The Kiss Of Midnight

Chapter Seventeen

Theo and I order take out and call it a night only after a few hours. Double checking the doors, I climb into bed beside Theo, seeing him already claim a spot on the bed. My sleep comes and goes just as quick as I close my eyes, sudden darkness, then flashes of long old forgotten memories emerging from my subconscious. Like a movie trailer playing out in my head, never able to concentrate on just one still picture.

I awake the next morning to the smell of coffee, my eyes slowly opening as I do not feel Theo's figure beside me anymore. Wiping my eyes I sit up and see the time displayed on my digital clock; ten thirty two a.m.. A small sigh leaves my lips as I throw the cover back and stand, stretching before taking a step. The sound of the living room television can be heard as I make my way out of my room and into the kitchen, seeing Theo standing over a cup of coffee on the counter.

"Good morning." Theo says as I walk over to him.

"Good morning." I reply, still feeling sleepy as I rest my head on his arm.

"Tired?" He asks.

"Yeah, a little." I rest my head on him, feeling the warmth before I straighten my posture.

"This should help." Theo turns around and picks up a cup from the counter behind him, reaching it out to me.

"Thank you." I take it from him and take a small sip, letting the hot liquid rush down my throat.

"So, how do you want to start our day?" Theo brings the cup to his lips.

"Well, I gotta find a moving company first off." I take another sip of my coffee.

"Already done." Theo leans against the counter.

"Already done? How?" I ask him.

"I called the moving company Thomas used when he moved last year. They have a store in almost every city and Thomas said they did a damn good job, so figured I'd give them a call." Theo looks to the television then to his coffee before taking a drink.

"Thank you, but why?"

"Make it easier for you. Why not?" His blue hues find mine and I look down at my cup.

"Oh." Is the only word I could find at the moment, bringing the cup to my lips as I take a sip.

"They'll be here around four, so we better get to packing." Theo straightens his posture and takes one last sip of his cup.

"Oh, okay. Let's get started." I place my cup of coffee down on the counter and we begin the long process of sorting all my things, thanking the stars I truly didn't have much to sort through. All my things are neatly organized throughout my apartment, so the clean up can always be painless.

A few hours pass as Theo and I bag and box my possessions, making sure anything breakable is wrapped and labeled for transport. I wipe the sweat from my forehead as I hear Theo from the next room.

"Hey, wanna go get lunch? I think we deserve a little break." He says as he leans on the frame of my doorway.

"Oh, yeah sure. Let me just finish this box." I place my camera and its protector inside the box, along with the many rolls of film and stand, closing it and taping it shut. Grabbing the black sharpie from the bed, I write; Fragile in big letters on every side.

After I am done Theo and I leave my apartment, locking it behind us before walking through the hallway and main lobby. I offer a small wave to Elliot as we pass, seeing him return the favor with a soft smile. Making it to the curb, Theo throws up his hand and a taxi stops just inches from us. I stare at him in wonder as for the three years I have lived here, it was never that easy for me.