Story, Plot

Story

The girl phoned the boy to say that she was coming. When she hung up, he got up off the sofa and put an Edith Piaf vinyl on his record player. Then he made himself a cup of coffee and sat back down, rolling a cigarette. Meanwhile, the girl rolled out of bed. She pulled a bottle green dress on over her head a little haphazardly, and pulled up black stockings, a little more carefully. Brushed her teeth violently. Shoved her feet into tan leather boots. She tied her hair up into a loose bun. Some strands fell down the nape of her neck. She shrugged on a navy duffle coat, grabbed her keys and, slamming the door of her apartment, flew down the black stone steps of her apartment building. At the bottom she unchained her bike from the drainpipe in the hall way, and wheeled it round clumsily. The pedal tore a hole in her tights and left a bruise. She opened the door, mounted the bike and free-wheeled down her cobbled street, into the cold night air. When she got to his apartment she chained up her bike and rang his bell. He threw her the keys from his fourth story window. She caught them, and let herself in. By the time she reached his apartment she was out of breath. He was at the door waiting for her. They embraced. They kissed. They spoke. And they went inside, shutting the door behind them.

Plot

The boy heard his phone vibrating on the table again. He walked to the window. The girl was standing in the street, looking up at him. Smiling. He threw her his keys. She caught them. Moments later he heard her footsteps on his stairs. She could hear Edith Piaf. He went to open the door and there she was. Wearing that dress he liked. Wearing her hair up, because he said she looked beautiful like that, even though she didn't think so. She had a small hole in her tights at the shin. Her boots were scuffed. He took her in his arms. They kissed. He tasted of coffee, and cigarettes. She tasted of toothpaste. Her nose was cold. "Your keys hurt my hand," she said. "How did you get here?" he said. "Cycled," she said. "Come inside," he said. "It's warm."