Aesthetic

JOHANNES VERMEER: A WOMAN ASLEEP

Today,

I was closing the

European Paintings, 1500-1800 section.

Lydia wanted to wait for me,

so she decided to stick around.

"I don't want my friend

to be alone, for all I know

something could happen to him

and we don't want that.

Plus we can get something

to eat afterwards!"

Sneaky girl.

In that moment,

I knew she sees me

how I see her.

I can tell

she's scared that

I will never love her.

Little did she know.

Around 12:30 A.M.,

Lydia was nowhere to be seen.

I searched the whole place

to find her in Gallery 632.

There she was,

sleeping under the painting

A Woman Asleep.

Clever girl.

Lydia, time to go.

She sits up,

stretches and yawns.

"About time,"

she chuckles.

"Did you get the little joke

I did here?"

She asks

while smiling,

pleased of herself.

Very funny,

never would've guessed

that you'd be a woman asleep.

"There's a lot you don't know

about me, Evan.

For example,

did you know I was a murderer

and I stayed here late with you

so no one can witness the crime?"

Guess you should get to it, no?

"Alright, jerk.

Let's go get a bite,

I'm starved!"

She stood up,

and walked towards me

very tiredly but excitedly.

We headed towards

the elevator,

and waited while listening

to the silence between us.

"Do you want to kiss me?"

I looked at her

slightly confused

as to where that came from.

Her pale green eyes

looked away,

as if she regretted

the question immediately.

And with that,

I cupped her face

and did what she asked.

Her kiss

left a mark in my heart.

It was the type of kiss

that I'll remember when I grow old.

And for once,

I hope that she will be there with me,

to look back at the first night

we gave in to love's game.

Did that answer your question?

She glares at me,

and smiles while

biting her lip,

happy with the result.

"It might have."

We walked out the museum,

hand in hand,

and into the city that never sleeps.