Writing Challenge (that was too long)
Chris opened the shoebox slowly, dreading to look inside. Pictures from her time with Peter were pasted along the inside of the lid, and the walls of the box. When she was younger, she had made collages of pictures on and in shoeboxes to hold her memories of those times. Since she was leaving Tennessee, she needed to either put them in storage or pick a few to take with her. She was reasonably sure that this box would be going into the fire soon. She moved to place the lid back on the box, but stopped. A picture placed in the center of the collage drug her eyes to it, the radiant smiles pulling her back into memories of the good times before he changed.
Reaching in, her fingers touched the photograph with a small caress, before gently peeling it off of the box. When her fingers touched the picture, it seemed to tear her into the memory, and her eyes clouded over as she remembered.
***
Chris smiled at her reflection as she finished the last touches of her makeup, and smoothed down the black dress she had bought for just this occasion. The halter showed off the gentle curve of her shoulders, while the single diamond on a silver chain accented her throat gracefully. Her hair was down in waves along her back, a few of the raven curls pulled back and a few strands left along the sides of her face while a diamond barette held them in place. The dress flowed down to just above her knees, and the black high heeled sandals created a slimming look to her legs. The doorbell rang and Chris took one last look in the mirror before grabbing her handbag and heading down the stairs.
She could hear Peter and her father talking at the foot of the stairs and smiled. She hoped this outfit would fit. The click of her heels on the hardwood floor sent a warning to her boyfriend and he looked up the stairs. Chris would always remember the look he sent up, because it made her heart leap into her throat. It was as if she was the only woman in the world and he could never, ever leave her. He made her feel like a woman in that moment, indeed, throughout that night. A real woman, instead of a girl. He looked handsome in his suit and tie, with his chocolate brown hair falling gently into his eyes, and Chris smiled shyly. Tonight was their six month anniversary, and he was taking them somewhere special. She still wasn't sure where, but he had made reservations and everything. Peter had even rented a limousine, as she found out when she left the house.
As it turned out he had made reservations in Nashville, close to three hours away, at a restaurant called Pavlo's. It was supposed to be one of the finest Spanish and Italian dining establishments in Tennessee. Chris could only think that he must have saved up so much money from his job at the garage, and worked extra hours to afford this. When they arrived, the maitre'd seated them at a table for two, with a candle placed in the middle. The restaurant itself was almost something out of a storybook. The ceiling was covered in vines, and on the walls were aged frescoes of different vistas in Italy and Spain. They were sitting next to one of a vineyard near the ocean. In the center of the tables was a wide dance floor, and the band was playing a lively mariachi tune. The waitress returned with their menus and Chris smiled gratefully at her, opening it. Her eyes nearly popped when she saw the prices, and Peter read her expression.
"Christiane, I can afford it," he took her hand and smiled at her, kissing her knuckles gently. "Seriously, if you don't get somethin' good, it'll ruin it."
Chris smiled at him and nodded, [font color=#6666FF]"Of course. I think I'll have the Mezzaluna, I'll split some of mine with you, if you give me some of yours."[/font] Peter's face broke into a grin and he said, "Then I'll have the shrimp alfredo."
The memory of the conversation that followed was overshadowed by what happened after dinner. Chris doubted she could remember what they talked about for the whole hour or so if her life depended on it.
What she did remember was the dance.
After they had eaten, and were enjoying their coffee in quiet companionship, Chris' gaze fell to the dance floor. The couples moving in rhythm to the music looked so in sync, and Peter must have seen the fleeting look of longing in her eyes because he suddenly stood up and offered her his hand. "Shall we dance?"
Chris shook her head, laughing, [font color=#6666FF]"Oh, no, I don't dance well."[/font]
Peter's brow furrowed, "Oh, really? Well, I can fix that."
He leaned down and took her hand, leading her out onto the dance floor. The band had just finished a fast song, but they started in on a slower one now. Chris lifted her hands, ready to place them on his shoulders, but Peter grinned and shook his head, a lock of hair falling over his eyes. "We're doing this the right way." He said, and Chris looked at him questioningly. He took her right hand and placed it on his shoulder, then placed his left hand on her waist and held their other hands together with arms slightly bent and shoulders back and straight.
The strains of the Spanish guitar filtered through Chris' mind, but she only heard snippets of the words.
[i]Jamás sentí en el alma tanto amor
Y nadie mas que tú, mi amor
Por ti reí y lloré, renací también[/i]
She knew what they meant, considering she had taken Spanish enough to understand it, and if she hadn't been in Peter's arms, the song would have made her cry. However, the sad and desolate lyrics had no meaning with his eyes connected to hers. She felt the heat of his hand on her waist, and shifted so they were closer, their bodies nearly entwined in the slow Cha Cha. The heat of his breath on her ear sent tremors up her spine and she kissed his jaw gently, smiling as she heard his whispered countings of the rhythm. It wasn't so hard to follow along when he was leading. [font color=#6666FF]"I never felt so much love in my soul, and no one but you ever loved me. I laughed, I cried, I was reborn also,"[/font] she whispered into his ear, her breath stirring his hair a bit and making him shiver. Chris smiled when he looked at her and asked, "What?" [font color=#6666FF]"It's the words to the song, the translation."[/font] she replied. "Ahh." He smiled, and leaned in, pretending to croon to her as the song continued. Chris giggled and gave him a soft kiss.
[i]Lo que tuve di, por tenerte aquí
Ya sé que despedirnos es mejor
Sufriendo pagaré mi error
Ya nada será igual, lo tengo que aceptar
Y hallar la fuerza en mí para este adios
Aléjate, no puedo más[/i]
"Well, Miss esperanza, what does that mean?" he asked, honey eyes sparkling.
Chris thought back and said, [font color=#6666FF]"What I had I gave to keep you here, I know that saying goodbye is best. I will pay for my mistake, nothing is the same, I will have to accept it. And find the strength in me for this goodbye. Go away, I can't bear it anymore."[/font]
"Rather morbid isn't it?"
[font color=#6666FF]"Yes, but it's so romantic. He's suffering for her."[/font] Chris replied, eyes going dreamy. Peter chuckled, the rumbling sound deep in his chest that Chris loved. The rest of the lyrics tumbled around Chris' head, but she paid no attention. The dance had gotten more involved and she found herself only focusing on Peter's eyes, and following his every move. The sinous movements of their legs combined to gracefully create twirl after twirl, and every time he brought her in from one, she felt her heart flutter, their lips just so close to kissing before she was seperated again. The dance floor had cleared, and there were people watching the two young lovers as they danced, but they didn't notice them. Peter dropped his hands to Chris' waist and lifted her up in a graceful move, bringing her back down to where one leg went around his waist and she slowly slid down until both were back on the floor which launched them into another breathtaking round of the basic step. She felt like she had been dancing all of her life, or maybe it just came to her in that second, but as the music crescendoed and the last refrain sounded, Chris sidled in closer to Peter, and his hand slid down her back, pausing for a caress on her the bared skin from her dress. The next moment, she found herself looking up into his eyes, and her back bent as he dipped her low. The long awaited kiss came just as the song ended and Chris closed her eyes, relishing in the feeling of his closeness to her. The older people in the audience applauded, maybe remembering how it was when they were younger, and Chris was brought out of the dream dance. The feeling still lingered on throughout the night, and she could have sworn she had heard Peter whisper "I love you," as they left the dance floor hand in hand.
***
Chris dashed away a tear from her eye as she was brought back into the real world. That dance was truly one of the most passionate dances she had ever done, and she wondered if any dance could ever best it. Could anything ever be better than your first taste of love, no matter how long it lasted?
She tossed the shoebox into the trash and headed back down from the attic to her room. [font color=#6666FF]"Si nada puedo hacer, aléjate no voy a arrepentirme del ayer, Aléjate, no puedo más"[/font] Chris resolved to forget about Peter as soon as possible as she opened the door to her room.
Two weeks later, as she was saying goodbye to her family an fiance, the photo of the young passionate dancers was sticking out of her coat pocket.
***
Translation of last sentence: "If there's nothing I can do go away. I'm not going to repent for yesterday. Go away I can't bear it anymore."
Alejate - Josh Groban
Reaching in, her fingers touched the photograph with a small caress, before gently peeling it off of the box. When her fingers touched the picture, it seemed to tear her into the memory, and her eyes clouded over as she remembered.
***
Chris smiled at her reflection as she finished the last touches of her makeup, and smoothed down the black dress she had bought for just this occasion. The halter showed off the gentle curve of her shoulders, while the single diamond on a silver chain accented her throat gracefully. Her hair was down in waves along her back, a few of the raven curls pulled back and a few strands left along the sides of her face while a diamond barette held them in place. The dress flowed down to just above her knees, and the black high heeled sandals created a slimming look to her legs. The doorbell rang and Chris took one last look in the mirror before grabbing her handbag and heading down the stairs.
She could hear Peter and her father talking at the foot of the stairs and smiled. She hoped this outfit would fit. The click of her heels on the hardwood floor sent a warning to her boyfriend and he looked up the stairs. Chris would always remember the look he sent up, because it made her heart leap into her throat. It was as if she was the only woman in the world and he could never, ever leave her. He made her feel like a woman in that moment, indeed, throughout that night. A real woman, instead of a girl. He looked handsome in his suit and tie, with his chocolate brown hair falling gently into his eyes, and Chris smiled shyly. Tonight was their six month anniversary, and he was taking them somewhere special. She still wasn't sure where, but he had made reservations and everything. Peter had even rented a limousine, as she found out when she left the house.
As it turned out he had made reservations in Nashville, close to three hours away, at a restaurant called Pavlo's. It was supposed to be one of the finest Spanish and Italian dining establishments in Tennessee. Chris could only think that he must have saved up so much money from his job at the garage, and worked extra hours to afford this. When they arrived, the maitre'd seated them at a table for two, with a candle placed in the middle. The restaurant itself was almost something out of a storybook. The ceiling was covered in vines, and on the walls were aged frescoes of different vistas in Italy and Spain. They were sitting next to one of a vineyard near the ocean. In the center of the tables was a wide dance floor, and the band was playing a lively mariachi tune. The waitress returned with their menus and Chris smiled gratefully at her, opening it. Her eyes nearly popped when she saw the prices, and Peter read her expression.
"Christiane, I can afford it," he took her hand and smiled at her, kissing her knuckles gently. "Seriously, if you don't get somethin' good, it'll ruin it."
Chris smiled at him and nodded, [font color=#6666FF]"Of course. I think I'll have the Mezzaluna, I'll split some of mine with you, if you give me some of yours."[/font] Peter's face broke into a grin and he said, "Then I'll have the shrimp alfredo."
The memory of the conversation that followed was overshadowed by what happened after dinner. Chris doubted she could remember what they talked about for the whole hour or so if her life depended on it.
What she did remember was the dance.
After they had eaten, and were enjoying their coffee in quiet companionship, Chris' gaze fell to the dance floor. The couples moving in rhythm to the music looked so in sync, and Peter must have seen the fleeting look of longing in her eyes because he suddenly stood up and offered her his hand. "Shall we dance?"
Chris shook her head, laughing, [font color=#6666FF]"Oh, no, I don't dance well."[/font]
Peter's brow furrowed, "Oh, really? Well, I can fix that."
He leaned down and took her hand, leading her out onto the dance floor. The band had just finished a fast song, but they started in on a slower one now. Chris lifted her hands, ready to place them on his shoulders, but Peter grinned and shook his head, a lock of hair falling over his eyes. "We're doing this the right way." He said, and Chris looked at him questioningly. He took her right hand and placed it on his shoulder, then placed his left hand on her waist and held their other hands together with arms slightly bent and shoulders back and straight.
The strains of the Spanish guitar filtered through Chris' mind, but she only heard snippets of the words.
[i]Jamás sentí en el alma tanto amor
Y nadie mas que tú, mi amor
Por ti reí y lloré, renací también[/i]
She knew what they meant, considering she had taken Spanish enough to understand it, and if she hadn't been in Peter's arms, the song would have made her cry. However, the sad and desolate lyrics had no meaning with his eyes connected to hers. She felt the heat of his hand on her waist, and shifted so they were closer, their bodies nearly entwined in the slow Cha Cha. The heat of his breath on her ear sent tremors up her spine and she kissed his jaw gently, smiling as she heard his whispered countings of the rhythm. It wasn't so hard to follow along when he was leading. [font color=#6666FF]"I never felt so much love in my soul, and no one but you ever loved me. I laughed, I cried, I was reborn also,"[/font] she whispered into his ear, her breath stirring his hair a bit and making him shiver. Chris smiled when he looked at her and asked, "What?" [font color=#6666FF]"It's the words to the song, the translation."[/font] she replied. "Ahh." He smiled, and leaned in, pretending to croon to her as the song continued. Chris giggled and gave him a soft kiss.
[i]Lo que tuve di, por tenerte aquí
Ya sé que despedirnos es mejor
Sufriendo pagaré mi error
Ya nada será igual, lo tengo que aceptar
Y hallar la fuerza en mí para este adios
Aléjate, no puedo más[/i]
"Well, Miss esperanza, what does that mean?" he asked, honey eyes sparkling.
Chris thought back and said, [font color=#6666FF]"What I had I gave to keep you here, I know that saying goodbye is best. I will pay for my mistake, nothing is the same, I will have to accept it. And find the strength in me for this goodbye. Go away, I can't bear it anymore."[/font]
"Rather morbid isn't it?"
[font color=#6666FF]"Yes, but it's so romantic. He's suffering for her."[/font] Chris replied, eyes going dreamy. Peter chuckled, the rumbling sound deep in his chest that Chris loved. The rest of the lyrics tumbled around Chris' head, but she paid no attention. The dance had gotten more involved and she found herself only focusing on Peter's eyes, and following his every move. The sinous movements of their legs combined to gracefully create twirl after twirl, and every time he brought her in from one, she felt her heart flutter, their lips just so close to kissing before she was seperated again. The dance floor had cleared, and there were people watching the two young lovers as they danced, but they didn't notice them. Peter dropped his hands to Chris' waist and lifted her up in a graceful move, bringing her back down to where one leg went around his waist and she slowly slid down until both were back on the floor which launched them into another breathtaking round of the basic step. She felt like she had been dancing all of her life, or maybe it just came to her in that second, but as the music crescendoed and the last refrain sounded, Chris sidled in closer to Peter, and his hand slid down her back, pausing for a caress on her the bared skin from her dress. The next moment, she found herself looking up into his eyes, and her back bent as he dipped her low. The long awaited kiss came just as the song ended and Chris closed her eyes, relishing in the feeling of his closeness to her. The older people in the audience applauded, maybe remembering how it was when they were younger, and Chris was brought out of the dream dance. The feeling still lingered on throughout the night, and she could have sworn she had heard Peter whisper "I love you," as they left the dance floor hand in hand.
***
Chris dashed away a tear from her eye as she was brought back into the real world. That dance was truly one of the most passionate dances she had ever done, and she wondered if any dance could ever best it. Could anything ever be better than your first taste of love, no matter how long it lasted?
She tossed the shoebox into the trash and headed back down from the attic to her room. [font color=#6666FF]"Si nada puedo hacer, aléjate no voy a arrepentirme del ayer, Aléjate, no puedo más"[/font] Chris resolved to forget about Peter as soon as possible as she opened the door to her room.
Two weeks later, as she was saying goodbye to her family an fiance, the photo of the young passionate dancers was sticking out of her coat pocket.
***
Translation of last sentence: "If there's nothing I can do go away. I'm not going to repent for yesterday. Go away I can't bear it anymore."
Alejate - Josh Groban