The Last Snow of Spring

Kimberly's gaze drifted over the flashing lights in the distance. The taxi was still far away from her destination, Downtown. She turned her head to the left and looked at Arden Park as it passed by. It still felt unfamiliar, like the entire city. It was still New England, but so different from her hometown in everything except the golden aspen trees.

The last snow of spring was melting away.

Kimberly turned back to Eve, the only friend she had found so far at the Wake Hall - Leyburn Academy. The two girls had shared a sudden rise to fame. Kimberly with her music and Eve with her acting.

It isolated them from the other students. Teenagers from wealthy families, with nothing to them but their last names. Of course, there was also Abby, but they were both just friends with Eve. Nothing else connected Kimberly and her.

She just stared at Eve for a few moments. A small part of her envied the aspiring actress. Eve was beautiful in a very ordinary way. Light brown, shoulder-length hair, deep blue eyes, healthy tan and a conventionally attractive face. And she was very apt at socializing. Very unlike Kimberly.

“Do you really have to drag me along to something like this? You know I don't want any more limelight. And Abby can certainly do without me too.”

Eve rolled her eyes at Kimberly’s remarks.

“Oh Kim, don't always be such a dork. If I didn't get you out every now and then, you'd just mope around in the dorm when there's no concert coming up. And we needed a third girl. You don't have to get involved with any of the boys. But they come from good families and also go to the academy. They're definitely not after your fame or something like that. At least that's what Abby said.”

Kim snickered dismissively and turned back to the window.

“Of course, they’re not. A bunch of rich-kid high school seniors who have the chance to hit on the famous girls.”

Eve's only response was an exaggerated sigh.

They had passed Arden Park, Crewe, Derby and the whole of West Green by now. The city lights grew ever closer, though obscured by the three hills of Trinity Falls.

Kimberly blew a silky strand of jet-black hair out of her face and rested her head on her left arm.

“Where are we going anyway? With the boys in tow, we can't go to a bar. The bartenders will just get jealous and have us thrown out for being underage. Not that I’m particularly keen on getting wasted.”

“First, we’ve dinner. The boys are treating us. And then we're heading to Bayview. One of them has a boat, or rather, his family does. It's still a too cold to go swimming, but it'll definitely be fun anyway. I’m sure they’ll have something to drink on there.”

Kim turned back to Eve with her mouth open and eyes wide.

“On a boat? With three guys? That we can't get off, as soon as we've sailed a few meters out? Really?”

The blue-eyed girl looked at her pityingly, raising one eyebrow.

“What are you worried about? They're not some horny thugs from Cardigan or South Scalloway. They won’t get touchy if you don’t want to. Boys like this are far too afraid of what will happen if they drag their family name through the mud. It will be fine. Trust me.”

“When a hormone-driven high schooler really wants to do it, he doesn’t worry about his family name or reputation. It’s not that complicated.”

Eve's posture became tense. The taxi stopped at a traffic light. Right on the border between Fortune Hill, Downtown, and Bayview. The rattling of the car filled the now uncomfortable silence.

“What are you on about? Are you speaking from experience or what?”

“Not directly, but I've witnessed the fallout afterwards like twice in my junior year, back home.”

Eve relaxed again.

“Come on, Kim. Do we really have to do this now? Yes, there are some assholes out there. But Abby says they are great guys. Let’s wait, see and try to have some fun. How about that? You can leave after dinner If they turn you off.”

Eve tilted her head with puppy-dog eyes.

“Pretty please, Kim.”

Kim frowned and looked at her feet.

“Whatever. But don't say afterwards that I didn't warn you.”

The traffic light turned green again and the taxi continued its journey toward Downtown. The lights surrounded them now and city life awoke on the streets they passed.

“We're almost there. Abby said she’d wait on Georgia Augusta and Second. From there it’s only a minute to the restaurant.”

Eve leaned toward the cab driver and pointed to the sidewalk at the intersection.

“Please stop over there.”

The driver nodded and pulled over to the right.

After Eve got out, Kim slid to the right toward the open door and followed her friend into the nightlife. They quickly paid for the ride and started to scan the crowd of pedestrians for Abby.

And there she was. The smallest girl among the three at barely 5 ft 2. Abby’s curly, bleached hair was tied back in a loose braid. She gave them a toothy smile, furiously waved around and rushed to Kimberly and Eve.

“Hey, my two stars are looking good. Are you ready for good time?”

Kimberly looked away. She had nothing against Abby. But they just weren't on the same wavelength. The other two girls hugged.

“Hey, Abby. Also looking good. Your scarf is super cute.”

Kim didn’t want to be the cranky introvert. But this talk was just so foreign to her. The girls now looked at her and she awkwardly waved at them.

“Hey, Abby. You look good too. What kind of restaurant you’ve chosen?”

Abby’s smile grew even wider.

“Oh, you’ll love it. It is relatively new and many don’t know yet how en vogue it is. Asian-French fusion, you know.”

“What’s its name? And what kind of Asian food?”

“I don’t know. But it isn’t Chinese and neither Japanese. The place is named Plumeria Walk. Look, over there, with the flower logo.”

Abby pointed to a minimalist black storefront with the restaurant's name in silver letters above the entrance and a pink five-petal flower symbol to the right of it. The modern design blended in well with the tall art deco buildings of Georgia Augusta Street.

Eve tugged at Abby's coat.

“Are the boys already there?”

“Two of them. The third one is late. Do you want to sneak a peek?”

“Yeah, let’s go!”

The two girls approached the restaurant from the right side and peeked around the corner through the windows. Kimberly slowly followed them, but couldn’t be bothered to spy on their dates.

Eve pulled the smaller girl away from the window. Abby giggled and nudged Eve's side.

“Told you they were cute. By the way. The one on the left is mine.”

“The blonde? Fine with that. I like the one on the right better anyway and as I see it, Kim isn't interested anyway. What are their names and who is the one with the boat?”

“Mine is Gail and yours Blake. I think they called the third guy Bobby or something like that. Haven’t met him yet. Gail is the one with the boat.”

“Hehe, of course yours the one with the boat. Shall we go in? I’m freezing. Kim, come on, hurry up!”

“Yeah, yeah, let's get this over with.”

Abby was already at the door. The other two girls followed her and were welcomed by pleasant warmth. The night had begun.