She is beautiful. Never in my life have I seen a woman so gorgeous. I stare at her like I'm in a trance. I must be, because it's impossible to look away. Her red lips. Her soft closed eyes. He long blonde hair. Her hips. Her hands in the red sparkly...
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Outside, the air is thick and heavy, the distant hum of planes a constant reminder of the war that looms over us. But today, I'm determined to focus on having a fun day with Ashley and not think about the ongoing conflict that might one day lead to my death. We walk through the streets of the small town, which is busier than I expected. Despite everything, there's a certain energy here that feels almost normal. We chat and laugh as we make our way to the market, a brief escape from the weight of the world.
Even with the shortages brought on by the war, the market still bustles with life. There's food, some flowers, and even a few clothes on display. The smell of freshly baked bread fills the air, making my stomach growl. I only have a few bucks on me, the last of my money after sending most of it to my parents. My father's been ill, and I can only hope that the money helps him get better. But I push those thoughts aside, determined to focus on the present.
Ashley is talking to a salesman, a friendly-looking man selling bread and a few meager fruits. They seem to know each other, and her bright smile is enough to momentarily chase away my darker thoughts. I watch as they exchange small talk, Ashley's voice light and cheerful. It's a welcome distraction.
"How are you doing?" she asks the man, her tone warm and genuine.
He smiles back, "Getting by, as always. And you, miss?"
"Can't complain," she replies, before glancing back at me. "Well, we'd better be off," she says to the man, giving him one last smile.
"Take care, Miss Ashley," he says, nodding at me as well.
"Come on," Ashley says to me, her eyes sparkling as she leads the way.
As we walk away, I can't help but notice how the sunlight catches her hair, turning her blonde locks into a golden halo. She's beautiful, I think to myself, trying not to stare too obviously.
We find a small table outside a café and sit down. For a few moments, there's an awkward silence between us, broken only by the distant sounds of the town. Finally, Ashley speaks up.
"So, where are you from?" she asks, her tone light but curious.
I hesitate, a little caught off guard. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, you know so much about me, and I know so little about you," she says, her eyes searching mine. "I just thought I'd get to know you better."
I smile, amused by her persistence. "I thought you didn't want to get attached?"
"Shut up," she says, looking away with a small laugh. "I know I said that, but you helped me when I needed someone. So, I guess I'm repaying you by spending this day together. And, well, I don't want to spend a whole day with a stranger."
"Fair enough," I say, unable to hide my grin. "So, you really want to know where I'm from?"
"Yes, Michael," she says, the way she says my name giving me butterflies. "Tell me."
