What happened after

ALICE

I watched Katherine bolted away like a racing car. Leaving Michael completely frozen in place. Yep, he looks stupid. Much stupid than last night. I take out my phone and tapped the camera app.

Adjusting my phone’s position to the right angle, I took a shot of his ridiculous mouth open face. Chuckling to myself, I zoom the picture. There’s a brush of dry tears on his cheeks, a hint of drool on his lips. If he stuck out his tongue I’m sure he will look like a dog on leash.

Abandoned by his master without leaving food. But his nose is a bit too small for a dog. Especially the two holes. Horse is the right animal to compare him to. I nod to myself and huffed.

Now that misunderstanding between the two is finally cleared, I guess it’s time to step back and let things develop on their own. I crawled out of my hiding place and stretch. This outdoor cemented bench doesn’t do well to hide my frame. But seafoam-colored foliage plant here did the job. And the planter box.

Gazing inside the glass see-through airport entrance, I can see strings hovering and intertwining around people. Some connecting them at their back. Acquaintances. Mostly black. Some at their front torso. Family member. Generally black. Some at their chest. Love interest. Highly black. That only shows how much people hate their exes huh.

My phone beeps in my right hand. Flashing on the screen is Katherine’s number. I swiped the answer button at two rings.

“Yes?”

“ALICEEEEEE!” It’s really nice to have ‘common sense’ instilled in your brain. Just seeing her name, my sense instructs me to put the microphone on my lips and not the speaker on my ears. See? I spared my ears from imminent danger.

“What?” I asked, feeling too proud of myself but keeping my tone in check. I don’t want to come out as boastful.

“Michael finally confessed to me!” she screamed in delight. I can picture her jumping up and down at the side road. Not caring if people can see her or not.

“Really? Congratulations.” I said, feigning an enthusiastic tone. Which, for the record, I suck terribly. And it came out a bit forced than I expected to.

“I really don’t know what to say! So I ran away! Now what?! Will he hate me? Will he ignore me again? What if he don’t want me anymore? After I left him alone like that! He just-”

“Do you want me to answer or not?” I interrupted. It’s my number one rule to never let overexcited hippies rant on. My mood is in danger. They might kill it. Definitely bad news. Best to avoid.

“Ah, hehe. Yes, yes, of course. Sorry.” she murmured, in a much lower and awkward tone. I can hear her producing some kind of bleating sound that pretty much resembles a goat. I ignored it.

“Michael won’t hate you. If you notice, he just kneeled in front of so many people trying to win you back, that just shows how much he’s willing to do anything for you.”

That bleating sound earlier? It got worse. She just made the most horrible screeching noise of a slaughtered pig, which, as per her definition, is an overexcited squeal of a super infatuated girl. God, why do girls turned stupid when they’re in love?

I paused for a minute and think.

“Did you know that too much excitement can kill you? Our hormone, called oxytocin is a neurotransmitter that is when excreted too much, may clog your heart arteries, stop the blood from flowing in and out of your heart which causes you to suffocate to death.” I said and nod.

“You - you’re kidding.”

“I’m serious. I read about it in encyclopedia.” she gulped.

“God, are you for real?” I can hear her fingers keying her touchscreen too ruthless for my eardrums to comprehend.

“Which edition? I can search on it through this site.”

“Oh, it’s the edition of ‘A helpful guide for crappy Science facts’.”

“Say what?”

“Edition for a -” she did not let me finish.

“Are you making fun of me?!”

“No. I’m trying to make you shut up.” her nostrils flared. At least, that’s what I picture in my head. Just hearing her exhale sharply.

“I.won’t.get.irritated,” she said, emphasizing each word, restraining her tone. A few seconds later she forced a laugh.

“Today is a special day! Michael finally confessed he loved me. He said he wants me. After a month of painstakingly waiting…” she sighed dreamily.

“At last. Ah~ Michael my love! For better or for worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health I will love you for the rest of my life.” And she squealed again. I smack my forehead and rolled my eyes.

“For better or for worse, let’s live our life IN STUPIDITY FOREVER,” I muttered.

“Did you say something?” I clamped my mouth shut.

“Nothing.”