Stuck In Quarantine

24.

      That evening, James was up and about, in Celeste's apartment. It was 9:00pm, and Celeste was sound asleep. James was busy cleaning the mess of fruit, from a few hours before. He tossed it all into the trash, and was mopping up the floor. When he was finished, he put anything away, and took a seat at the kitchen table. But he didn't sit long.
       He left Celeste's apartment, and went to his. He grabbed his laptop, and brought it back with him. He shut her door, and walked out, onto her balcony. The weather was still warm, even with the sun down. He placed his laptop on the ground. And walked back into her kitchen, and grabbed a chair. And brought the chair out onto the balcony.
      He sat down, put his feet up on the rail, and placed the laptop on his lap. When he opened it, it brought him right back to where he stopped writing. He stretched his fingers out. And began his assault on the keyboard. The words poured out of him. He loved the feeling, and he didn't let any of his insecurities, stop him.
      A few minutes, turned into an hour, and a hour, turned into three. And James still wasn't tired. His fingers danced on the keyboard, putting down words as fast as he could. Only taking a break to use the bathroom, or to re-stretch his fingers. Or giving himself time to think, when he hit writers block.

****

      James had no idea, that Celeste had been watching him from the hallway. She was leaned up against the hallway end, with a sheet wrapped around her body. She was happy to see him writing again. And was she even more happy to the thought of reading another one of his books.
     She watched as he cracked his neck, and partially closed the laptop. Only a sliver of white light shined through. He crossed his arms, and just stared off into the night sky. She slowly made her way to him. He still had no idea she was there.
      Once behind him, she opened up the sheet, and wrapped her arms, and the sheet around his shoulders. He didn't even jump. He hugged her arms, with his. And snuggled his head against hers. And let out a deep, happy sigh.

      "Aren't you coming to bed?" She whispered.

      "I will, in a bit." He replied. "Isn't the sky beautiful?"

Celeste averted her eyes to the sky above. It was freckled with stars, and the moon was full and bright.

      "I have never so many stars in the city before." She whispered.

      "That's beautiful, with everyone I'm quarantine. The pollution has dropped."

      "I guess there's a silver lining to everything." She replied.

      "Yeah there is." James said. As he turned his head to her. "I met you."

      Celeste kissed his lips, and he pulled her over to his lap. Placing the laptop on the ground, as she straddled him. Celeste could feel the warmth of his hands, as he gently cupped her face. She slowly grinded against him. And she could feel his kisses become more intense. They lips brushing harder against eachother. Celeste quickly pulled her lips away.

      "I'm going for a quick shower!" She said.

      "Okay beautiful." James replied.

Celeste got off of his lap. And began walking to the bathroom. She stopped, and turned her head back.

      "Are you coming?" She asked.

      "I have to finish this." James replied. Picking up the laptop again, and placing it on his lap.

      "Are you sure?" She asked.

Celeste slowly stripped the sheet off her body. She wasn't wearing any clothing. And she threw the sheet at James, covering his head. He quickly removed it, and stared at her.

      "You're going to miss this!" She playfully said. As she smacked her own ass, and walked away.

James sat for moment. Looking at the sheet in his hand, and then his laptop. But he decision was a quick one.

      "I'm coming!" He exclaimed. As he placed the laptop down. And jumped up from his seat. Running to the bathroom, chasing Celeste inside.