We're on an avenue that's far too wide.The houses don't interrupt the view the sky offers. At the top of a massive track that slopes downward, cutting through the city until it vanishes from sight: an endless slide. From here, everything can be seen— even fragments of the other side. It's late; the sun bathes the rooftops in a thick orange light.
A rumble echoes in the sky. Very far away.
Rudy senses it, and immediately hears footsteps running toward him.
Someone grabs his arm hard.
It's Cinthia.
"Don't look at me! Turn around!"
The shout is urgent. Right after, a gust of wind slams into them, so violent it nearly knocks them over.Rudy raises an arm to shield himself from the force.
Even so, he can't help seeing Cinthia struggling with her skirt to keep it from lifting. She shouts from behind him, using him as a shield.
"Hey!"
Rudy obeys and turns his gaze toward the source of the wind.
A few seconds pass. The gust fades.
They can steady themselves again, dig their feet in, straighten up.
But Cinthia keeps her eyes shut, still clutching his arm.
"What was that?" Rudy asks.
Cinthia opens her eyes. The blush comes instantly. She lets go, steps back, and looks away. Clears her throat.
"It happens sometimes. It's normal…"
Rudy blinks, confused.
"That doesn't happen on the other side?"
"No…"
Cinthia shakes out her dress.
"Well… I guess it's because we're at the very top…"
"You can see everything from here…"
"Is this your first time coming?"
"It's obvious, isn't it?" —he shades his eyes with his hand—"So this is the top of the big track… I can't quite see the great cemetery on the other side…"
"It's called Infinite Cascade…" —she crosses her arms, pleased.
"That's what it's called?"
"No… that's what I call it…"
"So you named it."
"That's right…"
"Infinite Cascade?"
"Uh-huh." —proud.
"It's a good name…"
"Of course it is."
"Why did you follow me?"
"Because…" —she stops— "because…"
Rudy watches her in silence. The sky behind her short curls. Her half-closed eyes fixed on the horizon. Long lashes, softly curved. He smiles.
"You know… about Oliver…"
Rudy lowers his gaze slightly.
"I see…"
"And also…" —she interrupts herself, turning so she doesn't face him—"I wanted to apologize…"
"Apologize? Why you, of all people?"
"I didn't have the courage to speak… to stop what happened…"The words come out tight, as if it hurt to pull them free.
"I think that's something your friend and that guy should handle… besides, apologies are made face to face…"
"Shut up…"
Silence falls—but it isn't heavy. Rudy smiles at every gesture she lets slip.
"Are you going to stay like that?"
"Yes…"
"Then I won't forgive you," he says, almost teasing.
"You won't?"
"No."
"Ugh…"Cinthia starts walking. She moves a few steps away. A sharp inhale is heard. The seconds stretch.
Rudy stays where he is. He sees her stop. A moment passes. When she turns around, he puts on an awkward expression—too late—and lets out a brief laugh.
"Is this a joke…?"
Cinthia wears an adorable expression that steals the air from his lungs. Forced tears at the edge of her eyes. Her mouth pressed tight, trembling. Her cheeks flushed.
"Another thing you learned from the blonde?"
She growls softly.
"That's weird… it always works…"
Rudy steps closer.
"Well, it worked…"
"Then…"
"I've got nothing to forgive… I know how you really are. That's enough for me."
She blushes, uncomfortable.
"What kind of words are those? Are you flirting with me?"
"You could say that…" he replies lightly.
"Hah… idiot…"