Stacy quickly cleaned herself up in the bathroom, blending in her concealer under her eyes. Why was I born with such fair skin, she wondered as she covered the dark circles that seemed to perpetually stay no matter how much sleep she got.
David would be there any moment for dinner. Tonight, she had prepared grilled swordfish and asparagus, one of his favorites. Sweet, charming David, one of the greatest guys Stacy had ever had the luxury of befriending. The two had met at a comic convention years prior, David working on selling his self-published comic book, and Stacy promoting her jewelry line. The two had bonded over a love of nostalgic TV shows and video games. But friendship was where the line was drawn: David was in a committed relationship with Andrea, his girlfriend of 5 years. Thankfully, he and Stacy had managed to keep their friendship strong, with him often coming over for homecooked meals (Andrea didn't even know how to turn on the stove) and a marathon of cheesy 80s movies.
Stacy barely finished applying her eye shadow when she heard a knock on the door, and rushed to answer it. David stood there in his usual attire, a plaid button-up shirt lazily pulled over his t-shirt, and his typical ripped jeans; it always made Stacy laugh how he always looked like a leftover remnant of the grunge era. His brown hair hung over his eyes slightly, he was definitely due for a haircut.
"Hey Stace, you look great! New outfit?" he asked.
"Yeah, just went shopping last week," Stacy answered. She was wearing a new black sweater and grey pencil skirt; over the last few weeks, Stacy had started a new work-out regime, and it had clearly shown as she had lost 2 inches off her curvy hips.
"So what's the movie for tonight?"
Stacy giggled, "I've been in the mood for some comic book-style blood and gore, how about 'Blade 2'"?
"Sure, haven't seen that one in a while."
It didn't take long for the swordfish to disappear and the two friends sat on the couch watching the vampire hunter slice and dice his way through the film. At about the halfway point, Stacy paused the movie to get the two of them some hard cider, their favorite alcoholic beverage.
"How's Andrea's new job coming along?"
David sighed and put his bottle on the table. "Well, actually things are kinda rough right now. Andrea's doing great at the law firm... so great that they offered her a transfer to another state."
Stacy nearly dropped her own bottle. "Wait, that means you're moving?"
"Well, not exactly. We got into a huge fight about it; you know I work on my comic with about 3 other artists, and we've got a new line coming out in the fall, I can't leave all that behind. But Andrea doesn't want to pass up this opportunity." David ran his fingers through his hair and brushed it out of his face. "The truth is... if she leaves, then it's over for us. And honestly, I don't know what to do."
Stacy put her bottle on the table next to David's and clasped his hand. "David, I know you want things to work out, but I'm not going to lie, I really don't want you to go. You're my best friend, I don't want to lose that."
"And I don't to lose you either. You've always been there for me, and I can't remember anyone who's been so helpful in getting my comic promoted. I mean..."
The two locked eyes, and for a split second, it seemed like the world around them had stopped. Stacy's hazel eyes were on the verge of tears.
"Stace... there's something I've wanted to tell you for a long time. And tonight, I think I'm finally seeing things clearly."
There was no need for any other words. David reached out and gently brushed away Stacy's wavy red hair, caressing her cheek, and leaned in. She didn't fight him as their lips met, their tongues gently touching one another. It was one of those amazing kisses that you only see in movies, one of those perfect moments.
David moved his hands to Stacy's back, rubbing it up and down and he held her close. She, in turn, ran her fingers across the nape of his neck, and her other hand reached inside his plaid shirt, slowly pulling it away from his body. He followed suit, sliding his hand underneath her black sweater and sliding it up towards her breasts.