“Ok, dear, see you soon” I hung up and entered my house.
I spent some time helping my mom with some house work and at 3 pm, I started preparing my costume for a concert. Natalie showed up at 4 pm. I prepared some fresh and my door bell rang. I rushed to open the door. But my mom already opened it. Natalie was whispering something to my mom. When she noticed me, she made a poker face and my mom turned to me:
“So, Lily, you’re going to spend 2 days at Natalie’s. I’ll ask dad to drive you both. But don’t stay long at night and don’t drink any alcohol, ok?” And she went to the kitchen.
At first I couldn’t come up with any answer, but after a moment I was smiling and hugging Natalie. I led to my room upstairs, asking the first question, that came into y mind:
“What happened? Why are we having a bachelor party?” A grin appeared on her face again.
“First of all, my parents are having a vacation for 2 days, so I need somebody by my side and the second reason is that Nick going somewhere for 3 days to watch soccer with his friends. So, we have time completely for us – spa salon, sleeping long and disco of course!”
As she told me the other details, packed some clothes and cosmetics and grabbed my costume I was so excited about our little vacation. After she started dating Nick, we rarely had so much fun together.
“Great! It’s been ages since we were at the disco for last time. But now sit down –here sit your favorite fresh juice.”
“Oh, thanks, but you know that you have to tell me again the whole story about Paul, right?” As she was drinking, I recalled yesterday’s afternoon and with a smile on my face told her everything again.
“But why do you think, that he’s not local?”
“Well, he told, that he searched for some quiet street to wait until the storm ends. I think, that means, that he doesn’t live here – if he did – he wouldn’t search for some street – he’d go straight to home, I guess”
“You’re probably right”
My dad called us and drove us to Natalie’s home. I left my stuff and took only my costume. Natalie was beautiful – she was wearing short tight sexy dress and I decided to wear jeans and a blouse with opened back. So I had to dance on a concert in one popular expensive club - there was a private party for some aristocrats. And after 12 pm there was going to be a big disco. Natalie was perfectly happy that she was attending such a prestige party, because she was my friend. So I left her at the bar, and went with the other girls to change and to go behind the scene. I was nervous for some reason, like I was going to pass some exam. I couldn’t explain that feeling to myself. Finally our music was running, and we got to the stage. The dance was going and for one moment it seemed, like I saw that sweet smile again. My body moved automatically, but my brain froze. We finished dancing and the ovations hit us. Mostly, everybody was screaming “Bravo”. We were standing for a moment and I tried to search him in a crowd, but I didn’t have enough of time.
The party ended quickly. Natalie was dancing with somebody already. I started scanning the crowd again, but I didn’t find Paul. It was probably somebody alike him. The disappointment filled me after the hope faded. Natalie came by and forced me to dance all night long. A little hope was living somewhere deep in my soul, but she died when it was already 4 am and I didn’t still meet his gaze in a crowd. As I felt myself completely worn out, I called Natalie and we decided to take a taxi home. I was told that our taxi was going in ten minutes. Natalie went to ladies’ room. I grabbed my costume and decided to wait outside. I closed the door behind – here was so silent and peaceful. I took a deep breath of night fresh air. I heard some footsteps in front of me from the darkness.
“Why such a beautiful lady, that loves to walk in storm, is standing alone in such a beautiful night?” My heart jumped as that voice reached my ears. A few steps and Paul was standing beside me, with a big grin on his face.
“Oh, the gentleman that likes to save ladies from storm.” I smiled “I…umm… waiting for Natalie”
“Are you having a date under the stars with her?” he joked. He made me smile.
“No, we’re waiting for a taxi”
“Can I drive you home instead of a taxi? And by the way, give me your costume.” I stepped beside him into a darkness.
“It’s not heavy, thanks” He tried to take it from my hands but I refused to let go. So he pushed a little harder and it made me step toward him. I found myself staring into his eyes. He leaned closer to me. I felt his breath on my lips. I stood to my tip toes to lean even closer, but sudden bright light hit us. It was a taxi. I stepped back. And heard a door opened and shut behind me.
“Hey, Lillian, the taxi arrived, come.” That was Natalie. She was already getting into the car. I was hesitant for a moment, but Paul took my costumes into one hand, and the other hand he placed onto my waist.
“Come, I’ll help you to put the costumes to the car.” And he led the way to the taxi. He opened the door for me, helped to climb in and when I got into the car, he gave the costumes to me.
“It was a pleasure to see you again. Have nice dreams, Lily.” He smiled and my heart missed one beat.
“Thank you, Paul. Have sweet dreams too.” I closed the door and the driver started the engine. I made a glance to Natalie. Her eyes were huge and she was staring at me. I glanced out the window again. Paul was waiting for us to go. He waved to me. I smiled, while we started driving.
“And what was that?” Natalie definitely wanted to know what happened, while she was in women’s room.
“That was a moment” I smiled.
“Paul?” You mean, he’s Paul?”
“Yeah, that’s him, why?” I was grinning at her.
“I….umm…wow.”
“And what does THAT mean?” She was shocked. It was so funny to tease her.
“Well, I have to collect my thoughts before I answer” And she was silent for the next 10 minutes, while we were driving to her place. I was deep in my thoughts too. I felt…I couldn’t tell what the feeling was. It was something between joy, happiness and feeling as I was somewhere in the centre of the universe. As we arrived, we went to Natalie’s room and prepared to go to bed. Natalie was still silent. I was recalling last half of an hour in my head over and over. But, when we finally climbed onto the bed, Natalie broke the silence.
“So, tell me, when did you find him and how? Have you two agreed to meet? He’s cutie…You have to tell me!” The words were coming so fast. That made me smile. She was so curious.
“What answer I’m supposed to give you first? I think, that the first one, right? So, I went out to wait for the taxi and…”
Natalie’s phone interrupted. I knew, who was that. Nick.
“Oh, I have to pretend that I was sleeping!” She took the phone and picked up. She started talking to her boyfriend. Her murmuring was making me sleepy. My mind was at the club again. And I was standing with Paul again. His chocolate eyes – like burning from inside. My heart started beating with a double speed, when I recalled his breath on my lips. He almost kissed me. That was so…so I couldn’t tell how. The moments were running through my head over and over. Natalie was still talking. That was good. I had some minutes to think. I was getting sleepy more and more and before I fell asleep, my mind stopped on the thought that he didn’t ask to give him my phone number.
I opened my eyes slowly. The sun was shining right into my face, like greeting me with the start of a new day. The sun was high on the sky. As I could hear, Natalie was still sleeping. I could hear her even breathing beside me. I got out the bed very quietly and went to the bathroom on my tip toes. On my way I glanced onto the clock – it was almost 11 am. I took a refreshing shower and felt myself ready to do anything today. My whole body was full of energy. That was a little weird, cos after attending such a big parties I was always tired during the whole day. But I guess it was all about meeting Paul yesterday. My heartbeat accelerated. I definitely missed a moment when I started crashing on him. I went to the bedroom again and took my shorts and a t-shirt and went to the kitchen to prepare some light breakfast. I decided to make a mousse of fresh cheese and fruits and brought some milk. Natalie’s house consisted of 2 floors. There was a kitchen, living room and a cabinet on the first floor and 3 bedrooms on the second floor. Natalie’s room was above the kitchen, so the kitchen was light too and the sun was lighting all room. I could see the yard out the window full of flowers and a pavement to the road.
So as I prepared the breakfast, I decided to wake up Natalie. I took a glass of milk and went upstairs. I went on my tip toes to her.
“Natalie, good morning.”
“huh?” Her eyes were still closed.
“I want to sleep….turn off the light, please” I giggled
“That’s sun. I can’t turn it off”
“umm..” she finally opened her eyes. and I gave her the glass.
“Thanks” she murmured and started drinking. But when she finished she laid down again.
“I’ll sleep for a few minutes, ok?” As I knew for sure – that was for a few hours.
“Ok, Nat. I’ll go for a walk”
“Uh huh” She was almost sleeping. I ate my breakfast alone and sat at the table for a few minutes, thinking where can I go to spend at least 2 hours on my own.
So I decided to go to the river. It was not far. I put my swimming costume on, than put on a light short dress, took a bag with a towel and closed the door, when I left Natalie’s place. The day was just awesome and I hoped that another storm won’t catch me somewhere. The wind was light and steady so I came to a conclusion that the weather has to be good at least for the next few hours. I turned my mp3 player, as I was walking down the streets. It took 15 minutes for me to come to the riverside. The sky was so blue – just the most beautiful imaginable. The birds were singing and there were lots of beautiful butterflies, flying from flower to flower. I knew all good places for swimming here. And I was undecided about what place to choose. I didn’t want to spend this time in a crowded place, but I didn’t want to be alone too. It was a little scary. I was a good swimmer, but still I was a little afraid to swim just on my own. The river bottom sometimes can be very different. So I decided to go to one place, where was a kind of a volleyball place and 2 islands in the middle of the river. I arrived just in a five minutes. The place was not crowded. There was just only one company of a few guys and 2 girls taking sunbathes. I placed my stuff not far from girls, but far enough not to hear them. I was just between guys and girls. Here was a tramping and I decided to dive first. I took my dress off and started to the highest place of the riverside. I felt some gaze on me and turned and made a glance to the guys. I couldn’t recognize any of them, because they were too far, but all of them where staring at me. I continued walking. as I glanced again, they were talking and one of them started walking towards me. That was weird, but I didn’t care. I stopped on the top of a riverside, ready to jump. I visited this place not rarely so I knew, that the water was deep enough to dive and the bottom was straight. But as I could notice, some parts of the riverside was changed by the last storm just a few days ago. So, not turning to the guy that was just a halfway to me, I jumped down.
“No! Don’t!” I heard, when I was getting to the water. But why?. That though was so slow comparing to the speed of with which I was falling. My hands crashed the water and I was already in the river. I moved my hands to swim farther, but I felt something between my hands. Like a rope. The speed of the stream was fast and it moved me farther into some ropes that now where all around me? they were holding me. I tried to move up, but they were everywhere not letting me to move anywhere. A panic hit me. I opened my eyes, that were shut till that time and saw that I was deep in the water and I was almost under a huge tree and there were branches all around me. I needed air. Like instinctive I tried to scream “Help!” and I lost all air that was in my lungs. I tried to tear the branches that were holding my lags. I struggled with them but after I moment I lost my strength and felt so light. It was so good not to move. I heard some crash of a water and saw that some dark shape was moving towards me. But it was replaced by a numb darkness.
I opened my eyes, because I was cold and somebody was screaming:
“Come on! Breathe! Please! I can’t pull you out of water on my own.” It was just a few seconds after I closed them. We were far from a place, where I jumped, because the stream was very fast. I was gasping. My mouth was full of water. The guy’s arm was around my waist and with the other arm he was trying to swim towards the riverside.
“Oh, thank God you breathe. Can you swim?” Now I wasn’t surprised with the familiar Paul’s voice.
“Yeah, you can let go of me, I’ll swim. Is the water very deep?”
“Yeah, I guess, I can’t reach it with my legs, so, give me your hand. You’re probably out of strength”
So, he was holding my hand and we were struggling with the stream. After we reached the bottom with our foots, we were probably 2 or more kilometers from the place I jumped. We went out of water slowly. We were breathing hard. I sat down on the riverside and tried to calm down my breathing. He sat beside me.
“Hey, r’you ok?” I felt his hand on my shoulder.
“Yeah. I’m fine. Just mouth full of water and lungs burning of water” He sat down in front of me.
“Let me see. Your foot is hurt” I noticed bleeding on my legs. They were scratched by branches. The wounds were not deep. But still they burned of river water. The rest of my body was ok, just some scratches on my arms. My belly was ok, I guess, that back too. Paul was holding my right foot. It was hurting underneath. His warm fingers were touching my foot softly.
“I think that it’s not very deep. But you won’t be able to walk now, because dirt can get inside and do worse.” He put my leg down and met my gaze.
“I was so worried. Haven’t you recognized me, when we were on a riverside? I should have called you earlier, but I was hoping that you’ll wait until I come closer. I’m so sorry that I haven’t stopped you.”
Mt heart missed one beat when I heard that. His voice was full of agony.
“It’s not your fault. Thank you. Thank you so much! You saved me. Ok, I think that we have to go and find some place to cross the river. Will you help me, sir?” He smiled and got up. I lost my breath. He was so tall and he’d got so beautiful body, that I felt hot. He didn’t miss my gaze.
“Of course, my lady.” First he took my hand and in a second, I haven’t understood, what happened, but I was in his arms, pressed to his strong chest.
I spent some time helping my mom with some house work and at 3 pm, I started preparing my costume for a concert. Natalie showed up at 4 pm. I prepared some fresh and my door bell rang. I rushed to open the door. But my mom already opened it. Natalie was whispering something to my mom. When she noticed me, she made a poker face and my mom turned to me:
“So, Lily, you’re going to spend 2 days at Natalie’s. I’ll ask dad to drive you both. But don’t stay long at night and don’t drink any alcohol, ok?” And she went to the kitchen.
At first I couldn’t come up with any answer, but after a moment I was smiling and hugging Natalie. I led to my room upstairs, asking the first question, that came into y mind:
“What happened? Why are we having a bachelor party?” A grin appeared on her face again.
“First of all, my parents are having a vacation for 2 days, so I need somebody by my side and the second reason is that Nick going somewhere for 3 days to watch soccer with his friends. So, we have time completely for us – spa salon, sleeping long and disco of course!”
As she told me the other details, packed some clothes and cosmetics and grabbed my costume I was so excited about our little vacation. After she started dating Nick, we rarely had so much fun together.
“Great! It’s been ages since we were at the disco for last time. But now sit down –here sit your favorite fresh juice.”
“Oh, thanks, but you know that you have to tell me again the whole story about Paul, right?” As she was drinking, I recalled yesterday’s afternoon and with a smile on my face told her everything again.
“But why do you think, that he’s not local?”
“Well, he told, that he searched for some quiet street to wait until the storm ends. I think, that means, that he doesn’t live here – if he did – he wouldn’t search for some street – he’d go straight to home, I guess”
“You’re probably right”
My dad called us and drove us to Natalie’s home. I left my stuff and took only my costume. Natalie was beautiful – she was wearing short tight sexy dress and I decided to wear jeans and a blouse with opened back. So I had to dance on a concert in one popular expensive club - there was a private party for some aristocrats. And after 12 pm there was going to be a big disco. Natalie was perfectly happy that she was attending such a prestige party, because she was my friend. So I left her at the bar, and went with the other girls to change and to go behind the scene. I was nervous for some reason, like I was going to pass some exam. I couldn’t explain that feeling to myself. Finally our music was running, and we got to the stage. The dance was going and for one moment it seemed, like I saw that sweet smile again. My body moved automatically, but my brain froze. We finished dancing and the ovations hit us. Mostly, everybody was screaming “Bravo”. We were standing for a moment and I tried to search him in a crowd, but I didn’t have enough of time.
The party ended quickly. Natalie was dancing with somebody already. I started scanning the crowd again, but I didn’t find Paul. It was probably somebody alike him. The disappointment filled me after the hope faded. Natalie came by and forced me to dance all night long. A little hope was living somewhere deep in my soul, but she died when it was already 4 am and I didn’t still meet his gaze in a crowd. As I felt myself completely worn out, I called Natalie and we decided to take a taxi home. I was told that our taxi was going in ten minutes. Natalie went to ladies’ room. I grabbed my costume and decided to wait outside. I closed the door behind – here was so silent and peaceful. I took a deep breath of night fresh air. I heard some footsteps in front of me from the darkness.
“Why such a beautiful lady, that loves to walk in storm, is standing alone in such a beautiful night?” My heart jumped as that voice reached my ears. A few steps and Paul was standing beside me, with a big grin on his face.
“Oh, the gentleman that likes to save ladies from storm.” I smiled “I…umm… waiting for Natalie”
“Are you having a date under the stars with her?” he joked. He made me smile.
“No, we’re waiting for a taxi”
“Can I drive you home instead of a taxi? And by the way, give me your costume.” I stepped beside him into a darkness.
“It’s not heavy, thanks” He tried to take it from my hands but I refused to let go. So he pushed a little harder and it made me step toward him. I found myself staring into his eyes. He leaned closer to me. I felt his breath on my lips. I stood to my tip toes to lean even closer, but sudden bright light hit us. It was a taxi. I stepped back. And heard a door opened and shut behind me.
“Hey, Lillian, the taxi arrived, come.” That was Natalie. She was already getting into the car. I was hesitant for a moment, but Paul took my costumes into one hand, and the other hand he placed onto my waist.
“Come, I’ll help you to put the costumes to the car.” And he led the way to the taxi. He opened the door for me, helped to climb in and when I got into the car, he gave the costumes to me.
“It was a pleasure to see you again. Have nice dreams, Lily.” He smiled and my heart missed one beat.
“Thank you, Paul. Have sweet dreams too.” I closed the door and the driver started the engine. I made a glance to Natalie. Her eyes were huge and she was staring at me. I glanced out the window again. Paul was waiting for us to go. He waved to me. I smiled, while we started driving.
“And what was that?” Natalie definitely wanted to know what happened, while she was in women’s room.
“That was a moment” I smiled.
“Paul?” You mean, he’s Paul?”
“Yeah, that’s him, why?” I was grinning at her.
“I….umm…wow.”
“And what does THAT mean?” She was shocked. It was so funny to tease her.
“Well, I have to collect my thoughts before I answer” And she was silent for the next 10 minutes, while we were driving to her place. I was deep in my thoughts too. I felt…I couldn’t tell what the feeling was. It was something between joy, happiness and feeling as I was somewhere in the centre of the universe. As we arrived, we went to Natalie’s room and prepared to go to bed. Natalie was still silent. I was recalling last half of an hour in my head over and over. But, when we finally climbed onto the bed, Natalie broke the silence.
“So, tell me, when did you find him and how? Have you two agreed to meet? He’s cutie…You have to tell me!” The words were coming so fast. That made me smile. She was so curious.
“What answer I’m supposed to give you first? I think, that the first one, right? So, I went out to wait for the taxi and…”
Natalie’s phone interrupted. I knew, who was that. Nick.
“Oh, I have to pretend that I was sleeping!” She took the phone and picked up. She started talking to her boyfriend. Her murmuring was making me sleepy. My mind was at the club again. And I was standing with Paul again. His chocolate eyes – like burning from inside. My heart started beating with a double speed, when I recalled his breath on my lips. He almost kissed me. That was so…so I couldn’t tell how. The moments were running through my head over and over. Natalie was still talking. That was good. I had some minutes to think. I was getting sleepy more and more and before I fell asleep, my mind stopped on the thought that he didn’t ask to give him my phone number.
I opened my eyes slowly. The sun was shining right into my face, like greeting me with the start of a new day. The sun was high on the sky. As I could hear, Natalie was still sleeping. I could hear her even breathing beside me. I got out the bed very quietly and went to the bathroom on my tip toes. On my way I glanced onto the clock – it was almost 11 am. I took a refreshing shower and felt myself ready to do anything today. My whole body was full of energy. That was a little weird, cos after attending such a big parties I was always tired during the whole day. But I guess it was all about meeting Paul yesterday. My heartbeat accelerated. I definitely missed a moment when I started crashing on him. I went to the bedroom again and took my shorts and a t-shirt and went to the kitchen to prepare some light breakfast. I decided to make a mousse of fresh cheese and fruits and brought some milk. Natalie’s house consisted of 2 floors. There was a kitchen, living room and a cabinet on the first floor and 3 bedrooms on the second floor. Natalie’s room was above the kitchen, so the kitchen was light too and the sun was lighting all room. I could see the yard out the window full of flowers and a pavement to the road.
So as I prepared the breakfast, I decided to wake up Natalie. I took a glass of milk and went upstairs. I went on my tip toes to her.
“Natalie, good morning.”
“huh?” Her eyes were still closed.
“I want to sleep….turn off the light, please” I giggled
“That’s sun. I can’t turn it off”
“umm..” she finally opened her eyes. and I gave her the glass.
“Thanks” she murmured and started drinking. But when she finished she laid down again.
“I’ll sleep for a few minutes, ok?” As I knew for sure – that was for a few hours.
“Ok, Nat. I’ll go for a walk”
“Uh huh” She was almost sleeping. I ate my breakfast alone and sat at the table for a few minutes, thinking where can I go to spend at least 2 hours on my own.
So I decided to go to the river. It was not far. I put my swimming costume on, than put on a light short dress, took a bag with a towel and closed the door, when I left Natalie’s place. The day was just awesome and I hoped that another storm won’t catch me somewhere. The wind was light and steady so I came to a conclusion that the weather has to be good at least for the next few hours. I turned my mp3 player, as I was walking down the streets. It took 15 minutes for me to come to the riverside. The sky was so blue – just the most beautiful imaginable. The birds were singing and there were lots of beautiful butterflies, flying from flower to flower. I knew all good places for swimming here. And I was undecided about what place to choose. I didn’t want to spend this time in a crowded place, but I didn’t want to be alone too. It was a little scary. I was a good swimmer, but still I was a little afraid to swim just on my own. The river bottom sometimes can be very different. So I decided to go to one place, where was a kind of a volleyball place and 2 islands in the middle of the river. I arrived just in a five minutes. The place was not crowded. There was just only one company of a few guys and 2 girls taking sunbathes. I placed my stuff not far from girls, but far enough not to hear them. I was just between guys and girls. Here was a tramping and I decided to dive first. I took my dress off and started to the highest place of the riverside. I felt some gaze on me and turned and made a glance to the guys. I couldn’t recognize any of them, because they were too far, but all of them where staring at me. I continued walking. as I glanced again, they were talking and one of them started walking towards me. That was weird, but I didn’t care. I stopped on the top of a riverside, ready to jump. I visited this place not rarely so I knew, that the water was deep enough to dive and the bottom was straight. But as I could notice, some parts of the riverside was changed by the last storm just a few days ago. So, not turning to the guy that was just a halfway to me, I jumped down.
“No! Don’t!” I heard, when I was getting to the water. But why?. That though was so slow comparing to the speed of with which I was falling. My hands crashed the water and I was already in the river. I moved my hands to swim farther, but I felt something between my hands. Like a rope. The speed of the stream was fast and it moved me farther into some ropes that now where all around me? they were holding me. I tried to move up, but they were everywhere not letting me to move anywhere. A panic hit me. I opened my eyes, that were shut till that time and saw that I was deep in the water and I was almost under a huge tree and there were branches all around me. I needed air. Like instinctive I tried to scream “Help!” and I lost all air that was in my lungs. I tried to tear the branches that were holding my lags. I struggled with them but after I moment I lost my strength and felt so light. It was so good not to move. I heard some crash of a water and saw that some dark shape was moving towards me. But it was replaced by a numb darkness.
I opened my eyes, because I was cold and somebody was screaming:
“Come on! Breathe! Please! I can’t pull you out of water on my own.” It was just a few seconds after I closed them. We were far from a place, where I jumped, because the stream was very fast. I was gasping. My mouth was full of water. The guy’s arm was around my waist and with the other arm he was trying to swim towards the riverside.
“Oh, thank God you breathe. Can you swim?” Now I wasn’t surprised with the familiar Paul’s voice.
“Yeah, you can let go of me, I’ll swim. Is the water very deep?”
“Yeah, I guess, I can’t reach it with my legs, so, give me your hand. You’re probably out of strength”
So, he was holding my hand and we were struggling with the stream. After we reached the bottom with our foots, we were probably 2 or more kilometers from the place I jumped. We went out of water slowly. We were breathing hard. I sat down on the riverside and tried to calm down my breathing. He sat beside me.
“Hey, r’you ok?” I felt his hand on my shoulder.
“Yeah. I’m fine. Just mouth full of water and lungs burning of water” He sat down in front of me.
“Let me see. Your foot is hurt” I noticed bleeding on my legs. They were scratched by branches. The wounds were not deep. But still they burned of river water. The rest of my body was ok, just some scratches on my arms. My belly was ok, I guess, that back too. Paul was holding my right foot. It was hurting underneath. His warm fingers were touching my foot softly.
“I think that it’s not very deep. But you won’t be able to walk now, because dirt can get inside and do worse.” He put my leg down and met my gaze.
“I was so worried. Haven’t you recognized me, when we were on a riverside? I should have called you earlier, but I was hoping that you’ll wait until I come closer. I’m so sorry that I haven’t stopped you.”
Mt heart missed one beat when I heard that. His voice was full of agony.
“It’s not your fault. Thank you. Thank you so much! You saved me. Ok, I think that we have to go and find some place to cross the river. Will you help me, sir?” He smiled and got up. I lost my breath. He was so tall and he’d got so beautiful body, that I felt hot. He didn’t miss my gaze.
“Of course, my lady.” First he took my hand and in a second, I haven’t understood, what happened, but I was in his arms, pressed to his strong chest.