Crystal Clear

Crystal clear- chapter 3 pt 2

One guard in particular- a tall lanky fellow who looked to be in his early twenties with an acne scarred face and narrow eyes, looked as though he was going to lose the fight pretty soon. He flew out of the room and then we could hear his gasping laughter as he hurried down the hallway. The remaining guard, a portly middle-aged Irish fellow with a red face and a beer belly followed more sedately, his eyes darting between Joshua, Ms. Reed and I with mixed expressions of amusement, symphaty and blatant curiosity.

When they had both left, I slunk out of my hiding place behind Joshua's back and attempted to escape, but he stalled me with a light touch on my arm. Startled, I gazed up at him with an unspoken question in my eyes and he smiled reassuringly in response.

"Look Dorothy," he began, his voice firm and determined, "I'm sure Callie is sorry for jumping you. She was probably excited and she strikes me as an impulsive person. So can all be forgiven? Please?"

Dorothy huffed and smoothed out her now ruffled gray hair that was horribly in need of a hair dresser's touch, and some black dye, and straightened her glasses, still throwing murderous glances my way.

"She should learn to control herself then," She said shortly, "All this ridiculous prancing and leaping about like a pre- schooler"

Hang on, I've just been insulted haven't I? I thought to myself, feeling a wave of righteous indignation sweep through me. I opened my mouth to deliver a scathing retort, something like 'well you look like the before photos of some middle aged fishwife in one of E's makeover shows,' but what I said out loud instead was. . .

"I apologise for my appalling behavior." I said as demure as a catholic schoolgirl, head hung and eyes downcast.

Joshua trained the full blast of his megawatt smile on Dorothy and she visibly melted. Eww.

"Fine, Whatever you say Joshua" she replied sotto voce, her wrinkled cheeks were tinged a bright pink and I tried not to gag. "If you'll excuse me, I'll like to go freshen up in the restroom."

"Of course" he replied and sprang to open the door for her.

She paused by the entrance and regarded me with barely concealed hostility.

"Your application is still being considered" She informed me coldly, "You will be contacted soon enough with our reply." She swept out haughtily.

I groaned and sank down on the settee, dropping my head on my hands. Great! This has got to be a new low even by my standards. I heard the door shut and then caught a wisp of the Hugo Boss's 'Emergency' fragrance Joshua was wearing and raised my head, my hazel eyes meeting his concerned blue eyes. He squatted in front of me and reached out to tuck a strand of my errant red hair.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

I shook my head and fought back the tears that were threatening to spill out, not trusting myself to speak.

"Hey come here" he said reaching out to pull me into a warm embrace. I went willingly of course, my woes instantly forgotten to be replaced by exhilaration and the insane hope that my deodorant was working. His left hand stroked my back and I felt like purring with satisfaction.

"It's alright Callie, don't worry about it, she'll get over it." He murmured, his voice sending shivers down my back.

I sniffed for good measure, my eyes trained on his perfect butt, and well-muscled thighs, so close, so perfect, I could write an ode to his butt. I swallowed convulsively, feeling desire sweep through me like a tidal wave and I shifted my mouth ever so slightly to press against the base of his throat, feeling the strong pulse there.

I felt him stiffen in suprise and I quickly pulled away, my face red with embarrassment, not daring to meet his eyes for far of what I would find in their depths.

"I'm sorry" I murmured and abruptly stood up. My right knee connected with his jaw in a sickening crunch and he yelped and sprawled backwards to the floor dazed.

"Oh shit," I exclaimed in absolute horror as I watched him topple as though in slow motion. "Oh my god, Joshua?"

I scrambled to help him and then wished I hadn't. The pointed heel of my shoe dug into his left hand as I tried to get around him and he screamed in pain.

"AHHHHHHH! My hand" He yelled clutching the damaged hand and rolling back and forth in agony. "SHIT SHIT call 911 dammit, its on fire."

"Ok ok Joshua, I'm sorry." I said, backing out the door, scared beyond words as I envisioned the huge lawsuit he would file against me for damages. Tears came unchecked now and I sobbed aloud.

The door flew open behind me and more security poured in weapons drawn and ready to fight this new menace that had invaded their domain. Namely me. I felt like Ginormica in the cartoon 'Alien vs Monsters' as several vicious pairs of eyes were glaring in my direction. Joshua still lay groaning on the floor.

"I'm so sorry" I sobbed again and pushed past the people milling round the doorway and fled, my heels clicking on the tiles, people stopping to stare at me.