Love Struck

Short Story #1

It was an average Tuesday morning for James. The cold city air crept through the cracks in the walls of his urban apartment walls,the sound of thunder and light drizzle outside of his window as the rain ran through the gutters outside, and as his ever reliable alarm clock blared it's harsh tones echoing through his room signaling him that it is 5:30 AM and time for him to get up. James arose from his bed peeling back the protective layer of linen that had kept him warm and reached for the alarm with one hand and stretched upwards embracing the chill of another winter morning. James headed for the dresser to set out his work clothes before getting into the shower. His morning ritual was to wash from top to bottom, first his hair a short black mesh of curls which he was grateful for not having to deal with afterwards. Then he would continue about washing his face and neck then onto the chest and so on. During his shower his mind would always wander. James was not the imaginative type, more of a realist. Even though during his morning showers he was accustomed to the quiet calming sounds of the shower enveloping him in its warm cloud of steam, almost as if had awoken just to come fall back asleep in the bath. This morning he had found himself thinking rather fondly of his love life and a particular girl from the apartment across from his. Her name was Alice. James caught himself beginning to smile and turned the water temperature up to help him take his mind off of her. After his shower he would always stand in front of the mirror and pause for a moment to take a look at himself, while looking into the mirror he would think to himself about what he was doing wrong. He wasn't the most unattractive as far as he could tell. He was successful, and he thought of himself as easy to get along with. Every morning he would sigh, pause for another moment, and then brush his teeth and hair before getting himself dressed and heading into the kitchen. Once in the kitchen he would pour himself a glass of orange juice and make two pieces of toast for breakfast,one lightly burned so that it was dark on both sides with butter and the other a light brown no butter. He would turn on the morning news and eat the burnt toast while watching the clock until it was 7:50. Then he would grab his car keys and umbrella and head out the front of his building. On this particular morning however, he did not find his keys in the usual place. He glanced at the clock, 7:53 he couldn't take the chance of missing her leave for work so he locked the door to his apartment and walked hardily towards the stairs. He managed to make it to the parking lot a moment after she had. He called to her,"Good morning Alice!" She turned around a gorgeous smile hidden behind her bright red hair was warm and inviting to James.

"Good morning!" She said eagerly hoping that he would suggest they carpool to work together. They worked for the same law firm a few blocks from the apartment. James was very good at what he did, she was a secretary for his boss Mr.Cambridge. 

"I will see you at work!" James said hesitantly feeling his anxiety starting to surface. 

His hands and voice became a bit shaky, and he quickly walked back into the apartment building acting as if he had forgotten something. Disappointed that he didn't say something, Alice climbed into her car and started to pull out of the parking lot when her phone began to ring. It was Mr.Cambridge, she took off her gloves and reached pressed her hands against the cold buttons of her phone. 

"Good morning Mr.Cambridge" she greeted him with an eager tone and grimacing look on her face. 

"Hey Alice could you swing by the office supply shop and pick up some paper for my office. I was running low and didn't want to bother you yesterday after you left. I know how hate having to work off the clock, but I'm expecting a fax from a client later and I am running low." The gruff voice replied from the other line. 

"Sure it's not that far out of the way, is that all?"Alice asked. 

"Yes I'm looking forward to seeing you today, drive safely." He hung up before she could say anything back.