Vitals

Chapter 10

Ora turned the dial on the thermostat. It caused the artificial fire in the screened over fireplace to light up, illuminating the entire living room and causing shadows of the furniture. It was almost midnight and there was scarce light in the lake house. She then laid out a blanket and a few pillows on the ground in front of the fireplace. Ora stood there looking satisfied with the atmosphere she created when she realized what she was wearing: a large blue shirt with old, run-down shorts on.
Ora sprinted up the stairs and to her duffle bag. She didn't bring much but she slipped on some comfortable cloth shorts and a tight black camisole. She layered on extra mascara and wrapped a bow into her short fluffy hair. Once she was satisfied, she ran down the stairs and out to the veranda. In the distance she could spot Klaus on the dock with his feet splashing lightly in the water. She could hear his faint whistle fade quickly as she screamed out his name. When he got up and started to head back to the lake house, Ora felt a slight split of anxiety in her stomach. Was she setting off the wrong move?
As Ora opened the door to let Klaus into the house, she grabbed his hand and led him over to the section of the floor she had specially arranged.
"Is this okay?" She asked, twiddling her fingers.
"It's perfect."
Klaus' smile was confident and reassuring.

"You almost ready?"
Klaus hung on the door frame of the master bathroom watching Ora finish her make up.
"Yeah... I will meet you in the car okay?" Klaus smiled and left her alone. She stared at herself in the mirror for a long minute thinking. She almost felt high, or even drunk. Everything was happening so fast and she was starting to blackout. They were best friends and now Klaus and her were acting with so much passion that it almost didn't feel right anymore. Or maybe she was just over thinking it all.

Ora's fingers intertwined with Klaus' fingers as they walked along the sidewalk. She wore a black sweatshirt and faded grey shorts, with her high tops and big black sunglasses. And Klaus wore a black t-shirt with khakis and sneakers. They looked fit for each other as they walked casually beside the hundreds of stores uptown. It was their first time in town since they were together.
Ora had a couple shopping bags in her right hand as Klaus opened the door to a restaurant for her to walk in.
They sat at the table, one second so comfortable and now so clueless and awkward.
"We have to go back tomorrow." Klaus' dark brown eyes looked seriously at Ora.
"This trip thing was fun, but I think it's time we go back to the real world. And I'm tired of hanging up when my mother calls. I'm afraid she might call the police, or something, soon."
Ora replied only with a depressed facial expression. She was happy with her life and she was happy to hear she was going back to it, but she had felt things the past few days that were new. Things she didn't know she could feel. And leaving brought fear to Ora that it might take away all of the sensations. Klaus had proved to her that life always had a surprise planned for her.