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LEO

I’ve wasted weeks and I’m running out of options. I should be satisfied with what I have, but I can’t resist looking for one more. Someone different from the other two. Someone even rarer.

I’ve combed everywhere on campus and in town. Searched crowds, clusters, and classrooms. Now I’m relegated to the fraternity houses.

I stand in the kitchen, ready to give up. It’s hot and loud and so crowded I can’t see anyone’s face for more than a second. Until I see hers. She’s beautiful, with bright blue eyes and long hair the color of sunlight. And she’s looking at me.

Not through me. At me.

Someone passes in front of her, but she’s still there once he goes by. Still there gazing at me. Her lips part as if she’s about to speak. Or as if she’s about to smile.

The crowd swallows her again and even though I lean, dip, and stretch, I can’t see her.

A good-looking, rangy guy appears, pushing through the bodies with a purpose.

I keep my eyes on him, and a moment later, find her in his arms. He laughs and kisses her neck.

She wobbles and tips back her beer, steadying herself with a tight grip on his sleeve.

He doesn’t see me. Very few people do. And the one woman who does probably wouldn’t be of any use to me. She may have sweet, alert eyes, but she’s unapproachable. Off-limits. She’s an A-list party girl and someone’s girlfriend.

I stay a while longer, hoping someone else might notice me.

But instead of searching for new faces, my eyes keep straying to hers.

Her boyfriend steers her backwards through the crowd, keeping her in the circle of his arms. When, without warning, she goes stock-still, his momentum nearly knocks them both to the ground.

He nudges her but she’s frozen, eyes wide and mouth open.

He smiles and cajoles, but she shakes her head, gazing at nothing.

Her white-knuckled fingers dig into his arms and all the color has drained from her face.

Downstairs, someone screams.