A/N: Hello again! Welcome to my office...where stories are told...where I wish I made my money. So, here is a Tiny tidbit chapter to get us started. The fic is divided between the two perspectives because I felt the need to explore how each character perceives the other--read carefully and look for the dichotomy. Looks like this one will be in 2-3 parts with the second already in progress. Next chapter will be A LOT longer (like double ATL) so don't fear! Hope you enjoy and please review!
Song inspirations, as always, are located in my profile.
SPECIAL AWESOME PERSON THANKS go out to my new favorite "OPB" Eaner14 for the Beta...go check out her FABULOUS fic called Life in Focus. If you've been living under a rock and didn't already know, I am of the opinion that it is the BEST PIECE OF FIC out there at the moment.
What was she thinking?
When Emma had put her name in to chaperone this year's Prom, it had been months before…in happier times. She had hoped that by the time this night came, she would be waiting patiently for her own "prom date" to show up. Boy was she ever wrong.
The last few months had been almost unbearably painful at first; watching from a distance while the love of her life bounced from woman to woman. After that day in her office (not to mention one unforgettably embarrassing night) she had resolved to give him space and time. Slowly she had learned to live without his constant companionship, but tonight was shaping up to be a trial of her nerves.
She smoothes the fabric of her dress - forest green and strapless - and just long enough to be appropriate for work. She clasps her necklace - a string of pearls with a maroon and green rose broach and then slips on her shoes - her beloved gold Mary Jane's. One final look in the mirror—an acceptable yet painfully flawed woman of average beauty looking back at her.
This was supposed to be a fun night. Instead she's dreading the drive.
She grabs her clutch filled with "cleaning essentials" and some personal items then glances one last time around her house, looking for any reason why she can delay this night for even a minute longer. She finds none, so sighing deeply, she begins the journey into the night of darkness.
He hates himself.
He adjusts his burgundy necktie in the mirror, taking the moment to reflect on his lifestyle over the last several months.
He feels so dirty. He thought this "new lifestyle" would wash away the pain of his failed marriage but in reality, it only made things worse. But, wasn't this what young men in the prime of their youth lived for-- complete freedom from attachment and his choice any of woman he fancied? Instead of feeling liberated, he felt enslaved by the chaos of it all. The only woman he wanted had agreed to wait patiently for him to rediscover who he really was. He closes his eyes, ashamed to look at his own reflection.
Why would she ever want this sad mess of a man in her life again?
Opening his eyes for one final look, he sighs deeply. He's in for a long, loud night. Prom had historically been his favorite event of the school year, but for some reason the magic of witnessing this teenage rite of passage had faded over time. Now he could only think of the loud bass infused music, prom dresses that really belonged on a street corner rather than a school function, the dreaded "walk about" hallway detail—designed to deter certain "extra-curricular" activities from occurring on school grounds. But above all else, Will dreaded spending the night alone.
The smell hits her in the parking lot; sweat mixed with overpriced t-shirt store cologne. The stench is so overpowering, she quickly removes a clean tissue from her clutch and covers her face. Why had she agreed to do this? Was it too late? Maybe she could turn back and go home to the safety of her spotless one bedroom apartment before anyone noticed…
"Emma?"
She'd know that voice from thousands in a crowd.
He had spotted her from across the parking lot—the sight almost taking his breath away. She looks absolutely stunning in a forest green dress which was surprisingly low cut for Emma, her hair gently swept from her face in her now trademark curls, her favorite Mary Janes on her feet.
He had watched her leave them behind that night with a mixture of sadness and understanding. He knew she wasn't ready from the expression on her face as she exited the bathroom to face him but his desire overcame him in that instant. He had advanced too quickly and scared her away.
This life he had stumbled into had become an empty void. He had tried to find solace for this existence: he dived into work—he had dived into other women…all to no avail. What he really wanted (and his only hope for a happy ending) was standing before him; but he had missed that chance long ago. She would never take him back in this state.
"Hi Will".
"I didn't realize you were chaperoning tonight Emma, this really isn't your thing…"
"Oh, well I had agreed to do it earlier in the year and…well they couldn't find a replacement."
It all came to him in a flashback. The faculty meeting. It had been during Sue's "Madonna cluster-bomb." She had probably decided to sign up for the prom the same day she had decided (incorrectly) that she was ready to go all the way. His mind swirls with thoughts of that night, still fresh in his mind thanks to daily fantasy.
Soft Skin.
Delicate touch.
Strawberry lip gloss.
"Will?"
He feels a soft breeze from her hands as she waves them in front of his face; rousing him from the memory.
"Sorry. I, uh, I was just thinking we should probably get inside before they spike the punch. Shall we?"
A sigh escapes her mouth. Communal punch bowl…her worst nightmare.
She feels the heat of his hand gently as he rests on the small of her back; guiding her indoors. If there had been no hand, she would have turned and ran from the horrifically loud music. If there had been no small talk, she would have escaped to her car to avoid brushing up against a recycled polyester tuxedo. If Will had not found her, the night would be a cloud of darkness lit only by the disco ball and cheap lighting effects provided by the local DJ. But now somehow, amidst the germ-written teenagers that would infest the night, she found a solace; a reason to be here. Perhaps, it was not a night of darkness after all.
He felt the heat rise in her body when he placed a hand on the small of her back; watched her fluster words in their casual conversation.
Sometimes, it's the small things in life that give hope for the future.
His mind was made up. After all the wrong he had done in the past several months, tonight he was going to do something right. He may not win her heart back, but she deserved to know how he really felt. He dared to hope, against all odds, that she would be his symphony once more.
Now all he needed was a plan.
A/N: Let the angst/graveling commence! REVIEWS are the best (and only) way to let me know what you think! Also, any requests for a "plan" would be greatly appreciated.