My bed groaned gently under my weight, eliciting a frown from my still half-puckered lips. I'm not that heavy, am I? I need to go look in the mirror. Get the tongs—measure my body fat. 4? Too high—that's not right. Oh I wasn't thinking and did the math wrong. Come on brain, stimulate and fire. Don't make me get a calculator and embarrass myself in front of my reflection-- fuck it. I didn't care anymore. I fell back into the sea of blankets, though the cold didn't faze me, body still buzzed with warmth. He had thanked me for walking him home. Walking—I don't mean walking. Flying. Leaping. Helping him change out of his way-too complicated uniform, letting the moon scrape over the fine lines of his abdomen and collarbones, letting my teeth scrape over my lip as I kissed him once more before vanishing into the shadows. I hope he's sleeping well. I turned over to my side and drowned in unconsciousness like a dead man.
I always wake up before my alarm goes off, but only by seconds. My hand lashes out and presses the irritating button before it emits that horrible noise. I suppose it's effective either way, then. My morning ritual consists of lying in bed for a few minutes after that—two, to be precise. 20 minutes in the shower before going to the third floor. Then another hour after training. Breakfast was egg whites with bits of tomatoes in them, oatmeal and orange juice. It wasn't breakfast time yet though. I go to the rooftop to do my morning yoga. The phone comes with me, dragging itself behind me like a dog on a leash. Why was I bringing it? That defeated the purpose of yoga—outside contact with other human beings. Tim…Sunlight pierces my eyelids, the rays knocking on my brain, telling me to focus as I balance on the ledge, blood rushing to my brain in the dizziness of being upside down. Ringing. What is that ringing—I almost stumble but never fall. The phone. I'm glad I brought it up here—No, Dick. You're not glad. Don't be glad, that's unlike you—but what if it's him?
The phone was cool and sleek against my ear, hand shaking slightly from the sheer task of supporting myself on just the one, balancing in the cool of the morning. Blood clouded my eyes. I thought of Alice in Wonderland.
"T-- hello?" I almost barked it, eager and excited. I had still forgotten to screen the call.
"Hello boy wonder. why do you sound so happy?" Dissapointment dealt a swift blow to my abdomen and I could no longer focus, so I descended off the edge gracefully, grateful to see the world right-side up once more. Barbara called every so often to check in on me. I was usually glad for her concern but today it simply annoyed me. I saw a figure on a rooftop in the distance. My eyes followed his pacing upon and down, squinting, my first hope in vain. Had I really sounded happier? I suppose I am happier. Happier is simply a comparison. I'm happier than I was after Kory left, but not happier than I was last night. On the contrary I'm much more melancholy than last night. Last night...
"Hey Babs," I was careful to guard my voice so she wouldn't pick up anything unusual. "How are you?" Chirp. Chirp.
"You know, everything's the same. Bruce came by the other night. You haven't been by in a while, what's going on?" Hmm, why hadn't I been by? I came by a week or so ago, didn't i? No, I was busy that night... and the past few nights... hmm.
"I'm sorry, I'll come by soon!" God that was so campy. I feel like i'm back in the short-shorts.
"There's that happiness again." she laughed. "you sound like you're in love, and I would know." I froze. What? In love? What'd she know? I shook my head.
"You're crazy Barbara. Listen, I have to go." She chirped on for a moment but i didn't really hear it. With a click, I was gone.