Brightly Grim

John: Her

Stephanie intervenes, reminding me that we're still in a public space. She guides us back to the street and hails a taxi.

She instructs the driver to take us to my home address and then leans against me.

"I told you Cassie could sneak up on you anywhere," she remarks.

"You were right."

"Always am."

"So, am I always wrong then?"

"No, only when you disagree with me."

"Ah, it's pretty straightforward. I like it."

"Yeah, it's great." She smirks up at me. I laugh and kiss her, but she playfully bites my bottom lip, reopening the wound from Cassie's punch.

"Shit, sorry... You're bleeding again." She wipes the blood from my lip with her thumb.

"It's fine." I smile at her.

"It's not fine. Cassie keeps trying to ruin your handsome face."

"She tries, but she can't."

"I think it's partly why she keeps hitting you."

"Probably."

"Probably? I thought we agreed that I'm always right." She teases me.

"I said probably? I meant definitely." I reply, and she laughs.

We arrive at my house and make our way up to the third floor.

"I've never been to this floor," Stephanie comments.

"Yeah, it's mine."

"Awesome." She opens the door to my bedroom, steps inside, and looks around, smiling to herself.

"Can we go out to the balcony?" She asks.

"Sure." I take two beers from the mini fridge and follow her outside through the glass door. She settles on the weathered sofa, and I sit next to her. I crack open the beers and hand one to her.

"It feels different up here compared to the rest of the house."

"I'll take that as a compliment." I smile at her and light a joint to go along with the cold beer.

"Can I ask you something?" Stephanie turns to me, crossing her legs.

"Sure." I lean back and take a puff.

"Who are you?" She asks, and I laugh.

"Don't you know a few things about me by now?"

"Yeah, but what I thought I knew doesn't quite add up."

"What do you mean?"

"Honestly? From the stories I've heard about you, I thought you were some arrogant big shot. But now, I'm not sure what to think... You confuse me."

"Stories are subjective. Stick to your own perspective."

"I don't have one yet."

"What do you want to know?"

"What drives you?"

"Right now, it's you." I say, and she smiles.

"And before me?"

"Myself. I pursued things that I believed would bring me happiness."

"And did they?"

"Not really. Fighting and drugs made me feel something, but beyond that, I realized most of my accomplishments didn't hold much meaning for me."

"What was missing?"

"A certain feeling I yearned for." I reply.

"A feeling like what?"

"Like the one I experience when I'm with you."

She laughs and playfully nudges my arm. "You're flirting again."

"I'm not. I'm just being honest."

"But you barely know me. How can you be so sure?"

"I've known it since the moment I laid eyes on you."

"How?"

"It's hard to put into words. I've felt so much more alive ever since I met you."

"I think I understand..." Her lips curl into a perfect smile. She's incredibly beautiful, and just looking at her makes my chest ache.

"And who are you, Stephanie?"

"Shouldn't you have some idea, considering how persistently you pursued me?"

"Was it really that bad?" I grin.

"The absolute worst." She grins back at

me, leans in, and kisses me deeply. My lips form a smile against hers.

"I'm not asking because I have no impression of you. I'm asking because I'm interested to know what you think of yourself."

"Oh, we're not delving into that galaxy."

"Why not? It seems wonderful from where I'm standing."

"Because it's vast, dangerous, and easy to get lost in." She sighs.

"That's often how wonderful things are." I smile.

"Maybe you're right."

"Really?"

"I said maybe, don't get too excited."

"Too late." I laugh. She places her hands on my thighs and kisses me.

Then she stands up, takes my hand with a smile, and says, "Let's go inside."

We return indoors, and she leads me into the bathroom. "You have a shower, right?"