Cedric fell in and out of sleep, unable to hold onto it. The fifth time he awoke, still exhausted, he rolled over to glance at his bedside alarm clock. It was only 6:24 am, but he might as well get up and start his day.
He slid out of bed, stark naked, and casually walked to his bathroom. He turned his shower onto scalding hot, in hopes of ridding his body of the aches that riddled his joints. After his long and lazy shower, he slipped on his wet bathroom tile, forgetting he had gotten rid of his old shower-mat. Slowly taking his time, he got up and wrapped his warm body in a white towel and shook his wet hair in hopes of drying it faster. Emerging from the steam filled bathroom he walked to his wardrobe in search of clothes.
He decided on a pair of grey pants that hung in such a way that required a belt. He put on a white wife-beater and slid a jean button up on over it and rolled the sleeves.
Strolling over to his breakfast bar, he grabbed an apple and put it in his mouth as he slid on his worn shoes and reached for the door handle. Somewhere in the midst of his shower he decided he could not, no, would not spend his day sulking over old what’s-her-name.
His feet led him from his apartment and down the grey, cracking sidewalk. The sun was peeking through the grey clouds that still hung in the sky from yesterday’s storm.
Cedric was desperately in love with the world after a storm. The follies and evil washed away from the rain that fell to earth, cleansing the world. The smell of rain still clung to the damp city, and Cedric knew that the only way to fully appreciate this enchanting scent was to go to the park where the smog and smell of harsh city life could not reach. Was that the reason he found himself walking down 5th ave to the park, or was it the possible chance of seeing the beauty with brown hair again. Cedric would never admit that, he was too proud of himself to admit a simple girl in a simple dress was the reason he was walking, if not running, to the park now.
Stupid. He felt stupid standing in front of the round coy pond; of course she wouldn’t be there. She could be miles away for all he knows. Accepting this, he left the park and slowly walked toward main street, the pep he had earlier was far gone.
Entering a small coffee shop that smelled of old books and fresh coffee beans, he decided it was one of those days. The kind of day where nothing would go right, the kind that makes you wonder why you’re even trying. The kind where you feel like weights have snuck atop your shoulders and declared them home. Feel burdened by this day he ordered a chair latte to go, he need a walk anyway.
Walking in the direction opposite of home was a freeing sensation for him. Nothing is holding him back from keep going. He took a sip of his latte and almost dropped it when the scalding drink burned his tongue. Fortunately he held it with a good grip, but to his dismay he spilled a good amount on his new shirt. Lovely. Deciding he has had enough of this bad day, he turned a corner and began the long trek back home to his soft bed and Netflix when he heard a tune carried in the wind. Wanting to hear a good street performance he followed the music and at last on a corner he found a band called, The Shames, performing Irish music. He was surprised there was such a crowd; he tried to see over heads which was quite easy for him, for he was tall for most men standing at 6’4”. To his delight in the center of the crowd was a group of people swing dancing.
He began to make his way through the crowd, hoping to join in on the fun when the band ended the song and began to pack up. The crowd seeing the fun was over began to disperse. He wasn’t disappointed, in fact he was quite content to have seen the dancing and listen to the fast paced Irish tune. He went to turn away and re-begin his journey home when he saw her.
It was her, the girl from the park. Seeing her much closer took a toll on his heart which now beet at a faster pace. She was undeniably the most gorgeous girl he had ever laid eyes on. Her hair was down today and fell in loose ringlets to her lower back.
Her eyes. He needed to see her eyes but she faced away from him. He couldn’t help but notice how delightfully round her bum looked in her tight red sundress.
Not wanting her to leave before he could meet her he tried to make his way to her through the crowd which was now thinning, but she had already turned the corner when he made it to where she had previously stood. Not one to give up easily, Cedric followed her around the corner and saw her slipping through the people on the street. He saw her turn another corner which led to a street adorned with shops and knew he could take a short cut. Taking on one alley after another he made it to the shops before she did and stood leaning against a brick store front waiting for her to walk by.
When she turned the corner all he could do was stare with an open mouth. Even from far away she was a vision meant only for the purest of intentions to see. Surely the gods have sent this goddess to Earth to torture the souls of men by filling their dreams with thoughts of lust and longing.
Cedric pushed off the wall and started walking toward her; upon getting closer he could see her pale face that was bordered by her unruly, curly brown hair. She had a perfect complexion with two rosy cheeks and freckles sprinkled across her nose. The closer he got to her the more beautiful she became until at last, he could see her eyes and they were a strong hazel color and over them were long thick eyelashes. She looked innocent and pure. She was the kind of girl you bring home to your parents. To his disappointment those hazel orbs never locked onto his blue ones, she simply kept walking. He would have turned and watched her had he not been so awe-struck by her beauty. After a few moments of standing in a dream he snapped out of him and swiftly walked in the direction she had gone. He needed to introduce himself and know her name.
Hello, my name is Cedric- no.
Hey, What’s your name? Mine-no.
Cedric Wood, pleasure to meet you?
It’s useless how do I introduce myself to someone like her without coming off as a fool?
He gave up on the pursuit and went to walk down another street that, hopefully, led home. He was disappointed with himself until he accidently walked into someone, or had they walked into him? His first reaction was to catch whoever it was from falling. Before he could register who he was catching he felt a tingling sensation in his hands that warmed his heart. He looked into his hands and saw none other than the goddess in the red dress. She looked disoriented and confused as he steadied her and without thinking he pulled her closer to him.
Her eyes snapped to his once their bodies collided again. Neither he nor she could move, they were shocked at the warmth between them. He looked at her with interest as her cheeks began to heat up and she started to push him away,
“Sorry” Cedric mumbled as he let go of her soft body and looked down.
“It’s my fault, I wasn’t paying attention” She confessed, looking up at his face in awe.
He was the most gorgeous human being she had ever seen. And upon hearing her sweet voice he looked up at her hazel eyes and stuck out his hand, “Cedric Wood”.
She replied by slipping her small hand into his larger one and craning her neck to look at his face, “Elizabeth Knight.”
He could feel his face contracting into a smile and was delighted when she smiled in return.
