The Girl in Purple Sunglasses, Sipping Chocolate Milk Through a Red & White Bendy Straw & The Boy in Leather Pants Holding a Skateboard

“I’m not just some strange girl,” she said, as she sipped on chocolate milk through a classic red and white striped bendy straw, “I’m a strange girl from the past and the future at the same time.”

“I don’t know what you mean by that,” he replied.

“I mean you’re never going to understand me, so I’m not sure that you should try.”

“I’m not trying to understand you. I’m just curious, so I’m just asking questions.”

She laughed dryly.

“Maybe you’re simply a narcissist,” he said, “Maybe I don’t want to know you at all.”

She began to unwrap a French macaron. It sat, wrapped in a delicate plastic, in a cardboard box with only room for one. The box was wrapped in a champagne colored ribbon.

“Okay,” she said.

This made him furious, but he knew not to show it. This made her laugh.

“I know you’re mad,” she said, “Would you like a bite?”

“That thing is a bite,” he said.

“I don’t get close to people.”

“We’re just working on this project together. It just seems necessary for us to talk.”

“Talk.”

“I didn’t say necessary for me to talk at you. I think we need to talk. With each other.”

“Why?”

“Well, because.”

“Why don’t I just put together a little something something, and you put together a little something something and we surprise the teacher.”

“I don’t think that’s how it works.”

“Why are you so boxed into ‘how it works’? Who decided ‘how it works’ anyway? I don’t like that guy very much.”

“This is very frustrating,” he breathed.

“Would you like some tea? There’s this place two doors down. Beautiful teahouse. I know the guy who made all the pots.”

“I feel I’m supposed to say ‘yes’ here.”

“Hmm?”

“Is that the only way you’re going to talk to me?”

“Don’t you see I’m talking to you now?” 

“Well, yes. Yes, I see that.”

“Then why don’t you just ask me a question.”

“I don’t know where to start.”

“Are we still talking about a project for school?”

“I don’t think so. Not anymore, I don’t think so. Although I think we should come back to that.”