by L. Foster
She looked at the clock, horrified. It was almost 11 am, and she was still asleep. Her worrying only increased when she realized she had a naked dance partner in her bed, last night playing back in her head. She groaned, fearing that she had ruined everything.
Evan rolled over his green eyes open and giving Chloe a smile. Realizing she was still undressed, Chloe quickly snatched her cover form the bed, wrapping it around her body. She felt ashamed and embarrassed for letting the charming and elusive Evan get the best of her. You know better, she scolded herself.
“It’s late.” Chloe told him stiffly as he looked at her with a confused look.
Evan looked at the clock and lazily said, “Oh well.”
Chloe rolled her eyes and decided there was no time for arguing. “Look just go up to your room and get dressed, meet me at the studio in 20 minutes.”
She didn’t give him a chance to reply, Chloe ran into the bathroom and shut the door quickly. Hoping in the shower, she got ready fast and was on her way to the studio in 15 minutes.
Evan showed up a few minutes later, Chloe was stretching and she greeted him with a curt, “Hello.”
Evan opened his mouth to say something, but Chloe held up her hand and said, “Listen. This contest is important to me. Let’s just forget about last night, and move on.”
Evan clenched his jaw tight, not revealing that he was hurt by her words. “Fine.”, he responded. Chloe pretended not to feel hurt but his lack of emotion. She took a deep breath and pushed all of her emotions away, focusing on practicing for tonight.
Chloe and Evan parted ways after rehearsal, and Chloe was nervous as she got dressed. She took several deep breathes, but knew that it was more than pre-show anxiety that was bothering her. Chloe was disappointed in herself for letting Evan get into her head so easily, and even worse, into her heart.
She let out a morose sigh as she took one last glance in the mirror before leaving. Her long red hair was set in loose curls, and she was wearing a white dress, the skirt flowing softly down to her mid- thigh. She placed her ballet slippers on and was out the door.
Chloe waited in the packed room nervously, there was a large audience, which only made her all the more anxious. She spotted Evan across the room, she noticed he looked incredibly handsome dressed in black. He looked up at her catching her gaze and gave her a small smile.
The competition began and she was quickly joined by Julia, and they watched as pairs preformed together. When Julia went up her and Chad did amazing, and received the loudest round of applause. There was a couple after them, and then it would be time for her and Evan to go.
Evan came up behind her as they waited behind stage. He grabbed her hand, and she looked up at him, surprised. “Before we go out there, I need to tell you something,” he began, “I know it’s crazy because we have only known each other for a few days, but I have feelings for you, Chloe.”
Chloe stood there, dumbfounded. This was the last thing she expected to hear from him and as he continued on she could feel tears begin to well up in her eyes. “I feel like I’ve known you for so long,” he told her, “I truly believe we came here, destined to meet one another. You can tell me I’m crazy and you can tell me you don’t feel that way, but I just had to tell you that Chloe.”
There was a moment of silence between them as Chloe looked into his eyes which were pleading and hopeful. She smiled at him and said, “I feel the same way.” He gave her a soft kiss before they descended out to the dance floor, but Chloe knew she didn’t need to win anymore. Evan reminded her of why she loved to dance so much in the first place, because of that strong desire, the heat of the moment, and the passion between two people that burned white hot, down to their very souls.
After Midnight
What am I doing?
Alice asked herself, lifelessly, as she looked around her. She was huddled beside a street lantern, shivering, but unwilling to leave. Her dark hair was a mess under the beanie she was donning and her brown eyes looked dull. Her face was pale from the cold and she blew warm air onto her hands to warm them up. She didn’t remember how long she had been here.
Probably two hours. She guessed.
There hadn’t been many people around so at least she didn’t have to worry about making a spectacle of herself. Besides, she could barely see anything. It wasn’t exactly inconspicuous to hide under a street light. The stone wall felt cold against her back as she leaned backwards.
Maybe I am having an existential crisis. She said to herself, half-sarcastically. Trust me to have one on a street corner.
Everything seemed so boring. Her job, her life, her friends...
When did everything start falling apart?
It was probably after she got dumped, as pathetic as that sounded.
‘I want someone a little more engaging.’ Her ex’s words floated through her mind.
Alice slapped her cheeks to get rid of the thought. Why am I thinking of that idiot?
“That’s a nice look. Red cheeks and pale face, makes you look like a snow maiden.” An amused voice interrupted.
Alice looked up and found herself staring at a guy who was grinning at her. She looked down uninterested.
“Hey don’t ignore me!” he protested.
She didn’t say anything.
“Now I feel uncool after all the time I spent thinking about something to say,” he muttered to himself.
That got her attention.
“How long have you been here?”
“Twenty minutes,” he answered stepping into the light.
She could see his face clearly now. He had long, messy hair and a three o clock shadow. His eyes were alight as he looked down at her. He wasn’t dressed warmly though, wearing only a t shirt and shorts in contrast to her jeans and jacket.
“So you were staring at me?” she said.
“Pervert,” she added, muttering under her breath.
“Why do I have a feeling you said something bad about me?” he said suspiciously.
“Because I did,” she said bluntly.
“Way to soften the blow,” he said dramatically.
“How long are you going to stay here?” she said starting to feel annoyed.
“Depends,” he said vaguely and plopped down beside her.
“You’ll freeze to death.” she commented.
“You do care.” he said triumphantly.
“Not really. I just think the police will find me suspicious if there’s a dead body beside me.”
He looked at her in surprise before bursting out laughing.
“You are something else.”
“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”
“Take it any way you want.” He shrugged. “So want to talk about what’s troubling you?”
“Who said something was troubling me?” she said testily.
“According to my experience, people don’t hide in the street just for kicks.”
“Do you have lot of experience looking for people like that? You really are a creep.”
He ignored her last comment.
“Aren’t your parents going to be worried about you?”
“They don’t live with me.” Alice answered, without thinking.
“Boyfriend?”
“None.” she muttered darkly.
“I think I touched a nerve. Bad breakup?” he said sympathetically.
“Don’t you think that you asking too many questions to a stranger?” Alice snapped.
“Well, in that case, what’s your name?” he asked.
Alice gaped at him.
“What, it’s not a hard question.”
She closed her mouth and looked at the ground again.
“I don’t tell strangers my name.”
He groaned. “Jeez, whatever. My name’s Arthur but you can call me Art.”
Alice continued staring.
“Hey,” Art sounded annoyed. “I think I am more interesting than the ground.”
“You are really nosy.”
“Can’t you leave?”
“No.”
Alice glared at him.
“Truth is, I got dumped too.” Art said nonchalantly.
Alice looked at him in surprise. He didn’t seem to be bothered by it. She doubted if he was telling the truth.
“She walked out on me and now I am all alone. Want to keep me company?” He grinned widely at her. Without pause, Alice reached out and smacked him on the head.
“That hurt!” Art rubbed his head. “At least I got a reaction from you.”
Alice let out an exasperated sigh.
“I am going home.”
She stood up and brushed the dirt from her clothes.
“Good, it’s not right to be out so late. It’s past midnight.” Art said smiling.
He looked suddenly handsome, Alice noted, not wholly happy about the observation. She began to walk the direction of her apartment and suddenly turned around.
“It’s Alice.” she said and quickly walked off, leaving him shocked but smiling.
“I’ll see you around!” he called.
Slim chance. thought Alice. I don’t even know your number.
As she walked home, she couldn’t help but dwell on him. What was up with the guy? Why was he so unfailingly cheerful and after a breakup! Maybe he wasn’t right in the head.
And why am I even thinking about that? Alice dug her hands into her jacket. Whatever, at least I don’t have to see him again.
The next day, Alice called in sick. Her job didn’t matter anyway, it was just sorting paperwork. They can do without me for a day, she told herself.
But that left her with nothing to do for the entire day. She looked around her one room apartment. It was a mess. Clothes everywhere, dishes unwashed and a thin layer of dust on her furniture.
I could sort the place out. She thought unenthusiastically.
One by one, she began picking up her clothes and placing it in the corner. She cleaned the dishes and wiped her furniture. It was time consuming but she felt a sense of accomplishment when she finished. Her apartment looked a lot bigger now that everything was cleared up.
Her stomach growled and she decided to make herself something to eat. But when she opened the fridge, it was nearly empty.
Groaning, she decided to go out and shop. After her trip to the supermarket, she came back and made herself something. Her stomach filled, she wondered lazily what else she could do.. The rest of the day, she did nothing. She lounged around, watched television and searched the internet. It kept her mind distracted so she didn’t have to think.
But at night, she stopped. It was like a switch had been flipped and she was consumed with troubling thoughts. Where was her life going? Was she going to be stuck in a dead end job? Was this because she wasn’t ‘engaging’?
The apartment was suddenly constricting, she had to get out. She put a long coat over her shirt and jeans then walked out the door. Halfway through, she wondered if Art was going to be there again. She had mixed feelings about that.
The corner was empty and she crouched underneath the street lamp. It was colder than yesterday but Alice didn’t care. She felt numb, body and soul.
“I thought you would be here.” Alice heard a familiar voice. She resisted the urge to groan as she looked up. Art was dressed more warmly, in jeans and a brown jacket. He had a slight beard going on now but it only highlighted his face. His eyes twinkled.
Alice looked down again. She heard him sit down beside her. Suddenly, she felt something poking her. She was about to respond annoyed when she smelt something.
“Cocoa?” she murmured.
“Good work.” Art said approvingly. He was holding a paper cup with steam rising from the top, extended towards her. Alice took the cup, the heat from it warming up her fingers. She looked back at Art; he had a thermos in his hand, pouring more into another cup.
Alice took a sip, it was delicious. It warmed her up.
“This is really good.” She said surprised as she took another sip.
“Thanks, I tried very hard to hone my cocoa making skills.” Art said as he sipped his one. His voice was serious as he said it and Alice couldn’t help but laugh.
“That’s the first time you laughed. It looks good on you.” Art complimented. Alice ducked her head in embarrassment.
“What, are you blushing?” he teased, trying to look at her face.
“It’s the cold!” Alice insisted flustered.
They drank quietly and then Alice broke the silence by saying, “Thank you.”
“You are welcome.” Art smiled.
“Why are you here though?” Alice asked.
“I had nothing to do and I knew you were going to be here.” Art said easily.
“You are starting to sound like a stalker.” Alice noted.
Art shook his head. “Not even five minutes and you are already calling me a stalker.”
Alice shrugged.
“You are still not going to tell me why you are here?” Art said quietly.
Alice shook her head.
“Well I might as well talk about myself then.” His voice became louder.
“You said that you had a breakup.” Alice prompted.
“I did. The usual, my girlfriend cheated on me with my best friend.” Art said nonchalantly.
“You seem okay with it.”
“Is that how it seems?” Art sighed. For a brief second, Alice saw the pain on his face.
“It passes.” She said.
“Does it?” Art looked at her and she nodded.
“You end up feeling numb afterwards but you recover.”
“Is that what happened to you?” Art probed.
“You could say that.” Alice tilted her cup but there was none left. Art held out the thermos and she poured herself another cup.
“How long ago was this?”
“Three months.” Alice answered. She didn’t know why she was answering the questions but she felt herself becoming lighter as she answered.
“Did you love him?”
“You ask too many questions.” Alice said instead, she couldn’t answer that question. It brought up too many painful memories.
“You did tell me I was nosy.” Art realized that it was a sore spot.
“How long did you date her?”
“Six months. I thought it was going well but I guess I was wrong.” His voice faltered at the end.
Alice didn’t know why but it affected her. She set the cup down and looked at him.
“It’s not your fault.” She said fiercely surprising herself. “She made a mistake and she’ll realize that later.”
Art looked at her in shock. “You should see yourself, your eyes are blazing. You look like a warrior.”
Alice didn’t know how to react to that. She settled for looking at the ground. They didn’t talk about their failed relationships. They moved on to random things, the weather, events and music. Alice found herself talking easily; there was something about Art that put her at ease. Finally she decided to leave.
“Are you going to be here tomorrow?” Art asked as she left.
Alice didn’t answer and a few seconds later, Art said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Alice walked towards home, her hands buried in her coat pockets. It didn’t look like she was going to get rid of Art and somehow she didn’t mind.
Two months passed. Alice and Art became regulars at the spot. They went there every day and stayed late, talking and drinking cocoa. Alice was becoming more comfortable with Art. There was something about him. He was goofy and idiotic but he made her laugh, something she hadn’t done in a while. But he could be serious when he wanted to be, especially if the conversation reached his ex. Alice was still touchy about her ex, she talked about everything else but him.
When she told him about her job, Art was quiet before saying, “Quit then.”
“It’s not that easy. I need the money.”
“What’s the point of doi
ng something if you don’t love it?”
“What do you do then?”
“I am a painter.”
“Figures.” Alice muttered.
Art didn’t say anything, he had gotten used to her. Alice thought about it, it made a lot of sense. Art usually looked scruffy and his clothes were mostly worn out, probably because he didn’t want to get paint on them. When she had first seen him, he hadn’t really looked groomed but he had fixed himself up later. He was clean shaven nowadays and wearing different clothes.
“I have a show in a gallery, wanna come?” Art said suddenly.
Alice hadn’t been able to answer and now she was standing in front of the gallery, the pass clutched in her hand. What was she even doing here?
But she knew the answer; she wanted to see his paintings. She checked herself again, she had opted to wear a dress, long and modest. It was a pale blue and complimented her eyes. Her hair was neatly combed back and she felt she looked alright. No one gave her weird looks as she walked in.
The place was crowded; there was a big picture of Art hung by the entrance, looking serious in a suit. Whoever took the picture had done a good job because it looked so different that what he usually looked like but something about it made her heart beat faster. Alice shook her head trying to calm herself and looked around for Art.
She spotted him on the opposite of the room, talking with a couple of people. He was in a dark suit and he looked so different in a good way. Alice was about to call him when she saw a beautiful lady walk up to him. When Art looked at the lady, a look of sadness overcame his features and Alice knew who she was.