Just Breathe
He almost forgets to breath (or fake breathing, rather) because he is so caught up in his mission. The fingers of his right hand curl around the steering wheel, knuckles nearly white from the tight grasp he has on it. His other hand he rests on the door panel beside him, occasionally strumming his fingers on the vinyl covering it.
Glinting a dangerous gold, his eyes dart around the surrounding houses and up the path of the house he's parked in front of. Even the slightest flicker of movement catches his attention and he checks to make sure whatever it is won't pose a problem. Mostly it is just birds pecking for worms in the damp soil or taking off or landing in a nearby branch. At one point a dog passes by with the remains of a brisket bone clenched between sharp, clean teeth.
Cringing, he leans back in his seat. He runs his tongue across his lips and returns his gaze back to the heavy wood door of the closest house. It doesn't move. He's not sure that is a good thing – that she is still getting ready – or if it's bad and she has decided she doesn't want him any longer. Either choice is valid. He cannot read her mind. He doesn't know how or what she's thinking. Her scent is strong though. She is most definitely inside the house.
An engine down the street roars to life and he instinctively grips the steering wheel tighter. He takes in a deep breath even though he doesn't need it. It soothes him to act human. 6/1/13 And then there's a click and the front door opens.
She waves, and he grows more and more impatient as she slowly picks her way down the driveway to the car. With her clumsiness, he is glad she is taking it slow, but at the same time, he wants her next to him now, and he wants to be driving away now. He wants her.
It takes an age and a half for her to get to him. She slips into the passenger seat and smiles. "Hi."
His grip on the steering wheel tightens a little more, and he has to force himself to relax. "Bella," he says, loving the feel of her name on his lips. He manages a smile, though he knows it is an awkward one. He wonders if she can tell how he is feeling and if she knows how much she affects him and in what ways. "It's good to see you."
Though it felt like he spent hours waiting to pick her up, now the time passes fast. He starts the car and drives, and when they are moving, he remembers to breathe again.
Fin.