(no subject)
Butterflies in the Air
= Butterfly Effect
+ Milk Chocolate #30 [Attraction]
+ Green Tea #19 [Fashionably Late]
+ Rainbow Sprinkles
+ Malt [Summer Challenge Bunny #140: Words like butterflies]
“You stalk me, don’t you?” Juliet asked in mock suspicion.
“All the time.” Grace agreed
Grace and Juliet on their first offical date.
Grace/April 2010/1670words
Grace tapped her fingers against the table. Juliet was late. Really late. Okay, so only four minutes late, but still, that was late. Not that Grace was worrying or anything; she was simply bored and hungry. Why didn’t she bring a book? She was reading the Communist Manifesto at the moment; she couldn’t even remember how it had ended up on her night table, but it was there so she read it.
It was interesting actually. She was kind of annoyed now that she’d forgotten it. Quickly pulling out her phone to check, Grace spotted that she’d received a message. She must not have heard it.
It was from Juliet. Sorry I’m so late; just got out of the subway. It was written about three minutes ago; she wouldn’t be far. Slipping her phone back into her pocket, Grace looked out into the rain again. It had been sunny the whole week, but today it was pouring; a never ending downpour of rain Grace didn’t even know the sky possessed. Through the rain she could see Juliet hurrying down the street, half running, half walking as she crossed the street at a red light, just like a true New Yorker. Grace still wasn’t as skilled at Jay-walking as she should be, living in the city and all. She admired Juliet for doing it so well.
“Hello.” Juliet was breathless as she entered the shop and, taking off her black rain coat and hanging it around her seat. “I’m sorry I was late.”
Grace smiled. “Don’t worry. The subway can be unpredictable. How’s Daisy?”
“Her Dad picked her up from the hospital today and she going to spend a restful week at home. The doctor promised her she’ll be right as rain when she comes back.” Juliet explained. Grace noted she looked tired. Having your best friend in hospital from a brutal mugging was probably not the best stress relief.
Grace nodded. “How are you?” She added.
“Fine.” Juliet sighed. Grace raised her eyebrows as Juliet buried her face in her arms.
“Really?” She asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, okay. So not fine in the strictest sense of the word. More of a I’m-surviving fine.” Juliet corrected herself. A smile pulled at Grace’s lips. Before she could reply, however, the waitress came over and offered them drinks and food.
Ordering quickly, Juliet looked around the restaurant appreciatively. It was small, hidden away in the corner of New York where Grace had found it during her early months of misery. “This is a nice place.” Juliet said, relaxing visible.
“Well, when you told me you were a vegetarian it kind of narrowed down the places I could take you.” Grace grinned, though she waved it off. “I’m just joking. This is one of my favourite restaurants in the world. They have real quality soul food you won’t find anywhere else, even for a greater price.” Juliet nodded.
“After this week, Soul Food sounds perfect.”
“And Vegan Soul Food sounds better.” Grace added. “It’s like eating Soul Food, but without any of the guilt of killing animals and potential animals.” Juliet laughed.
“Exactly.” She agreed.
“So, tell me. What did you learn in class this week?” Grace was teasing Juliet.
“Not much.” Juliet replied, leaning forward eyes, sparkling with the same fire that played in Grace’s. “I’ve had a bit on personal and copyright law, but I mainly skipped classes to hang out with Daisy.”
“You make yourself sound badass.” Grace teased. “I’m sure you emailed all your professors and had other people catch you up.”
“Am I that see-through?” Juliet demanded with a laugh, making Grace grin.
“No.” Grace looked guilty.
“You’ve known me just over two weeks and you can predict my behaviour. Last time I checked, that meant I was readable.” Juliet pointed out. Grace just shrugged.
“I feel like it’s been a lot more than two weeks, Juliet.” Grace admitted with a grin. “I know so much about you already, I feel like we’ve known each other a lifetime.”
“Really?” Juliet quirked an eyebrow. “That’s something they only say in movies, Grace.”
“No, really. I mean it. Seriously.” Grace laughed. “I’ll prove it to you. Ask me anything. I know everything about you.”
“You’re insane!” Juliet laughed.
“Come on!” Grace squared her shoulders in mock preparation for the challenge.
“What’s my favourite colour?”
“You’ll tell me it’s purple or green, but I know it’s really black.” Juliet looked surprised. “You couldn’t take your eyes off the black iris I had in my shop on Thursday.” Grace added as an explanation.
“My favourite movie?”
“A tie between Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill.”
“You stalk me, don’t you?” Juliet asked in mock suspicion.
“All the time.” Grace agreed. “Now, ask me something more difficult.”
“Like what?”
“Your favourite flower’s a Lily. You hate England. You really want a dog.”
“You only know my favourite flower’s a lily because you’re a florist and everyone in my dorm could tell you the last two.” Juliet criticised. “So those are really not that hard.”
“You’re hard to impress.” Grace sighed.
Juliet grinned at that. “You’re not doing that bad.” She promised as their food came. Over their delicious soul food, the women kept on exchanging quips, especially when Grace started desperately trying to guess Juliet’s favourite book.
(“Pride and Prejudice?”
“Not even close.”
“1984”
“Nope.”
“Hemingway?” Juliet looked appalled.
“Ew! No way! He’s so sexist!” She exclaimed, waving her fry around. Grace paused, taking a sip of her drink.
“Emily Dickenson?” She attempted.
“No! Now you’re just guessing!”
“This isn’t as easy as it seems, you know.” Grace shot back, making Juliet laugh.
“Yes it is. Your favourite book is Mrs Dalloway.”
“Shit.”
“See. Easy.”
“Okay. I give up. Will you tell me?”
“It’s tie between Heart of Darkness and Lord of the Flies. And I really like Catch-22 too, though that’s not as epic as Lord of the Flies.”
“I should have know!”)
* * *
After almost three hours in the small restaurant, the two women left. “How are you getting home?” Grace asked as they stepped out in the street. The nights were becoming warmer, but a cold chill still made both women wrap their coats around their bodies.
“I’m still a student, remember? It’s the subway for me.” Juliet told Grace.
“I’ll come with you.” Grace decided, skipping next to Juliet. “I get off one stop before you anyway.”
“Stalker.” Grace just chuckled.
“You should be flattered.” She assured Juliet. “Not many women have the honour of their very own stalker.”
“I wouldn’t call it an ‘honour’, Grace.” Juliet assured her as they descended into the subway in Union Square.
“It is!” Grace insisted. “I mean, me being your stalker means I know exactly what to give you for your birthday and Christmas! If nothing else, that should be an advantage.”
“What are you planning to give me?” Juliet asked as they stepped through the barrier.
“I won’t tell you! That would ruin the surprise.” Juliet laughed.
“You’re insane. Has anyone told you that yet?”
“And that’s why you love me.” The subway screeched into the station, stopping Juliet having to come up with a suitable reply. In the train, the two women just bantered lightly. As they got to Grace’s stop, Juliet prepared to get out too.
“I’ll get out with you. It’s like four blocks to my apartment and its barely ten o’clock. I’ll walk. It’ll be nice.” Juliet assured Grace after Grace asked her. “Anyway, finishing a date in the subway isn’t good, is it?”
Grace laughed. “I hadn’t thought of that.” She laughed, lacing her fingers in Juliet’s. Juliet tried not to blush as they stepped out, hand in hand. No one stared. This was New York. They were old news.
Juliet realised as she walked with Grace along 110th St. that she didn’t know where Grace’s apartment was. They passed the Butterfly Garden, which looked dark and empty without Grace’s radiant presence to light those bright windows, aided by the sun streaming through the window, touching the thick dust.
“This me.” Grace said, stopping at one of the apartment buildings. It was nice. Not Upper East Side nice, but nicer than some of the apartments Daisy and Juliet were looking at. Before Juliet could comment on the apartment, Grace leaned in carefully.
Grace’s lips felt soft and sweet. Like cranberry lip gloss or something. Grace was about to pull away, but Juliet laced her hands around her neck and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. And Grace happily complied.
“I’m glad we didn’t end this date on the subway.” Grace murmured, leaning her forehead against Juliet with a wry smile.
Juliet smiled happily. “So am I. Call me?” She asked, carefully breaking from the embrace.
Looking slightly disappointed, Grace nodded. “Okay.” She agreed. They stood there for a second, unwilling to say goodbye. “Do you mind if I kiss you again?” Grace asked after an awkward silence. Juliet laughed.
“No.” She admitted.
“Good.” Grace replied, pulling Juliet back into her embrace.
“I need to go now.” Juliet panted when they broke away again. Grace chuckled. “Now, really. It’s late. I have a paper to write tomorrow. And then I have to call Daisy. So tomorrow’s busy. Which means I’m gonna need sleep. And now you’re making me forget what I was going to say with being so close.” Grace laughed again.
“Can we do something tomorrow?” she asked, her eyes twinkling. “How about a picnic in Central Park if the weather’s nice?”
“Sounds wonderful.” Juliet replied with a happy grin. She went on her tiptoe, gave Grace a quick kiss and then walked off, looking behind her to wave. Grace waved back and then entered her building where the security guard was staring at her.
“You never told me you were gay!” He accused her, falling into step next to her as she walked to the elevator.
“You never asked!” She brunette replied with a grin.
= Butterfly Effect
+ Milk Chocolate #30 [Attraction]
+ Green Tea #19 [Fashionably Late]
+ Rainbow Sprinkles
+ Malt [Summer Challenge Bunny #140: Words like butterflies]
“You stalk me, don’t you?” Juliet asked in mock suspicion.
“All the time.” Grace agreed
Grace and Juliet on their first offical date.
Grace/April 2010/1670words
Grace tapped her fingers against the table. Juliet was late. Really late. Okay, so only four minutes late, but still, that was late. Not that Grace was worrying or anything; she was simply bored and hungry. Why didn’t she bring a book? She was reading the Communist Manifesto at the moment; she couldn’t even remember how it had ended up on her night table, but it was there so she read it.
It was interesting actually. She was kind of annoyed now that she’d forgotten it. Quickly pulling out her phone to check, Grace spotted that she’d received a message. She must not have heard it.
It was from Juliet. Sorry I’m so late; just got out of the subway. It was written about three minutes ago; she wouldn’t be far. Slipping her phone back into her pocket, Grace looked out into the rain again. It had been sunny the whole week, but today it was pouring; a never ending downpour of rain Grace didn’t even know the sky possessed. Through the rain she could see Juliet hurrying down the street, half running, half walking as she crossed the street at a red light, just like a true New Yorker. Grace still wasn’t as skilled at Jay-walking as she should be, living in the city and all. She admired Juliet for doing it so well.
“Hello.” Juliet was breathless as she entered the shop and, taking off her black rain coat and hanging it around her seat. “I’m sorry I was late.”
Grace smiled. “Don’t worry. The subway can be unpredictable. How’s Daisy?”
“Her Dad picked her up from the hospital today and she going to spend a restful week at home. The doctor promised her she’ll be right as rain when she comes back.” Juliet explained. Grace noted she looked tired. Having your best friend in hospital from a brutal mugging was probably not the best stress relief.
Grace nodded. “How are you?” She added.
“Fine.” Juliet sighed. Grace raised her eyebrows as Juliet buried her face in her arms.
“Really?” She asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, okay. So not fine in the strictest sense of the word. More of a I’m-surviving fine.” Juliet corrected herself. A smile pulled at Grace’s lips. Before she could reply, however, the waitress came over and offered them drinks and food.
Ordering quickly, Juliet looked around the restaurant appreciatively. It was small, hidden away in the corner of New York where Grace had found it during her early months of misery. “This is a nice place.” Juliet said, relaxing visible.
“Well, when you told me you were a vegetarian it kind of narrowed down the places I could take you.” Grace grinned, though she waved it off. “I’m just joking. This is one of my favourite restaurants in the world. They have real quality soul food you won’t find anywhere else, even for a greater price.” Juliet nodded.
“After this week, Soul Food sounds perfect.”
“And Vegan Soul Food sounds better.” Grace added. “It’s like eating Soul Food, but without any of the guilt of killing animals and potential animals.” Juliet laughed.
“Exactly.” She agreed.
“So, tell me. What did you learn in class this week?” Grace was teasing Juliet.
“Not much.” Juliet replied, leaning forward eyes, sparkling with the same fire that played in Grace’s. “I’ve had a bit on personal and copyright law, but I mainly skipped classes to hang out with Daisy.”
“You make yourself sound badass.” Grace teased. “I’m sure you emailed all your professors and had other people catch you up.”
“Am I that see-through?” Juliet demanded with a laugh, making Grace grin.
“No.” Grace looked guilty.
“You’ve known me just over two weeks and you can predict my behaviour. Last time I checked, that meant I was readable.” Juliet pointed out. Grace just shrugged.
“I feel like it’s been a lot more than two weeks, Juliet.” Grace admitted with a grin. “I know so much about you already, I feel like we’ve known each other a lifetime.”
“Really?” Juliet quirked an eyebrow. “That’s something they only say in movies, Grace.”
“No, really. I mean it. Seriously.” Grace laughed. “I’ll prove it to you. Ask me anything. I know everything about you.”
“You’re insane!” Juliet laughed.
“Come on!” Grace squared her shoulders in mock preparation for the challenge.
“What’s my favourite colour?”
“You’ll tell me it’s purple or green, but I know it’s really black.” Juliet looked surprised. “You couldn’t take your eyes off the black iris I had in my shop on Thursday.” Grace added as an explanation.
“My favourite movie?”
“A tie between Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill.”
“You stalk me, don’t you?” Juliet asked in mock suspicion.
“All the time.” Grace agreed. “Now, ask me something more difficult.”
“Like what?”
“Your favourite flower’s a Lily. You hate England. You really want a dog.”
“You only know my favourite flower’s a lily because you’re a florist and everyone in my dorm could tell you the last two.” Juliet criticised. “So those are really not that hard.”
“You’re hard to impress.” Grace sighed.
Juliet grinned at that. “You’re not doing that bad.” She promised as their food came. Over their delicious soul food, the women kept on exchanging quips, especially when Grace started desperately trying to guess Juliet’s favourite book.
(“Pride and Prejudice?”
“Not even close.”
“1984”
“Nope.”
“Hemingway?” Juliet looked appalled.
“Ew! No way! He’s so sexist!” She exclaimed, waving her fry around. Grace paused, taking a sip of her drink.
“Emily Dickenson?” She attempted.
“No! Now you’re just guessing!”
“This isn’t as easy as it seems, you know.” Grace shot back, making Juliet laugh.
“Yes it is. Your favourite book is Mrs Dalloway.”
“Shit.”
“See. Easy.”
“Okay. I give up. Will you tell me?”
“It’s tie between Heart of Darkness and Lord of the Flies. And I really like Catch-22 too, though that’s not as epic as Lord of the Flies.”
“I should have know!”)
* * *
After almost three hours in the small restaurant, the two women left. “How are you getting home?” Grace asked as they stepped out in the street. The nights were becoming warmer, but a cold chill still made both women wrap their coats around their bodies.
“I’m still a student, remember? It’s the subway for me.” Juliet told Grace.
“I’ll come with you.” Grace decided, skipping next to Juliet. “I get off one stop before you anyway.”
“Stalker.” Grace just chuckled.
“You should be flattered.” She assured Juliet. “Not many women have the honour of their very own stalker.”
“I wouldn’t call it an ‘honour’, Grace.” Juliet assured her as they descended into the subway in Union Square.
“It is!” Grace insisted. “I mean, me being your stalker means I know exactly what to give you for your birthday and Christmas! If nothing else, that should be an advantage.”
“What are you planning to give me?” Juliet asked as they stepped through the barrier.
“I won’t tell you! That would ruin the surprise.” Juliet laughed.
“You’re insane. Has anyone told you that yet?”
“And that’s why you love me.” The subway screeched into the station, stopping Juliet having to come up with a suitable reply. In the train, the two women just bantered lightly. As they got to Grace’s stop, Juliet prepared to get out too.
“I’ll get out with you. It’s like four blocks to my apartment and its barely ten o’clock. I’ll walk. It’ll be nice.” Juliet assured Grace after Grace asked her. “Anyway, finishing a date in the subway isn’t good, is it?”
Grace laughed. “I hadn’t thought of that.” She laughed, lacing her fingers in Juliet’s. Juliet tried not to blush as they stepped out, hand in hand. No one stared. This was New York. They were old news.
Juliet realised as she walked with Grace along 110th St. that she didn’t know where Grace’s apartment was. They passed the Butterfly Garden, which looked dark and empty without Grace’s radiant presence to light those bright windows, aided by the sun streaming through the window, touching the thick dust.
“This me.” Grace said, stopping at one of the apartment buildings. It was nice. Not Upper East Side nice, but nicer than some of the apartments Daisy and Juliet were looking at. Before Juliet could comment on the apartment, Grace leaned in carefully.
Grace’s lips felt soft and sweet. Like cranberry lip gloss or something. Grace was about to pull away, but Juliet laced her hands around her neck and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. And Grace happily complied.
“I’m glad we didn’t end this date on the subway.” Grace murmured, leaning her forehead against Juliet with a wry smile.
Juliet smiled happily. “So am I. Call me?” She asked, carefully breaking from the embrace.
Looking slightly disappointed, Grace nodded. “Okay.” She agreed. They stood there for a second, unwilling to say goodbye. “Do you mind if I kiss you again?” Grace asked after an awkward silence. Juliet laughed.
“No.” She admitted.
“Good.” Grace replied, pulling Juliet back into her embrace.
“I need to go now.” Juliet panted when they broke away again. Grace chuckled. “Now, really. It’s late. I have a paper to write tomorrow. And then I have to call Daisy. So tomorrow’s busy. Which means I’m gonna need sleep. And now you’re making me forget what I was going to say with being so close.” Grace laughed again.
“Can we do something tomorrow?” she asked, her eyes twinkling. “How about a picnic in Central Park if the weather’s nice?”
“Sounds wonderful.” Juliet replied with a happy grin. She went on her tiptoe, gave Grace a quick kiss and then walked off, looking behind her to wave. Grace waved back and then entered her building where the security guard was staring at her.
“You never told me you were gay!” He accused her, falling into step next to her as she walked to the elevator.
“You never asked!” She brunette replied with a grin.