Collection Of Short Stories

A Chance Not Missed

A/N : This is my contest entry for weekly writing contests ( #33)by wallflower_r

"We were supposed to meet at the train station at 11 p.m.  and now its already 12:00! Why didn't you tell me that you took my luggage and keys already? Urgh!I missed the train and  I am locked out of my apartment too..."

"Um....Kate? Are you alright?"

I looked over to find the my neighbor David looking at me with a worried expression on his face. I briefly wondered how flustered I must have looked that shy David actually spoke to me. I montioned him to wait with my fingers and continued on the phone,

"Look Sam, I'll manage something for the night and take the train tomorrow. Better watch out for yourself when I come.Even Mom won't be able to save you."

I cut off the call rather abruptly and looked up at David.

"Hey David, I am okay. Its just that there was some confusion and Sam, my brother took the keys and now I am locked out of my apartment with nowhere to go."

"You mentioned some luggage...?"

"Yeah...I was going over to my folks . I know the next train would leave tomorrow morning so I am kinda worried about where to spend the night...."

With a look of deep contemplation of about a minute, David finally gulped and replied in an unsure tone,

"You could stay over at my apartment for the night."

I definitely wasn't expecting this!

"Are you sure? I can go over to a friend or something. You don't have to do that."

"No seriously, I don't mind. Please stay."

" Thanks David, You are a life saver!"

With a reassuring smile, David opened his door and we stepped inside.

His apartment was exactly as I had imagined it to be. Clean and tidy and just......regular. There was a pale gray couch in the middle of the room, a generic coffee table and 40 inch TV set stood out in the room.

"Would you like to a drink?"
 
David's voice interrupted my inspection.

"Water would be fine."

The conversation was dull and awkward to say in the least.

"I just realised I have no idea what do you do..." I said, filling one of those long, uncomfortable pauses.

"I am a director." David replied, " I work in theatre and plays."

"Really? I would have never guessed."

He laughed and continued,  "I am kinda boring, I know. I bet you thought I was an accountant or something."

Yeah, I totally thought that, not that he needed to know about it.

"No! I just meant....."

"Its okay, Kate. I get it." He said generously.

"Well, I am a book editor." I replied returning his smile.

"I figured it would be some like that."

"What? How!!??"

"I have seen you bringing a lot of books with you, for starters.Plus, you have that Posh, well-read look, its very classy and confident."

His comment made me blush profusely and I uttered a meek "Thanks!"

After this, we had a smooth and comfortable talk. Surprisingly, David and I had many things in common and I really enjoyed chatting with him. He was one of those guys who could talk about anything and actually listened.

I couldn't help but realise that he was rather good looking too. His black, perfectly combed hair and smoldering gray eyes had me blush unceremoniously when he looked at me. In addition to that, the high cheekbones and a jawline that could cut glass!

I know I was practically oggling him but I just could not stop! How hadn't I noticed that before?

"Kate? Kate!"

"Yeah! What were you asking?"

As if he knew what I was thinking, he smirked and asked,

"I am ordering pizza. Anything specific?"

"Oh! Just no pepperoni for me..."

"You too don't like pepperoni? Finally! Someone sane!"

He laughed and I along with him.

The pizza soon arrived and we sat down in front of his 40 inch TV to watch Hangover which according to David was and I quote the best comedy shit in the history of earth.

I had a great time with David. Between pizza and Bradley Cooper, laughs and conversation flowed easily and I found myself shifting closer to him unknowingly.

I felt really comfortable with him. From time to time, our fingers would brush that would bring about blush on both our faces. Sometime, between the warmth and the coziness, my eyes closed and I drifted into a dreamless state.

I woke up with a start with the feeling of a crick building up in my neck. Rubbing my eyes, I looked around to find this was certainly not my apartment!

I stood up with a start and promptly laid back down,

"Woah! Head Rush!"

A small chuckle made my head turn around to find David looking at me with a playful smirk and spoke in a gruff voice,

"Your hair looks like you have just been electrocuted. Its very cute."

I kept staring at him with eyes wide as a hawk, my mind waiting for a jumpstart.

"Um...Kate? Good morning? I guess we both fell asleep while watching TV yesterday. I shouldn't have done that. I am really sorry. I swear I wasn't taking advantage of you or anything. I am-"

"David!" I finally stopped him, "Stop rambling. I know you are a gentleman. Don't worry about it. I better start getting ready so I don't miss my train...."

Fifteen minutes later, I was all freshened up and ready to go. With a smile, I turned towards David,

"I had a great time yesterday. Thanks for inviting me over.Really thanks."

As I turned towards the door, David stopped me and asked,

"Kate?"

"Yeah..."

"Would you like to go for coffee or something when you come back?"

My heart stopped at his question and in a second I was there, barely an inch between us. My brain and body lost their coordination and I, surprising both of us, stood on my toes and pecked his soft, pouty lips.

I pulled away in a mere second, without giving him a chance to react.

In an extremely shy tone,I answered his question,

"I'd like that.Bye."

David's face now held a beeming smile and he returned in the same soft tone,

"Not bye.See you soon."

As I turned away to go to the station, rather on focusing on the forthcoming trip , my thoughts were fixed at the trip back home, at how soon.

A/N : this one shot did win the third prize and this awesome sticker!