embarrassed, "Yeah, sure."

She couldn't believe how quickly she had bent to the societal rule of 'women must order salad.' Her cheeks reddened, half in embarrassment, half in shame. In her mind she was already scheduling a serious come to Jesus talk with herself when she got home. One day, when she found the right words, her and Dawn were going to have a talk about ordering food when out with guys.

A few tables behind Hans, a man's voice raised, "…played god with dragons! We shouldn't even—"

"Quiet!"

Hans and Cierra raised their eyebrows, a secret message of 'what's happening?' being passed between them. Cierra shrugged her shoulders, the universal sign for 'I have no idea.'

Looking past Hans' shoulder to get a better look at the people behind him. In a booth sat a familiar woman, hair black fading to gold today. Next to her was a man Cierra had never seen before, his hair whiter than any snow and slicked back; for a moment Cierra wondered if his hair was translucent. He was wearing what looked to be a navy suit a few degree too formal for Applebees.

Across from them sat her classmate, his long hair swept up in a silky ponytail that fell to his shoulders. She could only see him from the back, but she would recognize that hair anywhere.

Cierra quickly moved to normal sitting position. Had Tia just made eye contact with her?

"What?," Hans asked, confusion then concern flashing across his face, "Do you know them?"

There was a clacking of heels that stopped at their table.

"Cierra, right?," There was no forgetting that husky voice, "Jeremiah's friend?"

Looking up, Cierra saw now that not only had Tia's hair changed but her overall look today was lighter. Instead of wearing black leather, she wore a tan leather jacket over a simple white shirt and skintight tan leather pants that ended in a slightly darker stiletto heel.

"Yeah," Cierrra swallowed nervously, "That's me."

Cierra hastily moved to introduce Hans, "And this," She gestured at him, "Is my friend, Hans."

Tia reluctantly shifted her gaze to the man. She looked him over, and then seemed to dismiss his presence, as if he wasn't really there.

"What a coincidence that we would both be here at the same time," She flicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth, "How interesting."

"Excuse—" Hans started, only to be interrupted.

"Tia!," Cierra breathed a sigh of relief, as Jeremiah finally walked over. Something about Tia's presence felt borderline suffocating, like at any moment she could stab you to death with her heels.

"I'm so sorry about her," Jeremiah said, strategically positioning himself between Tia and the table, "We were just having lunch."

The last part came out lamely, as though as he said it, he realized how obvious the statement was.

"Right," Cierra said, nodding, unsure what else to say, "This is Hans." She re-introduced him awkwardly.

"Hey," Hans nodded, looking Tia and Jeremiah over, "Is everything ok? We could hear you from here."

"Yeah! Yeah," Jeremiah said, averting his gaze, and tapping his fingers nervously on their table, "All good. Just a heated conversation about a book we've been reading. Literati's, am I right?"

Hans and Cierra shared a look. Behind Tia, the man with the silver hair joined them.

"I paid the bill," He said, looking the group over, eyes lingering on Cierra, "Are you all ready to go?"

"Let me introduce you to Jeremiah's friend, Cierra," Tia moved out of the way to bring the mysterious man forward, "I told you about her, we met in the town square. They go to school together."

What is she talking about? Cierra thought, wondering why Tia had bothered to tell anyone about her. She hadn't somehow gotten Jeremiah in trouble, had she?

"Nice to meet you, I'm—" The man started, holding out his hand.

"Tio, I guess?," Hans interrupted, annoyed. The man turned to him, as if noticing him or the first time.

"How did you know?," The man laughed, bringing his hand back to his side. The sound was deep and cold, sending chills down Cierra's spine. Across from her, Cierra watched Hans face grow pale.

"We're going to go now," Jeremiah said, breaking the tense atmosphere. Nodding at Hans and Cierra apologetically, he pushed Tia and Tio towards the door, "See you at school, Cierra."

Tio looked back, and for the first time Cierra noticed his eyes were an indigo color she had never seen before. Is that the hue Audrey Hepburn's eyes had been?, she wondered passively.

He dropped a "See you soon," that brought her back to reality before he left out the front door with Tia and Jeremiah.

Cierra hoped they never met again.

They both took a deep breath; with the strange party gone, the air felt breathable again.

"Who were they?," Hans asked, eyebrows stitching together.