There's Nothing We Can Do

Darkness had completely enveloped the sky above Hildesia. However, the warm light from the street lamps and thousands of windows pushed it far back, beyond the city through which they were walking, travelling north.

“Sorry for just messing around with the synths. I completely forgot myself in there.”

“Watching you do what you love is reward enough. Now I definitely know a few more of the faces you can make.”

“Hey, I don't make faces!” Kim protested, embarrassed.

“You do. Like a little child playing with building blocks. So cute!”

“Jerk!”

“You're repeating yourself.”

“Whatever. Building blocks and modular synthesizers are probably not that different after all.”

They smiled. A feeling of deep affection connected them, sometimes embarrassed them, but it took more and more shape. A shape that still didn't quite fit in Kim's chest.

“How much longer do we need?”

“Two or three minutes at max.”

Finally, they came to an intersection. On the corner opposite them was a small paved square separated from the sidewalk by hedges and other greenery.

“There we are.”

Soon the square would probably be littered with tables and chairs, but at the moment it seemed somewhat empty and forlorn. Above the entrance, adorned with a canopy, hung a silver sign bearing the bronze letters “Leyland's.”

“Leyland’s?”

“Leyland’s Bistro. Supposed to be pretty good.”

The door and window frames were painted forest green. A beautiful contrast to the rest of the facade.

Without another word, the two entered.

The bar on the right was also made of red bricks, with a dark wooden countertop that went around the corner. In addition to the seats directly by the window, which were also equipped with bar stools, the rest of the space was furnished with regular tables for two or four people.

The hostess, apparently in her late twenties, approached Robert and Kimberly.

“Good evening, welcome to Leyland’s Bistro. Have you made a reservation?”

“Yes, under the name Pallandt. Double L, with D and T at the end.”

The woman briefly scanned the reservation book.

“Very well. Shall I take your jackets?”

The two quickly freed themselves from the aforementioned garments and handed them to the hostess, who hung the two items on a coat rack next to her stand.

“I’ll show you to your table.”

Their table was relatively far back on the left side, cozy and undisturbed.

“I'll send the waiter over to you right away. Enjoy your evening!”

The teenagers took their seats and made themselves comfortable.

“A little quieter than the Plumeria Walk.”

“It's not Downtown, after all. I hope that's okay with you?”

“I prefer a somewhat quieter atmosphere to all the hullabaloo.”

“Hullabaloo?”

“What about it? My father was quite fond of the word.”

“I see.”

A few moments later, the waiter was already at their table and put down the menus.

“Good evening, I’m Bryce, I’ll be your waiter tonight. Would you like something to drink?”

“I’ll take a Snapple”

“Which flavor?”

“Rain.”

“And the gentleman?”

“A doppio.”

“All right, coming right up.”

As the waiter walked away, Robert looked at Kim again and studied her face.

“You're staring.”

“I know. A ponytail again?”

“Quick to notice that…”

“I don't know if I like you better like this or with your hair down. I think both styles have their merits.”

“If I were a mean old hag, I could interpret that as “I don't care what you do with your hair.””

“No, no, both emphasize your great beauty in different ways. Wearing your hair down gives you a dignified, aloof aura, while a ponytail makes you appear dynamic and youthful.” Robert said with a mischievous smile.

“You're full of crap.” Kim chuckled.

“What's the plan for next week?”

“You mean after school?”

“Yeah, I'd like to invite you over, for an private exhibition and stuff.”

“Tuesday should be fine.”

“Then I'll wait in the parking lot after school.”

Robert beamed with joy. He seemed much younger than usual. Kim liked his calm, playful manner. But she also wanted to get to know more sides of him.

“How did you actually come across the synthesizer store?”

“A friend of mine is doing an internship at a studio and asked one of the sound engineers there.”

“Oh, which studio?”

“Watership Recording.”

“Hmm, never heard of it. I thought it might be mine.”

“Now on to the next big question.” Robert said as he handed her one of the menus and took the other for himself.

Kim's gaze lingered on the roast chicken with garlic, lemon, and parsley. Robert had mentioned something like this earlier on. The description made her mouth water. The decision had been made, and Kim put the menu back down.

“That was quick.”

“The roast chicken won me over.”

“That makes two of us.”

“You ordered espresso again. Are you a caffeine junkie?”

“You could put it that way.”

“Would you like to go to a café some time? We could do that during break on a recording day if it's close to the studio. I've heard of a few good ones.”

“Sure. Just let me know when you feel like it. I'll write down my number for you. I'm sure the waiter can get us a pen and paper.”

“Gail has already given it Abby, and Abby passed in to me.”

“Really?”

Their waiter returned to the table with the drinks, quickly handed them out, and pulled out a notepad and pen.

“Have you decided on the dishes yet?”

“We'll both have the roast chicken.”

“A wise decision. Takes a moment, but it's worth the wait.”

Once they were alone again, Robert leaned forward slightly.

“Do you actually know what happened between the two of them?”

“Abby and Gail?”

“Yes, Gail won’t give me the details and just whines on and on that she’s avoiding him.”

“Their fathers are somehow at odds with each other.”

“Oh, more family drama?”

“As seems to be the case with these “good families” of yours.”

“That stings. But I can't deny it. What is her surname by the way?”

Kim had to think for a moment.

“Esher?”

“I see.”

“Does that mean anything to you?”

“Yeah, her father must be Arthur Esher. He used to work for Gail’s father and now runs his own company.”

“That’s pretty much what Abby told me too.”

“Just happened to overhear it when I was at Gail's and his father freaked out because a deal fell through, because Esher poached his client.”

“All these stories make me glad that I grew up far away from all this stuff.”

“Do you get along with your family?”

“I had a wonderful childhood. School was a bit unpleasant towards the end, but home always felt like home.”

“Do you miss home, your family?”

“I do. But an opportunity like the one that has opened up for me only comes around once.”

“And how was school unpleasant? Is that a reason you moved here too?”

“Yes, but please leave it alone for now. I'll tell you about it. Just not yet.”

“Sure, whenever you're ready.”

“Thanks.”

“What’s the location for your concert? It's on the 12th, right?

“Yes, some concert hall in Sambuca. I forgot the name. I’ll give it to you on Tuesday.”

“After I have guided you through my exhibition?”

“After I asked Franca about it on Monday.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Of course, I'm looking forward to that too. Just don't be disappointed if I shine again with my lack of education.”

“Maybe we just need to study together more often.”

“I would love to. It's a shame that our curricula are so different.”

Every minute the two could spend together was dear to Kim's heart. They had known each other for a week now, and the feeling that they would grow closer and closer, that they would be close forever, was beyond question for her.

But the only unwavering certainty was that time kept moving forward.