Sunset Memories

Chapter 5 - Nighttime Jeans

When I woke up, sunlight was sweeping in through the cracks between the curtains and crashing in my bedroom. I ran a hand through my hair as I sat up. Then I froze. 

     Oh my God, she looked even more beautiful when she was illuminated by sunlight. 

     From here, I could notice every single detail, especially in the light. I saw the tiny freckles on her cheeks, forehead, and nose. Every single individual hair that rested on her cheek. The bite marks on her nails and the chipping of the purple paint. Her short, dark eyelashes that flickered every so slightly as she breathed. Thick, neatly trimmed brows that were the color of chocolate.

     And her eyes . . .

     They reminded me of summer. Of a gentle brush of yellow sun over Lake Tegel. Of peppermints, of Christmas trees, of fresh leaves on branches at the start of spring. They reminded me of my sister. 

     And suddenly they snapped open. 

     I froze, and then remembered the conditions that I'd told myself of last night. Pretend to be asleep when she wakes up. Quickly, I shut my eyes. 

     There was silence. 

     Then, ''Luca?'' 

     Her voice was a whisper, cold and damp, whispered through mournful nights and scared thoughts. 

     I kept my eyes closed. I didn't want to, but I did. 

     ''Luca . . . are you awake?''

     I'd have to explain why I was in her room later, anyways . . . better here than in front of my mother. 

     I opened my eyes a crack and saw her looking anxiously at me. 

     ''Hi,'' I said. 

     ''Hi.'' She gave me a smile. ''Good sleep?''

     I hesitated, wondering if she was joking with me because I was in the same room as her, of if she was really asking a question. So I nodded my head, shortly, avoiding her eyes. 

     ''Yeah,'' I mumbled. ''You?''

     ''It was good.'' 

     I wanted to stretch since I was cramping up from lying on the hard floor, but then I realized that I wasn't wearing a shirt. I made sure the blanket was covering me all the way up to my neck before meeting her gaze. 

     ''You're probably wondering why I was sleeping here on the floor,'' I said. Better to get it over with now that later.

     She looked down at the floor. I saw her face turn slightly pink. ''Um . . . yeah, I guess.'' 

     When she looked up again, I gave her a reassuring grin. ''Well, Alexander started abusing the rules of music in his room.''

     Danielle laughed, and I heard her laugh in slow motion. ''What instrument does he play?''

     ''Electric guitar,'' I answered. ''Or at least, he tries to play it . . . I moved into Curt's room but he was playing video games on his tablet . . . get his, he was hitting on one of the commanders.''

     ''My brothers do that, too. And they're not even that attractive!''

     ''I know!'' I said. ''They're weirdly shaped and they have really creepy hair . . . if you know what I mean . . .''

     ''Yeah.'' She grinned at me. ''But after Curt, you came here?''

     I nodded, my mouth suddenly dry. ''There wasn't anymore options. But I swear, I went right to sleep and I only woke up just now.''