Fey

Part One

Part One

        "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away."

                    ― Philip K. Dick, I Hope I Shall Arrive Soon

     "It's too hot for this, Danny", Gwen Anderson complained as her boyfriend of two and a half years pulled her along by the hand.

     "Don't be lazy babe. I'm telling you, you're gonna love this place!" Aidan Cassidy replied, a broad smile on his face.

     He had been secretly looking for an apartment closer to Gwen's neighborhood and had finally found one he really liked, and was sure she would too.

     "Where are we even going anyway?" she asked grumpily. Aidan glanced back at her and couldn't help grinning at how cute she looked just then, even though she was sulking. Of course, he was biased - to him Gwen was always adorable.

     Her red-brown curls were usually falling free to just below her shoulders and framing her round face. She had creamy, fair skin, a slim build and was of average height. Her eyes were emerald green, her nose was straight, and she had full lips that were currently arranged in a childish pout. Gwen was nineteen years old - a year younger than him - and a junior in college like him.

     "You'll see when we get there. Just hold out a little while longer." She grumbled something under her breath and continued to sulk. Gwen didn't like heat, and it was currently a very hot afternoon in June. He knew this, and so had been fully expecting her current attitude. It did not dim his enthusiasm at all.

     He simply squeezed her smaller hand briefly and continued to lead her along the sidewalk.

     They were walking through a neighborhood that consisted of an eclectic mixture of both modern and old houses and complexes. The area itself was a very old neighborhood; peaceful and just the right amount of quiet, in his opinion.

     Three minutes later the apartment complex he had chosen was in their sights. It was a rectangular building of about four stories, recently painted a pastel green color with white trimmings. Each floor had two numbered white doors facing the road. A staircase was built into each side of the building, and there was a sizeable parking area in front of it. A low concrete wall painted in the same colors as the complex lined the perimeter of the property.

     "You see that building there, babe?" Aidan asked her, pointing it out.

      "Yeah. Is that where we're going?" she asked, coming to stand beside him.

     "Yes. Do you want to know why?" he asked, draping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her against him.  Gwen considered him thoughtfully for a moment.

     "No, not really." She grinned mischievously. He let out an exaggerated gasp of disbelief.

     "After we walked all this way, Gwen? How could you not?"

     "I think the heat is getting to my head", she replied seriously. He removed his arm from around her shoulders and grabbed both of her hands in his.

     "This is a serious problem, my love."

    "Yup, And you can only blame yourself since this was your idea." The two locked eyes, both struggling not to grin. Gwen's gaze strayed to lock on something over his right shoulder. Her brows furrowed in confusion.

     "What is that?" she asked, still staring.

    "What?" Aidan glanced over his shoulder. She immediately smacked a kiss on his cheek, then giggled.