After Twilight

400


He watched her from inside, breathing slow and deep for fear of disturbing her. There she stood in a black dress self modified with metal rings and crimson ribbon. The night was ever so still and begged to be drunk in, she had told him. He didn't laugh, just smiled and let her go.

Quietly he walked onto the balcony and joined the strange girl who only smiled with effort. He didn't think his presence was noticed until she casually laid her head on his shoulder and took his arm. Startled his breathing turned shallow.

"The stars are shining mighty bright," she said softly. As he looked up into the velvet sky he felt the weight of her lighten. Turning his attention back towards their current plane he noticed the sorrow in her hazel eyes.

All he could muster up in reply was, "the mood shines brightly too". The girl turned her gaze towards the ground seeming smaller than before. After a dozen quick heartbeats she propped herself up and sat on the wooden railing with her back to the world.

"I had a most wonderful time these few passing days." She smiled but it was tainted with sadness. They had another day ahead of them before parting so he wondered why so much sorrow tonight.

"So did I. I'm really glad we finally were able to get together."

"It has truly been a delight knowing you." That last statement sounded like a prelude to goodbye and he wasn't going to have it.

"As it has you. I can see us being friends for a very long time." The mysterious sylph only offered a half-hearted nod as if what he spoke was merely a fanciful dream.

Suddenly she locked her eyes with his, pupils dilated resembling two bright ebony pools outlined in sepia. The girl, now seeming otherworldly, parted her lips yet no sound came forth. She once again flashed that sad smile before leaning back, letting gravity take hold. He reached out to catch her, calling out into the night but his reflexes weren't quick enough and her name fell short. Holding his breath he stepped forward curiously fearful to see the aftermath of her disastrous meeting with the earth, only to find the grey grass grass still and undisturbed. His eyes wandered frantically and came upon no sign of the fae. She had been swallowed by the ether.

Talking Out of Turn

286


"Hey," a girl with strawberry blond hair approached me. I nodded in reply. "I wanted to tell you something."

"Oh high schoolers think they know everything."

"What?" Her face wrinkled at my statement.

"I use to be a high schooler thought I knew everything, only to find out I know nothing." I crossed my arms over my chest. "I thought once I graduated I was completely done with the whole high school thing; looks like I was wrong. Oh the greatness of community college, overrun with secondary education know-it-alls." I could see her trying to come up with a reply but I wasn't done. "I could have been like you. Gone straight to college, it was possible or so it seemed. What was the point of staying with the traditional route. The only good thing that came out of that was my first local girlfriend. Well not really, that wasn't much of a relationship."

"You're--" I cut her off.

"Gotta love small towns. Should have known you would have been perturbed by that."

"I have no problem with you being a lesbian."

"I'm not. Bi would be the easiest way to put it but the easiest isn't always the truth."

"Then what's the truth?"

"I love who I love, gender notwithstanding."

"It's hard to believe you love at all." I clenched my heart for effect.

"Oh my heart is breaking." I remembered what had started this tangent in the first place. "What did you want anyway?"

"I wanted to tell you that I understand how you feel." The berated girl walked away leaving me there with my mouth agape, foot in.

"Great," I said under my breath a few moments later before running after her.

A Favor

399

I made my way onto the set and no one dared to stop me. I smiled watching her perform, getting lost in the story. For a moment there I actually believed she was a vampire.

"Cut," the director yelled out. "That'll be all for today people." She and the other actor in the scene exchanged pleasantries and as she was walking away I caught her eye.

"Mel," she exclaimed rushing to greet me. We embraced. "It's so nice to see you."

"You were great up there." My comment made her blush. She took my arm and lead me to her dressing room. A pretty nice sized room considering she was only a guest star.

"Please, have a seat." She leaned up against the counter in front of the mirror.. "How did you even get on the set Mel?" I crossed my legs.

"Oh you know Cynthia, I have my ways." She nodded with a smile on her face that seemed like it would never fade. "The character is quite a change for you, very different from the indie series."

"Oh I know, but it's nice to have the variety."

"Of course. And the passion is still there. You have a great amount of talent Cynthia."

"Mel," she said trying to keep her cheeks from turning red, "you don't have to shower me with compliments. Whatever it is just ask. Is it money? I don't have a lot but I'll give you what I can."

"You are always so sweet to me, even after all these years." I took a deep breath. "It's not money. I need a place to stay for awhile."

"Oh Mel, I'd be honored to have you stay with me."

"It's just for a short time. I promise I won't overstay my welcome." Cynthia warmly placed her hands over mine.

"You could never do that. Your presence is always welcomed." Now it was my turn to blush.

"Well in that case when do I move in?" We both laughed then Cynthia embraced me in such a way, it was as though she was checking to make sure I was really here.

Finally letting go she said, "Let me go change and then I'll take you out to lunch." Before disappearing behind a partition she took a long look at me and confessed, "I'm really glad you're here." Oh how i missed that lovely smile of hers.