The floating world

 "Alex has been asking about you," Rico said to Liv as they sat in his little pickup truck in the school parking lot. It was almost time to go in, but not quite.

Liv only nodded. Honestly, she hadn't thought of Alex at all, yet still couldn't say his/her name. Yes, she'd been so quiet these days. She hardly spoke unless she had to and maybe she was beginning to lose her voice after all. This wasn't the way she wanted it to be, but it seemed Tristan had a way of taking everything away from her even if he was miles away from here now.

She hadn't meant to be in tears, but it was like a waterfall of emotion she couldn't keep back. Oh, she was not strong at all, and in the next breath, Rico had his arms around her and held her ever so calmly as if he'd be here, no matter what.

Honestly, she was too tired to ask if Alex was OK. What was Alex up to now? Of course, there was more to her own situation than she wanted to share with anyone, but Rico didn't seem to mind. But he didn't say she'd be OK, either.

"We'll just wait." He told her. It was as if he needed patience too. It would take a while for things to be normal again. Perhaps. 

She sighed.

"Alex will figure it out," Rico assured her. She nodded. Rico smiled at her, but ever so faintly as she looked up at him. His tender fingers touched her hair and she put her head on his shoulder as if this felt right. It was calm again. She was calm again. It was all so quiet and then the bell rang.

"Let's get out of here," he then said. Liv didn't say no. She didn't ask where they were going either. Maybe it didn't matter. Although, she wasn't one to ditch school.

But spring had finally sprung. In spite of stormy weather, winds, wildfires, and lightning strikes over the last few weeks. Today was kind yet winter was still at their feet. He drove past the shopping mall out past the dry cornfields until they came to the man-made lake that was usually for fishermen and old-timers. There was also a foot trail. He took her hand. 

"I did try to get ahold of Mona, but she won't answer me," Rico told her as they went down the paved trail around the lake. A spot of green was showing. Hopefully, it was a sign of a sweet summer. "I know she read the text so I know Tristan didn't hurt her."

Liv was reluctant to say anything about her brother's girlfriend as the wind blew in her face, yet her hair came around her eyes from time to time. She found herself hating Mona and maybe she wished Rico hadn't brought her up. But she understood. He was holding her hand as if he would take every step of the future with her. 

"You deserve so much," he said. "You truly are the strongest person I've ever met, don't you forget that."

A lump lodged in her throat, but she wouldn't cry this time. She smiled at him. "I don't know if..if I truly deserve you," she sighed but she hugged his arm. "But I feel blessed to know you. You are my best friend."