3...2...1...ACTION!

Chapter XVII: ...To The Moon And Neptune...

As the morning sun shone around my room and lit up the place, I found myself tangled with her in my bed. Our arms wrapped around one another as our legs tangled between the sheets. Slowly opened my eyes struggling to wake up just for me to break away from her embrace. She was still asleep so I slowly slipped up away from her trying my hardest not to disturb her. She looked so peaceful and at ease, I wanted to hold her and take her somewhere, where she and I can live together, happily. I can only hope she feels the same way. I can only hope that her heart skips a beat whenever she sees me. I glanced at my watch as I made my way to the kitchen, it was now two thirty, we slept till' noon.however, I wasn't going to skip breakfast even if it meant lunch as well for us. Luckily, I had some leftover frozen waffles and some berries we could eat for breakfast. I quickly heated them up and set them on a plate. I really needed to go grocery shopping. I went back into my bedroom holding a tray with some pepperonis, whatever cheeses I could find as well as some waffles and two cups of warm coffee. As I was walking in, I noticed Elinor was still asleep, I leaned into her slowly whispering. "Eli, come on dear, I made us breakfast." she let out a moan as her eyes fluttered open as I got back up she grabbed my hand and asked. "Can you tell me about yesterday? There is so much I can't remember and god my head is hurting me." she said with a low husky sleepy voice, my face turned red and I got all shy around her as if I wasn't just holding her tightly in my arms. "Well, uh, last night you were drinking excessively so I decided to take you to my place and I gave you these new clothes and my bed to sleep on." she nodded knowingly and proceeded to ask. "You crashed on the couch?" That question shot straight into my heart. She doesn't remember much of last night's events. "Erm, yeah. I slept on the couch in order not to disturb you..." she nodded once again and I offered her the food and I joined her on the bed as we ate together.

That day felt a lot like a dream, she and I were so close to one another I couldn't help but look at her and think to myself; "This is the woman I fell for, I am in love with her." I wanted to scoot closer to her but I hesitated in fear of her not liking it or her not wanting me to come further near her. She was so beautiful and stunning and I... I would be nothing compared to her. Having her sitting beside me in my own bed made me feel further apart from her than I had ever felt. Elinor is still married after all, and her husband and I still slept together behind her back. It would destroy me to hurt her in any way possible, it's not just about guilt now, it's about my love for her. I wish she knew just how much she means to me and I hope she feels the same way. When we were done eating I told her that I needed to go grocery shopping and she offered to help. I was glad to know that she wanted to spend time with me so I gave her a new outfit. My clothes were always just a little too small for her since she was a few inches taller than I was, but other than that all my clothes fit her. I also told her to keep that outfit for herself since I doubt she would get a chance to return it. Elinor looked me dead in the eyes and said. "In that case, I'll have to buy you a new one."

"I couldn't possibly as you to-"

"Spare me the 'don't do it!' because no matter what you say, I will get it for you. And maybe a new set of sexy lingerie since I know the pair that I am wearing isn't mine."

I felt my face heat up in embarrassment. Did she deduce that I had given her a quick shower and she was teasing me about it just to see my reaction? Whatever her motive was, it managed to take a toll on me. She got up and took my hand in hers and gestured for me to follow.

I quickly got up with her and we just started giggling and laughing with one another as I opened my closet and we picked out our clothes for the day. We walked hand in hand outside of the building and we decided to drive over to the supermarket then the mall. However, I had other plans for tonight. I was hoping she could stick around until dinner at least so we could enjoy a proper meal I cooked, so in order to do so, I decided to take us to a local greens market to buy some fresh vegetables at a lower price. "Where are we going first?" she asked, and I told her our next destination and what I had in mind for today. She seemed happy and she said that she felt as if she was at home back in China again. She seemed so thrilled to be with me. I never wanted my time with her to ever end.

However, all this happiness and excitement was cut short when we arrived. We weren't exactly greeted warmly rather people would give us dirty looks and I could tell it made Elinor feel uncomfortable. I wrapped my arm around her and gave her a reassuring squeeze and she smiled at me as we made our way towards the sales lady. She smiled warmly at me while I was speaking to her but didn't seem to appreciate Elinor's presence beside me. We picked out a few tomatoes along with some other fruit and vegetables for us to enjoy tonight. Elinor really looked like she was in her element. She knew how to pick out the best products and she said she learned that from her mother from when they would go around picking out fresh ingredients to make one of her favourite dishes "Chow Mein". She looked so beautiful and I could see sparks in her eyes as she was talking to me and at that moment, the world around us faded away and it was just me and her. No one else matters when I'm with her. She seems to be the only one who can make me feel this way. Only she can caress my soul as I allow her to see me. To see me with all my imperfection and flaws, I wanted her to see my naked soul. I felt as if she could see right through me but I didn't care, I enjoyed being sincere with her. I don't have to hide when I am with her. I can be myself, I can show her my past, allow her to create it along with me in this present time, and eventually, become alive with me in the future. 

When we were finally ready to pay, the old lady seemed to have snapped and said while addressing herself to Elinor. "You know we do not need your ideologies to spread up on us!"

"I beg your pardon?" Elinor politely answered but the woman didn't seem to budge. She simply scoffed in her face murmuring something beneath her breath and handed me the bags. I put my hand on the small of her back as we walked away from that strange encounter and as we were walking away I saw a poster hung on the wall. It read in all caps and bold letters "JOIN THE ARMY, END COMMUNISM". It was clear now what this woman was all about. Elinor looked on edge as she saw this poster. "This war... It's useless." she said her eyes were still fixed on it. I grabbed her hand demanding her attention. "I know, it's the media that's deforming people's minds nowadays. They refuse to look at the bigger picture."

"True, but not only that, they refuse to have a mind of their own."

"It's almost as if we live in a dystopian society."

"We are living in one. As long as our freedom is concerned, we live in a dystopian society."

"We've achieved a lot actually, we are in a free land."

"You say that because you are unfazed, Jenny. Look around you, you saw how that woman treated me, it wasn't the first time someone would speak with me in such ill manners. With the civil rights movement we did get a step forward, yes. But it is only a matter of time before they make us take two steps back."

"What a corrupt world we live in."

"Indeed it is corrupt, but I am willing to fight, just not sure how much longer can I stand. Jenny, I do not believe in communism, but I do believe in equality for all, and maybe Karl Marx had a point with his philosophy, however, neither the soviet union under Stalinism or China under Maoism managed to apply his beliefs into the world in a proper way."

"So you believe his philosophy is a vision of a utopia."

"Once applied to the real world..."

"It becomes a dystopia, so it's only good in theory since it's in human nature to be greedy for more power."

"Took the words right out of my mouth." 

We then placed our freshly bought groceries in the car and drove to a nearby mall to continue our shopping spree. My arm was tangled into hers as we walked together from a shop to another looking at all the different outfits. For a moment, I could have sworn that there was something other than simple friendship in her eyes. I could have sworn that she was looking at me the same way I would look at her but I just wish I could hear her thoughts, confirm that whatever is going on between us isn't just in my head and that there is more to it. I think I like her best whenever we are together, when I can see her true colours. She has a radiant smile capable of lighting up the entire universe. It seems that over time it has faded away, I wanted her to be happy and it's definitely not with Earl, I doubt that I would be good enough to make her happy also. I just want what's best for her and nothing else.