Ramona mingled with our neighbors in the apartment complex courtyard at the New Year’s party. I lounged on the ledge of the central fountain, a few fire pits set up for roasting food surrounding me. I didn’t even mind the occasional splash from the children playing in the water.
I glanced at Leslie’s apartment on the second floor. The party had been going for hours and they still hadn’t come down. They were still upset I passed the committee assessments for the mission. I wasn’t the only one who had noticed Leslie’s absence either – I’d caught a few curious glances at me or Leslie’s apartment.
With a groan, I went to get them. The apartment was dark when I opened the door, Leslie sitting on the couch, slouched forward.
“So,” I started, drawing their attention, “are you going to join the party or just sit here alone… in the dark?”
“Sorry,” Leslie replied. “I’m still a little upset about…” they trailed off.
I walked into the apartment, letting the door shut behind me. After lighting a candle on the low table in front of the couch, I sat across from them on the floor.
“If you’re worried I’ve somehow tricked the committees into clearing me,” I said while they remained silent, “I’d say that’s a good thing.”
“I don’t think that,” Leslie replied softly.
“Then why are you mad?” I asked.
“Mad?” they repeated with a chuckle. Leslie leaned back on the couch, looking off into the distance. “Imejiotjdsflkn mad at first. Mad that you couldn’t just let it go. But now, I… I just… I don’t want you to…” Leslie shook their head with a sigh, not bothering to finish the thought.
“I don’t,” I started hesitantly. “I don’t actually want to go either.”
Leslie locked eyes with me then.
I tapped on the table, gathering my thoughts before I continued. “I signed up for the Strokes because I wanted to see the System brought down as much as you do. And being the perfect fit for a mission to do just that? Why wouldn’t I take it?”
Leslie reached across the table to rest their hand on mine. A sad smile crossed their face as they rubbed a thumb across the back of my hand. “It’s gonna be a long year once you’re in there,” they said.
I let out a nervous laugh. “I know. And I know I’ve got a lot of work to do until then. I’m… not exactly great spy material when I panic.”
Leslie moved their hand to my cheek, looking deeply into my eyes as the countdown to the new year began outside. “I’ll make sure you’re trained by the best,” they said.
“Happy New Year!” the crowd outside shouted.
I leaned into Leslie’s hand, reaching up with my own. I gripped their hand tightly, gazing back at them, the two of us silent as the party loudly went on.
No matter what happened with this mission, I would make sure to come back. I would look into those beautiful eyes again.
To be continued…