As I stepped into Norman’s trailer, my nostrils were filled with a delicious musk scent, just like his shirt. “Oh wow,” I gasped as my eyes scanned over an array of wacky masks. I looked to Norman, both confused and amused. As he stood there in all his shirtless glory, he shrugged casually, shook the wisps of hair away from his piercing eyes again and simply said, “What can I say? I like masks.” I laughed and moved towards a squirrel mask, slowly picking it up, contemplating putting it on. “Well that’s a relief, I thought you must have had some weird mask fetish” I joked, poking my tongue at him. I grinned and pulled the mask over my head. “Is it me?” I laughed. Although I could barely see through the eyeholes, I could tell Norman was in hysterics, clutching his stomach and doubling over. He was so cute like this, well you know, more than usual.
“Your head, that mask,” he gasped, “It’s huge on you, you’re so tiny, you look ridiculous!” I pulled the mask off and pretended to pout. “In a good way though,” he reassured. Before I could erupt into yet another fit of giggles, I practically slapped myself in the face. Oh god. I just realised, I don’t have a stitch of makeup on! I hoped that in comparison to my usual undead look, he hadn’t noticed. Trying desperately to disguise my sudden flail as a yawn, I said sleepily, “well this squeaky squirrel should probably call it a night..” Norman sprung up straight and replied, “Oh, yea of course…me too”.
As I sat on the chair, I watched as Norman put sheets down for me. I’d offered to but he’d insisted, so I just sat quietly and admired the view. As he shook the sheets I watched his stomach tighten and his arms flex slightly. A warm stirring in my abdomen rose and I became aware of the fact that beneath my towel I had nothing on. I tore my eyes away from him (with difficulty) and scrambled to pull Norman’s shirt down as far as I could. It wasn’t very long, but it would have to do. “There you go,” he beamed triumphantly, “All done.”
Standing up whilst pulling down Norman’s shirt as far as I could manage, I placed my sorry excuse for a towel on the chair and moved quickly to sit on the bed. “Thank you, Norman, for everything really it means a lot,” I said. “Well, I couldn’t leave you out there in your tent that was collapsing, now could I? You’d suffocate yourself before morning,” he laughed. “Besides that’s what friends are for right?” he smiled. “Oh so we’re friends now are we?” I said playfully. Again he laughed and said, “Well it seems only right seeing as I’m going to be shooting at you nearly every day and all.” “Haha ok, well you’re a good friend Norman,” I said wholeheartedly, then feeling incredibly corny. He smiled and made his way to the other end of the trailer to his bed.
While his back was turned I jumped up to scoot under the covers but as I did, I saw him turn back around and I’m fairly sure he caught a tiny bit of sneaky cheek. Shit. Now not only am I a loon that sings guitar riffs in the shower, but I’m a semi nudey flasher too. All I need is a creepy trench coat. Mind you a trench coat would help right now. As I continued to wallow in self-pity, I did notice that his eyes had quickly darted down as this happened and he flushed a bright red. Scrap that! Throw away the trench coat! Take me now! As I tried to control my semi-deviant mind and tuck myself in, Norman awkwardly cleared his throat. “Goodnight Veronica,” he said softly and switched off the light. “Goodnight Norman,” I replied.
As I watched his silhouette, slip off his jeans and slide into his bed, it struck me that this was the first time he had used my real name. So gently too, almost like his lips were savouring and caressing the word. I shook my head and tentatively called out across the dark, “Norman?..” “Yea?” He sounded almost anxious. “I just wanted to thank you again … this means a lot…” I trailed off. He chuckled softly and I could picture the smile growing on his lips. “You’re welcome, sweet dreams Squeak.” I couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear.
* * *
I awoke to sunlight pouring in through the window, spilling onto my face. I had just had the most amazing dream ever! Wait, window??? My tent doesn’t have windows! I jolted up and my eyes jerked down the shirt I was wearing (not mine!) and then across the room to see Norman sleeping soundly at the other end of his trailer. I cupped my hands over my mouth to stop from squealing with excitement. It wasn’t a dream! The adrenaline of meeting Norman (officially) last night finally kicked in and I did a little dance, before realising I must look like hell. See the not-so-plus side of having long curly hair is that when you wake up, it has somehow overnight possessed it’s inner soul sister and the ability to transform into an afro. Thank god, for the hair tie that practically lives on my wrist. I piled my dark, tangled locks up on top of my head, as usual missing a few stray strands with a mind of their own. Good enough. I sighed in relief and brought my knees up to my chest. Just as I began to wonder what I should do before Norman wakes up I was blinded by a flash of light and a loud click.
“Norman, you scared the crap outa me!” I yelled both in surprise and laughter. He stood beside me, holding a camera around his neck, his hair perfectly messy and wearing loose fitting jeans and still no shirt. Nice. “Well good morning to you too,” he grinned. I swear that smile was my Kryptonite. “Sorry,” I giggled, “Good Morning …wait! You were sleeping only a min ago!” He laughed and said sheepishly, “I heard you were awake, so while you were panicking with your hair, I pulled on some pants and snuck over.” I stared at him still confused as to why. Again he was good at picking up on my puzzlement and laughed continuing, “Your hair,” he pointed, “cascading around you with the light pouring in, it looked like it would make a good picture.” He looked down at his camera and back at me. “It did,” he smiled, offering the camera to me to see. “Oh wow, you sure that’s me? It looks. … angelic almost.” I couldn’t believe how nice I looked, like I was glowing and so…happy. “It does,” he agreed warmly. Before I could say something stupid to ruin the moment, I looked away.
“I brought these over earlier for you… I went for a walk.” He gestured to a small pile of woman’s clothing. “I ran into Lauren outside and I remembered I didn’t even give you a chance to collect anything before bringing you here,” he said, looking a little embarrassed. “She was kind enough to lend you some things.” “Lauren? As in Lauren Cohan Lauren?” I questioned a little excited. I hadn’t had a chance to meet her yet either and I adored her. “Oh my gosh, how sweet of her. I mean she doesn’t even know me!” I exclaimed light-heartedly. “Sweet.. yes ha-ha,” Norman began, “you wouldn’t say that if you had heard what she had to say about me when she thought I had a stowaway groupie in my trailer.” He laughed. I looked horrified, as I thought about how my staying here must look to everyone else. “Oh my god I’m so sorry!” I apologised. Norman raised his hand gently, laughing at me, “Don’t be, it’s fine. I explained that I merely kidnapped you against your will, your reputation is fine.” He picked up a thin black V-neck tee and slipped it on, clingy to his muscles as he rolled it down. Dam. “But really don’t worry, I told her why you actually stayed here last night, it’s cool, she’s cool” he continued. I sighed in relief and swang my legs over the side of the bed.
As I leant forward to collect the clothes, Norman spoke again. “I’ll wait outside,” he began. “Wait?” I looked up at him puzzled. Surely he had his own busy day ahead, he couldn’t possibly have time to wait around for me. “Yea, there’s something I wanna show you, if you’re free?..” “Of course,” I said, too eagerly. “But what is it?” I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. He grinned that mischievous smile again. Oh god. I awaited an explanation but he just stood there grinning, leaned back and folded his arms across his chest, emphasising his perfectly toned arms. Tease. “Please?” I pleaded. The suspense was killing me and the way he stood there so cooly and sexy in his low, dipping shirt that clung perfectly to every part of him while clearly enjoying tormenting me was stirring that warm tingle in my lower stomach. He laughed gently, winked (my ovaries screamed at me) and said smoothly, “It’s a surprise” before slinking out of the trailer without another word.
* * *
So what are your thoughts so far? Please feel free to comment so far.
Some points of discussion. What do you think Norman's surprise will be? Will he sweep Veronica away and make sweet passionate love to her? Or is Veronica getting her hopes up? Is it all too good to be true? Comment away! ^_^
Love Vee xoxo
