Eli rolled over, the tousled bed sheets gathering around his legs as his body stirred - he glanced at the alarm clock on the bedside table; it was 6:30.
He ran a hand through his messy bed hair, and smiled as he smelt Grace's soft lavender scent lingering between the covers, and her cherry lip-gloss still left a sweet sensation on his lips.
ELI I think that's what attracts men to women……..their smell. I mean, it can be their goddam shampoo and we'll still go 'ga ga' over it……….not that I'm complaining about women smelling good……. it's just that, because their scent is so alluring……it causes us to give into their every wish!
He sat up and looked around the room; their clothes were strewn on the floorboards, and Grace's papers were ruffled and lying all over the bed……but there was no sign of Grace.
He got out of bed, and felt an instant shiver as the cool breeze coming through the kitchen window whisked around his naked body.
He moaned, and bent down, picking up his grey track suit pants that Grace had been wearing- the ones that were far too big for her.
He pulled them on and rubbed the back of his neck; straining his ears to try and hear which room of the apartment Grace was in.
He stumbled forward, poking his head into their en-suite bathroom; the mirror was fogged up, and one of the towels was gone; she must already be dressed for the get together?
"Grace?" he mumbled, as he headed towards the hallway.
Just then, Eli heard a familiar tune- the strumming of his guitar. Soft and melodic, a little clumsy, but the tune was easy for him to recognise………even without the lyrics accompanying it.
He quietly walked into the lounge room, and saw Grace, sitting with her back to him; his acoustic guitar nestled in her arms while she played.
GRACE Well, Eli sort of finished what he started………teaching me to play the guitar. Though, I haven't really learnt how to play it, I only know one song.
ELI Well, we had a lot of spare time together, which is always a good thing………so I taught her a song; she was a pretty good student……I can see why she's the straight A type………..
GRACE It's just a Jessica Riddle song………'even angels fall'……….it was kinda hard to learn; but Eli was a very, captivating teacher.
ELI it took her about 3 weeks to learn………..
GRACE granted we had a few 'interruptions' and urges along the way………I don't know what it is about guys who play instruments?
Eli leaned against the doorframe, listening as the tune played itself; it wasn't perfect, but good- for a beginner.
Light was beginning to fade; and streetlights poured their beams into the lounge room of the apartment; cascading around Grace's body as she sat on the low coffee table; she looked peaceful, sitting alone, the large guitar resting in her arms………..
"Did you forget the words?" Eli asked softly.
He must have startled Grace, because she turned her head quickly and abruptly stopped playing; but her face eased as she saw it was Eli; no shirt on, wearing his baggy grey tracksuit pants, standing in the dark hallway.
She smiled shyly "I didn't want to wake you" she said softly.
Eli gave a small nod, and walked towards her, taking a seat opposite her in one of the armchairs; she looked especially beautiful tonight.
Chopsticks held up her hair with two loose strands falling down her brow.
And she wore an oriental style top; black, with a slash of red satin down the middle, and small silk rose buds along the hem and collar………..and to top it off she wore a floaty, black silk skirt.
"Wow" he mumbled, looking her up and down.
"Is this too casual?" she asked, watching as his eyes examined her outfit.
"No, You look…….beautiful" he said, a little exasperated.
Grace gave a warm smile, and concentrated back on the guitar in her arms- adjusting her fingers again.
Eli looked carefully at her petite fingers, as they knowingly strummed the thick guitar strings; "you found hope, you found faith……….." Eli whispered lightly; he spoke the words more than he sang them, urging Grace to sing.
Her playing became disorganised and clumsy, as he sang the words, and she blushed slightly; "I have a terrible voice……." She complained, glancing up at Eli.
He only smiled at her "no you don't" he comforted her, as he stood up- suddenly remembering something.
He looked around the room nervously; "what's wrong?" Grace asked, she stopped playing the guitar, instead slipped it back into the case.
"Err…….nothing" he said, walking briskly over to the couch.
"Are you looking for something?" she asked, standing up and looking at him curiously as he walked behind the couch.
"Where's my jacket?" he mumbled, scanning the lounge room.
"I hung it up in the closet" Grace said, breezing past him.
Eli followed her, a little jumpy now, as they headed back into the messy bedroom.
Grace opened up their fairly large wooden closet; "here" she said, handing him the brown chord jacket.
"Err, thanks," he said, tucking it under his arm.
Grace looked at him curiously; but as she glanced down at the clock, her thoughts became hasty; "You better get dressed" she said, as she walked past him and began gathering the clothes that they'd thrown onto the floor.
"Err……ok" he replied, still a little anxious "what should I wear?" he asked, watching as she bundled the clothes in her arms.
"Green shirt, jacket and jeans?" she said, trying to balance the clothes in her arms.
Eli nodded, and began rummaging through his drawers………Grace walked up to him, and kissed him quickly on the cheek "nervous?" she asked, watching as he searched for his green shirt.
"Kinda, yeah" he said, and stopped searching for a moment, turning to look at her "a lot" he said, honestly.
Grace rolled her eyes "how many times do I have to tell you that you are brilliant……..?" she asked, leaning forward and planting a hard, quick kiss on his lips.
"One more time would be nice……..?" he said slyly.
Grace sighed, and creased her brow "don't push it mister!" she said, and winked at him before bustling down the hallway to the laundry.
ELI I've met with Geoff hundreds of times now……….but each time I meet him, I always get this feeling in the back of my mind, like he's going to suddenly see how useless I am and fire me………..
GRACE- I finally got him to admit to me why he was always so nervous when he meets Geoff………..we had a long talk about it, he's better- still a little nervous.
Grace smoothed out her silk skirt; "You really do look beautiful," Eli whispered in her ear, as he coiled an arm around her waist; Grace smiled up at him "Thankyou" she replied.
"Sorry I haven't been able to get away" He whispered, and smiled as Michael, the drummer of the band 'no one to call' walked past them.
"Don't worry about it- I'm fine" Grace murmured; Eli smiled at her, and tightened the grip around her waist.
"How are things going anyway?" she asked, taking a sip of water from her wine glass.
"Really well actually-" he began, but was soon interrupted by Greg- the lead singer of the band………he was good looking. Sandy hair, blue eyes, muscular, tanned body……..
"Hey" he murmured, walking up to the couple, and standing beside Grace.
ELI great……..
Greg took a long swig from his bottle of beer, and examined the apartment carefully; it was all very modern- one of those gel screen TV's in the wall, loads of artwork he didn't get, a classy wooden dining table, ornaments, artsy crap………and that was only the inside, there was a large porch over looking New York; decorated with fairy lights and dozens of pot plants………very swanky place, for an old guy.
Eli looked over at Greg blankly, waiting for him to state his purpose and move on, so he could have a private talk with his girlfriend.
GRACE does he want something?……..
Eli and Grace waited for Greg to add something to his 'hey'……….after a few moments, he spoke again.
Greg turned to face Grace, totally oblivious to Eli's cold presence.
"You enjoying yourself Grace?" he asked, smiling sweetly.
ELI ohhh……don't go there!
Grace felt her cheeks turn red; she would usually be extremely annoyed, Eli was standing right next to her after all……….but Greg was so good looking, and she didn't want to be rude.
"Fine thanks" she muttered, taking another sip of water.
Greg let out a little chuckle "something tells me that isn't vodka….." he smirked, and Grace found herself blushing even more; she also felt Eli's grip tighten.
"At one of these things………you gotta have alcohol" Greg said, still keeping a cool smile, he lifted up his bottle; offering it to Grace "here, have the rest of this" he said.
Grace stared at the bottle for a moment, about to take it, when Eli lifted his hand and pushed it away from her gently "no, thanks" he said coldly.
Greg stared at Eli for a moment, as though he had only just noticed him- and Eli stared right back, daring him to do something.
Greg gave a small shrug, and headed in the other direction; towards Michael, who was talking with Geoff.
ELI Dammit! Why do other guys have to notice how beautiful she is?
"You were going to take it, weren't you?" Eli asked, uncoiling his arm from Grace's waist, to look down at her.
She blushed slightly, and Eli suddenly noticed that she'd been flattered by Greg's interest.
"No, of course not" she replied, tucking a piece of invisible hair behind her ear.
GRACE I love Eli……..no doubt about it!
Eli sighed, and looked away from Grace- he was clearly disappointed.
GRACE But I've always been, Grace, this boring, predictable, Straight A student who never attracted boys………and, I don't know, it's just very flattering when somebody shows interest in you!
Eli turned, about to walk away, but Grace grabbed his arm before he could leave; forcing him to turn back and look at her;
"Eli, I'm sorry" she muttered, but he only sighed again and shrugged her off, and she had to let him walk away.
"What's the big deal?" she mumbled, once he'd rejoined Geoff and Michael.
ELI I guess, this is something we have to think about now. Are we the kind of couple who see each other exclusively………I want to be! But, I mean, I've had my fair share of girlfriends, and relationships………Grace hasn't, and I don't want to tie her down to me, if she still thinks, even if there is the smallest part of her, who doesn't want this to be her first and last real relationship!
GRACE I don't know………..
Grace finished her water, and placed the glass down on a nearby table.
She was left alone; again, standing awkwardly in a room full of people who had nothing to do with her………was this it?
Is this what's to be expected of their relationship……..her standing by, being the obedient, trophy girlfriend who says nothing- who cant have a drink! While Eli goes off and talks 'shop', all the while keeping a leash around her?
GRACE is this me wanting to be a rebellious teen? Or a rebellious girlfriend……………?
ELI I don't know……….
