Date: Fri, 07 Feb 2003 11:09:34 +0000 From: Eric Shaw Subject: A Beautiful Run: Chapter 4 As the chill autumn air hit my face, I awoke from my slumber. Spending a bit of time reveling in the moment, I closed my eyes trying to reenter what had so obviously been a dream, but pleasantly surprised I realized the world I remembered was completely real. I stretched my arms as I sat up, taking hint of Eric's sweet smell from between the sheets. Noticing that he did not lay beside me, I left the room in search of my love. I slowly walked down the staircase, like a lad in all his glory down the red carpet. Despite just waking up, I felt beautiful in a way I had never experienced. I wore a look of love, with Eric being my most stunning accessory. Upon entering the kitchen, I could see Eric facing away engaged by the morning paper. I stood there staring at him, trying not to interrupt. His shoulders were strong and formed, his body smooth and defined. How long I have waited for so close a view, and it was well worth it. His hair disheveled, it shone more immaculate than any rainbow, for its light permeated deep into me. I could no longer stand there at a distance, which was where I stood for so long in admiration. I moved toward him with such ease, as though I was being called in his direction. I kissed his shoulder, pleasantly startling him. The taste of his velvety skin was heavenly, causing me to slowly work my lips as if to prolong the sensations. "You shouldn't have let me sleep so long" I said in between kisses. "I didn't have the heart to wake you" Eric said, enjoying my caress. "Any time when we're not together is lost." "I'm glad to hear you say that." I watched his soft lips move as he spoke, and I was utterly distracted from his shoulder. I kissed him deeply on the mouth, as if to say that I missed his touch. For indeed I did. "Anything interesting happen today?" I asked him, focusing on the paper he was still holding. "All I care about is right here with me." Eric replied, folding the paper onto the table and taking me into his arms instead. I lay there on his lap, charmed by his every word. Eric softly kissed my neck, first brushing my cheek in anticipation. As he touched me, I felt a tingling course through my body. I was feeling sensations that I couldn't not dare to dream before this moment, excluding the one that Eric had been causing for a couple of years already. Eric broke the touch and cleanly kissed me once on the lips. I got up, adjusting my position and sat on his lap, being secured by his strong arms. I took notice of the time on his watch, and realized I had stayed far longer than I could explain to my parents. Already passed twelve, I explained their overprotective nature and Eric agreed to drive me home. We got dressed and were soon out the door. "So what is my love doing tonight?" He asked. "Going for a walk with Sam." I said, taking the opportunity to describe her soon after. He seemed charmed by her charisma, and realized how important a role she played in my life. Being reminded of Sam, I realized I needed to make a confession. "I'm sorry Eric, I can keep us a secret from the world but not from Sam!" Taking his hand in mine, he agreed. "Then I have a demand!" he stated. "I must meet her then. I've seen her around school, but we haven't even spoken a word to one another. It's now unavoidable since we have so much in common." "The commonality being..." "You! Silly" Eric said. He used this opportunity to tousle my hair and draw me nearer for a peck on this cheek. I came home, being sure to thank Eric for the incredible evening and the ride home. "My pleasure!" he said. His words were sincere and they resonated in my thoughts for a few moments after he left. This boy took care of me and made me feel safe down to my core. His words alone would envelope me and be a constant reminder of how he felt. I may have been taking his reply greatly beyond its intent, but I knew deep down that they spoke for his heart. "Mom? Dad?" I called for them once entering through the door, but no answer. I found a note on the fridge: Connor, your aunt threw out her back doing some renovations on the house. There's no cause for concern, she's just a bit sore. Your father and I will be staying at her home for the weekend to help her paint the study and intercept some of the furniture deliveries. I left you some money on the fridge to order some food. Be good, and we'll see you tomorrow evening. Love, Mom p.s. - Sam left a message for you on the machine, so be sure to call back! I did exactly that, letting her know that Eric wanted to meet her. She agreed that the walk would be the perfect place. "You two queens better not conveniently stray off into the woods alone if you get my drift!" Sam teased. "You better stop blushing! I don't want any of that lovey-dovey stuff when I'm around. And this whole thing better not interfere with us!" She continued to make her opinions and demands very clear, as Sam often did, and I promised. I spent the afternoon finishing off some assigned work for English class, and read the ending of Romeo and Juliet for myself. When I first heard the ending from Eric, I was in a completely different state of mine. Why wouldn't Romeo and Juliet end their love and appease the people who contested it so fiercely? Couldn't the road of life be walked smoothly and carry moments of joy despite losing one's true love? I now understood their dilemma. The road of life does not have death as its final destination, it conversely holds love as its true incentive. One walks the path in search of such a love, and for those who have found their reward, there is no possibility of retreat. If Romeo and Juliet could not be together, they themselves would be devoid of life itself. In the larger scheme of things, I was beginning to view the world as entirely different, as I was different. I heard a "Knock!" on the door a few minutes before 7 o'clock. I opened it to find Eric grinning widely and tapping his lips with his finger. I understood what he meant and I put my lips onto his. Closing the door behind us, Eric held me in his grasp and walked me backwards while we were still locked in the kiss. He lowered me onto the stairs and himself on top. He kissed me deeply as his hand combed through the back of my hair and the other rubbing my lower back. I missed his touch in the short hours we were apart, and he obviously agreed. Moving his strong hands under my shirt, he connected his hand with my bare back. Our skin connected and we were closer to one another than before, if possible. I pulled him closer and we ground our hips into one another. Sam cleared her throat, drawing our attention to her as she stood in the doorway with her arms crossed. Eric pulled me up from the stairs before we tended to our rumpled clothing. Wiping my wet lips with his thumb, we both dawned a look of embarrassment. "It's worse than I thought!" Sam said to herself, about our obvious teenage urges. We soon took notice when looked down after taking cue from the direction she was staring. Off to somewhat of an awkward start, the tension did not remain for very long. We trotted through a park across the street from the house. Taking notice of the surrounding stillness, Eric took my hand in his, and began to bond with Sam over stories of people they detested. A common source of dislike was a girl at school by the name of Vanessa. A friend to both of them at one time or another, they both agreed on the notion of her being less than mentally stable. "I mean.I understand the little white lie is necessary in some situations, but who lies over stupid insignificant things?" Sam asked. "I know! She once told me that she went on a few dates with this guy, Kevin and when I mentioned her he said that he didn't even know who she was!" Eric said in utter disgust. "She lied to me for two years, saying that she lived with her uncle, but once her mom got pregnant I found out it was her step-dad!" She added. "Where does she come up with these things?" The three of us slowly walked down the trails for quite some time. I stayed out of the conversation, leaving Sam and Eric to discover one another on their own terms. I was just relieved that two of my favorite people became such fast friends finding that their common interest lied in a disinterest of Vanessa. Some things have their way of working out in the most unique of ways. Focusing most of my attention on the thoughts of Eric in my head, he and Sam noticed that I had trailed somewhat behind. "Is my little man getting tired?" Eric teased. I responded with a jovial sneer. "Don't worry, I've got you!" He said, hoisting me atop his shoulders. Sam could only smile at the gesture, and continued walking. Eric's strong shoulders supported the weight of my body with such ease. In gratitude, I guided his head back and repaid him with a kiss. While Eric carried my body on his shoulders, his hands were carrying my heart. After reengaging their attentions on the conversation, I saw that just ahead of us was a gate leading into the city. We had walked farther than I expected. Realizing that the busy public street lay ahead, I slid off Eric's grip onto my feet. We decided to rent a film from the video store across thee street, and after a bit of indecisiveness between us, we finally chose something romantic. Letting our impatience get the better of us, we decided that taking a taxi back to my house was the best option, rather than having to bear the burden of another walk. I ordered some take out with the money my parents left, to satisfy the appetites we acquired from the walk. Drinking a few sodas and skimming through the television channels, we began to watch the film and eat to our hearts' content. It was a complete Cinderella story as a woman was plucked from a life of obscurity by a handsome, successful man. We all knew the plot, but being lost in the fantasy for a few hours was reason enough to engage our attention. At one point after the dashing lead proposed to his `Cinderella' with a breathtakingly beautiful ring, Sam excused herself to the ladies room after announcing that the "soda really did a number on her". She really did know how to keep a moment special. Once she left the room, Eric faced me. "I hope you realize that I care so strongly about you" He said. "I know, and I feel the same way. My love for you grows stronger with every moment we're together." I replied. I immediately saw Eric's face light up with pure pleasure, lighting up the darkened room. "I can't get you a ring like that just yet." He said. "I don't need a ring! I have everything I want!" I said, briefly kissing him. "It's nothing, but I made this for you." He pulled out a friendship bracelet from his pocket. It was completely red. "With this, I give you my heart, Connor. Just promise not to forget how much you mean to me!" saying it as tied it around my wrist. Pulling me closer, I leaned into him being comforted by his touch. Sam soon returned to watch the film with us and took notice in our change of position. She smiled to herself. "Isn't this just great?" she asked. I smiled back at her. "Better than you know, Sam"