Avenging Cupids

Chapter 6: Candlelit Theatre

“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope.” 

― Jane Austen, Persuasion

Alden.

It had to be. The note was written in such proper grammar. There was no way it was written by some illiterate, idiotic DC-er with chicken scratch scribble. It could only have been written by a refined Cambridge boy.

Willow's heart performed cartwheels and pirouettes. She sighed amorously and leaned against her locker, clutching the note to her heart. 

Wait a minute, she thought with falling spirits. What if one of the asinine Ersatzes is playing a dirty trick on me? 

There was only one way to find out. Elle and Kasey were always reproaching her for being such chicken poop when it came to things she was unsure of. Willow would prove them wrong. 

Determined, she stomped her way to the auditorium, pushing past the swarm of ravenous DC-ers. Her high-heeled boots were click-clacking on the cheap tiles at an angry tempo.

If these hideous blonde bitches make me miss lunch, I’m going to be very pissed. 

Willow reached the theatre's double doors and paused with one hand on the bronze handle. She peered through the entrenched windows and scanned the badly lit theatre. Her heart fell when she realized that all of the seats were empty.

Willow was about to walk away when something caught her eye. Three bright flames seemed to be levitating at the stage’s center.

Candles. 

Curiosity was wrestling with apprehension within her. Finally, apprehension tapped out and curiosity took the belt.

Willow found herself opening the heavy wooden doors and slipping inside. As she neared the stage, she noticed that the candles were snugly resting in a Victorian candelabra—a stage prop—surrounded by McDonalds bags and paper plates. 

A candlelit lunch. How charming.  

Willow pulled herself up onto the stage, her eyes exploring the ghostly theatre seats. Just then, she heard a heavy whooshing sound, like sails billowing in the breeze. Startled, she turned and came face to face with complete and utter perfection. The velvet theatre curtains were still swaying behind him as if they pined for his touch once more.

"You scared me!” exclaimed Willow with one hand on her heart.

“Sorry,” said Alden sheepishly. He made his way towards her, shoving more butterflies into her stomach with every step he took. “If you back up any further, you’ll fall off the stage.”

Willow hadn’t realized she was backing away. But she had to back away because as far as she was concerned, boys' charms didn't work on her. They never had and never will.

So she thought.

Willow changed the subject in hopes of possibly veering the attention away from her. “McDonalds?” she inquired, her voice trembling. 

“Yes ma’am. Filet-O-Fish, large fries, and a McCafé peppermint hot chocolate to be exact.” Alden beamed at Willow with all the ardor in the world as he recited her favorite fast-food bill of fare. 

“Wow. How did you know?” Willow was as flattered as she was perplexed. How did a perfect stranger happen to know her usual McDonald’s order food-by-food? 

“I know everything about you Willow,” he whispered. “Please don’t ask how.” His stunning green eyes were filled with passion that she imagined was rose petals and pink diamonds.