The Dance

Rooftops and Runrises

A long pair of muscular legs joined next to me, thick grey sweats with a pair of old worn Nikes. I pulled an ear bud out as I looked out of the corner of my eye. Chris had sat next to me and was leaning back, his large hands propping him up. The wind caught the edge of his unzipped hoodie, as he watched the city.
"I couldn't sleep." He finally said. "Still jet lagged."
"Jet lagged?" Courage coursed through me as I finally casted him a look.
"Yeah, I flew in from California late last night." He glanced over at me. "Seb has insomnia, so don't stress if you think you woke either of us."
"Well, I'm glad I didn't, I felt guilty thinking I had." I looked back as the sky started to tint dark pink.
"You didn't, so don't stress about it." He smiled at me and then turned to watch as the sky began to turn a hot pink.
"I'm not up here cause of that, if that's what you're thinking." I brought my knees to my chest, trying to ward off the chill.
"I kinda figured, we all have our reasons." He sighed, a comfortable silence fell between us as the sky lit red as fire. I shivered a bit as the first rays of morning light cascaded down upon us.
A new day had begun, a new day to keep trying, to keep fighting. I spent many mornings right in this spot watching the sun rise in the east, or set in the west. However this was the first time I had company, I cast a glanced at the man next to me.
His eyes where closed at the moment, his face peaceful. How I envied him in this moment, he looked serene, like he had not a care in the world. He was living in the moment, his body completely relaxed as the sun continued its ascent on the earth.
The sky line around us turning a vivid orange, he was truly one of the most beautiful men I had ever seen. Chris finally opened his eyes sighing deeply, he looked over at me.
"You mind if I use your hang out too?" The question took me back, no one had ever asked me something like that before. I mean, the rooftop isn't even mine. Yet here he was asking me if he could use it.
"Yeah, I guess." I finally respond as I realized that I was just staring at him awkwardly. "I guess your cool enough."
"Sweet, and I'm cool." He struck a fist into the air, I giggle at his antics. "Totally going to throw that in Seb's face."
"So what brings you out here?" I asked, as the orange glow faded into a light blue.
"The rooftop or the city?" He asked nodding out to buildings before us.
"The city. You already told me you were jet lagged." I chuckled, shaking my head.
"Work. Same with Hollywood." He chuckled remembering the name I had called his friend.
"Hey now, muscles, only I can call him that." I playfully pushed his arm.
"Muscles?" He laughed, clasping his hand over his left pec, it was good hearty laugh. The kind that are contagious, the best kind. I couldn't help but laugh along with him. Maybe it was the lack of sleep, or just his energy, but I could feel my guard starting to slip.
"I haven't laughed that hard in a while." I chuckled, laying back all the way. I sighed, staring straight up at the sky.
"Why not?" He asked, turning his head, twin blues trained on me.
"Cause, muscles, I've a had shity couple of years." I rolled my eyes at myself, I sat back up and sighed. "I should probably get some sleep."
"So should I." He sighed, he stood and extended his hand down to me. I looked at it, and then back up at him. I smiled, taking a deep breath, I grasped it. He pulled me to my feet. It had been the first time I touched or let someone touch me in years, yet he would never know.
In that simple act I knew there was no escaping my neighbors. I wanted to know more about them, I was lost in thought as he lead the way off the roof. They seemed like genuinely nice guys, like they didn't have motives.
"Hey, sunrise, I'll see you later." He stated as I passed him on my way to the elevator.
"Sunrise?" I giggled.
"Seb's got a weird nickname for you, then so should I." He smirked and walked into his apartment.
I returned to my apartment, my quiet serenity. I dove into my bed, closing my eyes, smile on my face.
Hours later I woke, I stretched before untangling myself from my comforter. I wandered into my kitchen, opening the fridge I peered in hoping that I still had left overs from two nights ago. I pulled the carton out and opened it. The smell alone told me that it would not be safe to eat, tossing it into trash bin, I looked through my bare cupboards.
"Well, crap." I sighed, Pulling my shoes on. "Guess it's diner food for me."
I pulled open my door as I grabbed my phone walking out without looking. I collided with Sebastian, letting out a squeak in surprise I jumped back into my newly closed door. He took a stepped back, his eyes wide.
"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. I was up and was maybe wondering if you wanted to go get breakfast. I don't know this city and I thought maybe you knew a good quiet place to have breakfast." He spoke quickly, running his hair through his hair again. "I don't do well with crowds."
"Hey, I know how that is." I breathed, I looked down at the floor for moment. "But yeah, I know a place. I was actually just headed there."
"Then, may I join you?" He asked, the faintest of smiles crossing his face, puppy dog eyes looking at me through full lashes.