putty in your hands

Chapter I

Why did i agree to it? - I think as the sound of the alarm tears every part of my mind, reminding me of the obligations I have committed to. That's how it is when you want to be a good person. I grumpily turn off the alarm and stay in bed for another good 20 minutes - that's how much time is needed for shaking off sleep from my eyelids. I blink while I continue thinking why did I EVER agree to cover for Sarah this week in the gallery. It's not because I'm a good person, of course. I just really need that bread, you know, although I'm already wondering as I get up from my big, beautiful warm bed if I really need it that much. It is difficult to come to terms with the decisions made in the evening when the morning arrives. Shit.
I jump in the hot shower and let it wake me up, because coffee has never done the job for me, and after that I get ready.
So, today and for the next 4 days I'll be working in the gallery instead of my good friend Sarah, so that she can prepare for a very important exam.
It's not the first time I jump in instead of her, although it was always for a day, when she needed it. It's not like I have any social life, so it's not difficult for me to have an extra job for 5 days. My budget will definitely appreciate it.
I arrive and open the gallery and the day passes slowly, slipping like raindrops on the window on this gloomy October morning.
There's always someone in the gallery, but this is a small town, and the gallery supports local smaller artists, so I don't have much to do with visitors who are mostly familiar with the exhibitions and art.
I'm still in my thoughts when the creaking sound of the front door is heard, to which sound I respond with a greeting, mechanically, not taking my eyes off the drop of rain I'm following on the window, and for which I truly hope will beat these two that are sliding beside it.
From what I see, I must admit - not an exciting race. I am carried away by the laughter of new visitors, so I turn my gaze to them.
It's a guy and a girl, I don't know if they're friends or a couple. They laugh as they shake off the rain off their clothes, then approach the nearest painting to look at it, briskly exchanging their criticisms or praises, who knows.
They both have their backs turned to me, the man is already gesticulating his opinion while the girl listens to him, and I decide to check today's mail.
After a few minutes, I hear a question addressed to me: "Do you have a catalog?"
I look up from random collaboration offer and smile slightly, as is said in the job description, and see Matt Smith in front of me. I subconsciously furrow my brows as I watch him, dismissing the thought, because there's no way that could happen now, here, in this gallery, in my shift. It takes a few seconds to silence my thoughts, as I say, "Excuse me, can you repeat that?" - because fuck it, my brain doesn't work when fucking Matt Smith is standing in front of me.
He smiled, resting one hand on the counter. There are still traces of raindrops on his denim jacket, as well as on his slightly wet hair.
"Catalogue?" he draws a square on the counter with his index fingers while looking at me "so I can learn a little more about art as I look at it."
My gaze goes from his eyes, to his moving lips, to his fingers on the counter, then back to his eyes. Damn, Matt Smith, who'd have thought, a star on the rise. Fuck me, I always thought he was a good looking dude, but in person.. 10x better looking dude. I try not to think at all because my brain has no decent thoughts for this gentleman, as I reach for the catalogue with my right hand and take one from the stack just below the counter, keeping my eyes on him. "Of course", I answer as I hand him the catalogue. "It's your first time here?", yes, I try to continue the conversation nonchalantly as I pretend that I have absolutely no idea who he is. "In the city, yes, and here we hid from the rain, unplanned."
"Enjoy your visit." I tell him and he thanks me with a smile and goes back to his friend, or girlfriend, I have no idea.
The door creaks again and Sarah's co-worker Alex appears, coming in for his shift. He goes to the staff room, then within a few minutes he joins me behind the counter and asks how the day is going. I subtly nod towards the guest-star while mouthing "excellent" with a smile in the corner of my mouth.
Alex instantly gets the whole situation and squeezes my upper arm while squealing in my ear. "Omg are you kidding me!"
I give him a "calm down" look.
"Did you get an autograph?" Alex asks me while pressing the tip of my nose like a trumpet, he has a habit of treating me like a small child even though he is only 2 years older than me. By the way, I believe that it is important for the story to mention that he is my best friend.
I push his hand away, then look at him "stop it"- I say angrily through my teeth, then I nonchalantly continue: "I'm not, I'm pretending not to know who it is."
"Whoa, do you have any plans?"
"If he's in this crappy little town, I bet it has something to do with filming that movie everyone's buzzing about." -Alex is now playing with a strand of my hair -"and that, my dear, means he's going to be stuck here for a while"
"Eleanor, get to the point."
"This is a small town and he'll be bored.. he'll want to go out, somewhere..." I look at Alex meaningfully "how many good places are there to hang out here?"
"Just one.." Alex replied, "Venom".
In next few minutes the rain stopped, and the star-guest soon after that left, with a friendly greeting. I gossip with Alex for a few minutes before heading back to the apartment since my shift is over. I decide to stop at a nearby coffee shop on the way home for a coffee to go.
While I'm waiting at the bar for it to be ready, my eyes fly around the cafe and I notice my guest-star who at that moment was already looking at me. I smile slightly before waiter distracts me and hands me my coffee. It's hot and it warms my palm. While waiting for change, I notice someone's presence on my left. I take a sip of coffee. It tastes good.
"We meet again." I slightly turn my head towards my star-guest and smile.
"Actually this is the first time. We haven't met before. You just visited my workplace." I take the change.
"Yeah, yeah..." he smiles as he holds out his hand to me "Matt"
I accept his hand and notice his strong grip engulfing mine "Eleanor, I'm glad."
"Eleanor, it's my pleasure." he continues nonchalantly, looking at me with his beautiful green eyes "you see, I'm in town on business, I would appreciate a recommendation from a local for a good place I can go to for some excellent time."
"I hope the business will be successful" I pretend to be clueless, as if I don't know what business it is and who he is. Matt either thinks I don't know who he is or is knowingly participating in my little game. "Club Venom, the best place in town."
"Am I going to run into you there too?" He teases me, feels the field, and I especially like the attention he gives me.
"Very likely", I nod to him as a sign of goodbye and leave the cafe. I admire myself for my restraint and the way I played this. I don't know how all the nervousness didn't swallow me up. So, tonight - Venom.