5 January 2013
I stood up, tall and lean and towering over many, and swept my crystalline eyes over the crowd. Bright shirts and dark washed denim were everywhere zipping around other bright shirts and dark washed denim. Everyone glanced at my crimson combat boots and my long and unappealing-to-most trench coat nervously. I smiled at them creepily, just to amuse myself. But there was someone who differed from everyone else. A boy, in black combat boots and a medium length trench coat, was staring at me from the other side of the street. Another one of my kind, I thought. But he was different sort of. I waved and smiled non-creepy-like at him and his mysterious self. He waved back. Well sort of. More like stuck his middle finger up at me. I considered that as an invitation. So I waltz myself over by him. He seemed pleasantly surprised.
"Name's Violet," I said offering my hand.
He didn't shake my hand. In fact, he ignored me. I shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other for a while before I broke the cluttered silence of beeping horns and shouting people.
"What's yours?" I asked with my hands shoved in my pockets and slightly bending over to look at his face.
"I don't know you," said the stranger with a decadent voice.
"You know,you sorta look like Johnny Depp," I commented randomly hoping to capture his attention fully.
He chuckled and actually looked at me for what I think was the actual first time he really focused on me. The thing before didn't count, at least not in my mind. Not really.
"You know, you look like a creepy girl in a trench coat and big red boots," smirked the stranger while mimicking my perky tone before.
"Funny, but not original," I said winking at him. "Though you don't seem any different," I smirked.
He peered at me sideways with a curious expression, his dark locks falling into his stunningly hazel eyes. Another chuckle erupted from his Adam-appled-throat, it bobbing up and down with each silky laugh that was concocted. I took my hand out of my pocket and offered my hand again. He stared at all the rings and the reminders in black ink on it before gently shaking it, all the while staring into my beaming eyes. His eyes glittered, too.
"Do I get a name?" I wondered triumphantly.
"Skylar," he replied. "Now what's your real name?"
My eyebrows knitted together in confusion. What did he mean?
"Oh, don't play dumb. I know for a fact your mom did not name you Violet. I can tell just by what you where. Expensive shoes and expensive clothing. So, what is your real name."
That was cruel, but also hot. But he couldn't have figured that out just by what I wore. Right? It also made me feel like I had stolen someone's identity. I rolled my eyes before answering.
"My real name's Grace."
"I also figured that out by your hair color. And you said I needed to be original. Pft," Skylar scoffed.
I ran my fingers trough my soft layered bob I had recently dyed a bright purple color. Okay, fine. So he knew THAT much.
"What are you, Sherlock Holmes?" I asked haughtily.
"Nah, much better looking," he winked at me.
I blushed violently and giggled like a bubbly school girl. Who was this guy? Maybe that's why I felt so compelled to talk to him, to meet him. He was so magnetic and charming, but in an almost egotistical way. I couldn't keep my eyes off him.
"So why did you come over here? It's not like you've seen me before or anything."
"I don't know," I said crinkling my brows. "'Guess I just wanted to hear the life of a stranger."
"Mm hm," he said. "No, really. I'm serious."
"Really, truly! I an being totally serious. I'm not exactly the joking type." I testified agitatedly.
"You're right. You're the teasing kind," he added.
He stared at me with that same curious look before, and I couldn't help but think maybe he thought I was cute. I stared at my feet sheepishly hiding my red face.
"You're weird. And tall."
I laughed so hard that I felt like tears were going to stream down my leg any minute. I haven't laughed in a long while. It felt good. This surprised Skylar, but he was smiling and that was enough for me.
"You okay?" Skylar asked with a smile hidden in his voice.
"Yeah. Perfect," I exclaimed still laughing.
My gut began to ache and my ribs were screaming, but I still couldn't stop laughing. I laughed harder, though, when I realized it was a complete stranger that made me laugh. A stranger with a trench coat, black boots with buckles, shaggy dark hair, and who's also really cute with pretty eyes and a nice smile.
"Wanna get a bite?" Skylar asked now standing awkwardly beside a deranged lunatic girl with bright purple hair (me in case you were confused).
"Seriously, people are starting to stare."
"Oh, my bad. I have that effect on people," I claimed, all amusement leaving my face.
"What effect?" Asked Skylar now confused.
"Exactly."
I was already a few yards away from the 50's styled Waffle House around the corner and a couple feet from Skylar. I swaggered over to the door nonchalantly and swung it open. The cool air raised goosebumps on my fair, freckled flesh. Skylar was behind me.
"That didn't even make any sense," he said lingering closely next to me.
"Sure it did."
I bopped the silver bell on the checkered counter numerous times before Marty appeared, shoulders sagging and feet shuffling.
"Good mornin' Marty!" I exclaimed with excitement.
Skylar gave me a Look, but I shushed him with a raise of one of my strawberry blonde brows.
"What's wrong?" I pouted.
Marty, a total geek with thick-rimmed glasses and messy brunette hair that resembled a mop almost, grinned shyly (Marty has a MASSIVE crush on me) with his gleaming braces. Sweat droplets dotted his brow.
"Tell me," I urged poking him in the stomach playfully. I heard Skylar snort in the background.
"I...um...need a date for the Annual Science Committee's Fall du Ra, but no one wants to go with me..." I heard the purpose and the hope in the trailing off of his words.
I cringed on the inside but kept my tone perky. Another snort came from Skylar. I elbowed him roughly in his ribs.
"Ouch!" Skylar yelped huskily in surprise.
"Next time keep your mouth shut," I advised.
I focused my attention back to Marty, who had focused his on Skylar with venom in his stare. I may have imagined it, but I thought I saw the corner of his eye twitch. I placed my hands on his shoulders and rubbed them up and down his linky arms.
"Marty, I'm sure there's SOMEONE," I urged. "I bet you're not even trying." I pinched and tugged his nose playfully.
He nodded thoughtfully. As if making up his mind, he backed up and headed back behind the countertop with some other employees.
"Welcome to Waffle House, is there anything you'd like?" Marty rehearsed.
"Hash browns, smothered and chopped. And...?" I looked behind me, but Skylar had disappeared.
"Skylar?" I kneeled and bent over to look under one of the booth tables, but he wasn't hiding. Like he'd disappeared into thin air.
"Where did he go?" I fumed.
"I don't know," Marty shrugged his shoulders.
"Who does that!" I yelled.
"Sorry, Marty. Gotta go."
I ran out onto the street with one leg still in the doorway of the diner and quickly swam through the busy block with my keen eyes. No where, at all!
"Shoot!" I stomped my foot. "And here I thought I was gonna have a friend..."
The Life Of A Stranger • Opuss № I