Frek's Revelation

He slid into the café and sat at his usual table. He was ten minutes late but it didn’t matter. The only person who used to arrive on time was Amber, and she wasn’t here anymore.

He ordered a coffee and waited for the waitress to leave before he took out the small mirror from his bag.

“No one can see you,” he whispered as he looked himself in the eyes, “no one can see me.”

He took a deep breath and smiled to himself. “I did it, I really did it!” He was so excited that he almost missed Emily walking in. She saw him immediately and walked over to his table.

“Frek?” she said with her most perplexed face, “is that really you?”

He nodded slowly while looking down at his coffee with a smile that could light up an entire city. “Yes, this is me... this is me now.” He lifted his head back up and looked Emily in the eyes with a look of pure joy.

Emily looked at him for a long time without saying anything before she sat down at his table.

“What are you doing here? The last time I saw you... we had lunch together... you stood me up! You stood me up! You never called me again! Ever! And now… now you show up dressed like this? It doesn’t make any sense! Who are you? What have you done with Frek? Where is Frek? Is this some sort of joke? Because if it is, it isn’t funny, not at all! Not one bit!!” She got more upset as her voice got louder; people started staring at them, but no one intervened. When Emily was about to start shouting again, Frek put his index finger on her lips and shushed her softly: “Shhh…. don't shout like that; it's not nice to draw attention to yourself when you're wearing this dress… don't want anyone seeing us like this. Can't have anyone spoiling your surprise ahead of schedule now can we? Not when today is such a special day after all… or maybe it's not *today*, maybe *this* is *today*. And hey speaking of surprises… do you want to go out somewhere with me tonight?! We can see a movie or something! We haven't seen each other in forever! That would be so much fun right?! Let's go right now; there's a new romantic comedy playing at the cinemas tonight that everyone says is going to be hilarious! It's already starting in half an hour; let's just get our coats and go! So what do you say?! Do we have time?! Let's goooooo!!!!"

He reached across the table and grabbed her hands excitedly while shouting and jumping around in his chair just like he used to do when they were young teens trying to impress the other kids during recess. Emily couldn't help but smile at how happy Frek was acting; he was acting just like he always did when they were kids playing truth or dare under the bleachers after school… what ever happened? Why did he change so suddenly? And why did he change into this?? Or should I say *be* this?? How does someone turn into another person like this overnight?? And why does it take an entire lifetime for some people to figure out who they are meant to be??

Frek jumped out of his chair and leaned over towards Emily: “So what do you say!? Are we going or not?! We're so close!! We might even still have time for ice cream afterwards!! What about that big strawberry-flavored cone you always used to buy!? I loved that thing! But if we don't leave soon, we'll miss half the movie!! C'monnnnnn…. let's gooo!! What do you sayyyyy?! Can we goooooo??? What do yooooouuuu saaaaaayyyy???!!!” He was jumping around again while clapping his hands above his head with each word he said: “Let's goooooo!!!! I can't wait any longer! I need ice cream! Don't tell me we're going to wait any longer! Don't say yes until after we've gone! Say yes!! Say yes!!! Say yes!!! Say yes!!! Say yes!!! Say yes!!! Say yes!!! Say yes!!! Say yes!!! Say yes!!! Just add a few more yeses together and that will be enough for ice cream! And forever and ever and ever!”

By the time he finished jumping around, he had ended up standing on top of their table with both feet firmly planted on top of Emily's lap where her drink once sat untouched less than a minute ago; she knew she'd never get those wet stains out of her dress again. Frek stopped jumping around and looked down at Emily while panting heavily from all the excitement: “So what do you think?! Are we going or not!? I can't wait anymore!!