I hate parties. I hate being put on show. I feel like a show dog being paraded around, with all of my most intamate parts inspected. I'll admit I put on a good show. I know when to laugh at stupid jokes, how to hold my utensils the proper way, and bite my tongue when a decrepit, intolerant asshat passes on his words of wisdom.
If I were to be truly honest with myself, I would have to admit that Wes and I were becoming different people. We've been together for six years; three of those in highschool. People always told me that it was crazy to decide who you wanted to be with the rest of your life when you were both only sophomores. It wasn't crazy though. We were crazy in love. At one time.
Wes was such a guppy. I broke him out of his suit-and-tie though. He just needed a push; to know that you can mess up and be reckless and people will still love you. Just thinking back on it all makes my heart smile. Unfortunately, it isn't the same anymore. We had to grow up, which is fine. I knew it had to happen but I thought we would keep some of that fire still burning. It's nothing more than a smolder now.
My thoughts are interrupted as a handsome stranger stolls onto the balcony and matches me by leaning his elbows on the railing. His closeness startles me. His scent though is absolutley intoxicating. It isn't the ususal musk I am use to smelling on all of Wes' business parteners. Old men pretending that they ever worked hard for a dime in their lives. I like this scent. It is light, almost minty. Completley resfreshing really. And doesn't burn my nostrils.
I watch from the corner of my eye as he lifts his glass of whiskey to his thin lips. I notice he has a light touch of stubble on his chin. I'd love to reach out and take a feel. He catches me watching and winks a beautiful blue eye at me. I try to pretend like I wasn't, which is stupid, because I obviously was.
"I hope you don't mind me intruding." He says as a small grin plays on his lips. "It is entirely too stuffy in there."
His comment resembles my reason for leaving as well. I let out a small chuckle and nod my head in agreement. Returning my eyes to the sky to take in the beauty of the stars. I love the country. Without the city lights competing, you can see them in all their glory. I wish Wes would take the time to find me and enjoy this site. Even at our engagement party it is business as usual.
"Bride or groom?" I had almost forgotten my guest. When he spoke it gave me a start and my hand flew to my chest. He let out a low chuckle. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."
"What did you say?" I hadn't really heard what he said since I was so lost in my thoughts.
"Which party do you belong to? The bride or the grooms?" His smile is so wide I could fall into it. His eyes roam my face, seeming to take in all of my features, all of my flaws. It is so powerfull it makes me feel almost naked and exposed. Normally I would shy away from such feeling from another man but this one is so different. I want him to expose me.
"Oh. Bride." He nodded his head. I know my answer seemed to him that I was a bridesmaid or such and not actually the bride, but for some reason I didn't feel like clarifying it for him.
"Groom for me." He ducked his head slightly as he lifted his glass for another sip. "Do you know that constellation?"
This sudden change of topic took me by surprise but I couldn't help but smile. A few star gazer. Looking into the sky, I try to make out a pattern but there are so many stars out tonight I don't think I would ever be able to pick out a single constellation. I shake my head as he steps closer and points into the sky.
"Do you see that bright star there and then four smaller ones almost in a box shape just under it?" I really tried to find what he was showing me. There were so many bright ones it was hard to decipher which one he meant.
He could sense my frustration and laughed as his hand stretched out around me and lighlty grasped my shoulder, bringing my body in front of his. My back rubbed against his chest, sending shivers racing through my body and goosebumps to pucker my skin. I felt the air catch in his chest at the intense reaction our bodies had with one another.
His other hand began to slowly travel up my arm. My eyes closed at the sensation of his touch. My head rolled, exposing my neck to him. I could feel his breath hot against my skin as he inhaled my scent. It was so errotic a moan escaped my lips without permission and seemed to break the spell we were both under. Each of us straightening but not moving from our close contact.
"Uh, can you see it now? It is straight ahead and up just a bit." After a few moments I was able to finally find the bright star and the four below. I nodded, unable to speak in fear of my voice breaking. My mouth had grown quite dry during our-our...well I don't really know what that was.
"It is called Lyra." I have no idea what he is talking about. "It is named after Orpheus' lyre which was an instrument he used to tame the beasts of the world. His wife, Eurydice, was bitten by a snake while she was running from a man that was trying to kidnap her. The snake bite killed her. Orpheus decided to go to the Underworld to find Eurydice. He used his lyre to make his way past all the creatures protecting Hades and his wife Persephone. Once there Persephone made him a deal. She would release the soul of Eurydice to him only if he walked out of the Underworld without looking at her. He was to have faith that she was there behind him. He almost made it to the light but looked back. When he did Eurydice disappeared into a puff of smoke."
His story shook me to my core. What a beautiful, yet tragic love story. It made me think about my current situation. Would Wes follow me to the Underworld? He couldn't even be bothered with trying to find me tonight, just out on the balcony. Not stuck beneath the earth with Gods and Goddesses. "What happened to him?"
"He actually turned to male lovers and the women were so jealous and furious at him for it they tore him to pieces."
"What? Oh, my God!" I couldn't contain the laughter that rolled through my body. I could hardly catch my breath as tears stung at the corners of my eyes.
"What. What is so funny?" His expression was confused yet my laughter seemed to be contagious as a smile broke across his face and he joined in.
Once I was able to contain myself he asked again, "Now, please, tell me why that was so funny."
I wiped the tears from my eyes and checked my fingers for traces of mascara. "It just started out as such a lovely, heartbreaking story and ended in a truely twisted manner." I couldn't help but let a few more giggles escape, still trying to compose myself.
His smile broke just slightly and his eyes grew serious as he gazed into mine. His fingers lifted to cup my chin and bring my face up to his. "Surely if a man was to ever lose the love of someone like yourself, he too would turn to men as solice."
His lips pulled back into a small smile. I felt as mine recipricated the gesture. Our eyes moved to gaze at each others lips. You could feel our longing radiating from our bodies. Hesistantly, he began to move his closer to mine. My eyes closed in anticipation. For a moment I wasn't the future Mrs. Fitzgerald. I was my younger, reckless self. Jumping head first and worrying about the consequences later.
His lips brushed faintly against mine and it was such a wonderful feeling. Butterflies ferociously batted their wings inside my body. The excitement was too much. I felt at any moment the butterflies would find their way out of me. Closer he came and in the moment our lips were meant to touch, he called my name. "Aria? Aria." Wes. Crap.
My eyes flew wide open and I instantly put space between me and the beautiful stranger. My body ached for his touch to return but I tried to subside the feeling. Stuffing it down in the pit of my stomach.
"There you are. Our guest have been wondering where you have been. Who are you-" His question was cut short as he came closer to us. "Oh."
"Wes." My stranger nodded a greeting to Wes. I was confused. He did say he was with the grooms side of the party. Why was Wes surprised to see hi?. Almost upset even.
"Aria, I see you have met my brother. Ezra." Oh, crap.
A/N: I intend to expand this story but would like feed back on whether it is worth continuing. Thank you for reading :)