"If the whole world was watching I'd still dance with you
Drive highways and byways to be there with you"
~This Town~
Play "This Town" by Niall Horan
The evening unfolded in a quiet rhythm as we made our way out of the college. My destination was clear, a place where I could spend more time with him, only him, seeking solace in the comforting silence between us. Breaking the quietude, I suggested, "Shall we go to the library?"
"Yeah, that's a great idea," he replied, and his hand warmly embraced mine as we strolled down the cold road to the parking area, to get his car.
Once inside, we replicated our clandestine retreat to a dark corner, escaping the vigilant eyes of the watchmen for another night of shared quietude.
As the clock on the library wall ticked, his deep voice resonated with the words of the novel 'The Fall.' Despite its romantic nature, the novel delved into deep and sometimes melancholic chapters, offering a blend of emotions that mirrored the complexities of our unspoken connection. The hours passed into midnight, and the library became our sanctuary, the silent witness to the unfolding chapters of our shared solitude.
"Hey, sorry for the interruption. What about taking a break?" I interjected, cutting through the narrative of the novel.
"Why not? Let's have some fresh air," he agreed. Without hesitation, we rose from our seats and made our way to a secret backdoor known only to Sheldon. "Let me take you to a wonderful place," he chuckled, guiding me up the dark, empty stairs of the building in the middle of the night.
Reaching the terrace, the town lay beneath us, a tapestry of dim lights in the night. "It's one of my favorite places," he shared, taking a seat on the floor, and I joined him. "This is wonderful," I replied, my eyes captivated by the unique beauty of the place.
The night sky was an awe-inspiring canvas adorned with sparkling stars, forming constellations that whispered tales of the cosmos. Sheldon laid down, his face turned towards the sky, and I followed suit. His hands shielded my head from the cold concrete floor, and in that strange beauty, I found warmth beside him. His gleaming eyes were pointed toward the sky, as he was gazing at the stars, while mine were fixed on him only. Gazing at his pure face was far better than any stargazing.
"You know, I believed that my mom lived in that polar star, she was watching me from that distance," he confessed, bridging the silent gap between us.
"What happened to her?" I inquired, turning my gaze to him with genuine curiosity.
"She passed away, years ago, when I was five" he revealed.
"Sorry, but how? You said that your mom lives in Canada?" I questioned.
"That's my stepmom. My Dad married again, started a new family, and sent me here" he confessed.
"I... I'm sorry to hear that, I understand your grief," I apologized, snuggling into his arms as he wrapped them around me. Despite the outward appearance of acting like friends, in reality, we were more than friends, harboring secret affection for each other.
"Same case with mine. I don't even know how and where my Dad is. How is his new family treating him. Sometimes it seems like I miss him," I revealed, and my mind returned to those painful memories.
"Why didn't you try to contact him?" he queried, his interest in my backstory piqued as he turned himself in my direction. Now we were facing each other, we were so close that we could exchange each other's warm breaths.
"I didn't want to. I mean, I hated him very much, at that time. My mom kept telling me to let it go, but I just couldn't. You know how it is." I replied.
"I understand," he added, to which I just nodded in reply. We remained silent, his gleaming eyes were gazing at me, while I drew myself closer to him. Our bodies touched each other while our lips were just a few inches away.
"Okay, so, good night," his voice broke through the silence, giving a break to the evolving tension between us, and sealing the moment with a gentle farewell as the night embraced us on that quiet terrace. Little did we realize that beneath the stars, a silent story was unfolding—one that went beyond the boundaries of friendship and hinted at the possibility of something deeper.
♡♡
The early sunlight cast a warm glow on my face, gently pulling me out of my peaceful slumber. As I opened my eyes, the first sight that greeted me was his serene face, close enough that I could study the intricate details. His perfectly flat and lined eyebrows framed his long, straight nose, while light-pink, thin, and impeccably shaped lips completed the picture. His trimmed beard added a touch of rugged charm.
Realization hit me like a jolt—I had been staring at him, lost in contemplation of his features like some sort of mesmerized onlooker. Abruptly, I extricated myself from his vicinity, sitting up to break the spell my gaze had inadvertently cast. In a matter of minutes, he stirred, waking up to the new day.
He warned that if we didn't leave soon, the watchmen might catch us and throw us behind bars. The urgency in his voice spurred us into action, and we navigated our way out of the building through its secret backdoor, avoiding any unwanted encounters. With a sense of both relief and adventure, we drove back to his home, leaving behind the quiet sanctuary of the night.
The rest of the day unfolded seamlessly, filled with laughter and the warmth of his aunt's hospitality. As the evening approached, his aunt invited me to assist with Halloween decorations, providing a welcome break from my studies. Eagerly, I joined her in the kitchen, ready to embark on a creative endeavor.
"Emily, can you please help me design the pumpkins?" she asked.
"Sure, why not," I replied, settling beside her by the backyard door. The moonlight reflected in the clear water of the lake, creating a serene backdrop to our chatter. His aunt, a lively conversationalist, shared anecdotes about Sheldon's childhood, recalling the days when he used to go trick-or-treating in a vampire costume with exposed fangs.
"He was so cute and a good boy that everybody loved him, especially his uncle, Adam," she reminisced.
"Honestly, he is still cute," I confessed, feeling a blush creep onto my cheeks.
"Yeah, you caught my words. He looks like his mother, my sister," she noted.
"I think it would be better if I met him earlier, at that time," I chuckled.
"Oh my god, if you met him back then, he would probably make you his bride before we could," she laughed, and her words flustered me once more.
"He is just like my own son. I wanted to see him growing up, but fate didn't bless me. It could happen if his father didn't take him from us," she shared, her grief evident on her face.
"Take him where?" I inquired.
"Take with them, to the city," she replied. "Anyways, leave them, otherwise I will get emotional. Sheldon will be tensed if he sees me crying," she added, wiping away the tears from her eyes. Her poignant words resonated with me, and I could feel the weight of her sorrow.
"By the way, tell me about your childhood, in Oakland. I heard that's a very warm place," she redirected the conversation, forcing a smile.
"Nothing special. Just like everyone's childhood, mine was...also quite normal," I replied, masking the tragic undertones that lurked in my past. The completion of the last pumpkin cut provided an opportunity to excuse me.
"Hey Aunt, I remember some work, can I go? If you need any other help, then don't hesitate to call upon me," I added, making my way towards the room. The exchange had unveiled layers of emotions, reminding me of the complex tapestry woven by our pasts.
The weight of shared sorrow hung heavy in the air as I settled onto the bed, contemplating the complexities of our intertwined pasts. His aunt's words about marriage and the subtle smirk on my lips hinted at a budding awareness of the unspoken emotions between us.
Turning on the room heater, I shed my cardigan, revealing the dress gifted by his aunt—a garment with thin, almost negligible sleeves, and a deep neckline that exposed my shoulders and cleavage. He was out for errands, so I took a moment to observe myself in the standing mirror. The dress brought forth a newfound sense of femininity, a stirring of desire and subtle allure that lingered in the air.
Play "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran
Lost in thought, I was interrupted by the soft strains of music emanating from a small portable speaker. Turning around, I was met with the sight of him, an unexpected delight that sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Placing the speaker on the table, he approached me, extending his arm as an invitation to dance. The melodic strains of 'Perfect' by Ed Sheeran filled the room as he turned up the volume.
Pinching myself in disbelief, I extended my hand to him, and the warmth of his touch confirmed the reality of the moment. "Tomorrow is Halloween, the night of our event, and it's my responsibility to teach you ball dance," he announced, his voice merging with the melodious background.
Overwhelmed by the surreal nature of the situation, I stayed silent, hardly believing that my dream was materializing. "Isabella, my love," he smiled, wrapping his arm around my waist. A chuckle escaped me as I admitted, "I don't know the dialogue."
"Doesn't matter, because the only thing you have to do is to look into my eyes," he replied, his blush complementing the intimate atmosphere. My cheeks flushed with warmth as we engaged in profound eye contact, the ongoing song and its meaningful lyrics weaving a connection between us.
As the final notes of the song filled the room, a magical energy filled the air, swirling around me and tugging at my heartstrings. It was as if the world had come alive, beckoning me to step into a realm of love and desire. At that moment, I saw him differently. His eyes were like pools of stardust, twinkling in the light of the candles. His voice was a melody that resonated deep within my soul, calling me closer.
I took a step forward, my heart pounding with anticipation. The room around us shifted and changed, transforming into a garden of enchanted roses. The petals were soft and velvety, glowing with a soft pink light that casts a warm glow on everything around us.
He stood before me, bathed in the shimmering radiance of the roses. I reached out a hand, tracing the curve of his jaw with my fingertips. He leaned into my touch, his eyes closing as he savored the sensation.
I could feel the magic of the roses coursing through my veins, filling me with a sense of longing and desire. I leaned in closer, my lips hovering just inches away from his. The world around us held its breath, waiting for the moment when our lips would meet. A surge of love and desire propelled me to kiss him, to bridge the gap between us.
And then, with a flutter of wings and a burst of light, the garden of roses vanished, bringing me back to the reality where the music already concluded.
However, his words interrupted the impending moment. "Perfect, you will be the perfect one for Isabella," he declared, maintaining our unbroken eye contact, bringing the dance to a close. The room lingered in the aftermath of the music, charged with unspoken sentiments and the promise of what the future might hold.
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𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀(𝗔/𝗡): A bit of mystery and a touch of romance in this one. Do you have a favorite moment? Let me know! Your feedback is like stardust that makes the story shine.
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