A Silhouette and Maybe More

Lunch

My drowsy body woke itself up after hearing the buzzing that came from my phone. Within seconds I had gotten to grips with my senses, feeling the warmth radiating from behind me. For a moment, I had to seriously think about who was behind me, I knew it was Dan but it was early in the morning so I was slightly delirious. I inhaled deeply and yawned stretching about my limbs to waken them up. I suddenly felt Dan's grip around my waist tighten pulling me into him, tempting me to stay in bed with him. Work can wait. My light chuckle sent smiles upon his face. I snuggled into his warm embrace tangling our legs into one big mess below us. His eyes were still closed but I knew he was awake, my focus on nothing but his face: adoring every small, intricate detail that could benefit anyone's appearance. Finally, his eyes darted open immediately locking his eyes with mine. That was the best part. His eyes. His dark hair contrasts with them making them brighter than they seem. I was slightly jealous, my eyes were boring, my everything was boring.

"What?" He mumbled, his morning voice had me internally screaming. One word. That's all it takes for me to get hyped up about him.

"Speculating." I quietly muttered. His eyebrows shot up and gave me a devious smirk.

"Hm, and what have you speculated?"

"That you have a beautiful face." I mumbled, staring down and away from him. Dear god, I am naked. I swear that I could feel my cheeks becoming hotter than the sun, not only embarrassed that I was naked, also the fact that I could feel Dan's body pressed against mine.

"Hmmm." He smiled. I looked up at him confused.

"What?"

"I can't tell whether I have some secret power or it's just plainly obvious." What?

I just stared blankly at him, what on earth is he talking about?

"You're blushing." He teased, stroking my cheek with his hand. I lightly shoved him and hid my face like anyone would when blushing.

"What are you doing today?" He asked, his morning voice still clinging to his throat.

"I need to work today. Also...Elise will be there." He sighed when hearing her name. I did feel bad that I unexpectedly brought Dan back into Elise's life, I just need to convince myself that it was the right thing to do.

"She still doesn't know does she?" He mumbled. I shook my head, stone cold lying to him. I haven't seen Elise since that day, she never texted, never called or never spoke to me. I mean, I can understand what she's going through but I don't know how far she took it. She might even hate me for it for whatever reason.

After a kiss goodbye I left for work, slightly dreading having to see Elise. The bus journey felt different, something didn't feel right, it was like an instinct I had when something was out of place I knew of it straightaway. Then I remembered, Dan isn't in his usual seat. A year I've been taking this bus to work and I never once noticed him properly, only identified him as being a isolated and mysterious person casually sitting on the bus. I began to kick myself for it.

I noticed Elise sitting at the receptionist desk with silence surrounding her, batting an eyelid every minute or so. Nothing could distract her.

"Elise?" I mumbled as I approached her, it was obvious that there was hesitance in my voice. She looked up at me smiled, surprisingly. She looked almost glad.

"How you holding up?" I asked, taking my place behind the desk. She answered exactly to what I was talking about without even mentioning it.

"I...I think that I've finally come to grips with it. After having some hissy fits and breakdowns and calling him selfish, I think I'm ok with it. Does he know?" She asked. I mentally chuckled to myself, I'm like a spy working for both sides. I shook my head trying my best to hold my smirk back.

"But the thing is..." She sighed placing her hand underneath her chin. "I don't know if I can face him again. It's just after what happened I feel so guilty I-"

"You have no reason to be guilty, if anyone, it's Dan. He never listened to you when you warned him, and trust me when I say that he would be willing to apologise you. He's changed." I interjected. Elise could only stare at me, eyes glistening. "We get an hour off for lunch right?" She nods. "Why don't I invite Dan to lunch and you two can get better acquainted."

For a moment I almost thought that she was going to say no but to my delight she reluctantly nodded.

"No backing out, promise?" I glared at her.

"Promise."

In the afternoon Elise and I went for lunch at the corner cafe, I had messaged Dan inviting him to lunch but what I didn't mention was that Elise would be joining us. We sat at a booth, the tall seats gave us privacy and provided extreme comfort. I loved it. I was first to notice Dan walk in. As I smiled I noticed in my peripheral vision that Elise was tensing up. Keep calm I mentally told her.

He finally approached our table and stood at the edge. His eyes went wide and his breath shortly taken from him.

"E-Elise?" He stuttered.

"Hi Dan. It's um...good to see you." Her timid voice being forced out of her. At least Elise was trying to make it more comfortable. Before anything else, Elise stood up from her seat, inches from Dan. At this point I was unable to predict was going to happen next. Dan's woeful eyes glared back at her, instantly taken back by her presence.

I watched them, as Elise pulled Dan into a hug, her head buried into his shoulder. I watched as Dan tightly wrapped his arms round her thin waist and gripped the material of her jacket. Dan's eyes found mine and I smiled up at him, he replied mouthing the words 'thank you'.