A Beginning

My day began like they all do, ripped from sleep with the flash of two deep pools of green. They're gone in an instant, and I'm awake, alone and awake. The only difference was this was the one-year anniversary of the first time I dreamed of the haunting eyes. Haunting is the only way to describe them as they had plagued my dreams since Halloween one year ago. I couldn't help but wonder if the tipsy witch put the thoughts in my head. After dumping her glass of wine on me, she apologized profusely. I shook off her attempts to dry my shirt with the assurance that it was more than fine.

"You're such a gentleman." She hiccupped as her pointed hat slipped to a crooked angle.

"No sense in crying over spilled Chardonnay." It was an embarrassingly lame joke, but she still giggled.

"Where is Mrs. Gentleman?" She prodded.

"Word hasn't gotten out about my gentleman status, so I'm solo." I'd found that the best way to diffuse the awkward conversations around being single was with lighthearted humor.

"Oh," her eyes gleamed with either glossy drunkenness or sudden interest. Either way, I had to distract her.

"And where is Mr. Witch." It was my last attempt at salvation from the impending flirtation.

"No Mr. Witch." She smiled in an attempt to be alluring, but her altered state made it more aloof. "But I have a feeling that you will meet the love of your life soon."

I had to act swiftly. "Well, we should start by refilling your glass." I plucked her empty glass from her hand and headed to the bar hoping that she would lose interest quickly. Before I even made it to the bar, she'd already drifted to another guy dressed as Mister Clean, and I opted to leave before I got myself into more trouble.

Still, her prophecy of meeting the love of my life sunk in; I'd been single for a few months and hadn't started to think of dating, let alone the rest of my life. But her words stuck with me. Every date I went on, I could hear her slurring prediction. Worse, the green eyes began to flash before me that night and every night after. They were the clear green of springtime and filled me with the freshness of a new beginning. I found myself looking for them everywhere I went, to no avail.

I thought about not going to the party at all. Unfortunately, Halloween also happened to be my best friend's birthday, so I was locked in without a good excuse. I dug through my closet for something that would pass as a last-minute costume, settling on an old t-shirt with the Jack of Hearts on it.

The party was in full swing when I arrived. Brian configured his annual Halloween birthday bash the same way every year, so I headed straight to the bar.

"Doug!" Dani's voice soared above the chatter and music from behind me.

"Hey, Dani." Brian's girlfriend of 2-years appeared before me dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. "Please tell me Brian is the brainless scarecrow."

"No such luck, but I did try." She smiled back. "He's the tin man... should I be worried?" She feigned pondering.

"No, you shouldn't worry," I assured her. If anyone were the heartless tin man, it would certainly be me.

"So, don't freak out, but an old friend from college just moved to the city, and I want you two to meet." I let out a groan in response. "No pressure. I think you two will hit it off." She qualified.

"Dani, I appreciate the thought, but the second you say, 'I want you two to meet,' you add pressure." The groan had not been enough. I wanted to run straight out of the party.

"Fine." A pout crossed Dani's face. "I won't introduce you; I won't even tell you what costume she's wearing." She then inspected me closer. "Speaking of which, what are you supposed to be?"

"I'm the Jack of Hearts." I plucked the shoulder of my shirt.

"Clearly," she smirked as she grabbed a fresh beer and headed back into the crowd.

Knowing that Dani had seen me, it was only a matter of time until I bumped into Brian; their place was not that big. I decided to maneuver my way to the couch and settle in for a long night of avoidance. I was almost there when a few of Brian's golf buddies spotted me and roped me into a lengthy story about a bachelor party from the end of the summer. I was only vaguely paying attention as I kept my eyes on the couch for a spot to open. The second it did, I excused myself.

In a rush to get to the open seat of solace, I didn't see her, which was incredibly unusual, considering she was dressed in bright red. Still, as I was pacing swiftly to the seat, I felt my elbow jut into her with a shallow "ow" filling my ears as she recoiled.

"I'm so sorry, I was..." When I turned to see her, I was met with the eyes. The green pools of life that had been stalking my dreams for a year.

"Trying to get the couch spot." She teased. "Me too." She dramatically rubbed her arm.

"You take it; you're injured." I offered half-joking.

"I have a plan." The sparkle in her eyes hypnotized me. She grabbed my arm and pulled me close to the couch. We were standing just inches from where two unsuspecting people sat on the cozy couch. "We just stand here until they get tired of staring at our asses, and then we will have the whole couch to ourselves." She whispered close to my ear, causing the hair on my neck to stand on end.

"That's ruthless." She recoiled at my name-calling. "And genius," I added, hoping I hadn't offended too much. Sure enough, within a few minutes, the couch was empty.

"I'm Addy." She noted almost to herself as she settled in.

"Hi, I'm Doug." I stuck my hand out to her awkwardly.

"Oh, you're the best friend." Relief seemed to fill her as she shifted a bit closer to me, which I welcomed.

"I'm Brian's best friend." It suddenly dawned on me who she was. "Wait, are you Dani's college friend?"

"That's me." She smiled a beautiful full smile that filled her face.

"Well, welcome. What brought you to New York?"

"Work. I'm in IT. It's super boring." I doubted that anything about her could be boring but gave her an understanding smile. "What do you do?"

"I'm a fifth-grade teacher." For some reason, my chosen profession seemed to be a pick-up line, so I kept my voice low like more of a secret.

"Adorable." She murmured.

A lull surrounded us as we both glanced around the room for something to discuss. I accidentally made eye contact with a woman dressed as either a cat or a mouse; the ears and tail seemed to conflict with each other. I could feel her assessing me and then Addy before a smile spread across her face.

"Oh my gosh, Jack and Coke. It took me a minute, but that's the cutest." She gushed as she started to fumble for her phone. I had no idea what she was babbling about. "Can I get a picture? Someday I hope to have a boyfriend that will do a couple's costume. Life goals."

"Yeah, sure," Addy said beside me. I felt her arms pull herself closer to me, and as I tried to put the pieces together, I realized she was dressed as Coca-Cola. The sudden understanding was only a passing realization soon replaced with the more alluring awareness of her proximity. "Smile, Dougie." Her tone was more familiar than our history would dictate, but I didn't care.

"Yes, dear." I leaned into her and even dared to put my arm around her shoulders to pull her in a bit closer.

"So cute." The mouse-cat smiled as she took the pic. "You want a copy?"

"Of course." I was surprised at how quickly and eagerly, Addy responded. Mouse-cat gave Addy her phone so that she could send the photo to herself. "Thanks." Addy chirped as she handed the phone back. "You want a copy?" She casually held her phone out to me so I could add my number and forward the picture. I complied and handed the phone back quickly. I regretted my pace as suddenly I was at a loss for what to say next.

I finally settled on, "so, do you like Halloween?"

"I wouldn't say I dislike it, so I guess I like it." There was a subtle shrug in her voice that her shoulders didn't bother to match.

"What do you dislike?" Something was enticing about her, like a captivating book, and I was only on page one.

"Mm," She let her mind spin for a bit. "Cilantro, bumper stickers, jam with seeds, Styrofoam, whipped cream, cotton candy, anything covered in powdered sugar." My smile stretched as she listed items. Her eyes fell on me, and her listing stopped.

"A lot to unpack there." I teased.

"I mean, I dislike the normal things too: pollution, prejudice, mean people in general. But, yeah, there are lots of things I dislike. What about you?"

"Oh, I have too many follow-up questions to focus on me. I feel like I can understand most, but whipped cream, cotton candy, and anything covered in powdered sugar?"

Her face reddened most adorably. "I call them air foods. I don't like them because I am afraid that my body will process them as air, and I will aspirate and die." Her eyes flickered from mine, causing a pang as I needed to see the green pools again.

"That's entirely implausible and incredibly charming." Her eyes toyed with meeting mine, but she still tipped them down a bit. "I don't like it when people close doors by gripping the side instead of the handle. The handle is there for a reason, and it's like they want to get their fingers smashed in the door." A shiver went down my spine just thinking about it, and I instinctively flexed my fingers at the thought. My admission worked, though; her lips parted only slightly to let out a tiny laugh as she lifted her face to mine. A tendril of hair fell from behind her ear, and, without any thought, I reached up to brush it from her face. As my fingertips brushed along her temple, I hoped she wouldn't recoil. My lips flickered when, instead of a wince, her cheeks plumped with a shy smile. "Would you like to go out sometime? I promise, no air food."

"I would." As she spoke, my chest clenched as though I had been punched. I would have expected it if she had said no, possibly even had a physical withdrawal from her proximity, but I was taken aback by the physical response I had to her yes.

Everything about her felt different. There was an anticipation that was constant even as the connection unfolded. "I have your number." There was a waver to my voice. Usually, I would have tried to smooth it, not to tip my hand on my feelings. I didn't try to, though; I had no intention of ever hiding anything from Addy.