Page 15 of Those That Don't Exist
Dimwit.
CHAPTER 8
AURORA
In the shopping district, on the north side of the river, the cobbled pedestrianised streets are packed. Every Cafe is rammed with brunch goers, no doubt taking advantage of the sunny day. It’s pretty cold but the sun is shining and many of the eateries have lit log burners so people can sit in the outdoor spaces lining the shopfronts.
This district is the oldest in the city, a mix of open plazas and winding streets. Shops sell everything you could possibly need, from clothing to homeware, books to specialist food produce.
Claire, Bree and I wander from shop to shop all morning, drinking take out coffee from our favourite place which roasts its own coffee beans.
We’re all laden with bags, several purchases already made. I have more clothes than the dress I’ve picked for the party.
I’ve decided to go as the ancient goddess of the dead, popularly depicted with her signature red hair and metallic gold dresses. I want the chance to let my natural hair show, and the dress I found is absolutely stunning. It cost more than I should’ve spent on a costume but with its geometric design, mixture of metallic gold panels and sheer sections, not to mention the slit up to the top of my thigh, I loved it the instantI tried it on. It was like it was designed for my body, the lines falling in the exact places to show off my curves - well, the ones I had in my glamour form. I still loved it.
And it’s not really a costume dress so I’m hoping to wear it again.
I felt a little guilty over the money, seeing as I now have access to my dad’s life savings but it's the first luxurious purchase I’ve allowed myself. And I’m bringing in rent from my old house and the shop my dad owned back in my home village so it's not like I don’t already have some income whilst I finish my studies.
“Oooo, I love this shoe shop. They do the best heels,” Claire exclaims, pushing both me and Bree off to the right and towards the brightly coloured store.
“Don't you have a pair of shoes already that go with your outfit?” Bree points out, although she’s smiling. We both know Claire could have five pairs of perfectly good shoes already but we would be going into the store.
“Maybe, but what if they have something better,” Claire shoots over her shoulder as she pushes open the door, causing the bell above to chime.
It's a cute place, bright yellows, whites and oranges wash the walls and there are racks and racks of beautiful shoes. This isn’t the place you come to for an everyday thing. There isn't a trainer in sight.
I browse for a while before taking a seat near the large bay window at the front of the store as I hear Claire ask the clerk for several pairs to try on. Bree’s still perusing too, looking at the flats section.
She puts the shoe in her hand back and comes over to me, taking the seat opposite.
“How are you doing with catching up on the assignment work?” she asks, flicking her blonde locks over her shoulder.She’s let them out of their usual ballerina bun or dancer’s ponytail today, the thick golden strands nearly reach her hips. I have no idea how she gets it into such a neat updo when she dances.
“Yeah, I’m getting there. Haven’t started my dissertation yet, but my supervisor approved the plan for it yesterday,” I inform her. We’ve not had much chance to catch up the last couple of days.
“That's great! I’m sure you’ll have the thing written in no time. You’ll soon be ahead of me, my planning is crap,” she says, scrunching her face up.
“At least you’re not having to write a million words, yours is practical.”
“Exactly, I’ve got to choreograph, and then learn, and perform the whole thing!” I roll my eyes at her. She’s the best dancer at the university, she’ll walk it.
I’m not sure why but my attention snaps to the shop window, to the book shop opposite. Standing outside, leaning against the brickwork, is the hot guy I keep spotting round campus. It feels like he’s everywhere.
What are the chances he’d be in this part of town today? He looks just as good as always, and the sun on his skin gives him a warm toned glow. He seems more casual today. His jeans are a lighter blue, but they still cling to his clearly muscular thighs. Underneath his woollen trench coat is a dark red t-shirt, loose enough it hides his sculpted chest - the one I noticed when he was wearing a tight gym top that clung like a second skin to his torso.
I watch as he types something on his phone. Without looking up from the screen he turns and enters the book store.
“Rory, what do you think?” Claire strides over in the highest stilettos I think I’ve ever seen. She walks perfectly in them, theblack glittery design catching the light as she steps into the natural light from the window.
“Er…” I stumble, brain stuck on the guy across the street. “They’re very tall.”
I get weird looks from both my friends, which is justified because I suddenly have the vocabulary of a child.
“They look great on you.” I try again, and then keep going as an excuse to leave slips off my tongue. “Sorry, I just remembered I was going to pick up a book today that the library doesn’t have. Do you mind if I hop across the street and grab it whilst you finish up here?” It was an impulsive decision but I wanted to try to, not so accidentally, run into the hot guy.
“Sure, you ok?” Claire asks, giving me a suspicious look.
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll be back in five minutes, can you watch my bags please?” I say over my shoulder as I head towards the shop door, not waiting for her or Bree to answer. I step outside and skip across the street whilst running my hand through my hair. I don't know where this confidence has come from but something in my gut is telling me I need to meet this guy.
