Take One

Chapter 3

It wasn't the apple. I was sure of it. For the first time in my life, as I stood freezing my butt off in a mini dress at the city's fanciest garden restaurant, I was sure Adam and Eve being driven out of Eden was justified. Of course, my reasoning had nothing to do with the Bible.

Adam, the man of my dreams and Prince Charming incarnate, gave me the explanation I needed. He did so with one gesture.

"Seige, this is Eve. She's my friend from class." He gestured to the raven haired beauty I had to pretend I didn't know. She was in a really tight red dress that left me wondering if the difference between she and I visually was due to more than our diet. Then, he gestured beside her to a polished, yacht-owning looking dude. "This is Eve's boyfriend, Byron."

I thought we were shooting a music video. It turns out, we were really shooting a telenovela because as I shook hands with them both, Adam carelessly dropped "Guys, this is my girl, Seige." Yes, me being Adam's girl was a joke we liked to indulge in, but he and I both knew, this introduction was aimed to serve a purpose. If I wasn't sure, it became undeniable when he and Eve shared a look.

Adam was using me as a buffer. Regardless of whether or not Eve was welcoming Adam's affection (judging from the steamy make out session I caught, she definitely was), it was obvious Adam was in love with her. Or at least it would be obvious, if not for the conveniently located girl explaining away any claims of betrayal. Adam couldn't possibly be out to steal someone else's girlfriend when he was with Henry Schwartzman-Redgrave's daughter.

Poor Byron remained oblivious, but it was obvious to me. How could it not be? I was smart enough to recognize when he was giving away the look I'd wanted for years, to someone else.

My face was numb and my insides hollowed. I sat down because I my legs told me I had to. Anyone who'd been embarrassed beyond recognition would know exactly what I meant; and those who hadn't couldn't possibly imagine. It felt like I was seeing Adam for the first time. Every bright smile squeezed my heart to dust.

I waited for the shock to subside, but it didn't. I kept looking at Adam because I physically couldn't turn away. This, Byron noticed because he chuckled and said, "You guys look great together. Seriously dude, it's like you're the only guy she sees."

I wanted to become one with the ground. Adam's small representative in my head protested at the turn of events. It questioned the validity of what I was seeing in front of me; as if Adam couldn't possibly use me this way. He was my guy. There must have been some mistake.

"I never have to worry with Seige," Adam chuckled; flinging his arm over my shoulder. This time it felt different; like he wasn't even Adam. He was just letting Byron assume things that would work in his favor later.

I fought the urge to say ouch out loud; my heart was aching so badly I wanted to clutch my chest. Adam kissed my temple. He'd done this before, but this time I had the urge to cringe. Instead, I beamed. "I didn't realize this was a double date."

Adam seemed glad I claimed it as a date. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest; relaxing as if this was a mission accomplished. Even as he bled out my heart, I couldn't deprive him of what he wanted to achieve. A part of me wondered if he was aware of how much I was hurting; not that I could ever tell him now.

My hand flew up to my face before I fully realized. "I think I got something in my eye." I muttered; an easy enough excuse for the tears that leaked. Adam leaned closer and pulled my hand away; assessing the non-existent foreign object obstructing my vision. At least I could finally say "Ouch." out loud.