pain.
“It’s a beautiful bracelet.”
“Thank you, my mum gave it to me for my 21st.”
“She has nice taste,” he leans against the lift wall facing me, “how come she didn’t move with you?”
I run my fingers over the pattern on the bracelet, “She died three years ago.”
“Wow, I am really sorry.”
“Thank you.” I start to rub my wrist again
The lift arrives at the floor and the door opens, Trey takes my hand and leads me out, “It’s this way,” I tilt my head in the direction and we walk.
“I’m really glad I met you, you know? After all that’s happened its turned out to be an eventful evening.” He smiles and rubs the back of his neck.
“Me t oo, this will be a story to remember for a long time, the night the movie star saved me.”
We reach my door and I get out my key card a nd swipe it so the door unlocks. I am smiling like a child the whole time I’m faced away from him but the thought of not seeing him again fills me with a gut wrenching sadness.
With my hip propping the door open ajar I turn to him, “Thank you for everything.” I fumble with my purse – awkward moment - just go in, turn around and go in.
Trey takes my hand, “Why does this feel like goodbye? I don’t think I want it to be.”
I sigh, “I guess it is goodbye, you’re from a whole different world to me. Once you leave tomorrow you’ll forget me, the next time I see you will be on the TV or in a magazine. Like I said it’s a story to remember.”
“But I don’t want to say goodbye yet.”
Its true and it hurts but the reality is I am Jane Doe; I am no one in comparison. Even without the duo giving me a split argument as to why I should - this could never work, why at a time like this am I being left to make my own choice? For a year now I’ve had these two to help me over think things where are they now?
“I really don’t want to say goodbye, not yet.”
He clasps my chin between his thumb and forefinger and tilts my head back so our eyes once again meet.
“There’s something about you, I know you’re right but still,” his eyes are begging mine.
“Why start something we can’t finish?”
He releases my chin and runs both his hands through his hair and grabs the back of his neck, I stand up onto tiptoe and lay a soft kiss on his cheek. Trey takes a sharp inhale of breath as if I’ve just given him an electric shock, “Thank you again for saving me and walking me to my room.”
He looks at me dumbstruck then with a whisper says, “It was,” he clears his throat, “It was my pleasure.”
I really have to walk away now or this is going to string out into some sort of awkward moment, more awkward than it already is. He takes my right hand, making me flinch but I let him hold it, he looks at our hands as if he’s contemplating not letting them go, “Good night Ellie.”
He kisses the back of my hand and turns to walk away.
“Goodnight Trey.”
I turn into my door, slowly close it behind me and press my forehead onto the door. The first genuinely kind person that has made me feel safe in ages and I have just sent him packing. I didn’t even kiss him properly. I turn and lean my back against the door and hold my head in my hands, the duo have appeared and they are both moaning ‘ she could’ve at least kissed him ’.
I lift my head and start to walk away when there is a light tapping at the door. Without double guessing what to do I spin around and open the door. Standing with an arm either side of the doorframe is Trey, just stood there with his head hanging down. Oh no what’s wrong? Is this where they all jump out, all the actors and all the cameras? You’ve been royally screwed over or whatever reality program it is. Trey looks up and before I can speak, his hands are either side of my face, pulling me into him and his lips are on mine. He’s kissing me, what the hell!
I slowly close my eyes and succumb to him, his lips are so soft against mine and his tongue is in
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