As I gather my thoughts while playing with the utensils on the table Ali whispers calmly to me, "Hey... what the fuck is your problem? Get it together right now."
He's still singing, still looking, making my hormones leap at every string he pulls with his bare fingers on that damn guitar. My problems are laid out for everyone's own disposal.
I say no words. I don't even dare to look at Alice. My subconscious is humming to my favorite song that Wilson so seemingly decided to cover tonight and I want to punch her.
But for all he's worth
He still shatters always on her earth
The cause of every tear she'd ever weep
Rushing ashore to meet her
Foaming with loneliness
White hands to fondle and beat her
Give her his onliness
The sound of his deep vocals slowly die down...
Rare is this love, keep it covered
I need you to run to me, run to me, lover
Run 'til you feel your lungs bleeding
... Soon I'm awakened by the clapping coming from the others I forgot Wilson and I were surrounded by. He smiles and looks down, modestly.
"Thank you." His lips part into a smile that could cure cancer as he rises from the stool to place his guitar back to its original position.
I nonchalantly watch him make his way to the bar and order what looks like Red Wine and a cup of ice with a bottle of Sprite. He pours the wine and Sprite in the cup of ice and sips.
"Weird ass." Cairo blurts my exact thoughts.
I look at my brother, smile, and let out sigh of relief. I'm happy I'm not the only person witnessing this fine specimen.
"Progression doesn't come from awkward stares, Nala." Alice continues to try me on this shaky evening.
"Neither does me attempting to babble like an idiot, so let me observe and enjoy." I roll my eyes dramatically at the both of them.
They giggle simultaneously and look away. I turn my eye back to the bar and Wilson is gone.
"Well what the fuck...?" I say louder than I expected. I turn to get up because my body wants to be the one in charge today and bump into a tall dark figure. I look up...
"My deepest apologies. I hope I didn't startle you.."
His breath smells like mint and wine.
There are many things that go through my head at this very moment:
1. How did he get over here so quickly?
2. What is his reasoning for being over here?
3. How long has he been standing here and what did he hear?
4. Why does he look so damn good?
5. How long have I been standing here, staring at him and saying nothing?
I fester up some words from my broad vocabulary and almost whisper, "I'm pleasant. Thank you."
... Pleasant? Out of all the ways I could be feeling right now, all the things I could've said, pleasant is what I decide fits best. My subconscious calls me dumbass and I couldn't agree with her more.
"Darling?" He looks me deep in the eye and I can see my own reflection in his stare. I feel each and every emotional wall that I've ever built break piece by piece, slowly, the longer he looks at me; looks through me.
"Excuse me." I mutter walking to the door.
