Red, Pink and Blue

Inside the restaurant the hostess instantly approached the girls with a smile. A south-east Asian woman, probably in her early twenties. But Kim had a hard time telling.

“Good evening, ladies, welcome to the Plumeria Walk. May I have your name, please?”

Abby took the lead and pointed to one of the bigger tables.

“Hi, we have a date with the guys over there.”

“Excellent, I’ll sent the server right your way.”

The girls approached their destination. The two boys already sitting at the table got up. The blonde one hugged Abby. The height difference was immense. He was probably over a foot taller than Abby. The other boy pushed past the hugging pair, patted Abby on the shoulder, and approached Eve and Kim. He seemed to be a bit shorter than the other boy, had dark brown hair and amber eyes. He smiled at the two girls. A pretty smile in a soft face.

“Hi, you two must be Eve and Kimberly. I’m Blake. Abby already told me a lot about you two and I would lie if I said I hadn’t seen both of you on tv a few times. It’s so nice meeting you.”

“Hi, Blake. So, you like my show?” Eve teased.

“Normally I’m not really into teen drama, but Bayview Drive actually has a really good story I think and you are also great in it of course.”

Blake blushed a bit and rubbed the back of his head nervously. Lucky for him Abby and the other boy came to his rescue. The taller boy’s smile was more confident and his green eyes sparkled.

“How are you two doing? Is Blake already annoying you? I’m Gail Vandermer. And yes, I mean that Vandermer family. Just to get it out of the way.”

Kimberly had never heard of the boy’s family. She wasn't from the city, after all. Eve pulled her a little closer.

“It’s Kim’s first year at the academy and in the city as well.”

Gail raised his hands apologetically.

“I didn’t mean to brag or anything. At some point it always comes out and people act all surprised and ask why I didn’t tell them.”

Eve shook her head and looked at Kimberly.

“No, I mean she doesn’t know the Vandermers. Kim, they used to basically own the harbor, built half of the palaces in West Green and they also gifted North Hall, the boys' dormitory, to the academy. Oh, and the art museum downtown was also built by them. Around here they are as famous as we are.”

Now it was Gail’s turn to be embarrassed.

“Please, the poor girl doesn't have to get the full treatment. It's nice when a girl doesn't just see me as the heir to some rich family for once.”

Kimberly looked to the side and smiled awkwardly. Abby seemed to be annoyed that Gail’s focus was on the wrong girl and rocked back and forth on her tiptoes.

“Hmm, I’m kind of thirsty.” The neglected girl chirped.

Gail turned to his date and helped her out of her mantle.

“Sorry.”

Eve and Kim took of their jackets. Blake held out his arm. Eve handed the piece of clothing to him and Kimberly hesitantly followed suit when he turned to her.

“Thank you.” Eve said warmly and Kimberly mumbled.

While Blake handed the jackets to the hostess, Gail was already pulling out chairs for the girls and they all took seats. Abby and Eve were sitting across from their chosen crushes, of course. Kim was happy she wouldn’t have to do small talk and that Eve was her seatmate.

Abby giggled and Gail had already leaned close to her across the table. Blake seemed more inexperienced and struggled to initiate the conversation with Eve. Luckily Eve was only amused by his nervosity. Their eyes met, Blake held her gaze and she smiled.

“So, Blake. Your family is famous too? Like Gail’s or how did you end up at the academy?”

“Uhm, oh, no. not like the Vandermers. My father only runs a law firm. Leyland & Tindal.”

“Oh, they are big, right? I think they have an office in the same building as my agency. And who are you? Leyland or Tindal?”

“No, no, they were just the founders. I’m Rhodes. I mean my family name is Rhodes. What is yours by the way?”

“Didn’t you watch Bayview Drive? I’m second in the intro! Did I catch you lying, Rhodes? Off to a good start, huh?” Eve smirked.

Kimberly also knew that Bayview Drive’s viewership was almost entirely teenage girls. Blake's face flushed red. The door of the restaurant opened and closed. But nobody on the table paid it any attention.

“I… I didn’t mean to! I mean, no. My little sister watches the show and… And I also watched a few scenes. And I did like it? Kind off? I mean… Sorry.”

Eve burst out laughing. Gail and Abby gave the odd couple amused looks before returning to their own conversation. Even Kim couldn't help but smile faintly.

“Relax, dude. It’s okay. I don’t expect any boy my age to watch the show. It’s not for guys, I get it. Would probably even be kind of creepy.”

Now Blake could smile too, albeit meekly.

“Then will you tell me your last name?”

“It’s Villaret.”

“Is that French?”

“Yeah, fancy, right?”

“Yes, suits you. And probably also helps with your work. Eve Villaret. Already sounds like a movie star.”

“Right? Basically, I had no choice at all as to what career I would pursue.” Eve chuckled.

Blake seemed to be slowly finding his rhythm.

But someone had approached the table and was now standing next to Kimberly. Was the server finally here? No, someone else. She looked up.

A tall figure. Blonde, like Gail, but darker and shinier, almost golden. He had remarkably pale skin and a handsome face adorned with sharp features, devoid of any smile. Kim's dark gray eyes met his ice-blue ones for a brief moment. But she quickly looked away again.

“Hey, everyone.” His voice came low. Dropped softly into the space between the two strangers.

Blake flinched briefly and turned around. Gail abruptly interrupted his conversation and jumped up.

“Hey, Bobby. You are late! What kept you busy?”

“Took a nap. Was up all night. Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize to…”

“And don’t call me Bobby.”

“Whatever. You should apologize to your date, Kim. Also meet Abby and Eve.”

Gail nodded toward the girls. Eve and Abby waved at Bobby and smiled. He smiled back for a very brief moment.

Kimberly felt the newcomer's eyes on her again. She just glanced roughly in his direction. He took his seat and the others returned to their conversations.

“Hey.”

“Ignore what Gail said. Call me Robert. Sorry for being late. I overslept. On weekends I usually work all night. Not used to going out.”

“Me neither.”

“Can I call you Kim? Is that your full name?”

“Mm-hmm, Kim is fine. Short for Kimberly.”

“Would it be okay if I called you Kimberly instead?”

“Sure, why not.”

The table conversations were interrupted again. This time there was no mistake. This was their server, another Asian lady. Kim was happy for the quick halt to their slow dialogue. Her throat felt dry.