Did I win a lottery for Clarissa's time? She's friendly with all of the parents, but the whole thing with Max ended between us.
Maybe there's no point in mentioning it now. She moves from one thing to the next quite quickly, and everyone's always trying to get her attention.
After a long week, I browse through my email mindlessly until I see a message from someone named Bea. I can't help raising my eyebrow at her message.
"Picnic date. Saturday. 2 PM."
It sounds more like a command than a request. However, I'm not one to get tossed around so easily.
"Mall. Same day. 11 AM. But tell me who you are."
Who is this girl? I'm not sure, but if she doesn't like my reply it isn't meant to be anyways.
"I'm Clarissa's assistant. I'll tell her to head to the mall earlier."
Oh. I didn't realize she was related to that woman. Isn't she busy though? Surely she wouldn't accommodate my request that easily.
"Do I have to schedule an appointment with her or something?"
"No. You're one of the people she considers "priority"."
Usually, I don't smile when my ego feels boosted. But it's hard not to, since I've technically become a VIP to Kassel's CEO without even trying.
Saturday comes and I put on a casual sweater vest. I decide to ask Max if he wants to hang out for a bit.
"But you know what's weird? You going out with Clarissa to a seafood place!"
"Do you wanna hear what happened..? She actually wants to get to know me more."
At least I'm not the only one who thinks it's a little odd. Yet, that only makes me want to find
out more. What is she hiding?
The mall part isn't technically a date, since I invited the other parents of Genesis7 as well. Hopefully it'll be relaxing, and Clarissa will be less awkward on the picnic date- same thing goes for me.
Jeremiah's father, Alphonse, walks up to us, and I give a warm smile as he introduces himself to Max. I turn to ask the kid.
"Are you going back to the building?"
"Yeah, I'll text you later."
Soon the other parents arrive, and so does Clarissa. We stop at the food court, though she and I don't eat much, because of our own future plans.
These people actually know how to keep a conversation going- and after a brief interruption from Max and Jeremiah, we all part ways.
Clarissa gets her driver to take us to a secluded park. There are some children there, but the CEO isn't recognized.
"Have you had a picnic before?"
"Of course I have, with Ma-"
"Did I ask with who? You're with me now, so the only name you should be calling is mine."
"Clarissa."
She looks away for a second, as if my voice has startled her or something. Her throat clears quietly and she huffs.
"What?"
"Nothing, just calling your name."
"Maybe stop doing that and put your mouth to good use."
"Hey-"
A sandwich is wrongfully shoved into my mouth, and by some miracle I don't choke. All my eyes do is widen, and I swat her hand off the sandwich to eat it myself.
"Do you have a feeding kick or something?! You almost killed me!"
"It's not my fault you're so brittle! I was worried the wind would send you flying, so I had to do something quick!"
"Brittle…? Do you see my muscles?!"
I find myself scoffing, and reach both of my hands out, cupping her face and turning it towards me.
"Maybe if you tried looking in my direction you'd be able to notice them."
Clarissa yelps, and smacks my hands off of her face. I wince at how much it stings, and she makes a retort.
"I only looked away because the sun was in my eyes-"
"Is that so?"
"Are you doubting me?
"What do you think?"
My hand goes to my head, and I take off my hat to place on her head. Fortunately she doesn't resist this time, and simply chuckles.
"Thanks, I didn't know you could be so chilvarious."
My guard falls once more at the compliment, and we talk and eat sandwiches and fruits. It actually tastes pretty good.
"You make really good snacks."
"I bought them."
"Ah, well I did too-"
"Where do you have to go to get eyes on your chocolate chip cookies?"
She shoves another cookie in my mouth, but I don't resist. I almost choke again due to my own laughter.
"Fine, fine! I made them myself, for our picnic. But I bought the Oreos, alright?"
"Definitely… your cookies taste way better, anyways."
Is this actually going to be a successful date? Clarissa looks really happy, despite drinking a lot of lemonade every so often.
"Are you still hot?"
"No, I-"
I press my hand against her forehead just to be sure. I can't help being worried, I think that's just my nature.
"Are you really the guy that looked ready to cuss me out the day you found my letter?"
"Did you not expect me to be so versatile?"
"Perhaps the word is caring."
"Wow, am I really that intimidating? I'm not one to raise my voice often, I just got really defensive about-"
Right. Probably shouldn't bring Max up for a while. My voice softens and I murmur.
"I'm not an absolute monster, you know."
I give my own short laugh, though Clarissa's gaze seems to falter. It's the same look I saw in the parking lot before, and my own curiosity forces my words out.
"What's on your mind?"
"Nothing-"
"Then why did you become interested in me?"
Silence between us lasts for what feels like forever, until she murmurs.
"Because I wanted an explanation."
"For what?"
"All those years ago… did you use your powers on me?"
"Huh?"
"I'm serious, Dylan!"
Clearly I'm not online as often as I claim to be. I've never heard of this trend of roleplaying on a date. Seems fun, though.
"I did."
Her eyes widen, and I act just as shocked. If I knew Clarissa was onto things like this, I probably would've brought my white wig."
"So what if I play a little dirty? Can't I charm pretty ladies who deserve better?"
My smirk isn't disguised well. I'm not sure what her powers are, but I'm going to give myself the ability to be as fit as Superman.
"Oh my goodness."
"Hmm, and here I thought you'd be speechless. Do I need to try even harder?"
I flex my muscles playfully, expecting her to laugh at this whole situation. I pat one of my biceps, but when I look at her again- tears?!
"Clarissa? What happened?!"
"I don't know what I was thinking when I let him do that to me- oh, how does the anti-cupid know more about love than I do..?"
I find myself to be the quiet one. Suddenly, I feel like I'm in awe. How can this woman improvise so quickly? Those tears are impressive!
"Well, it's alright. Isn't that what second chances are for? To think about what went wrong and make sure things go differently."
"How can I change?! My son hates me and I lost any chance of having a family!"
Son? Is she bringing Max into this roleplay now?
"You don't have to be blood to be family…"
"I don't even have people like that."
"What about Bea? She could be your mom or something!"
"Okay, if anything it's the other way around- I'm way older than her."
"Oh yeah?"
"By centuries."
I laugh at our own derailment from the original topic of the roleplay, though when I grab her water bottle to pour more lemonade in, it smells weird.
"Did you also buy this drink from the store? Doesn't smell all that fruity… oh, it's just water."
"I did buy it. I'm not a child, you know."
"I'm sure you only get treated as such because of your pink hair."
"What? Are you going to ID me or something?"
"Why would I do that?"
"For the vodka?"
"Huh?"
I stare at her water bottle in my hands, inching closer to have the tiniest sip…
"Clarissa!"
"I thought you said you didn't raise your voice!"
"I said I don't do it often, not never! It's the middle of the day, why would you be drinking!"
"I don't drive."
"... Right."
"It's five o'clock-"
"Don't give me that bullshit. I thought you wanted to get to know me…"
"Isn't that what we're doing?"
"Can you even walk?"
I pack our things and help her up, a bit grateful that this whole confusing bit has halted her crying.
"Just lean on me."
"Why should I do that? If I rely too much on you, I'm bound to end up falling when you leave."
"Have you ever heard of keeping things in moderation?"
"Have I?"
"You really aren't going to remember any of this after the fact…"
"Does that upset you?"
"A little, but I'm pretty forgiving."
"I'm not. You'll have to make it up to me for making me lonely all those years!"
"By not making you lonely?"
"... Fine. You drive a hard bargain."
"The pleasure's all mine, princess."
"It's cupid to you."
"Angel then?"
"I don't have wings, idiot."
"Maybe miss day drinker then? It's hard to believe you're the type that bawls their eyes out after a few sips."
"I just wanted to feel at peace."
"But you might not remember this."
"Exactly."
"So… why?"
She mumbles something I can't hear, and her driver has already pulled up. I sit next to her, and pat her shoulder with encouragement.
"I still hate you."
My hand slowly moves away, and I roll my eyes.
"Alright, I'll hold some nonexistent dislike for you as well."
"Just wait until I get my revenge."
"If you try and blackmail me I'll just threaten to hit you with my heat vision."
"... What?"
"With my powers?"
"Weirdo- who even has powers like that? I swear I saw some sort of smoke that day, when you walked by."
This day has definitely been an interesting experience. But I'm even more willing to dive into the black hole of what makes Clarissa… herself. I do wonder how she got into roleplaying.
"That was just me giving you a preview of my grand entrance into your life. Be prepared for the real show."
And hopefully I'm ready to watch yours as well.