by MillietheWarrior » 07/28/2009 6:25 PM
Jaing opened his mouth to say something about Amala not needing to change into anything else. He really thought she looked fine just the way she was. But she was already gone by the time he figured out a plausible reason for her to stay with him, and he was left with the image of her pleading eyes and sad smile. It bothered him, he realized as he turned his cup around in his hands. His armor felt like it burned where she had touched him, and he found that it wasn’t a wholly unpleasant feeling. He hardly knew Amala, yet he felt like they'd been talking to one another for ages, and that he‘d known her all his life. He didn’t know much about her, but he found that he could take a pretty good guess. He glanced up at the bathroom door, silently willing her to come out looking exactly the same, with a happier smile and brighter eyes. But judging from her expression when she left, Jaing knew it was a fool’s hope.
The minutes ticked by, and Jaing sat at the bar staring into his drink, watching as the amber colored liquid sloshed about the glass when he moved it. Jaing was surprised to find that he couldn’t stop thinking about Amala. She’d been gone for nearly ten minutes, and he couldn’t get her voice or her face out of his mind. It disturbed him to be so solely focused on one person, but at the same time it felt ri-...Jaing’s thoughts were interrupted as Amala stepped out of the bathroom. He kept his face calm and neutral, but inside, he was worried. She didn’t look the same; in fact, she looked completely different. And it wasn’t just her clothes that had changed. There was an odd look in her eyes, one that worried Jaing to no end. Jaing fought the urge to stand up and talk some sense into her.
What had she done while she was in the bathroom? Jaing had seen similar looks on people who had a problem with stims; they’d leave looking shattered, shaky and torn apart, but return with an almost blissful and confident expression on their face. It was no secret that they’d use some kind of stimulant or drug, but that wasn‘t his business. Jaing found himself worrying that Amala was doing the same; but this time, he wanted to make it his business. Yet, he couldn’t figure out why. He shouldn’t be so caught up in Amala’s personal life, and what she did to herself or took or drank, whether destructive or otherwise, was none of his business. But he was worried, and he couldn’t help it. He watched silently as Amala sashayed towards him, a completely different woman save for, perhaps, inside her mind. Jaing wondered if the outwardly confident exterior was a cover for the true self she hid on the inside.
As she drew closer, Jaing stood up off of his bar stool, unable to keep the worry from flickering briefly across his face. He couldn't deny she was more beautiful still than she had been, but he didn't care about that right now. He was worried about the Amala he'd just spoken to, the one who was currently hidden away deep inside her. “Amala,” he breathed, his heart racing. “I told you, you didn’t need any of that stuff to look beautiful...Your were beautiful the way you were...” As she drew closer, he reached out as if to put take her hand, but seemed to think better of it. He’d seen how she reacted to physical contact. “Amala...” Jaing was at a loss as to what to say, so he simply pulled out her bar stool for her, motioning for her to sit down. “Amala, do you need to tell me something?” he said suddenly, sitting down on his chair as well. “Maybe about what just happened....And I'd like a real answer. Don't just make something up and think I'll buy it...I'm a lot smarter than you think.” He raised one eyebrow, his voice brooking no arguments. He’d get a straight answer, and he’d get it now.
[11]
I love adventurous tales like that. That uplifting feeling that comes from seeing unknown lands and the knowledge that you came across—nothing can replace it! It opens a path from which self-confidence, experience, and important friendships—from the sharing of life or death situations—are born! But hearing it just isn’t the same. I want to create my own magnificent story!
A great adventure! +Imp. Documents+ +Menagerie+ +Wishlist+ +Journal+