Aura POV
Just like every other night, I fell asleep after work. Just like every other night, I wake up long after the sun has gone down and the city is asleep. Just like every other night, I put my coat on and go outside for a cigarette. But tonight is not just like every other night, and I'm about to find out why.
I stand on the front steps to my building, because it is snowing, again. Fuck, it's trying to make up for all the snow we missed in the last two months, I think to myself. I watch the snow fall as I light my cigarette. I notice a figure walking up the street, but I take no mind. We have a lot of people that walk in this city.
"Hey, do you mind if I bum a smoke?" I hear from the woman, as she approaches the steps to my apartment building.
"Sure," I say as I reach into my pocket to grab one out of my pack. I handed her the cigarette which she put to her lips, and as I reached up with the lighter, I finally looked at her face. I faltered for a second, but then lit her cigarette for her.
"A pretty lady never lights her own cigarette," I say, as I do every time I light one for a woman, but this time I'm slightly more nervous than usual.
"Heh, I'm no lady," she replies with a grin.
"So what brings you out to wander the streets at two in the morning in January?" I ask, hoping to nudge a conversation out of her.
"I needed to go for a walk. Sadly, I'm not really sure where I am anymore. I didn't really keep track of where I was going," she spoke after exhaling the smoke.
I nodded, and said, "Yeah. This city is a bit messed up with the streets and lack of labeling them," knowing that I'd gotten a bit turned around when I first moved here. Not all streets have a sign stating the name, and the ones that do have a sign, the sign is tiny.
She chuckled a bit at my joke as she took another drag. I took this opportunity to further the conversation, "So what way are you trying to go? I could perhaps help you get a little un-lost, if you'd like."
"Well I'm staying at the Hilton downtown. I'm not sure which way that even is, at this point," she said with a raise of her eyebrows and a lift of the left side of her mouth.
I pointed across the street, "Downtown is that way. The Hilton is actually just up the road. You're not too lost. I can give you a ride, if you'd like, though. It's freezing out here, and it's a short drive but a long walk."
The woman smiled at me and held out her hand, "I don't like to get in cars with strangers, so I'm Tegan."
"Well, not to be creepy, but I knew that. I'm Aurelia. Aura for short," I said as I nervously smiled and shook her hand.
"Aw not a fan. Now I'm going to have to change hotels, because all fans are creepy stalkers," Tegan said as she grinned and winked at me. I blushed profusely and looked to the ground. "Hey, I'm just kidding. I was wondering why you were hesitant to light my cigarette earlier."
"Well, I just…you know…singers shouldn't smoke and all…" I managed to stutter out.
"Oops," was all she replied, with another flash of her smile. "But I could probably use that ride, actually. If the offer still stands."
I looked her in the eye. "Of course. I'm always a woman of my word," I said with a wink.
We put out our cigarettes, and I put the butts back in the pack.
"Saving for a rainy day?" Tegan asked, confused by my action.
"Nah, I just don't like to litter when I can help it," I shrugged. I didn't really know what to make of her reaction, as she tilted her head slightly and grinned, narrowing her eyes at me a bit.
"Cool," was all she said, though. I opened the door to the building, and she followed behind me.
"I just have to get my wallet," I told her, glancing back at her as we walked down the hallway of the first floor. She smiled and nodded in return. Oh dear goodness, that smile is making comprehensible sentences difficult, I thought to myself. I looked forward again, hoping she didn't see me blush. Once inside my apartment, Tegan stood by the front door and gazed around at my place. I grabbed my wallet off the coffee table and said, "It's not much, but it's home."
"I like it. I like your style of decorating," Tegan said, nodding to herself. I blushed again.
"Thank you. Uh, we should probably get you back to your hotel," I replied, forcing myself not to stutter again. Tegan turned around and walked back out to the hallway, stopping as soon as she was out the door. I followed suit, turned around and locked my door, and motioned for her to follow me as I walked down to the basement garage. As we got in my car, I quickly turned off the stereo before it fully loaded the CD, which was If It Was You from the drive home from work earlier. Yay, that would have been even more awkward. Just add to it, Aura. Just keep piling on the awkward.
"So why were you needing to take a walk this late at night?" I asked Tegan, as we pulled out onto the street on which we had just met.
"My ex-girlfriend was being a bitch, and I needed to burn off some steam," Tegan said softly.
"Aren't they all?" I asked, glancing at her for a moment at a stop sign.
"Pretty much. We just broke up over Christmas, so it's not quite into that 'we're good friends now' part, yet," Tegan said, as she fidgeted with the bottom of her coat's zipper.
"Hey, it'll be okay. You know that. Anyone who has dated anyone knows that. It sucks, I mean royally sucks for a little while, but you'll get through. Some alcohol, some chocolate, some rebounding, some crying, some yelling, lots of thinking. It doesn't usually deviate too far from that list. But one day, you'll just be doing something completely inconsequential, and you'll realize: wow, I'm okay again," I offered, trying to console Tegan a bit. She looked over at me and smiled softly.
"Yeah, I know. It's just usually easier when you don't have to work with the ex. She's not even trying to be civil about stuff that has nothing to do with our relationship, or lack thereof," Tegan was staring out the window at nothing in particular, at this point.
"I have an idea, if you don't mind. How about we get your mind off of it for now? Distraction works wonders for a few hours. I can take you to a great diner that's close. There's always the alcohol option, too. Wandering around Walmart at this hour usually makes me feel better about anything going on in my life," I said, hoping to extend our time together without sounding too obvious.
"Why Walmart?" Tegan asked, confused.
"Have you ever been to Walmart at two in the morning? No matter what is going on in your life, I guarantee there will be someone you'll see who will make you feel skinnier, smarter, more stylish, and just generally better about yourself," I joked.
Tegan laughed, "I suppose that is true. I don't have anything going on tomorrow. I guess Walmart it is!"
I smiled to myself, and made a right turn to head to the store. Once there, we wandered around aimlessly. We joked about some of the 'As Seen on TV' items that were ridiculous and looked through the $5 movie bin to see if there were any good classics.
I picked up Empire Records and made a squealing noise. "Sweet! I love this movie, but I can never find it!"
"Seriously?" Tegan looked surprised, "I love that movie, too! I could quote the whole thing."
"Me too! It was meant to be. Distraction awaits in the form of gluing quarters to the floor!" I said, triumphantly. We made our way to the check out lines, each picking out candy from the display by the register.
"I got it," Tegan said, taking my candy and the movie from me.
"But-" I started.
"Nope. Consider it payment for getting me 'un-lost', as you put it," Tegan smiled as she put the items on the belt. I didn't feel like I was going to win this one, so I didn't bother arguing. I don't think I could come up with a decent argument if I tried, I thought. Not with her smiling like that.
We walked back out to the car. "To the hotel?" I asked.
"Only if you'll come up and watch Empire Records with me. You don't know how long it's been since I've watched it with someone who appreciates and understands the fine quality that is this move," Tegan joked.
"But of course! One must watch it with another to properly quote and discuss it," I continued her joke. I smiled broadly. I can't believe she just asked me to hang out and watch a movie in her hotel room. No big deal. Just Tegan fucking Quin and I hanging out. Oh shit. I hope I don't get weird and awkward. Don't be awkward. Don't be awkward. Don't be awkward, I coached myself in my head.
We reached the hotel, and with it being about 3:00am now, parking was not difficult to find. I grabbed the Walmart bag, and we climbed out of the car.
"Lead the way," I said, gesturing with my arm for her to walk in front of me.
"This way, m'lady," Tegan smirked. I giggled and followed her through the front doors of the hotel. The whole time I was trying to be sly about watching her ass as we walked to the elevator. When we reached the 10th floor, Tegan again led the way down the hallway. We stopped in front of a door, and she reached in her back pocket to get the keycard. My eyes wandered to her hand as it went behind her, figuring the excuse that I'm watching her movement would be good enough to get in another glance at her backside. Tegan walked in the room first, and I walked in second, closing the door behind me.
