First day back,
April and I march in,
locked arms.
Quick hugs from Dylan, Chloe.
They ask me what happened, is everything okay,
I say not really,
I’ll tell them more after school.
I focus on my classes.
After school, surprise:
Adam’s there.
I find Chloe and Dylan,
tell them I’ll catch up with them tomorrow.
They give me a look,
turn, leave.
Guilt flickers,
but Adam’s smiling big at me,
holding a container of ice cream.
Looking at him’s like looking into the past.
A reverse crystal ball.
For a minute,
so easy to forget
everything that’s happened.
Adam used to be something solid,
maybe if I let him,
he can be that for me again.
He whispers in my ear
how much he missed me,
he brought me mint chocolate chip—
my favorite.
Ask him why he’s here.
He says he has some exams,
studies better at home.
Says he felt bad
he missed my birthday,
asks what I did to celebrate.
I mumble nothing really as
he hands me the ice cream.
I cup it till
it frosts
my already chilled hands.