A New Pair of Wings

Part 1

  Love can give people wings to soar with, so that they can be free and happy. But what happens when those wings are taken away? Are they then replaced by a sack of boulders?

  Carson Baker is a good-looking 25-year-old. He had always lived a wonderful life, getting almost every thing he had ever wished for. He earns a lot of money from work and lives quite comfortably. The only problem is that he wishes he could share all of it with someone.

  Back in middle school, Carson met a girl. Her name is Belle, and Belle had always had a crush on Carson. As with all crushes, she was too shy to tell him her feelings. Carson, on the other hand, only really saw her as a friend.

  The two of then got along really well. They treated each  other like brothers, playing, joking around and looking out for each other. Of course, Belle wanted it in a different way. She had always hoped to date him. She held the same feelings for him for many years. Finally, ten years later, she couldn't take it anymore.

  It's a cool, refreshing evening, the perfect time to eat out at restaurant or a cafe for refreshment. That afternoon, Belle had asked to have dinner outside with Carson. He thought that he hadn't spent time with his 'bro' for a while, and that he should hang out with her again. Now, in the evening, seems like a perfect time for a confession.

Carson strolls to Belle's house, which is a couple of blocks down the road, and knocks on her door. Hearing the knock, Belle's adrenaline suddenly rushes through her arms. She could hear her heart beating in her ears. She can't think straight.

  She glances at herself in the mirror, checking to make sure that her appearance is enough to get Carson's attention. Then, slowly and carefully, she walks towards the door and opens it.

  "Hi Carson," she greets him nervously. Her toes are twitching in her high heels. This is totally happening tonight! She thinks to herself.

  "Hey Belle," Carson responds. Belle starts to feel a shiver up her spine. Her cheeks feel red.

  "So," she says as she gently steps outside, "Shall we go?"

  "Sure," Carson smiles. Belle smiles back.

  They walk to the restaurant, side by side. All the people who passes them by looks at them as if though they are a couple. As they walk, Carson takes big strides, seemingly excited at the prospect of having dinner with an old friend. Belle's long, wavy, brownish-blond hair flows in the breeze as she takes step by step, getting closer to the place where the perfect moment will happen.

  At last, they approach the fancy restaurant. Belle finds a table that was booked for them under a reservation. The table is standin right outside the restaurant, with the cool evening breeze blowing in their faces; the perfect setting for a confession. As they take a seat, Carson almost calls the waiter, but Belle stops him and tells him, "The meal comes with the reservation."

  "Oh, good," he says, gently leaning back in his chair. He looks at Belle and smiles softly at her. Belle almost turns beet red and looks away.

  They wait for the food to come. Carson chills out and enjoys himself in the evening breeze, but everything is going crazy for Belle. Time seems to freeze as she plans her confession to Carson.

  Maybe I should do it halfway through the meal, she thought, No. He'll probably be busy with his food. Maybe I'll do it after the meal, when he's not thinking about anything else. Yes, that seems perfect!

  A waiter arrives with a platter of food. The meal has begun. Carson immediately grabs his cutlery and digs in, while Belle struggles to grasp her fork and knife. He hands are shaking with excitement, and her cheeks are burning red. Clumsily, she manages to wrap her fingers around her fork. She slowly lowers the spoon into the platter, stabs a small chunk of chicken and brings it to her mouth.

  As the meal continues, her nervousness accumulates as she struggles to eat even more. Her fingers are constantly touching her hair, twirling it into little spirals. She can barely contain herself. Carson, however, does not seem the least bit bothered by her unusual behaviour and continues eating.

  Belle tries to make conversation with him. "Sooo, what have you been up to?" The world tumble out of her mouth.

  Carson picks up a napkin to wipe his mouth. "Well, nothing interesting has really happened recently," he calmly replies, "I've actually...been feeling kinda lonely."

  Belle perks up at this. "Oh, really?" she says, "What - what do you think might keep you...company?"

  "Someone," he responds. He gazes at the mystical night sky. "A friend or a roommate. Or maybe even a girlfriend."

  So, he's hoping for a girlfriend, Belle thinks. She turns to Carson and asks, "Umm, who do you think might be ideal?"

  Carson puts a finger on his lips as he thinks. "Hmm, maybe someone who would listen to my useless chatter, who would take care of me. Someone whom I can share my possession with. Someone who knows how to make me happy."

  I do listen to his chatter, Belle reasons with herself, And I always try to take care of him. I wouldn't mind him sharing his things with me. And I know what makes him happy. Maybe I'll be his match after all! Belle smiles to herself as she continues to eat.

  Finally, the end of the meal has come. Plates have been cleared, cutlery has been put aside, and the two people seems quite happy with the meal indeed. His stomach's been satisfied, and he's had a great evening, Belle observes, It's the perfect moment for a confession!

  Belle's hands start to fiddle in her lap as she struggles to push the words out of  her mouth. Tell him! Tell him! Her brain repeatedly screams at her. Her lips are twitching, and her face is now a crimson red.

  Finally, she summons up the courage to say the first few words of her confession. "Umm...Carson?"

  Carson looks at her with his charming, blue eyes. "Yes, Belle?" He responds with a smile.

  OMG this is literally happening! Belle screams in her head. She takes a deep breath as her heart pounds inside her like a drum kit causing an earthquake.

  "Look, we've known each other for such a long time now," she says, "And...I've always felt this way since we met." Belle paused for a while to hear what he would sat next.

  "Uh-huh," Carson quietly responds.

  "And the thing is, I-" she gulps the lump in her throat, "I really, really..."

  Belle suddenly feel something isn't right. It felt like she wasn't talking to Carson anymore. Rather, it was like she was talking to the table instead. She suddenly feel like Carson isn't listening to her.

  Belle looks up at him. "Umm, Carson?" She calls him. But she realizes that he's looking at something in the distance behind her. Slowly, she turned around as the vision before her dreaded her.

  About a few feet away from Belle stands a young woman with long, black wavy hair, big brown eyes, and a lovely smile. She is wearing a short-sleeved light pink dress and matching pink high heels. She looks around the restaurant, trying to find a table.

  "Umm," Belle turns back to Carson, "Did you hear what I said just now?"

  "Huh?" Carson snaps back to reality, "Oh, sorry. It's just...that lady over there. She's so..."

  "Overly-dressed?" Belle sarcastically remarks, trying to divert his attention from her.

  "No. She looks...perfect."

  The words echo in Belle's head as she struggles to take it all in. She looks perfect. She looks perfect. She looks perfect. You look horrible.

  Belle shakes it out of her head. "Carson, can we please finish our-"

  Before she completes her sentence, Carson gets up and says, "Excuse me for a while. I wanna go talk to her. Hopefully I can buy her a drink." And with that, he walks off.

  Belle's eyes fill up with tears as she folds her arms on the table and lays her head on them. She begins to sob quietly as Carson approaches the beautiful woman.