Almost Lover. No Words, Only a Song
The last scene of his summer romance.
Fiction | Contemporary Romance | Love Story
He hurried to reach her, desperation and panic engulfing him, propelling him forward.
He stumbled into her room, tripping over his feet.
She glanced up, startled by his sudden entrance but unsurprised to see him.
She rose slowly, composed, in stark contrast to his agitated state. His eyes instantly absorbed her presence.
Her hair formed a halo of black and gray kinky strands radiating from her beautiful head.
As usual, she wore no makeup on her dark chocolate complexion; she didn’t need it to look stunning. Yellow and blue beaded hoop earrings dangled from her earlobes.
Today, she opted for a casual outfit, donning loose denim pants and a white sleeveless cotton top. On her feet, she wore black flat sandals with yellow-painted toenails.
Avoiding his gaze, she walked past him. Her scent wafted over him as she glided by — notes of dark cherry and bitter almond.
His breath hitched. He briefly closed his eyes, inhaling and exhaling deeply, relieved that he hadn’t missed her departure.
Turning, he followed her out the door and onto the bustling sidewalk.
She moved just ahead, guiding him as they crossed the street and entered the park.
Golden leaves let go of the tree branches around them, drifting through the air and crunching beneath their feet.
They walked in silence for a long time. He could feel the tension in every step, as if the seeds of desire he'd planted lay dormant, waiting for the soft touch of autumn to awaken something in her.
Can you feel my love? he thought loudly.
She turned to him as if she did. But then, she took in his appearance…
When he woke up late, he had hastily dressed, grabbing the wrinkled white polyester shirt he had worn the day before. It’s okay—it has a collar.
Panic had contorted his dark face that morning as he rushed toward the house door of his summer rental room, tugging up his cargo pants and squeezing his unmanicured toes into well-worn flip-flops.
Can she smell me? he wondered now, sure that his deodorant from the previous morning might be teetering on the edge of effectiveness. In a desperate attempt, he tightly sealed his lips, determined to prevent his undoubtedly rancid breath from escaping.
Why didn’t you wake up on time to shower and brush your teeth? I’ve reminded you so many times. She is not going to stay with a stinky boy. He shook his head with a firm back-and-forth burst to dispel his mother’s persistent voice and be in the moment with this woman — here, now.
Their eyes met, and he thought he detected a hint of sadness in hers.
She extended something toward him, and as he looked down, he saw a wireless headphone meant for his left ear. He accepted it, their hands briefly touching. The spark he felt was undeniably real, he believed.
She appeared not to notice, turning away as she pressed play on her smartphone.
The song lyrics she played scrambled his thoughts and pricked at his heart.
Goodbye, my almost lover
Goodbye, my hopeless dream
I’m trying not to think about you
Can’t you just let me be
So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Shoulda known you’d bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do— Song by A Fine Frenzy and Alison Sudol (Source)
© Scarlet Ibis James, 2023: All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or deceased, or events is coincidental. All characters and incidents in this narrative are products of the author’s imagination and inspired by the Chinese remake of the movie Only You.
This story was first published last summer on Medium.com, and as the leaves begin to turn again, I reprise it here for your consideration.
Thank you for sharing @shelovestoread 🌺