The Way The Heart Burns , Chapter One
Meeting
Rain fell in soft measures of jazz against the foggy diner window. I tapped my finger impatiently on the counter, ignoring the tiny indentations they left on the linoleum. A red haired waitress came over, smiling kindly as she poured a cup of oil-thick coffee and placed it in front of me. I fought back the urge to shove away the repulsive black liquid. Not even humans could find this sludge appealing. "Thank you" I smiled shyly, acknowledging her kindness but also letting my eyes begin to wander.
"Are you waiting for someone?" she asked, sliding the coffee closer to me while simultaneously wiping loose strands of sunset colored hair from her forehead. I bit the corner of my cherry painted lip and let a long black curl slide across my right shoulder. "Yeah" I sighed, looking up bashfully from my long lashes. My breath began to accelerate at the thought of the blonde gentleman.
She smiled, her lipstick smudging as she laughed knowingly. I continued with the shy smile, trying to make it appear as if I was blushing. I watched him walk through the door, replaying the vision one more time. "That's him, coming through the door" I laughed nervously into my hands. The waitress winked and turned to serve another customer, leaving the scent of wildflowers trailing behind her. I ignored the burning in my throat and hopped off the stool just as the bell above the door rang and he walked in.
Jasper. His blonde curls fell in damp streaks across his deeply scarred forehead. His mouth was set in a grim line, his deep red –almost black- eyes flashed across the busy diner. I twisted my fingers nervously and couldn't resist the urge to look ahead.
No, he would not hurt anybody.
I skipped over to him, my blue floral dress twirling gracefully around my knees. "You've kept me waiting a long time" I smiled up at him. I saw the flash of confusion in his eyes. They searched my face for a long moment, still wary.
"I am sorry ma'am" he smiled warmly, bowing his head. That loose curl fell into across his eyes again. I reached up slowly, tucking it behind his ear, letting my fingers slide across the waving skin of his jaw. His eyes closed softly as he leaned his cheek into my hand.
"I love you Jasper Whitlock" I whispered, curling into his side. He wrapped his arm around me, tentatively, gently, and I snuggled my cheek into the curve of his elbow. "My name is Alice" I told him, speaking so quietly that no human ear could have heard. Jasper- Jasper, who I had known and loved only through my visions- smiled at me as he bent to kiss my hair. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Alice."
We walked out the door and for once I didn't care about whether it was raining or not. Here with Jasper was the only place I wanted to be and nothing mattered , save for his arm around me and the knowledge that he would love me too. We began the long walk back to my apartment and let the rain wash us clean.