Misconceptions

reality

vocabulary:

(n.) anagapesis: no longer feeling affection for someone you once loved.

(n.) querencia: a place from which one's strength is drawn, where one feels at home; the place where you are your most authentic self.
  
(n.) akrasia: lack of self-control.

(n.) basorexia: the overwhelming desire to kiss.

(adj.) verklempt: completely overcome with emotion.

(adj.) yonderly: mentally or emotionally distant.

**

It was on a brumous night when it happened. I had been quietly sitting in my living room all alone, drinking my hot chocolate and reading a hard-cover edition of my favorite book. All I could hear was the faint sound of the clock.

Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

Nothing was out of place. But then, in the middle of my favorite part—because, yes, I'd read the book several times before—the ticking sound of the wooden clock in the corner was interrupted by the doorbell ringing. I stared at the door for a moment, my eyebrows knitting together ever so slightly in a confused manner.

I fixed my gaze on the clock.

12:46am

"Who could possibly be visiting me at this time?" I thought. Especially on a cold night like that one.

I gently placed my cup of hot chocolate and my book on the small table besides the couch, and began making my way towards the door. For some reason, my heart started beating just a little faster. I had no way of knowing who was on the other side of my yellow, wooden door. In that moment, I wondered if I should get one of those small holes to look through it. It would have been very convenient.

Slowly, I opened it. For a second, my body froze like the snow flakes coming down on you. Your eyes stared at me deeply, and I couldn't help but notice how eesome you looked at that moment.

Your dirty blonde hair was messy, some strands resting right above your eyes—a haircut you'd never had before—and your eyes looked tired, but also stared at me in a way I could never quite put into words. A big brown coat hugged your body, keeping you warm in its embrace, and the cold kissed your cheeks, giving them a slightly tinted color like the one on your lips. And as you slightly shivered, I knew it was a terrible thought to not let you inside my home, but part of me wished you could just stay out there because the snow flakes resting on your coat and on your hair complemented you so well.

"Hi," you whispered, not taking your eyes off of mine.

"Hi," I whispered back, and quickly motioned you to walk inside, already feeling the cold air start to work its magic on me as well.

As soon as you closed the door behind you, you rubbed your hands together and then put them up to your mouth, immediately letting your warm breath on them.

I simply stood there, eyes like marbles, looking at you cluelessly. It had been a year since I sent out that letter. Part of me had thought it never found its way to you, but now I wondered if it had just taken you that long to find the courage to reply.