I Fell in Love with Hope - Lancali

“I’m Sony.”
Sony.
All of Sony’s acts are full-bodied, I notice. There’s aggression to her,
like Neo’s too candid words. At the same time, youth peeks through
her manner.
Her eyes and hair are bright in their shades, a middle of the night
excitement only a child could wear.
“I’m Sam,” I say.
She smirks, knocking our chocolate together like champagne
glasses. “You look like hell, Sam.”
“You don’t look that great either.”
“Yeah.” Her chewing slows. “It wasn’t a good day.”
“Did you get hit by a bus too?”
I joke. Neo says I’m awful at it. Every time I attempt one around him,
he throws a book at my head. Not Sony. Sony likes my joke. She
even laughs, nudging my shoulder with such harshness I almost fall
over.
“Do you like hiking, Sam?”
“Hiking?”
“I went hiking yesterday. I think it’s my favorite thing in the world.”
I swallow. Bruises climb her arm, a similar age to the scratches on
her face.
“Is that why you’re here?” I ask. “Did you get hurt?”