Buzzed Hearts

40: it's about the principle

THE LITTLE WISH RIGHT after the concert is granted. Well, almost.

    "You look nice," Laurent says. "It's not like you had any choice, though. They're not gonna send you onstage wearing a onesie."

    They're walking to the parking lot—it's a long walk—and Laurent, as always, is a few paces behind everyone else, his hands in his pockets. Camila slows down to join him and he offers to hold a few bouquets for her.

    "You look nice too," she repays the compliment.

    The dark blue of his suit complements the depth in his eyes and the silver tie he has on matches the, well, the other portion of his eye.

    "I think my favorite part about you is your eyes," Camila says. She's suddenly overwhelmed by the desire to stop, sit down on the damp gravel of the parking lot, and just talk with him. Ask him about how he thinks the universe was created, or how he got the pale line running along his forearm, or what he listens to when he lies awake.

    "Not my hot bod?"

    "They're part of your body, though," she raises the point.

    By now, the sun's low against the horizon and shining a glorious pink against deep purple. Feeling quaint, Camila smells the flowers and walks even slower. She can see that at a distance, the rest of them have already climbed into Jeremy's car and are waiting for them.

    "C'mon. Let's catch up," Laurent says. He picks up the pace and making sure not to leave her behind, wraps an arm around her shoulder.

    He's warm and Camila can already feel summer coming along.

    "You guys having fun back there?" Elle calls out.

    "So much fun, Elle!" Laurent yells back.

    "Hurry up. I'm starving," Jeremy says. "Ravenous, even."

    "Wow, look at you," Elle says to him. "Using your advanced vocabulary. Do you think you're an intellectual now?"

    Roma bursts out laughing and it's the highlight of their whole night. When she laughs, it's honey and silk, rich yet soft. Elle looks proud of herself and Laurent shares a look with Camila.

    "What are we having?" Camila asks when she gets in the car. "I actually just want to sleep until next week."

    "Aw, boo. We're gonna have some good food and then you can hibernate. I know you've had a long, long day." Jeremy turns around from the driver's seat.

    "You're fucking disgusting," Laurent says. "Don't use that voice in front of me."

    "You want some of this Mr. King? Do you feel left out?" Jeremy asks, voice sickly sweet.

    The whole car groans and Jeremy doesn't even blink, embarrassment unknown to him. Jeremy lets down the windows and only Laurent complains about the wind messing his hair up. Elle shuts him up by asking if he's this concerned all the time when he hardly dresses out of his pajamas.

    "It's about the principle," Laurent says.

    "Says the person with not one principle he'd stand for," Jeremy says and takes Elle's side.

    "You guys just hate me because I look better than every single one of you," Laurent replies. "Except for you, Roma."

    "Are you hitting on her?" Elle asks.

    "I'm hitting on her for you."

    "There's no need," Roma says and laughs.