Cliff Jumping is Prescribed

15| Gymnast

Iris

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3 years ago...

"C'mon! You look hot!" Zelda nudged my shoulder and I rolled my eyes "any man would be lucky to date you try it out."

"What do you know about dating? You've been with the same guy since senior year of high school and you'll probably end up marrying the guy!"

"You're not wrong," Zelda winked. We were both a little tipsy. "Hey. when you've got a good one you can't let that go." Okay, she might be more than tipsy because she would never speak like that especially towards me.

"Where is Benny now?" I asked using the opportunity. He and Marty went to visit he who shall not be named and my sister won't tell me where. She's my sister but she's also best friends with the guy and I'd never want to screw up that relationship so I try not to make her uncomfortable.

"Paris."

"Again?" I asked. This is like the third time the boys have gone to the same place. And Randy never stays in the same place for too long.

"Yeah. Rand bought an apartment there. Said something about it being a little more permanent than the others and some mumbo jumbo he's secretive about. You know he only tells his secrets to the boys and my mom and dad," she rolled her eyes.

"Well, why don't you go visit him? When was the last time you've seen him?"

"Whenever my sisters or I offer to visit the Paris home he always comes up with an excuse about wanting to vacation somewhere instead of bringing us to his home. I'm convinced his apartment is ugly as shit and he's too embarrassed to invite us over. Which is crazy because my parents surprised him and raved about the view from his window and went on about how he's 'Randall' and 'he has his reasons' or whatever. We're supposed to see him in Italy in, like, a month though."

I can't stop thinking about how he seems to be permanently staying in France. It makes everything feel so much more set in stone. Like this is it. He's gone forever. The whole speech he gave me before he left rattles through my head. He claimed that he wanted to explore the world. I don't know why I expected him to explore and then come back... because it seems like that isn't happening.

"Franny just texted me that she's out front I'll be right back!" Zelda said and squeezed my shoulder before scurrying to the entrance. She's happy. She'll probably even marry her high school sweetheart. And Franny has been with Marty for years, hell they got eloped before they were even allowed to legally drink.

"Hate to interrupt your thinking but you're gorgeous," I shuffled over a bit for the people talking when I heard a throat clear. "Please tell me you heard me or this is going to be so embarrassing." I had to catch who was going through this, it must be so embarrassing to talk to someone who isn't listening, when I turned my eyes to face a pair of baby blue eyes.

"Oh my gosh, are you talking to me?" I asked astonished and the guys winced.

"So you did hear? If not I can repeat it for you. Honestly, I can repeat it all night" he winked and I looked at him up and down. "That was cheesy huh?"

"A bit," I smirked.

"Let me have another chance," he said as he looked out to the dance floor. "Would you like to dance with me?"

"Can I at least get your name first?"

"Hyde. And you must be Aphrodite."

***