Young at Heart (Angelina Jolie)

Chapter Three: Puppy

"I know, it's a mess!" She says smiling at me and walking to the windows to open them. I observe her attentively as she walks back and points to the couch, where I presume she wants me to sit down on. I do it. And she drops herself on the carpet. We don't say anything. I'm smiling, she's smiling. No words. But, finally, something bothers her and she breaks that awful silence. "I'm sorry. I'm such a terrible hostess. Would you like anything?"

If I was once angry at her for making me wait so long at Starbucks and not showing up, I've just forgotten. I feel stupid about it, but her smile is so beautiful; I cannot be mad at her, it's just impossible.

"Angelina?" She calls me, and I realize I've been staring way too long at her without answering her previous question.

"Oh... I'm sorry. No, I don't want anything. Thanks."

She frowns and gets up once again. My eyes follow her moves where I can see. For a brief moment, I pay attention in the place I am; she was pretty wrong, it's not a mess. There was a lot of papers, books and stuff all on a table, but I wouldn't call that a mess. There's also a center table in front of me and I finally realize something I would never imagine if I wasn't seeing it myself: a pack of cigarettes, which means that she smokes.

"You smoke?!" It wasn't really a question, and my voice was pretty low when I said it, but, somehow, she listened to me.

She laughs and walks back to the carpet. I see the lighter in her right hand and she looks at me like she's waiting for some kind of permission. I don't actually know what to say. I mean, is there anything to say? But it's not like she thinks she shouldn't do that. What I see is a girl who doesn't want to bother a guest – even knowing that I wasn't invited to be there. Larissa is a box full of surprises.

After a long time, she smiles.

"Do you mind?" She asks, but I deny and she gets the pack from the center table. And there she goes again, getting up and lighting her cigarette far away from me. Now she's close to the windows and I keep looking at her. So beautiful. That beautiful curly hair of hers is down, she's wearing a black Led Zeppelin shirt and, apparently, just underwear. I try not to see her that way and look around, until I listen to her voice talking to me. "Should I be worried about you being here?"

That's it. She's probably mad at me. I don't blame her. I just showed up in her apartment without any reason. Now that she confronted me, I really don't know what to say. I could tell her the truth, but she would probably be scared and even more pissed; I could also lie, but lying is not a good way to start whatever this is. Suddenly being here seems the worst idea I've ever had. Oh, Gosh! I did not respect her privacy. What's wrong with me? My reckless years has been gone a long time ago, no need to bring them back.

I take a deep breath before answering what she wanted to know. It took a long time, but she didn't even push me to be fast. Larissa is a lady, I can see that, which doesn't mean she's going to hate me less when I tell her the truth.

"I should've called first." I say, but I didn't know she would listen to me, for I said it in a low voice again. For my surprise, she did listen to what I said.

Larissa grins.

"Yes, you should." A long pause, a beautiful smile on her face. She's got her eyes on me and I feel... I don't know how I feel. But I don't think she hates me. "But I never gave you my phone number, nor my address."

Okay, I used to be smarter. I'm basically confessing my guilt. She probably knows what I've done or, at least, presumes it. I just don't know what to say. Larissa walks back to the carpet and sits very close to me; she's not smoking anymore and keeps her eyes on me like she was expecting for an answer. Well, that's a very smart girl, I see. She smiles and keeps quiet, just waiting. I know I could say anything, I could lie; but lying isn't good, and she doesn't deserve that.