Chapter 3

Eric had headed to the nearest boutique to get a hoodie for himself. He scared the hell out of people with his intact hairy skin and dark, old-fashioned hairstyle. 

He had not changed the style of his hair for two decades. For the new generation in his present-day hood, he looked weird. He went into the stall, where he got a fitting hoodie for himself. He slipped into it immediately and got a robotic pair of glasses from a hi-tech store. 

The glasses could scan, change color, and at the same time store voice and visual information. He wore it on to activate it as directed and captured the attention of a lady who had gone into the dressing room more than three times. He tested the glasses by scanning the lady. He looked at the set of dresses on the line. 

“This must be a perfect fit!” The glasses flashed green as they had successfully detected a shining black dress.

Eric picked it up and offered it to the lady who was still in a dilemma because she couldn’t find her perfect match. He was surprised when she collected the dress and left quickly.

Eric swirled hurriedly after her, blowing chilly air to those he passed by. They would feel a tingling sensation that flattened back in warmth within milliseconds. He followed her to her house and waited till she came out. 

“Wow! What a beauty!” he exclaimed. He licked his dry lips, and that got him a bit aroused. He knew he did himself no good for not mating for a good twenty-two years. 

He followed Star, who was headed to Crown Lake Hall for her inauguration. He stood back, looking at the flow of events. He removed his glasses to catch a better view of his lady, who introduced herself as Star Pop. He beamed as he heard her speech and decided to make his move when everyone was gone.  

His best chance to meet Star arrived the minute Kelvin left. He had stood behind him for minutes for him to depart. Star, who had noticed him, became scared and worried as he moved toward her. He stopped two feet away from Star. He felt bound by a circuit of energy that weakened his cells. ‘Strange,’ he contemplated. 

“How may I help you?” Star broke the silence.

“I noticed you a while ago, and you made me fall off my guard. I can’t help but want to hold you by your hand and feel your warmth,” Eric started, using his best tone, reciting a line from one of the old movies. He did not understand what he was doing. Somehow, he could not control himself.

Star started laughing. 

“You must be kidding, dude! Why would you try to hit on me with that poor line? so tell me, how many times have you seen the movie “Loved” to be able to recite the same way the character said it?” she was forced to inquire as she couldn’t stop herself from laughing.

“Actually,” he cleared his throat, “that was uncalled for. But, will you please take my stretched hand, it will fall off anytime soon?”

Star stared at his rough palm stretched before her. 

What if I shake him and I disappear? It’s actually nothing. It’s just a minor handshake.

“If I may know, ‘Star’, your name, do you know why you are called that?” 

“Well... No,” Star answered as she lifted her head at him. His head was gestured to his stretched hand. “Sorry, man” 

Star was about to shake his hand and suddenly was slid off by the running Kelvin, who missed his step. He almost crashed into Eric, who only shifted a bit backward while Kelvin fell down. He got his leg scrapped a bit. 

Star, still in disbelief, stood and quickly took out a sticky note scribbling something down. She put it on the chair next to her, then looked at Eric. 

“I have to go now. That’s my number.” She pointed to the sticky note on the chair. She helped Kelvin, who was squelched in pain, stand up. 

“We need to go to the hospital. I wonder what was after you. Why were you running like that?” 

“Not my fault. I forgot my pen,” he said as he winced in pain.

“What a silly one you are! And you got yourself injured for your silliness.”

“And you are going to pay for my bills.” 

Star eyed him.  

“Like I sent you.” Star kicked him in his injured ankle.

“Arhh, ahhhh! That’s harsh of you, just help me get to the hospital.”

The rest of their journey to the hospital was in silence.