She looked like a Rosario Dawson imposter as she beat her fist against the vending machine. Her black combat boots pushed her eye level with a fake gold medallion necklace she wanted.

After three more knocks, the medallion fell into the slot and the machine erupted in alarm. She snagged her prize as a diamond bright smile tore across her face.
I knew from that moment on I was doomed.

After three weeks I managed to see her again. She was skating down the boardwalk in a pair of neon purple skates. The sun glinted against the medallion on her chest. It bounced as she twirled across the hot cement. I psyched myself up to say something. Anything. I didn’t want to be some lonesome Spector watching her life like a Planet Earth documentary.

”I like your skates!” I called out as she zoomed past. I dropped my hand I had unintentionally raised in a wave. “Fuck.” She kept skating down the pier. I wanted to follow, but I didn’t want to be creepy. Besides, she probably just wanted to skate by herself and not be bothered. I turned around and walked towards Del Rey’s tacos on the corner of Broadway & Pier Place.

I sat on a pier side table eating tacos while I tried to read my newest sci-fi book from the library.
“What are you reading?” I look up to see her. The her. Looking down at me with her own tray of tacos. She waited for an answer.

”I just started, so I’m not sure yet.”

”Who’s the author?”

”Lois McMaster Bujold. It’s part of the Miles Vorkosigan series. It’s sci-fi. Don’t know if you’d like it.”

”Because I’m a girl?”

”Because everyone at my school laughs about sci-fi. And that wouldn’t make sense anyway. Bujold wrote this and she obviously loves sci-fi.” My hands are sweating onto the last taco I’m holding.

“I’m Rivera.” She says taking a seat.
“I’m Hudson. I like your skates.” She laughs.
“I know. I heard the first time.”