A High School Memory

ROXANNE 

 "That was very...badass." Kylian's face was holding a pleased expression, while his hand held out the car door open for me.

I bounced my shoulders in a shrug, letting out a small laugh that carried quietly into the evening breeze.

I'd gone back up to my room to freshen up for this unplanned date. Even intentionally did my make up, though light, and found a befitting navy blue evening dress and a pair of simple silver heeled sandals to go with it, and a matching silver purse. 

Spritzed on the only bottle of perfume I owned and reserved for nice occasions. 

I didn't do it for Kylian. 

I did it for Josh — while a part of me was acting out of defiance and anger, the other part hoped he would see what he was missing. 

However, all I'd gotten from him was an angry glare. His mother had called me a whore, Vanessa had chuckled from the sidelines at the insult aimed at me. 

I ignored them all and walked out to meet Kylian who was now in the compound.

"So a restaurant or a bar?" I asked, hoping he'd say the latter. I needed the booze. 

When he turned his attention away from the road to give me a glance, I saw the twinkle in his eyes. "A bar?"

I heard the meaning underneath the words, and narrowed my gaze, "fuck you. Let's just drive around then." I seemed to consider it, then nodded, "yes. I like that one better."

"What? Driving around?" His eyes were fixed on the road.

"Yes. I'm not necessarily hungry, and I don't want a repeat of last time. Plus, this wasn't even a planned date." I said decisively, looking through the tinted glass, barely making out buildings and figures in the growing dusk. 

"Fair enough. But I'm hungry and in the mood for alcohol, so we could make a compromise that benefits us both." He suggested.

"Tell me."

"We'll stop to get take outs and get a bottle of wine or whatever from a liquor store. Then drive around, find a nice spot and just spend time together." 

"That could work." I considered the idea, then accepted it with a single nod, "let's do it."

Our first stop was at a drive thru. He ordered a big bucket of chicken nuggets and fries.

I opted for a small bucket. We bought bottles of water. He paid and drove off, the car filled with the warm, spicy aroma of crispy chicken. 

Next was a liquor store. 

He insisted I stepped down to shop for wine with him. 

We stepped into the huge store stacked with shelves and arrays of drinks of every kind. Including imported and locally produced products. The prices of some made my eyes bulged. 

He plucked a bottle of red wine from the shelf. 

"One hundred and fifty thousand dollars for a bottle of wine?!" 

He studied my expression and let out an amused chuckle, "don't tell me you're still surprised by prices of stuff when you were married to my brother for approximately five years."

"Well," I cleared my throat, a bit embarrassed to actually tell him how my five years of marriage had gone with his brother. "I just didn't think it'll be THAT expensive."

"Ah." There was still amusement lurking in the ruggedly attractive features of his face. "I like a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon so I'm taking this. Do you have a preference, let's get that for you?"

"No. That's fine." 

One hundred and fifty thousand dollars was a lot of money to spend at a go. In fact, I would have to work as Ethan's nanny for years before I could earn that amount. 

Rich people do know how to spend without a thought to the amount. 

"Sure you aren't a white wine person or prefer a different brand of red wine?" 

"No." I insisted, "let's go pay a ridiculously high amount for a bottle of wine that wouldn't even last the night."

He let out a deep laugh that caught the attention of other wine shoppers and employees. I couldn't help the smile that broke through hearing him laugh. 

I saw the way women looked at him from the corner of their eyes, even those that had come wine shopping with their partner. 

He knew how to draw attention for sure. 

"You're not just a pretty face, Roxanne," his laughter dying down to a flirty grin, "you're smart mouthed too. Strange enough, I find that interesting."

Meeting his laughing eyes, my lips widened of their own accord, "I guess I should be pleased my date finds me interesting, rather than boring."

He lifted a hand to my chin, stroking lightly. Beautiful green eyes still amused, made room for another emotion to grow, "utterly interesting."

The way his voice dipped when he said those two words added to a certain thrill that ran up my spine. For a short while, I could only hold his gaze. Oddly enraptured. 

"Roxanne?" 

A soft, curious voice snapped me out of whatever trance I was in. I took a step back as though he was a danger I was just noticing and was reasonably avoiding. 

He too finally shifted his gaze to look over my head at the person who'd just called my name. 

I blinked, staring at the face of a very pretty brown skinned young lady who should be around my age. 

She wore her full head of Afro hair elegantly and had on a smile that was beautiful and warm. 

Her eyes lit excitedly, "I knew it was you." She pulled me into a hug, "how are you? It's been a minute!"

"Uh...oh," I threw an awkward glance over my shoulder at a quiet Kylian. Then back at this brown skinned goddess. "I-I'm sorry, I can't... don't...remember you."

She let out a soft laugh. "I know. I've changed a lot, I know that. But surely you can remember African Fat-Rodent." Her smile dimmed a little when she said those last three words. 

I had a feeling I was supposed to know her and those last three words were connected to a past I couldn't remember. 

Apologetically, I shook my head, "I'm sorry. I still...I don't remember you."

"Oh," her eyes searched my face. "Back in high school? I was the girl everyone bullied for being black, fat and poor?"

My eyes roamed her body. There was nothing fat or poor about the lady standing before me. Sure her black heritage was still there but it was magically glowing.

It was a pity I still couldn't remember her. My gaze trailed back to her face, my memory coming up blank. I'd learned not to be frustrated by my inability to remember, it did me no good in the end. Only tears and a banging headache, with mom being frantic I might hurt myself.

"You were the only one who stood up to those bullies." She continued, trying to bring my memory to check.

Kylian had no idea I was amnesiac and there was no need to let this beautiful girl from a past I couldn't remember know as well, so I framed a smile, faking a jolt in my memory. "Oh, it's you. My, you have changed!"

Her smile brightened again, once she thought I had recognized her. To make it believable, I pulled her into a hug, "nice meeting you again..."

"Rochelle," she provided, hugging me tightly.

"Yes, Rochelle." 

I pulled back. 

She eyed Kylian inquisitively.

I decided on an introduction. "Rochelle, meet Kylian. Kylian, Rochelle."

They shook hands and exchanged polite pleasantries. 

"Tomorrow's my uncle's birthday so I'm shopping for some birthday drinks for him. He loves his whiskey." She informed, still keeping her smile. "Can I have your number? I'd love to catch up."

"Oh yeah, sure." 

We exchanged contacts and I saved hers. 

She was about to leave when she suddenly turned like she had just remembered something. "You saved my life, Roxanne. You might not remember, but you did. Even though it meant standing up against your own sister." Her dark brown eyes grew misty, "thank you."

Then she turned and walked away. 

Stunned by her words, I turned to Kylian. "A sister?"