The Hardest Fall

I forced my gaze back at Zoe and caught her quickly brushing away a single tear that was running down her face.

“Yeah, I know.” She tilted her head. “We’re getting pretty deep here. You’re serious about getting to know each other, huh?”

To be completely honest…I wasn’t. Sure, I wanted to ask her a few questions, maybe get a feel for what to expect with her, but I hadn’t planned to get so deep, so soon—or at all, really. The conversation had just led us where we were. To lighten the heavy mood, I tried to steer us in another direction.

“Let’s do a rapid-fire Q&A.”

“Oh, I’m gonna suck at that. I’m not good with one-word answers but hit me.”

“Cat person or dog person?”

“Dog person. Cats…they kind of scare me, not the kittens or the cuddly ones, but I don’t like how some of them focus on you like they’re plotting ways to kill you. You know what I mean? It’s not all of them, but still. I’m a dog person all the way. You?”

I couldn’t hold back my smile. She was right, she wasn’t the best person for short answers, but I wasn’t complaining. “I’ll say dogs, too. So, art and photography, huh?”

“Yeah. Your major?”

“Political science. Your favorite movie snack?”

Her lips stretched into a smile and she played with the edge of her shirt.

“Moving on to harder questions, huh? Peanut butter M&Ms, hands down, but I don’t actually buy them—that would be dangerous. Same with chips. Usually, I have no self-control when it comes to food. Yours?”

“Popcorn. You gotta have popcorn when you’re watching a movie. And not buying M&Ms…not sure what to say about that. What’s your biggest weakness?”

“I thought it was my turn, but fine, I’ll answer.” She sighed and dropped her eyes before answering. “Pizza. It’s pizza.”

“What’s up with the face?” I asked, laughing.

“It’s bad,” she answered, looking up at me through her eyelashes. “Really bad. I can eat a big one all by myself even though I know I’ll feel miserable and have trouble sleeping because of being so full, but I can’t say no. I can never say no to pizza. I’m definitely not gonna start saying no any time soon, either. Ask me what food item I would choose to have for the rest of my life or if I was stranded on an island and I could only have one thing and—”

“Let me guess, you would say pizza.”

“Yeah. It’s a weakness. Carbs galore. I know it’s not good for you and all that stuff, but it’s so good. All that cheesy gooey goodness, and the sauce is just as important. So is the dough, and the toppings…God, the toppings. Every layer is important. So many choices. It’s magical, a circle of love. What’s your favorite topping?”

The more she talked, the more my smile grew.

“Pepperoni, or any kind of meat, really.” I could’ve sworn I heard her groan softly as she licked her lips.

“What is your biggest weakness?” she asked.

“Not to sound like I’m copying you, but if we’re talking about food here, it has to be cheeseburgers. Pizza would be a close second. Okay, next one. Tell me your biggest pet peeve.”

“This shouldn’t be a surprise, but I have more than a few. I’m fascinated by people, which is a big reason I love portrait photography, but…I hate fake people. Can’t stand them, don’t care to be around them. People who constantly talk over you as if your opinions don’t matter—just nope. It gets my blood pumping in the worst way. Entitled people. Unflushed toilets. Saggy pants on guys. People who believe they’re the shit and good at everything—they usually aren’t, and even if they are, I’d love to be the one to comment on it, not hear it from them. I could go on and on, so please shut me up.”

“Unflushed toilets and saggy pants, got it.”

There was something about her. Maybe it was how open she sounded, so honest and real, or maybe it was the way she talked like she couldn’t get the words out fast enough…the way she quickly looked away every time our gazes clashed, the way her hands seemed to be constantly busy with something around her—the pillow, the olive green watch on her wrist, the hem of her t-shirt. I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was, but something made me feel relaxed around her, like this wasn’t the first time we’d ever sat down and enjoyed a pointless, simple conversation.

“I don’t want you to shut up. I like this,” I admitted without a second thought. Why lie when I was enjoying her so much? “I’m gonna have to agree on entitled people, but my biggest pet peeve is actually people who chew loudly, especially when they’re chewing gum. I’ve come to blows with a few of the guys on the team because of it. Now they all chew gum whenever they wanna piss me off. The smacking sound…fuck no. I hope you’re not one of them. If you are, stop it, or I can’t promise it won’t get ugly.”