Log: When I look at you, I see my future
Who: Tina and Eli
When: Tuesday, September 21, 2018
Where: Eli’s and Tina’s respective apartments in Brooklyn.
What: Mostly good news.
Tina made her way up the stairs to Eli’s apartment, barely containing her grin. A passing neighbor had recognized her, letting her past the gate and soon she was knocking on his door. The door swung open and she didn’t wait for him to greet her.
“Hey! I have really awesome news.”
Tina’s mood was infectious. Eli couldn’t help mirror her joy. “And what would that be?” He stepped to the side and let her enter. “By the way I have some awesome news, too.”
She slid by him, practically bouncing on the heels of her boots. She reached his couch and pivoted where she stood to face him. “Well, my boss told me he likes a certain painting by a certain someone...” She drew out her words for dramatic effect worthy of Rachel Berry as she beamed at him. “And he wants to feature it in the upcoming show.”
“Seriously? That’s cause for celebration.”
Tina couldn’t do much more than keep grinning back. She felt like a little kid for basically dancing with joy, but she had worked so hard and waited and now she was standing here, happy that she had been given a chance to showcase not only her work, but a memorial to a friend. And that she had someone to go to who cared about it and whose smile mirrored hers.
“Okay. Before I spontaneously combust on the spot, what’s your news?”
“Hmm. I think I’m gonna have to downgrade my news to just “so-so” compared to yours.” Eli laughed brightly. “I got my knives sharpened.”
Tina stared at him for a second before breaking out into laughter. After a moment, she gazed up at him, her giggles simmering down to a fond smile.
“Well, if you ask me, I think your news is perfectly adequate in the awesome department.”
“Good to know.”
“...If such a department existed, of course.”
“Maybe that department is just too awesome to exist.”
“Probably. The world couldn’t handle it.” Tina grinned again, shaking her head at her own giddy nature. “Sorry. Ignore me. I think I’m hyper or something right now. I feel like I should do something...like create an epic mosaic or go out and take a million and one photos.”
“Let me grab my coat and let’s go.”
Tina blinked. “Really? You wouldn’t mind witnessing my art freak mode?”
“I think it’s something I need to see. The Portrait of the Artist as an Art Freak.” Eli smiled and put his arm around her shoulder. “I don’t think I’d ever mind.”
As they headed down the sidewalk in the direction of Tina’s place to fetch her camera, Tina realized he had left his arm around her. She smiled to herself and reached up and intertwined her fingers with his. It occurred to her that she wouldn’t normally be so bold, but the gesture was simple and comfortable, as easy as if it was something they’ve been doing since the day they met. An example of how seamless things had developed between them, from the first airplane to their following meet-ups.
Eli pulled Tina closer as they made their way through the streets. It was like they were the only two people out. Even though that was far from the truth, in that moment they were the only people that mattered.
They reached her place and Tina, regrettably, had to slip her hand out of his so she could find her key. She unlocked the door that led to a staircase and he followed her inside.
For the first time, Eli had been past that door. Thus far he had only known the front of it, having only ever said goodbye on the stoop. “So this is where the magic happens?”
Tina laughed lightly as they reached the top of the stairs and she unlocked the door to her apartment. She put her back to the door and pushed it open, motioning for him to go ahead. “You could say that. Since our crazy third roommate moved out, I’ve been using the spare room as a makeshift studio.”
“Crazy third roommates are the worst kind. There must be something about two roommates that get along perfectly that attracts those types.” Eli looked around the living room and could tell which parts of the room were Tina’s additions. “So where is your lovely second roommate. Who I guess is just the roommate now?”
“Yvette’s probably still at the law firm, scaring her fellow interns into submission.” By habit, Tina hung her key chain on one of the hooks that lined the wall by the door. “That makes her sound bad, but she’s probably the best roommate I’ve had.” She paused and thought about that statement. “Okay, that doesn’t help either since I’ve had just about every insane personality possible. Like the girl who just moved out told me I dress like a sinner and that Jesus is unhappy with me. Plus, I’m pretty sure some of my skirts have mysteriously gone missing. So I think I’ll just say Yvette’s probably my best friend in the world. Other than Mike. Not that I’ll ever be informing him of that.”
“I’m glad she’s gone then. And I think you dress great. I love the way you dress.” Eli grinned at Tina, who smiled sheepishly in return.
“Glad someone does," she joked. In truth, while the kids at the comic book store admired her outfits, she had toned down immensely since McKinley. "There’s water in the pitcher in the fridge if you want some,” she called, turning and heading down the hallway. “I’m just going to go grab my stuff.”
“Sure thing.” Eli called back. But instead of going to the fridge, he decided to explore the room. A picture is worth a thousand words, and what he had in front of him were various pictures and other clues to paint a picture of Tina in his mind.
“Is this your copy of Scarred?” He pulled out the Lola Princhek paperback that was on the bookshelf. He had enjoyed reading it, but had yet to get the latest book out in the series. He was waiting on Tina’s answer while looking at the author’s photo on the inside cover.
When Eli didn’t get a reply from Tina, he called out her name. He put the book back on the shelf, and went in the direction that she had gone off in.
He found her in her studio.
Tina turned when he entered the room. She had been staring at this painting she had done of her parents based on their wedding portrait. “Hey, sorry, I just got...sidetracked.”
Eli went to Tina’s side. The look on her face was one of sad nostalgia, like she was remembering someplace safe, but couldn’t return to it. “Is that of your parents?”
“Yeah. From a long time ago.” She hated how her voice sounded so hollow and far away. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to hold us up. My dad just told me the divorce is finally official. Through text message.” Her eyes narrowed as she vaguely nodded in the direction of her phone on the floor.
“No, I’m sorry.” Eli put his arms around her. A warm embrace, in his experience, could be enough to pull people away from the edge before losing themselves in their problems. A tether to remind them that there was so much to look forward to.
“It’s okay. It’s not like you made them split.” She laughed humorlessly as she wrapped her arms around his waist. A sigh escaped her when her cheek reached his chest and her eyes fluttered shut. She’s not sure why, but she always managed to feel so safe in his arms. She was silent for a moment.
“Sometimes I’m really afraid of being like them,” she whispered. She loved her parents, but they were so, “Unhappy.” Her eyes remained closed as her lips formed a half-smile. “Sorry to turn all Debbie Downer on you. And sorry that I keep saying sorry.”
The only guy she’d been with who had really known her had been Artie, and while that was a long time ago, she always felt extra self-conscious opening herself up now. Plus, she’s not all that sure her and Eli were even dating.
“I don’t think,” Eli had caught himself about to say "we", and corrected himself and hoped that Tina hadn’t noticed. He didn’t want to assume. More like he didn’t want to be wrong. “That you will have a problem with that. You seem like the type that would fight for their happiness, tooth and nail.”
“Maybe you give me too much credit,” she joked. Tina really did appreciate the sentiment. She belatedly realized she was clinging to him a little tighter than someone in the ‘friends zone’ should be, but she didn’t care to move. They were so undefined, she didn’t see a point in worrying at this point in time.
“I still want to go out, but...” She slightly shifted against him. “Is it okay if we just stay here for a little bit longer?” She meant ‘stay like this’, but she hoped she didn’t have to say it.
She moved a little in his embrace, tilting her head back to meet his eyes. She received a warm smile in return.
“We’ll stay as long as you need to.”
When: Tuesday, September 21, 2018
Where: Eli’s and Tina’s respective apartments in Brooklyn.
What: Mostly good news.
Tina made her way up the stairs to Eli’s apartment, barely containing her grin. A passing neighbor had recognized her, letting her past the gate and soon she was knocking on his door. The door swung open and she didn’t wait for him to greet her.
“Hey! I have really awesome news.”
Tina’s mood was infectious. Eli couldn’t help mirror her joy. “And what would that be?” He stepped to the side and let her enter. “By the way I have some awesome news, too.”
She slid by him, practically bouncing on the heels of her boots. She reached his couch and pivoted where she stood to face him. “Well, my boss told me he likes a certain painting by a certain someone...” She drew out her words for dramatic effect worthy of Rachel Berry as she beamed at him. “And he wants to feature it in the upcoming show.”
“Seriously? That’s cause for celebration.”
Tina couldn’t do much more than keep grinning back. She felt like a little kid for basically dancing with joy, but she had worked so hard and waited and now she was standing here, happy that she had been given a chance to showcase not only her work, but a memorial to a friend. And that she had someone to go to who cared about it and whose smile mirrored hers.
“Okay. Before I spontaneously combust on the spot, what’s your news?”
“Hmm. I think I’m gonna have to downgrade my news to just “so-so” compared to yours.” Eli laughed brightly. “I got my knives sharpened.”
Tina stared at him for a second before breaking out into laughter. After a moment, she gazed up at him, her giggles simmering down to a fond smile.
“Well, if you ask me, I think your news is perfectly adequate in the awesome department.”
“Good to know.”
“...If such a department existed, of course.”
“Maybe that department is just too awesome to exist.”
“Probably. The world couldn’t handle it.” Tina grinned again, shaking her head at her own giddy nature. “Sorry. Ignore me. I think I’m hyper or something right now. I feel like I should do something...like create an epic mosaic or go out and take a million and one photos.”
“Let me grab my coat and let’s go.”
Tina blinked. “Really? You wouldn’t mind witnessing my art freak mode?”
“I think it’s something I need to see. The Portrait of the Artist as an Art Freak.” Eli smiled and put his arm around her shoulder. “I don’t think I’d ever mind.”
As they headed down the sidewalk in the direction of Tina’s place to fetch her camera, Tina realized he had left his arm around her. She smiled to herself and reached up and intertwined her fingers with his. It occurred to her that she wouldn’t normally be so bold, but the gesture was simple and comfortable, as easy as if it was something they’ve been doing since the day they met. An example of how seamless things had developed between them, from the first airplane to their following meet-ups.
Eli pulled Tina closer as they made their way through the streets. It was like they were the only two people out. Even though that was far from the truth, in that moment they were the only people that mattered.
They reached her place and Tina, regrettably, had to slip her hand out of his so she could find her key. She unlocked the door that led to a staircase and he followed her inside.
For the first time, Eli had been past that door. Thus far he had only known the front of it, having only ever said goodbye on the stoop. “So this is where the magic happens?”
Tina laughed lightly as they reached the top of the stairs and she unlocked the door to her apartment. She put her back to the door and pushed it open, motioning for him to go ahead. “You could say that. Since our crazy third roommate moved out, I’ve been using the spare room as a makeshift studio.”
“Crazy third roommates are the worst kind. There must be something about two roommates that get along perfectly that attracts those types.” Eli looked around the living room and could tell which parts of the room were Tina’s additions. “So where is your lovely second roommate. Who I guess is just the roommate now?”
“Yvette’s probably still at the law firm, scaring her fellow interns into submission.” By habit, Tina hung her key chain on one of the hooks that lined the wall by the door. “That makes her sound bad, but she’s probably the best roommate I’ve had.” She paused and thought about that statement. “Okay, that doesn’t help either since I’ve had just about every insane personality possible. Like the girl who just moved out told me I dress like a sinner and that Jesus is unhappy with me. Plus, I’m pretty sure some of my skirts have mysteriously gone missing. So I think I’ll just say Yvette’s probably my best friend in the world. Other than Mike. Not that I’ll ever be informing him of that.”
“I’m glad she’s gone then. And I think you dress great. I love the way you dress.” Eli grinned at Tina, who smiled sheepishly in return.
“Glad someone does," she joked. In truth, while the kids at the comic book store admired her outfits, she had toned down immensely since McKinley. "There’s water in the pitcher in the fridge if you want some,” she called, turning and heading down the hallway. “I’m just going to go grab my stuff.”
“Sure thing.” Eli called back. But instead of going to the fridge, he decided to explore the room. A picture is worth a thousand words, and what he had in front of him were various pictures and other clues to paint a picture of Tina in his mind.
“Is this your copy of Scarred?” He pulled out the Lola Princhek paperback that was on the bookshelf. He had enjoyed reading it, but had yet to get the latest book out in the series. He was waiting on Tina’s answer while looking at the author’s photo on the inside cover.
When Eli didn’t get a reply from Tina, he called out her name. He put the book back on the shelf, and went in the direction that she had gone off in.
He found her in her studio.
Tina turned when he entered the room. She had been staring at this painting she had done of her parents based on their wedding portrait. “Hey, sorry, I just got...sidetracked.”
Eli went to Tina’s side. The look on her face was one of sad nostalgia, like she was remembering someplace safe, but couldn’t return to it. “Is that of your parents?”
“Yeah. From a long time ago.” She hated how her voice sounded so hollow and far away. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to hold us up. My dad just told me the divorce is finally official. Through text message.” Her eyes narrowed as she vaguely nodded in the direction of her phone on the floor.
“No, I’m sorry.” Eli put his arms around her. A warm embrace, in his experience, could be enough to pull people away from the edge before losing themselves in their problems. A tether to remind them that there was so much to look forward to.
“It’s okay. It’s not like you made them split.” She laughed humorlessly as she wrapped her arms around his waist. A sigh escaped her when her cheek reached his chest and her eyes fluttered shut. She’s not sure why, but she always managed to feel so safe in his arms. She was silent for a moment.
“Sometimes I’m really afraid of being like them,” she whispered. She loved her parents, but they were so, “Unhappy.” Her eyes remained closed as her lips formed a half-smile. “Sorry to turn all Debbie Downer on you. And sorry that I keep saying sorry.”
The only guy she’d been with who had really known her had been Artie, and while that was a long time ago, she always felt extra self-conscious opening herself up now. Plus, she’s not all that sure her and Eli were even dating.
“I don’t think,” Eli had caught himself about to say "we", and corrected himself and hoped that Tina hadn’t noticed. He didn’t want to assume. More like he didn’t want to be wrong. “That you will have a problem with that. You seem like the type that would fight for their happiness, tooth and nail.”
“Maybe you give me too much credit,” she joked. Tina really did appreciate the sentiment. She belatedly realized she was clinging to him a little tighter than someone in the ‘friends zone’ should be, but she didn’t care to move. They were so undefined, she didn’t see a point in worrying at this point in time.
“I still want to go out, but...” She slightly shifted against him. “Is it okay if we just stay here for a little bit longer?” She meant ‘stay like this’, but she hoped she didn’t have to say it.
She moved a little in his embrace, tilting her head back to meet his eyes. She received a warm smile in return.
“We’ll stay as long as you need to.”