The Stoic And The Beast

He Said I Was A Knockout

The bathroom door closes with a soft click behind me.

"Take your time Alicia." I heard Luke softly speaking from the other side of the door.

I don't wait another moment to peel off these cold, sopping wet clothes from my body.I gently hang Luke's coat from a hook on the bathroom stall door. Not allowing it to touch the ground like its a precious country flag. Then I peel away the cold fabric of my Kurt Cobain shirt that was clinging to me like a second skin. It was harder to pull my Jean's off. But after wiggling, jumping and some vigorous shaking of my legs, I was finally free from them. All that remained were my undergarments. They were damp but warm from my body heat. I decided not to rid of them. I peeled off my socks and hung them from the hand dryer and punched the button to turn it on.

The cold air from the room began kissing at the moisture on my skin forming goosebumps all over. I hurriedly covered myself with the new dry clothes provided by Luke. The warmth of them slowly wrapped around me like a comforting blanket. As I dried my socks, thoughts of Luke trickled in. He's such a great person. How could he be friends with that egotistical brute, Jake? Luke is kind, gentle and certainly doesn't lack compassion. While Jake is just an ass. He completely lacks remorse or patience.

I decided one day, if I ever got the chance to ask Luke how he could be friends with him then I would. I owe Luke big time. And I'd like to see him again after this. I doubt he will accept my offer, but I boldly decided to ask him out. Not like on a date. It would be more like repayment for the kindness he showed me today. He isn't interested in dating me anyway. I'm a walking disaster waiting to happen. Who would want to date someone like me? Just look at me.

First I'll start paying Luke back by attempting to dry his coat before I return it. It would be rude to hand it back to him sipping wet. Perhaps there would be no repayment after we part ways today. That outcome is most likely to happen I'm sure.

Besides, poor Luke was unfortunate enough to be standing nearby when I fell into the fountain in the first place. He wouldn't be standing outside that bathroom door otherwise. He had to spend way too much money on these new clothes. All because I am a bumbling klutz. I should have been watching where I was going. My carelessness has cost Luke his time and money.

Perhaps he's annoyed that he had to be bothered with the likes of me but is too nice of a person to reveal it openly. Jake would have botched and moaned if it were him waiting outside this bathroom and not Luke. Wait, I take that back. Jake would have left me drowning in that fountain. I'll have to ask to repay Luke somehow and see what happens. Most likely nothing will happen. I'm sure Luke wants to rid himself of me as soon as possible but who knows. He might have even left already.

I turned on the hand dryer again and held up the fur lining of his coat to the heated blast of air. It was then that I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I looked utterly frightful with the sight of my mascara bleeding down my face. My black hair was matted and frizzy from being wet and blown around in the wind. I looked like a Viking warrior woman transported in time. Any shred of self-confidence deflated like a bad souffle.

Girl, you are a piece of work. Good luck fixing this, your such a train wreck. I thought with a defeated sigh.

I hung the coat over the dryer so I could wash the makeup from my face. After some scrubbing with a paper towel for a while, I was left staring at my reflection. I had pink rimmed bloodshot eyes and sickly pale skin. My lips were blueish purple but slowly transforming back to a normal healthy shade of pink. Meanwhile, I began thinking to myself, Why on earth would Luke ever think I was cute? Like he said. He's only trying to be nice. The blower shut off. I stepped aside and punched the button again. I used my fingers to brush through my tangled hair. It wasn't making much difference. Nothing could fix the mess I have made of myself. I sighed.