I finally got the courage to meet him. All the nights of sending calm innuendos and sweet messages all led up to that night at around 3 am when the light of the computer and an awaiting message woke me up. Who would have thought it would end up being the sweetest Christmas present I would ever receive?
PhotoFinish: Are you up?
BlackKat: I am now. That scared the crap out of me Chris. What's up?
PhotoFinish: I'm sorry. I was just thinking, about you, but also about next week?
BlackKat: What's next week?
PhotoFinish: Uh, Christmas?
BlackKat: Oh sorry!! I've been so swamped at work that I haven't even thought about it. Plus, I've spent Christmas alone for the last 3 years, so it's not exactly the most fun of holidays for me.
PhotoFinish: I know, you told me. That's actually what I was thinking about. I want to see you.
BlackKat: You already have ;)
PhotoFinish: No really, I want to see you. Soon.
BlackKat: You live like 200 miles away. It's not like you can drive from Austin to Dallas in a minute.
PhotoFinish: I wouldn't let that stop me. I want to be the one behind the camera taking those pictures you send me ;) and no one should be alone on Christmas kitty Kat.
BlackKat: Well, don't you have plans?
PhotoFinish: I was going to go to Florida with my family, but they decided to go skiing instead, and let's just say I'm not one of those people that consciously gets CLOSER to the cold.
BlackKat: LOL! Well, I'm down if you are. I don't know if it's just the fact that there is computer between us, but I've never really met anyone like you before.I think we SHOULD get to know eachother. And maybe a holiday will do that. But just so you know, I'm not much of a Christmas person.
PhotoFinish: Oh you'll be a CHRIStmas person before long.
BlackKat: Very clever.
PhotoFinish: Haha, this Wednesday I get off work early because it's Christmas eve. It'll only take me about 3 hours to get to you, if you're okay with that. I could, stay for a couple days?
BlackKat: You know what? Okay. It's a date. A very nervous date, but a date nonetheless. Goodnight PhotoFinish.
PhotoFinish: Don't be nervous. G'night pretty kitty ;)
That, was the exact conversation. (I should know. I copied and pasted it into my online journal). The week came and went, but when it got to Wednesday, it felt like the day that would never end. At around 6pm (he would be there at 9ish) I hopped into the shower, afraid to leave my phone for even a second. He could make the trip from Dallas to Austin in less than 3 hours if he tried. What would he think when he saw me in person? What should I say? Do I shake hands or hug? So many thoughts raced through my brain. They were like the hot water droplets coursing down my neck and chest. I did everything I could to relax, shaved my legs (and everything else), colored my hair and when I got out of the shower I looked at my soaked frame in the mirror. I get it... I'm cute, in the unconcenventional way. My hair was jet black. It's really long with short layers, a stark contrast from my pale skin. Medium sized breasts with dark pointed nipples and almost momma like hips. He'll like me, clothed or not.
I picked out a tight pair of black skinny jeans, and a long red and black turtleneck, dark green shadow and liner... that's about as festive as I get. I didn't wear any shoes, because this was my house after all, but I liked how I looked. Dark, mysterious, I looked good. I was staring at my nails counting the heart beats when my phone buzzed and I jumped. A message.
"I'm not far now. Maybe 30 minutes or so. I'll call you when I get closer. - Chris."
My heart jumped in my throat. It's dark out, and maybe this isn't the best idea. The dramatic wind outside was telling me that a storm was coming, a bad omen maybe? I needed to calm down. I opened my freezer door and grabbed a bottle of eggnog, chuckling at the ironic drink. I don't even like Christmas, I thought to myself. I needed to chill out. BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ! Not a message this time. My hands trembled as I pressed the little green button.
"He- hello?"
No answer.
"Are you there?"
"Katerina." He breathed the word. "Your voice is beautiful." It never occurred to me he hadn't heard it before.
"Hi Chris," I barely whispered but tried to be normal. "Uh, um, how far are you?" Very smooth Kat. Very smooth.
"Actually I'm kind of lost... I'm on I-20 East passing 287. Did I miss my exit?"
"No, no, you're going the right way. Just keep on coming until you get to the light, exit there and turn left at the second light, then left again into the apartments on the left. I'm in 1267. It's the very first set of buildings I'll just meet you out--" A tap at the door startled me. "Crap, hey someone's at my door. Stay on the line."
"Okay but hurry, I have no idea where I'm going."
I undid the latch wondering who could be here. I realy hoped whoever was at the door didn't ruin my plans. The wind blew open the door and the phone fell from my hand. Staring back at me was a medium built really good looking guy, short cropped brown hair, grown out just a little, (hair I had seen on a web cam many times before), wearing a beige T shirt, dark jeans and converse. His eyes were gleaming hazel and he was smiling at me. In his left hand, a phone, pressed up to his ear. In his right, a red long stemmed rose. His name was Chris.
"So I lied. Sue me." I had no words. I wasn't ready. "Merry Christmas Eve," he said as he handed me the rose.
"Oh my God hi! Merry Christmas eve to you too!" I didn't know what else to do so I hugged him around his neck and gave him a kiss on the cheek. His hand slipped around my back and hugged me tight as well. His face lingered in my hair, taking me in, an act he had no right to fulfill, yet felt so fitting, like he had done it before. I was afraid to let the mood get awkward so I spoke up right away.
"Would you like a drink?" He smiled before he spoke.
"Sure what do you have?"
"Um, coke, water, eggnog, grape juice, vodka and milk." At saying that, he laughed at me quizzically. "What? What did I say?" Why was I insecure?! He brushed my cheek.
"I just think its funny that you categorized vodka as one of the regular things in the fridge. That's like saying 'Oh here's my living room, there's the bedroom oh and here's my dungeon!'" We both laughed that time. But I still didn't get the hint.
"I guess I see what you mean. So what do you want to drink?"
"Kat?"
"Yeah?"
We're still in the doorway."
"OH! Crap, right, sorry come in. I'm so sorry."
I led him into to my small living room and sat him on the black sofa. The ambient light coming from 2 large dark red pillar candles on either side of the sofas really made his face look nice. I bent over to adjust the red rug beneath his felt and caught him staring when I came back up. I couldn't help but smile.
"So what do you want?"
"Um, I don't, uh, you wanna talk?" He was lost and flustered and that made me beam internally.
"To drink genius." A mixed expression of relief and embarrassment crossed his face.
"Oh! Water's fine. I don't drink." I wish I could have seen my own face.
"What? You don't? I mean, it's not a big deal. I guess I just didn't expe--" He raised a hand and cut me off.
"A lot of people react that way. I just decided that I wanted to be the one behind my actions. I don't want anything else to decide it for me you know?" I walked away briefly to get his drink as he talked. "Anyway, your place is really nice, like modern and Victorian at the same time."
"Hey! That's a really good description." I yelled from the kitchen. "I decorated it myself. I love dark reds and copper and black." I walked back in and handed him a silver cup with a paper towel around it. "Down to my kitchenware, I've always loved that style." Then all of a sudden... "Hey, you wanna see my room?" Where the HELL did that come from?! I had to learn to control that impulse.
"Sure, why not?" was all he said cool as could be, his eyes locked to mine. There was slight anticipation in his voice and I couldn't shake the butterflies in my stomach. There was definitely chemistry between us. And his eyes, those eyes were like, burning through all my pretenses and plans. I was useless to deny I didn't like the guy. Whatever he was doing, it was working. I opened the door to my room. Black carpet laid on the floor. A dark red accent wall was the back drop to my bed, black, white and Leopard print covers adorned it, welcomed us to it. I had checker board patterns and red splashes of paint on the other walls, (something my landlord wasn't thrilled about) and when I turned on the light, everything looked a sort of passion purple. On my nightstand was a 12 inch tall Christmas tree with a red light at the top. It was weird room I know, but it was mine, and I loved it.