Barely There

Chapter 5 - Ruby Glow

Words rolled off his tongue quickly as he explained the events of the night before.

"...Then her sister slapped me on the face, and let me tell you she's pretty damn strong, like I basically died for a quick second because it hurt that bad but anyways I don't know maybe I did deserve it? I really don't know but everyone got a real kick out that whole event so yeah."

"Wow that's a lot. So did she say anything to you after?"

Knocking sounded throughout the apartment.

"Hold that thought."

Caleb stood up from the couch, moving quickly to the door as someone pounded impatiently on the hard surface.

"CALM THE FUCK DOWN I'M COMING!"

Leda's eyes widened as the wooden gate opened to the outside world.

She was the first thing he saw in the clutter. A jewel in the dull, ever present dirt that overtook the world.

She stood up, her body in front of the streams of light that flowed in through the windows. Shadows casted themselves upon her, hiding her in a veil of darkness as he stared. Her dark outline was reflected in the pale blue of his eyes as he moved forwards.

Caleb stepped in equal distance between them, casting suspicious glances at the two shocked faces.

"Grayson meet Leda, Leda meet Grayson."

Neither of them spoke, silence continued, deafening. She took another look at him, her eyes trailing over his figure the way he had the night before. Leda noticed the brown cup in his hand before he moved to set in down on the table beside her. He put out his hand, maintaining eye contact all the while.

"Nice to meet you Leda," he teased gingerly, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He winked at her so subtly that she thought she might have imagined it happen. She grasped his hand, softly shaking it, still unsure of his character. She tried to speak but seemed to forget all logic, sense, and the entire world around her, as his hand enveloped hers for a moment too long.

Letting go, he motioned towards the lonely cup on the barren coffee table.

"That's yours Caleb... and you should have told me we would have company. I would have gotten her something too."

"Oh no that's okay you barely know me."

She awkwardly sat down again, a mix between a laugh and a sigh flowing out of her mouth.

"Yeah I guess I don't really know you at all."

His gaze lingered on her as he sat down across from her, testing her. She cocked her head towards the light in confusion.

"You guys are fucking weird. I'll tell you that."

"Says you, Caleb."

Caleb sipped the warm, bitter liquid next to Grayson as he squinted his eyes at Leda.

"Oh Caleb, I almost forgot. This old lady was pacing in front of the staircase and elevator when I first left your apartment to get coffee. I think she was waiting for you to leave so she could attack you or something."

"Attack me? An old lady? Wow I'm so scared. Thanks for letting me know, dumbass."

"You should be scared. Her biceps are a lot bigger than yours... and she never skips leg day."

A laugh flew out of her before flying around the apartment like a caged bird. Her hands moved to cover her mouth as she tried to hide the evidence of her betrayal.

"Wow Leda. You know what? Fuck you. Both of you. You two belong together."

An unreadable expression drew itself on Grayson's face and Leda's cheeks turned crimson in the colorless room.

Hesitantly, Grayson reached into the front pocket of his hoodie to pull out a metallic, silver lighter and a white box. He opened the box taking out a skinny cigarette and lighting it, while offering one to Caleb.

"Not right now," Caleb blurted quickly, keeping his eyes on Leda's rigid frame.

"Why?"

Grayson followed the path of Caleb's burning gaze. His expression was one of confusion and something else as questions flicked across his sky-colored eyes.

He stood up suddenly, moving towards the balcony, the cigarette glowing ember between his fingers. The scent trailed after him, lingering in the room. Leda scrunched her nose at that scent, a reminder of Daniel. She kept her eyes on him as he situated himself on the other side.

Grayson leaned against the railing, the cancer and tar between his lips. The sun rose further into the sky in front of him, casting golden hues over his body and hair. He blew out the smoke, a grey cloud. A stain against the blue sky and the white fluffy clouds

She shifted in her seat, the air in the room growing more uncomfortable as the clock ticked.

"Hey Caleb...look I'm gonna go."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Wait are you okay?"

"Yeah of course, I just- I just need to get fresh air."

She stood up from the couch and walked towards the end of the living room. Caleb followed closely, giving her a warm, comforting embrace as they reached the doorway. From over Caleb's shoulder, she could see the blue eyes fixed on her, an unreadable expression surrounding the light-colored orbs. Noticing her gaze, the expression vanished, leaving in its trail an abyss of nothingness and indifference. 

He turned back around to face the railing and the rest of the world.

Leda opened the door slowly and stepped out into the hallway, the door shutting softly behind her. She crossed the bridge of the hallway and took out her keys as she glanced to her right.

The old woman paced in front of the exit angrily, following her constant rhythm of fury. 

Smiling to herself, she wandered into her apartment, making her way to her own balcony and stepping out. She leaned over the cold railing and stared down at the people and cars. The height made her dizzy and she leaned back a little as the world moved forward without her. The wind blew against her skin and the clouds rolled around the sky, dancing in waves of white fluff. The sun shone against the windows of buildings ahead, reflecting back to her and sparkling like stars.

From somewhere in the distance, she heard the abrupt shutting of a door.