Beams of light shone through the curtains and dappled themselves on the wall. I lay there watching the flittering lights, putting my hands up to trace the movement. The sheets were wrapped around me in a messy fashion, I ran my hands through my hair before letting the sheets drop from around me and making my way to the bathroom.
The cool water hit my face in a burst which sent shivers through me. I gazed up at the mirror with my face dripping. My hair was somewhat calmer then yesterday, the golden curls seemed to have subsided and set themselves in an organised fashion. The dark circles and bloodshot eyes however remained.
I stripped off my clothes and stepped into the shower. The water came down like a torrential downpour refreshing me and cleansing me inside out. I ran my hands through my hair, rubbing in the vanilla shampoo deep into my scalp. I felt like I was finally beginning the process of washing away the bad memories.
Looking at the crumpled up clothes on Kirsten's floor I realised how much of a mess I must have looked yesterday, I was desperate to make a better impression today. I picked out a pair of skinny jeans and a pastel peach coloured floaty shirt which was cut at the shoulders and tucked into my jeans. My 2 inch heels matched the colour of my top.
I found my self once again staring into a mirror. I spent a lot of time scrutinising every detail about my self. At one time I thought I was beautiful, I knew I was beautiful. But I seemed to have lost that much needed confidence. I knew why. It was him who told me I wasn't beautiful. Often enough for me to believe it. I squeezed my eyes shut. Trying to block out the imagery.
Taking a deep breath I finished applying my makeup before heading into the living room.
"Good morning!" Kirsten smiled brightly "Did you sleep ok?"
"Oui merci" I smiled, I was enjoying this warm friendly environment.
"More like good afternoon" Cosima winked at me as she wandered in whilst towel drying her hair.
"What?" I swivelled around and saw that the clock read 1:30. "Merde" I whispered.
"I'm so sorry for sleeping in!" I apologised profusely.
"Relax! You've still got a couple of days left after today and I imagine your a little jet lagged. We've got plenty of time to go sight seeing. In fact I was thinking about going to a museum tonight?" Kirsten reassured.
"Sounds good" I lied . History didn't really interest me so much.
"Relax" Cosima smiled at me "It's a science museum" she winked and squeezed my arm when she brushed past me.
I blushed, remembering last night. But I did relax. Cosima made me relax, I smiled to myself.
"So shall we go eat?" Kirsten offered me and Cosima our coats.
"Yes!" Cosima ran to the door "are we going to the place?" She looked eager and excited, like a puppy.
"What place?" I found my self getting excited.
"Just you wait!" Kirsten and Cosima smiled at each other then back at me.
We headed outside. Kirsten linked onto my arm and Cosima the other. I hardly knew these people yet I felt so at home with them.
By the time we got half way down the street the heavens opened and fat droplets of rain fell around us. Giggling we started to run.
By the time we got to the place they were talking about we were drenched and in fits of laughter.
"Here we are" Kirsten spluttered whilst gasping for breath.
"Well we have definitely worked up an appetite" I joked
All of us began laughing again.
" Come on!" Cosima took my hand and dragged us in.
We stood in the entrance of this place shivering and grinning as the warmth hit us. The heavenly scent of spices enveloped me. The walls were a rich burgundy colour, old oak beams ran around the ceiling, fairy lights hung off these, in the corner was an old fashioned jute box. Mirrors of different shapes and sizes hung off the walls, relenting the beams off the fairy lights in different directions. Sofas and tabled littered the floors, there were a few thick rugs on the stone floors.
"What do you think?" Kirsten looked nervous, awaiting my reaction.
"Beau!" I smiled "tres beau"
"Good :)" Kirsten smiled, Relieved
"Very good" Cosima slipped her hand into mine.
We headed over to a table in an alcove.
"Shall I order then?" Cosima headed over to the counter "I'll surprise you both" she grinned, with the mischievous look twinkling in her eyes.
It wasn't long until a waiter came to our table with a tray of food. 3 hot chocolates piled high with cream, dotted with marshmallows and dusted in cocoa powder. I hadn't realised how hungry I was until that moment. Along with the hot chocolates came 3 bagels. All three generously lathered in cream cheese and topped with smoked salmon and chopped chives.
I bit into my bagel, the soft cream cheese melted in my mouth around the rich smoked salmon. I closed my eyes at the heavenly taste.
"Good, huh?" Cosima asked through a mouthful of food.
"Mmm hm" me and Kirsten both replied in unison unable to speak.
Between bites of food the conversation flowed, ranging from my new job to the supposedly adorable lizard Cosima saw at a pet shop last week. I felt warm and happy inside, I felt so welcome around them both. I felt safe.
Me and Cosima headed back to the flat whilst Kirsten went off to rent us a DVD and buy some popcorn. We skipped back to the flat arm in arm, drunk off food and happiness.
Giggling we burst through the door. Cosima immediately ran to get a blanket and chucked it at me before grabbing a bottle of wine and three glasses.
We both huddled up on the sofa wrapped in a blanket.
"Do you want to put some music on?" She got up and wandered to the record player putting on some singer I couldn't tune was slow and melodic, she immediately started to sway to the beat. She held out her hand to me.
"Non, I don't dance" I exclaimed, quite adamant.
"Come on" she hauled me up despite my protests. She took me by the hand and swayed and moved about, still holding onto my hands so I began to sway with her. I began to giggle. For some reason I was un-self conscious of how stupid I looked. I felt quite relaxed as I swayed with her. She grabbed me by my waist and I placed my hands round her neck. We were just there. Both of us. Swaying as our bodies drew each other closer together. She stared into my eyes smiling a little. We were in our own little world. Nothing else seemed to matter at that moment. I couldn't get my head around how she made me feel. She made me feel safe, like I was important, like I deserved to be there. Something which I had been so desperate to feel again. A tear rolled down my cheek. She didn't question it but merely brushed it away, gently with her hand. We were wrapped around each other, I felt blissfully happy. I leaned down and kissed her ever so gently, she kissed me back with more strength. I could feel her smiling as she kissed me. I brought her closer to me so her head was resting on my chest. Both our arms wrapped tightly around each other. Swaying, in unison.