One
Just a note to start us off...
This is my first time actually writing for people and sticking to it. So, any and all comments are very much appreciated! Thank you so much for giving my story a chance! I don't think you will regret it. Soooo let's see where this thing goes...
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I walked down the sidewalk with only the light from a street lamp at the far end illuminating the path. I’d been here before and each walk is the same.
I walked up to an intimidating wrought iron gate that ended far above my head. The gate was magnificent, decorated with an intricate metal tree and reaching way higher than most privacy fences. Behind the gate, almost out of view, I could see the shadow of a house at the end of a gravel path. House is an understatement though. The house was huge with tall stone towers laced with vines and wings full of windows and rooms full of stories. The place had obviously been built a long time ago in a time when whole families lived together along with the staff. I loved to watch it and imagine all of the things those long hallways have seen.
I was too distracted by the hulking shadow of the house beyond to notice the man walk out of the shadows just beyond the gate. “Hello, gorgeous.” I just about jumped out of my pants when a silky, male voice caught me off guard.
I just stared at him. He’d never been there before. I’d watched this house night after night and no one was ever there. It was the same thing every time, except this once. He stood there watching me back, half blending in with the shadows. His hair was pitch black and his eyes a bright green, twinkling with his smile. He was dressed in a black suit, making it even harder to spot him in the darkness.
I backed away from the gate stuttering. “I’m…I’m sorry. I, uh, I didn’t mean to be rude.” He just continued to look at me with that beautiful smile.
I continued to back away, then I was falling. I forgot about the curb. Everything went black.
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I opened my eyes to the sun coming through my bedroom window. It took a moment for me to realize where I was. I wrapped my blanket around me and rolled over. I tried to remember the face I’d seen in my dream, but it was too dark to get a really good look at him and the harder I tried the blurry his face got. I’d had the same dream for a year now, almost every night. It had never included that man.
I always walked to the gate to look at the house and some times there would be a light or two on, that was the only difference. Then, normally, I would continue down the sidewalk, get to the light, and wake up back in my bed.
I got up and shook off the odd feeling he had left me with. I didn’t have time to worry I had to get to work.
I jumped in the shower before getting dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a black t-shirt with “Sweet Tooth Bakery” in purple writing across the front. I threw my long brown hair into a thick ponytail and took off. Luckily work was only a 10 minute drive from my house in the woods.
I lived on the outskirts of the small town I’d grown up in. There wasn’t much in the town but it wasnt a bad place to live. Everybody knew everybody and they were pretty good people. I’d moved here when I was just a kid to live with my aunt. I grew up with just her and me until she met a man while I was in high school. After I graduated, she went to live with him, leaving me the house. She came back to visit every few months, but that was about it.
I worked at the small bakery in town and was somewhat of an apprentice to the owner, Malyssa. She had taken me under wing after expressing interest in baking after graduation. She’s this super perky blond in her mid 40s who could make the most amazing bread and cakes. She’d become kind of a second mom.
I pulled my tiny blue truck up behind the bakery and jumped out. I made it in just in time for my shift. Malyssa smirked as I clocked in.
“Good timing, Katanna. Now I need you to get started on some cake bases for me for today.”
“Yes, ma’am!” I said sarcastically as I scooted past her into the kitchen to get started for the day.
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The day was fairly busy and before I knew it, we were closing up. My friend Ana was supposed to meet me at work after closing.
It was Friday and we tried to go out for drinks every now and then. Since graduation, she had moved outside of town to go to school in Harpwick. We didn’t see each other very often, but she was close enough still to meet up from time to time.
I changed in the bathroom, getting my flour covered clothes off finally. I changed into a flowing black shirt and skinny jeans and ran outside to meet Ana in her little blue car.
“Hey, Kat. How was work?” She sat in the driver’s seat, her makeup all done up, her straight blonde hair curled, and wearing a skimpy little blue dress.
I smiled seeing her,“Not too bad for a Friday. School good?”
“Yup, same old same old.”
She took off out of town. Our town wasn’t that big and didn’t have a lot to do but several miles away in Harpwick, where Ana’s school was, was a downtown area with a few bars. It took us an hour to get to our destination. We dropped her car off at her apartment and took a taxi downtown.
On the way there, we talked and laughed. We discussed work and school and caught up on life. Ana had a new boy toy she was hoping to run into. I listened to all of her crazy stories and laughed, half wishing that I’d gone to college with her. I missed seeing her every day.
We arrived at The Club and found us a table in a corner. I started for the bar while Ana scoped out her prey, “Martini right?”
“Yes, please!” she replied with the slightest glance in my direction. I walked off, shaking my head. Any time Ana went out she was immediately on a mission to find the cutest guy in the place and knew just how to get his attention.
I got the bartender’s attention and waved him over. I ordered a coke and whiskey for myself and a martini. I looked down the bar while I waited. At the opposite end, a cute guy around my age was looking back. He had long shaggy brown hair and dark eyes. I smiled back at him before he smiled and walked away. I got our drinks and walked back to the table. Ana was gone, off on the dance floor seducing some poor soul more than likely. I sat down to sip my drank.
These outings were mostly for Ana and so we could catch up, I was not really the clubbing type. I usually ended up people watching for the most part. I enjoyed watching people get drunk and act like fools trying to attract the attention of others.
I noticed the same guy from the bar across the dance floor looking my direction. I could see him better now and he was definitely good looking, he wore a form fitting t-shirt pulled across a muscular chest and black jeans hugged his hips. I looked away, blushing, realizing I was eating him up with my eyes. I saw Ana walk over to him and catch his attention, dancing all over him. ‘Damn it, Kat, stop being creepy.’ I think, turning to look at the stage. There were always bands playing live at this place and they were pretty good tonight. I distract myself watching the band play and swaying with the music.
At some point, Ana came back over, looking exhausted, and downed her drink.
I smiled at her, “Having a good time?”
“Yes! Jake didn’t show up, but there’s some pretty cute guys here tonight.” Ana, never one to let a guy get her down.
Ana managed to drag me out on the dance floor after another shot. We were dancing together, guys occassionally rubbing up on Ana, when a hand grazed up against my back, sending sparks up my spine. ‘What the hell?’ I whipped around to see who had just touched me. All I could see was a mass of bodies. I looked back at Ana who gave me an odd look. I just smiled and pointed to the table before walking away.
We hung out for most of the night, dancing and drinking. By 1 am, Ana was pretty wasted and we grabbed a taxi back to her apartment.
I put Ana to bed and laid down beside her. After the long night and working all day, I fell asleep almost instantly.
