Present day: meaning the 21st century for a change and not in the Angies home, who we also called the 'old ladies home' because even though she was a career for children all of her friends would come over every couple of nights and never bloody leave... that is where I spent 6 months alone...without my sister. She was ancient, I swear.So when someone asks, "Are you married?" I naturally say no and brush off any striking conversation to do with marriage or potential boyfriends. Definitely failing to now imply that I'm lonely because my ex-Boyfriend traded me in for a better life with a blonde that lives in the city centre of where I also live. I have lived here all of my life because I couldn't afford to move out of this town.Houston, Texas.That's my life. I'm a short, brown-haired, brown-eyed woman in her late twenties with no relationship and no kids, and the only thing to my name is my photography gear that I basically hold in my car whenever I go out because, yes, I'm a photogra
Saturday morning, I've been woken up to the piercing shriek of my alarm clock; its mocking red numbers taunting me from the nightstand flashing the 6:30 usual time I wake up. I groaned, burrowing deeper into my cosy sheets, wishing that I could just stay in bed all day. But knowing I had to get up, that I had things to do and people to see, With a sigh, I reluctantly climbed out of bed, throwing on my favourite purple fluffy robe and padding across the cold hardwood floor to the kitchen for a cup of coffee.As I stepped into the office this morning, the air seemed to hum with a newfound energy that is never there. It's usually the boss shouting at his assistant about something that's gone wrong the day before, and he just needs to be a dick about it to scare the poor lad. Even the fluorescent lights flickered, like they were trying to keep up with his good mood. It was then that I noticed Gary, my usually grumpy and dishevelled-looking boss, was... smiling. Not a half-hearted, forced
Standing on the side walk of the street with my mouth slightly agape and a fresh coffee in my hand, I watched her walk away with not even an ounce of care in the world impressed me more than anything.She was unlike any woman I had ever met before. Her beauty was mesmerising, like a painting that you could stare at for hours, never tiring of its perfection. Her eyes held a depth that seemed to pierce straight through me, as if she were seeing into my very soul. not creepy at all. And the way she moved was dignified and natural. I knew the moment she turned her back to me after leaving the shop that she would be on my mind all day. The woman didn't know who I was, and that's what made it better because every other woman I have come across is wearing a sultry voice or tight clothing and wafts herself all over me, hoping to get my attention, but this woman...she didn't care, and she didn't want to jump me for the benefits it could probably give her. Though she looked very familiar, I jus
Out of all the people I could see at the wedding, anyone across Houston, it could have been the pope or maybe the god; it could have been the guy who bullied her at school for being small or nerdy or for not having friends, but no, it had to be the guy from the coffee shop. Not that she was complaining; it seems like I couldn't stop thinking about him or even remember his name. It wasn't that he was particularly striking or interesting-looking, either. Okay, so that was a total lie, and if anyone could hear my thoughts, they would probably say the same thing if they knew who I was gaping at. But there he was, standing at the front of the church, his head slightly cocked to the side, as if he were listening to a secret being whispered just for him. The way the sunlight streamed through the windows behind him, casting a warm glow over his face and shoulders, made him seem almost sinful. And for some reason, even though I have a job to do and I was doing it, I couldn't help but not take
"Thank you," her soft voice echoed along the empty-ish car park. Hearing her conversation about me giving her my number and then needing cake, I assumed a peace offering for the last 72 hours would be a good start, assuming it would solve it, but then when I heard her groan, goddamn it, I couldn't even step outside without getting hard for the woman. She's a good photographer; I managed to snag a look at some of the photos she's taken since being here at the barn, and she's got a great eye for capturing everyone either smiling or full-on belly laughing, and they are amazing, if I do say so myself.I couldn't help but feel a slight tingle in my stomach, a mixture of nerves and excitement that only seemed to intensify when she looked my way. Even when she took some photos of me with the others, and I believe she even got one where I was looking directly at her, I'll have to have a look later. Her long, raven hair flowed over her shoulders in the hair tie she was using to hold it all up.
I knew when he asked me if I had a lover at home that he would get jealous the moment I told him that yeah, I do. Obviously, he didn't expect me to bring Bailey outside; he was a rescue dog at the pound, and we got him just a little over 3 years ago, and he made our home feel much brighter. He settled in quite well, which made it a lot better for us because if one of us was at home, then that meant we had the dog to keep us company, and he also got spoilt and rotten with us all."You have a dog... Of course, he's a dog," Max says while I'm leaning against Ivy's car. It seems that Greg is working on mine and is dropping it back off tomorrow afternoon before they leave for their holiday."Yes. We have a dog," I say, not expecting Natalie to come outside and start a conversation with him. For Christ's sake, this is all I need."You must be the coffee guy she's been obsessing over. I'm Natalie, and this is Ivy; we were her housemates," she says as she glances at me, looking all smug, as i
I don't know how to take in what she has told me. How she's had to have this hanging over her head for years-the fear and guilt of ever being touched by another male-makes me want to kill him. I wait in the kitchen, which connects to the hallway, when I see her coming out of the bathroom with her bag over her shoulder and her camera in her hand, ready to go. Is that what she wants? Or is it something she thinks I want? I wasn't exactly looking at her when she rushed out of the room. I certainly don't want her to think that this is what I want because I'd rather know her and her past."Where are you going?" I ask her again as she turns around and faces me. Her eyes are puffy, so she's been crying, and her shoulders are slumped down, which means exactly what I thought-she's scared to feel anything towards a man. Vulnerability before is masked with nothing, and it's like she's trying to get rid of me or anything she wants to feel."Let's be honest here, Max. I'm too screwed to be in a re
Being alone and being lonely are two very, very different things I have learned over the years.I feared being alone for the simple reason of abandonment issues. My parents left me, and friends have gradually left. I have never had a romantic relationship out of fear-the fear of being humiliated and left to pick up the pieces. I have always relied on Emily for support, and it's never been about money, as I have worked my own way up and done things I never thought I'd be able to do, like my photography. I love the life I have created for myself, but how can I allow myself to have that stability if I can't seem to trust anyone enough to let them in? But in reality, I have been lonely for years. I watch other people show affection and love towards each other; I have seen families so happy to be with each other; or I have photographed the reunion of some soldiers coming home after being on deployment, and their faces when they see family are one thing I only ever wished I could have, whic