For a minute I stood there analysing the hullabaloo that had happened to my head... A stranger, had suddenly made me ogle (I'm a well mannered closet case so it's a big deal) and I was meeting him for brunch ? In a day? Are you kidding me? This better turn out good, I said to myself as I blushed nervously.... God help me...
Tomorrow, midday, tomorrow, midday.... these words rang like funeral bells in my head. I don't know why, but I found myself by noon in my room pulling apart my closet to find something to wear. I guess I just wanted to impress the pants off this guy.... An hour later... With a disappointed sigh I decided that I had nothing. I just stood there, realizing that his address was in the high on cash part of the town. Shit!
So as cool and self secure as I was, I found myself at Claire's looking for god knows what. The shop is empty with Lisa at the desk when I entered, she owns Claire's. She smiled sadly, so did I and soon I was fumbling through the t-shirts. I couldn't find any in black, coz you know.... I wear dark shades, like dark shades only.... Lisa must know where they are so I turn to ask her but right in front of me, close enough to feel my breath, stands Theo. I stood there... just like in the movies, in the sappy songs we all make fun of.... I just stood there. Looking at him... Dressed in velvety blue, his eyes bluer still. He just stood there too. I blinked and next I found him smiling 'So shopping eh?' he asked. No, here to meet the mafia, of course I'm shopping....all due to you... I suddenly felt anger, anger on the effect this stranger was having. You can't just barge in and make me lose myself... Theo, screw you... but I just said 'Yup....'
'Fancy my help?' he didn't wait for my reply and turned into the T-shirt flood... 'Something plain and dark' I told him.
'Ohhh... black....like your hair?' he asked. I nodded 'That's gonna be tough... you have raven black hair...' he said and dived into the search. Something shuddered in me... Raven black.... I remembered the last person who had used those words to describe my hair.... Ted. I pushed him out of my thoughts as I joined Theo. Every minute, our shoulders would touch for the briefest time and his velvety sleeves would rub against my bare skin, sending tingles all over. He then decided that this wasn't torture enough, he held my waist and pulled me to his side to show me his find, a black turtleneck. He spread it over my torso....fingers spanning over my shoulder, I could feel my skin heaten up.
'This fits the description, I guess.' he said 'Go try it on.'
I did and when I stepped out in it, he just smiled at me, the same fresher than morning, stop the traffic, tickle my dick smile.
'Awesome'
I smiled at him 'I like it too'
We reached the counter where Lisa awaited us, glowing. I paid for the tee.
'Your package will be ready by Tuesday' Lisa told him.
'Thank you Miss Claire.' he turned to me .'Amias, fun as this was, I really must get going. See ya soon.' I nodded as he turned and started leaving when he stopped 'By the way, wear your new T-shirt tomorrow, it really suits you' and he was gone.
That put a stupid grin on my face. When I turned to look at Lisa, she was almost chuckling.
I regained my serious look 'What?'
'Somebody's got the hots for the new boy eh? It's good... you suit each other'
'Ya right....' I smirked 'Have you seen him? Built like a jock and all... boys like that don't like me. He's just new and friendly.'
'You've to stop this self deprecating bullshit. Ashna did it too and it bugged me beyond hell'
The mention of her name made us tense up. The shop became too small and awkward suddenly. I nodded and rushed.
That night was a farce. Insomnia episodes full of He's gay.... No he isn't.... he likes me..... he's gonna punch my face in.
The next morning wasn't a party either. See that's why I don't do communicative meeting up stuff, ya'know... its hussle for your nerves...
Then the hours just whizzed past, as I hovered over my mirror improving, checking, fussing over how I looked... I wore the black turtleneck and the powder blue jeans that made my butt look big.... I had a bittersweet relationship with my face... My skin a pale shade of copper and my hair a nightly char of black and long lashed brown eyes, my slightly plump lips- all courtesy of my Indian mother.... I thought I looked rather odd for an Englishman's son but well he hated me anyway so fuck it... I concluded that I look bearable and set out, meeting my mom on the way. She looked at me weirdly and her eyes asked where you going? I smiled involuntarily and rushed.
A -beat my confidence into pulp- 15 minutes later a panting bus dropped me at The Carnegie Street and I saw Theo's house... it was much, much bigger than mine, kinda like the house in Marley and me, the Philadelphia one I mean... I couldn't help but smile as I walked towards it but mid step a thought hit me like a brick... What am I doing ? Fancying someone I just met, dressing up for him, meeting him for brunch... what if he's straight and just friendly? I felt sick but it was too late to back down... I just hoped for easy release or death as I knocked on his door, his mother opened it...
The same shade of sapphire eyes, brown hair all warm hued and wavy and an angular face with signs of laugh lines all over.... 'You must be Amias...I am Ariel... nice to meet you' I nodded and smiled. 'Do come in...' I stepped in clumsily as she smiled at me.... oh what a lovely woman... 'Let's go out to the lawn, Theo will join us soon' I followed her out to the lawn, which was huge by the way, where a table for two was set immaculately under an oak tree... it looked lovely and shouted rich from a distance.... as I sat she poured me some juice and offered me some biscuits which I took in an awkward obedience... but then as we just sat there I felt comfortable with her...
'So what do you like to do ?' your son I almost ended up saying but I just choked on a biscuit 'Oh...humummm...ohh.. I love writing and sketching' 'Oh really then you must show me some of your work...' I don't know why but this instinct to just impress the heck out of her just popped up in me and I pulled out my phone to show her some of my poems... I thought she would stop at one but she ended up reading three... 'They are so raw Amias... just so unpretentious...You are good... I mean it... ' I'm sure I must've reddened horribly 'Your parents must be awful proud' Well that sucked...but I smiled somehow.. 'Now I see why Theo likes you...You are like Arryn, she's genuine. Just real ya'know. I'm glad you're the first one he found here...' How could I tell her that I had spoken to him for the first time only yesterday....but it felt so good to hear her say that...I may have blushed again...

Then he came...dressed in a red jacket and denim shorts...He took my breath away.... All fresh bathed pale skinned, brunette loveliness, his hair slightly damp and shiny, his shins looking delicious as he strode to me... His eyes playing some cerulean game...He made me suddenly believe in Taylor Swift verses of fading sense of time and place...of men that could knock the breath out of you.... and like any spell it broke .... pleasantly though as he said 'Amias you came....' ohh as if I wouldnt you doof '...so looks like you have met the grand duchess herself. Mom you didn't badger him, did ya?'
'No, no she's lovely company' I said
'Alas Amias, my own son doesn't agree' she said in mock hurt 'I'll leave you lads now. Theo don't eat the pancakes all by yourself' with that she left and Theo and I were alone...
Breathe... Amias, oxygen is just as important... Breathe...
©Alexis Vane