Short Stories

An Unexpected Duet

It was another one if those hot summer days when I met him. Or more like heard his voice.

My usual routine on days like these involved drinking my beloved ice tea with a little freshly-squeezed lemon juice and fast melting ice cubes. I often counted the minutes it took the frozen water to melt, but today it only felt like mere seconds before my drink tasted less intense than before.
I quickly took my glass and gulped down the last drops of the now flavoured water and carelessly placed it on the kitchen counter. I'd wash it tomorrow, along with the other five glasses I had planned to clean today.
Slowly but steadily I made my way to the bathroom. These high temperatures were the reason I despised the summer. It always felt like Satan personally came to our purgatory and made it his second hell to rule over. Damn that asshole.
When I reached the sterile-looking, white door and gently kicked it open, I once again appreciated that overly social mother of mine. Thanks to her rare ability to get along with everybody, she was able to get me this nice, big apartment near London for half the price - before it was even put up for sale. And all it took was a cake and a smile. "Very impressive, that I must admit.", I say, nodding to affirm my own statement.
Now that I was standing in front of my bathroom mirror, it actually felt like I was talking to another version of myself. She just stayed there, motionless, with wavy red hair framing her small face. Just above a sea of freckles unwavering green eyes stared into mine, eyes that I would never catch blinking. Slowly she raised he pale hand to touch that eternal barrier, and I followed her every movement.
Suddenly I broke into a smile. "It's so like you to ponder on useless stuff again.", I tell my perfect twin. She does not disturb the silence.
With a sigh I turn around to test the heat of my shower's water.
And immediately burn my hand.
Cursing heavily, I turn the knob in the opposite direction and start punching the door. After letting out all my aggression from too many of my shower's firey surprises, I risk a glance at my abused fingers and palm. The bright red presented a nice contrast to my ghost-like skin.
It still hurt like hell though. Thanks, Satan.
Letting out yet another sigh, I test the water's temperature again, only to feel cold drops running down my arm. They took just enough heat away to persuade me to actually climb into the shower. Throwing my clothes in the corner, I quickly hopped into the watery goodness. It was so nice to finally feel the sticky sweat being washed away.
After a few minutes of pure bliss, I started to notice the lack of sounds in the small room; the constant pattering of water on tiles was finally getting annoying. Since it was too late now to get the little radio I usually used, I frantically searched for other options that didn't involve leaving watery footprints on the wooden floor. All of a sudden an idea formed in my mind.
A small melody escaped my lips, floating around the room like a gentle breeze. A few beats later it swelled up into a blast and finally turned into a gentle but steady rhythm. I wove my favorite song into the beat, melody interlacing with lyrics. "I don't ever wanna feel like I did that day"
Completely lost in the song, I sang louder that anticipated, but in that moment it didn't matter to me. I was about to continue, when I heard another voice. "But take me to the place I love, take me all the way" Shocked, I turn to stare at the mirror, thinking for just a second that it was my reflection, but soon realizing that it could not have been. It was a male's voice I had heard. Where else could it have come from though?
Seemingly disappointed the voice continued the song:"It's hard to believe that there's nobody out there" I listened closely this time. It was not coming from the door either. "It's hard to believe" If it's not the window either, that can only mean- "That I'm all alone"
The neighbours apartment!
Embarrassed that he heard me singing, I pondered weather to continue the song or leave the room quietly. A sigh reached my ears.
"Now or never!", my reflection encouraged me with stern eyes, and I part my lips as well.
"I don't ever wanna feel like I did that day" A small, quiet voice becomes a strong one, and I sincerely hope that the stranger heard my pathetic try.
And he did.
"But take me to the place I love, take me all the way"
We continued that way until we finished the song, even nailing a beautiful harmony. Silence now filled the room, but it was not uncomfortable. After what seemed to be an eternity, I turned the shower off. It felt wrong to waste so much water to just stand around and wait for something to happen. I didn't dare to move though, as I feared it would ruin this precious moment.
A few minutes later - he must have thought I was gone - he sighed. I rang with myself over what to say, weather to ask his name or not, as I heard him speak for the first time.
"That was awesome.", was all he muttered before I could catch the sound of a door closing. I smiled.
"Indeed."