Wide Open Spaces

Linger

1997;

Stevie and her friend Robin arrived at the house party a friend of a friend was throwing. It was already a wreck, red cups strewn across the lawn, a couple guys drunkenly being pushed into the back of a cab and two ladies were cuddled up on the couch making out in front of a room full of people. The music was so loud it shook the windows when the bass would kick in. This was so not her scene. Stevie exchanged a disgusted look with her friend.

"Why are we here?" Stevie asked, ruffling her short bangs with red painted fingernails.

"You said you were bored and you wanted to have some fun. You were invited too so here we are" Robin motioned to the room and it made Stevie laugh a little.

"This place is a hell hole" she said.

"Cool music though"

"Yeah, what you can hear of it."

"Don't be like that. Mingle a little." Robin urges.

"Fine. I'm getting a drink"

"Bring me back one!"

"Sure" Stevie says, turning away. She weaves her way through the crowd, feeling out of place in her little velvet dress, tights and boots. Her oversized jacket thrown over it gave her coverage but she still felt so incredibly exposed to all the boys in the room. A curly haired cutie in the corner caught her eye. He was playing his guitar, still barely able to hear it when the music broke. He looked up at her briefly and smiled but went right back to his guitar. She poured an odd mix of alcohol into two cups, not having much of a choice with what was left on the counter and went back to her friend.

"What took you so long?" Robin asked.

"Oh, nothing." She said, turning bright red and taking a sip of her awful concoction.

"Did you see something you liked?"

"You know, I think I will mingle a little" Stevie didn't answer her directly but Robin got all she needed to know. Stevie looks around the room, hoping he didn't leave. "Hmmm" she said as she walked through the house again, leaving her friend with a girl she knew from college.

"Were you looking for me?" A voice asked. The sudden engagement startled her and she turned around, a hand pressed to her chest. "Hi, I'm Lindsey" he says, extending a hand out to her.

"Stevie" she said, sliding her hand into his and shaking it.

"Do you know anyone here?"

"Not really. Just my friend Robin, though I don't see her anymore and one other person who isn't even here.

"Oh, me neither."

"I saw you playing over there" She points to his previous spot. "Are you any good?"

"I'm okay. I'm in a band, kind of"

"Cool. What kind of music?"

"Rock. Dated stuff but I like it."

"I'd love to hear you play." Stevie says and he looks at her, smiling.

"Okay, uh, maybe you know this one?" He starts picking a melody and her eyes light up. "All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey. I went for a walk on a winter's day..."

"I'd be safe and warm if I was in LA..." she sings, joining him on the next line and picking up the harmony. He's impressed. He nods for her to continue and they lock eyes. The room drops away and it's just the two of them. When the song finishes, he strokes her face, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "You're not just okay, Lindsey. You're amazing" she tells him.

"And you're amazingly beautiful" he says. She blushes. The spell is suddenly broken by a smattering of applause and it makes Stevie even more embarrassed.

"I didn't know people were listening"

"Does it matter? Your voice is so unique. You're special, you know that?"

"I love to sing but...I'm going to school to be a teacher"

"Where do you go?"

"San Jose"

"Me too" he says.

"Small world"

"Totally" They look at each other for a moment, the music coming back up.

"I think I should find my friend" Stevie says, pulling away.

"Will you stay for this song? Please? I swear in four minutes when the song is over, you can disappear. I just want to dance"

"Okay, deal. You're lucky I like the Cranberries" she says flirtatiously.

"I do too and Linger is one of my very favorites"

"Me too"

He pulls her into him and they sway in time. She finds herself being enraptured by it, not so much the heartbreaking lyrics but more the way the strings make her heart flutter when she looks into this boy- stranger's eyes. He was magic, something about him just made her want to stay. It was an odd connection that both scared her and thrilled her. It may have been forward of her but she lay her head on his chest. His arms wrapped around her tighter and she could hear his heart beating. She smiled to herself feeling so safe and comforted for the first time. Overhead, he heard him whisper singing some of the lyrics and she felt so compelled to do something. She was feeling spontaneous, a little reckless, a little wild. She believed in fate, in luck and that sometimes if something is meant to be it will happen. She wanted to let him know what her heart felt, no matter how insane it was. Surely love at first sight was a myth. She looked up at him, the song coming to an end.

He pulled away slightly, knowing she held up her end of the bargain. One dance was all he asked for and he wouldn't push for more. He looked down at her and smiled awkwardly. He wanted to say something, anything. He didn't know if she actually felt the same way but something had to be done.

"You have the most haunting eyes" she says, touching his face. His anxiety melted away and he willed himself to go for it. Just as he was about to, she speaks again. "Good bye, Lindsey, and thank you for dancing with me. Those four minutes weren't so bad" She moves away and he touches her, asking for attention.

"Maybe I can find you on campus?" he says and she nods. The tension between them grows and he now has her tiny hand in his. He hears someone calling her name; it's his last chance, he may never see this girl again. He turns her face toward his and gathering all his courage, he kisses her lips hard. Her arm goes around his neck, and she deepens the kiss, placing he hand at the nape of his neck. They break, smiling. She laces the fingers of her other hand with his, giving a light squeeze before letting their hands drop completely.

"Yes, please find me. I hope to see you around" she says and walks away, her small frame getting lost in the drunken crowd. He watches, getting bumped into by various people as he stands perfectly still, hoping to spot her again but she's long gone.

I'm in so deep
You know I'm such a fool for you
You've got me wrapped around your finger
Do have to let it linger?
Do you have to, do you have to, do have to let it linger?

A/N: the beginning of their love story...I couldn't resist posting another chapter