Birthright: A Phoenix is Born

Elaine: Part 3

Damian

The world seemed to revolve around her face, forming a messy reality where it was the one thing constant. And the fires in my stomach couldn't stand that. Clawing at the seat padding, dark heat singed my fingertips. I needed control, and I needed it now. Breaths raced yet bracing my chest brought them under control. The starry-eyed vision settled, displaying everything as it was, even her.

"You good?" She asked.

"Yeah, just spaced out." I laughed off.

"That's the Damo I know. Never changing." She simpered, nudging my shoulder. Hand lingering for a second longer than necessary.

"Was that muscle I felt?" She queried, eying me up. "How'd you make time for gym with explosive diarrhoea on your hands or should I say out your ass?"

"Where there's a will there's a way." I shrugged.

Her giggles set off rapid-fire bullets into my ear. I recoiled, not just at her attempts to rub up against me but the onslaught of ogles in my direction. Conversations hushed throughout the bus. And I dreaded it was because of us.

"Hey, Damian..." She sighed, repositioning a lock of hair. "I want to apologise for what I said at Burger King. I was a bitch back then about the whole thing. I hope you can forgive me?"

Chaotic voices cried out for more. Yet I exhaled, softening the hot tension within. Those screams resisted the calming, demanding retribution even while swivelling away. A warm "No worries." streamed between my lips.

"That's not the only thing Damian."

My skin peppered at her request. And hurried breaths rushed my lips. Whatever this girl had planned was doing *bits to my health. This rampant sensation climaxed when she crossed her hands, placing them over mine.

"You see, after spending time with Oisín that day. Then weirdly getting selected for the Mercer Tex advert. I realised we actually have very little in common. It was hard to talk to the guy about anything. Marvel, politics, whether you pour milk before or after the cereal. Talkless of having a staring competition out of the blue. But it never was with you."

The effect of her words echoed the crinkle dead leaves made once stepped on. Leaves which were just minding their own business before being plucked. Now left cascading through the autumn breeze destined for the fire. Though ticklish at first, these feeling rapidly warped my stomach into a punching bag.

"So what do you say? You willing to take another shot at a date?"

The atmosphere pricked all over. Though no one wrapped their heads around. Something else did so. Their interests took the form of ghastly spectres huddling around my seat, large eyes waiting expectedly for my answer.

"Thanks Elaine. But another date won't be needed."

I looked back at my hand to find it already resting back on my lap. A dull sting bit my fingertips. The words seemed foreign but right. Feeling one thing but saying and doing another.

"You owe me nothing. And are completely allowed to switch and choose whoever you believe is your best fit. But as you have that right, so do I. And I've decided, us, ain't going to work anymore."

What happened next wasn't planned. A release of a series of sniggers developed into failed calls for order before full-blown hysteria took place. "Damian rejected Elaine." A chorus people blared throughout the coach.

I turned my sight towards the window again. Her panicked departure blew large swathes of perfume onto me. Yet it had no scent. Her presence seeped away into the far distance.

I guess that normal life really is over.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yoruba to English Translations/ Author's Note/ Urban Irish Dictionary

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Bits = When used in this context it means something substantial is being done to or by a person. Whether good or bad. For example, "Did you see the fight last. The champion left the loser in bits." (Negative)

OR

"Have your heard of Olayinka's latest song. It's doing bits on the chart. (Positive)