A/N: So, after divulging the secret of a few things I never put in Slanted and Enchanted, I've been egged on to put two more chapters in it, in the form of a prologue and an epilogue. This actually is going to start a new trend I might start. If there is enough interest, I'm going to release these two chapters, release two un-released chapters of Leave a Light on, and finish Our Ill Will. We'll see what happens.
Hopefully, for newer people to the site, this gives them a chance to see what started it all for me. This was my first fanfic, and something I rarely change simply because of nostalgia. I'm really proud of where I took it, even if it isn't the best piece of work, and hopefully people that haven't read it will enjoy it. So, again, I present Slanted and Enchanted.
Prologue
Light on a Hill
"Isn't it exciting? This is really an opportunity of a life time. I mean, this could make or break her career."
"What in the world are you talking about?"
"Hasn't she told you yet?" Brittney and Theodore sat outside a coffee shop on main. Fall was dwindling down, and snow was already on the ground. It was unseasonably cold that week, but they still insisted on sitting outside. There isn't anything like coffee and a cigarette, after all. Brittney took a long pause. Theodore analyzed her person, realizing that she was thinking of something. What was she hiding, and why didn't he know? "Well, I guess…"
"You guess what?" He calmly said back. He was confused and distant. His eyes started to burn; she could feel him digging into her, piercing her soul. His gaze was too much and she averted her, "What is she going to do?" he asked. There was a commotion on the street; people running about, talking, laughing, enjoying their time. He sat on an island of new isolation, he started to look about himself and broke his stare with Brittney. She relaxed a bit after he did, and turned back towards him, I don't understand, she never keeps anything from me. Why now? Why something so innocent? There would be no reason to hide this from me.
"Theo," Brittney said cautiously, "It's not that big of a deal."
"I'm aware of that," he said as he raised his voice. The street was getting progressively busier as they sat there. Aromas of the city started to fill the air as the city came alive with the new morning. The sun had taken to the cloudy sky, illuminating the once hidden nooks. The breeze slowed down; their clothes calmed to their bodies, "I just don't understand what the reason to hide this is. I mean, we're so open with each other," his demeanor changed from frustration to concern, "Why hide something so inconspicuous. If anything, I'm thrilled for her, but I'm," he paused and searched for the right word, "angry I guess. A bit betrayed."
"Don't you think that you're blowing this out of proportion?" Brittney said as she got out a cigarette and handed one to Theodore.
"It always seems," he lit up and she followed suit. He took a slow drag and exhaled. Smoke filled their vision, "that people have motives. When hiding things from others, the big things are understandable. Let's say she was cheating on me or something," he stopped as Brittney laughed at the idea softly. He smiled and continued, "That's understandable that she would try to hide it, but with smaller things, the motives don't seem as clear. That makes one think that the motives are just as simple, that something innocuous is actually serious. Sadly, that's the assumption. I don't think she would just forget," he breathed in and exhaled again, "There's a reason she's hiding it from me."
Theodore and Brittney finished and started the walk back to Brittney's apartment where she was. She was unaware of their approach. Theodore walked ahead of Brittney the entire way, his green scarf played in the breeze as they approached the bus stop. She was behind him, with her head facing down. She was still angry at herself for letting it slip to him. Brittney knew that he didn't know, but, she didn't know why he didn't know. She started to think, he's absolutely right, why wouldn't she tell him? There seems to be no real reason. Was she keeping it a surprise? That doesn't make any sense, there's nothing for him to be surprised about. For it to be a surprise, he would have to be shocked and benefiting from the shock. He's right. I can't think of a single reason that she wouldn't tell him. They walked up the busy street in silence, as the city rumbled around them. She got up beside him, "Have you talked to Alvin lately?"
He looked surprised, Is she just trying to break the silence or is she genuinely interested?, "I haven't, why?"
"I was just wondering."
"Really?"
"Yes ,really!" she said defensively.
"It's just odd, Brittney," he looked away, "considering that you two haven't talked in forever."
"We still talk," she retorted, "just not that much."
"Fighting isn't talking, it's fighting."
She frowned, "It's communicating,". They stopped at the bus stop with a crew of other people of the city. College kids, homeless, entry level business men, high schoolers, a few tourists. It was loud; everyone seemed to be carrying on a conversation. There's stopped as soon as they got there.
The wind kept blowing, funneled by the buildings. It was powerful, more so than earlier, "Is she going to be there?" Theodore asked.
"She should be," Brittney said as the bus grinded to a halt in front of them.
They got off the bus and quickly approached the apartment. When they got to the door, Brittney unlocked the door, but stayed back, "This is between the two of you," she said as she left. Theodore walked into the apartment. He could smell the remnants of breakfast on the air.
"Brittney? You back from the library?"
"Not exactly."
Eleanor ran out of the door and showed herself from her room, "Teddy!" she shouted as she ran and hugged him. They had been together for a while now, but she was always enthusiastic to see him. He remembered this and smiled softly, but quickly remembered why he was there, "What in the world are you doing here? I'm not angry or anything, I'm just surprised…" she started to ramble about random things as she left his grasp and walking into to kitchen to get coffee for the two of them. She was still in her pajamas, her blonde hair in a ponytail.
She always finds a way to look beautiful, regardless of the time of day. Wait, what am I saying? I'm angry still. Jesus I need to stop being distracted.
"Theo," she paused her rant and looked to him as she sat in the living room with the coffees, "Are you alright?"
I haven't said anything since I got here, he panicked, I need to say something! "Why didn't you tell me about the conference?"
Her smiled immediately dropped and she put her drink down and stood up. Her face was a bit dimmer now, knowing she had been caught, "Theo…"
"I mean, there isn't any rational reason for you not to tell me. It's just a conference. It's not like you are cheating on me or anything, but that's how it's perceived, you know. Something so small, so innocuous, it shouldn't be a big deal but now it is—"
"Calm down, Teddy," she interrupted him, "You're blowing this out of proportion."
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"I just," she paused and turned away from him, "I didn't want you to, I don't know, freak out or get sad or something. I'm going to be gone for a while, and I didn't want your sadness to sway me into not doing it. If I saw you sad, I know that I wouldn't do it. It's just, It's just that I wanted to wait until the end of the week to tell you, when it would be too late for me to get out of it. I'm so sorry, baby."
"Ellie," he walked over to her, "is that all?"
"What?"
"I would never let you miss this opportunity because of me. I would hate myself if I did. This is going to be an amazing experience for you, and I don't want you to miss out," he smiled and kissed her softly, "It's not that big then. I just couldn't figure out why you wouldn't tell me."
"I guess it seems a bit stupid, now that I look at it."
"It's not," he was holding her in his arms, the woman that he loved. He knew, even miles away, nothing could break their closeness. There was a knock at the door; Theodore let go of Eleanor to let her answer it. She walked over and opened the door, to reveal her sister, Brittney.
"Are you two okay now?"
Eleanor smiled and Theodore said from the interior, "Yeah, it's all fine."
