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Alexios & Elysia #10

March 20, 2012

A few days went by and everything was quiet, a little too quiet. I went over to Dima’s house and she was itching to go out for drinks.

“C’mon, Elysia, it won’t kill you to go for a drink!”

“I know, I’m just not in the mood.”

“Then get in the mood!”

“Okay, okay…fine! Why not?” I couldn’t listen to her whine, and knowing Dima she wouldn’t give up till I complied.

“It’ll be fun, you’ll see. Just me and you.” Her husband was working late and she really wanted to go out.

“But first, I need to freshen up, look at my hair!” We both went into her washroom and applied some eye shadow, eyeliner, lipstick and blush. “Do you have a curling iron?”

“In the closet.” I went to heat it up and curled a few strands sporadically to give my hair some life. I checked out myself in the mirror. Not bad. I looked decent. I could have used my other pair of jeans, but these would do.

“Let’s go!” I said, “and thanks for this. I need a stiff drink!”

“You definitely need something stiff!” Dima laughed as she locked her door; her blond hair sweeping her face.

“We’re going to GoGo. I know how much you love the music there,” she said. “Look, it’s a full moon.”

I howled and we laughed. “Who knows, Elle, maybe you’ll meet someone,” she smiled.

“Yeah, right, at a bar, real classy.”

“At this point you’ll dry up!” We walked to the corner and hailed a cab from Park Avenue.

“Fuck you! I saw Alexios and we had a wild night!”

“What? When?”

“He came back.”

“And you didn’t tell me, your so-called best friend.”

“I’m telling you now.”

“And?”

“Nothing.” We got into the cab and I quickly changed the subject. As soon as we walked into the bar we headed straight for some seats at the bar and ordered two beers.

“Why did Alexios leave?” she asked me as our beers were placed in front of us and the barmaid smiled at us.

“He had to. It’s a long story. I don’t know when I’ll see him again.”

“After all these years, you still have the same feelings for him? C’mon, you really have to get a normal boyfriend.”

“What’s normal?”

“For starters, someone who actually lives here and doesn’t leave for years.”

“Duly noted.”

“You know, there’s a hottie staring right at you, three o’clock,” she knocked her beer bottle on top of mine and winked. “Start living today, not in the past.” I waited a few second to turn my head and when I did, my heart sank.

Athanasios was staring right at me with a stupid smile on his face.

“Do you know him? He is smiling at you?”

“Kind of…I met him a few days ago.”

“And, of course, you omitted that too,” she said sarcastically. She stared at him, “I don’t know how you could forget to tell me, he’s fuckin’ gorgeous.”

“Dima, forget it. He’s not for me.”

“Well, hold your horses, because he’s coming on over, whether he’s for you or not.”

“What?” I tried to not move my head and turned my back to him and stared in front of me. The barmaid looked at me and then her eyes moved to Athanasios and stayed there. I knew he was right behind me.

“So, fancy meeting you here, Elysia,” he said and I turned to face him. He was inches from my face. I pulled back and Dima moved to the side and that’s when he took the opportunity to squeeze himself next to me. “Hello,” he said to Dima and I quickly glanced up and down his body. Wow.

“Hi,” she said, widening her eyes at me.

“What are you doing here?” I said and turned my head towards him and met his blue eyes. My God he was a specimen.

“Can’t a guy have a drink at a bar?” He looked at Dima. “I’m Tommy,” he said, ” a family friend.” A family friend? Tommy? 

“Nice to meet you,” Dima said, extending her hand. He kissed her hand, “Pleasure is all mine.” She smiled, blushed and looked at me inquisitively.

“Elysia, I wanted to talk to you…to continue where we left off the other night.” I could just read Dima’s mind…the other night?

“Now is not a good time. I’m with my friend.”

He stepped back, “Oh, I’m sorry,” he looked at Dima, “Would you mind terribly if I stole your friend for a few minutes?”

She looked at me and waited for my reply. I nodded. “Of course, no problem.” She smiled, “I’ll be right over there,” and she pointed to and empty seat down the bar.

“Your friend seems nice,” he said. I lifted the bottle to my mouth and finished the beer, trying to calm my nerves.

“Would you like another?”

“No!”

“I’ll take that as a yes,” he looked at the barmaid, who was already staring at him. “Two more please,” and smiled.

“What do you want?”

“I see you are wearing the bracelet. Good.” He glanced around the bar. “Still no sign of lover-boy?” he asked.

“I wouldn’t tell you, even if I knew.”

“Pity, but it’s okay. I know you haven’t seen him. I’ve been watching you. Pretty dull life, my dear. I’m glad you finally came out to civilization. I was almost falling asleep every night watching you bored to death.”

“How dare you?” I was fuming. How could he talk to me like that? I really was starting to hate him.

“Hate is a powerful emotion. The complete opposite of love, but let’s get on with the story, unless of course, you don’t want to hear about your great-grandmother Elizabeth?” His eyes sparkled and I wanted to punch him in the face. At that second, the barmaid placed the beer in front of us. He pulled out some money and paid. “Keep the change and keep it coming. I’ve had a dull couple of days.” The barmaid laughed.

“You really have some nerve.” I took a quick sip of my beer.

“What? No cheers?”

“No. Now go on with the story.”

“So glad to have your attention.” I glanced over at Dima and she was talking to some girl that we had gone to high school with. I immediately turned away and looked up at Athanasios or Tommy. He blocked my view with his body and smiled. Fuck. I had to stop thinking.

“For your info, all my close friends call me Tommy.” He looked down at me, “and you’re welcome.” He took a swing of his beer. I waited, not thinking.

“Elizabeth was born in Greece, in 1902, on the island of Santorini. She was a smart, young girl with certain powers, unbeknownst to the villagers. Her passion was witchcraft, the goddess Selene her guide and the Gorgon her protector from evil spirits and evil beings-especially the ones known as the Night Walkers.” I glanced at my bracelet and played with it. Looking at the letters. “The letters mean Gorgon, you see, in Ancient Greece, a Gorgoneion was used to ward off evil spirits. Your own great-grandmother made the one you’re wearing. Actually it belonged to her. She made these charm bracelets for the women of the village to be protected from the Night Walkers, also known, in present day as the vampires. You know, your lover-boy, Alex, who seems so sweet and innocent…he has killed one-hunderd and twenty-six people, and all women.”

“How do you know all of this?” I was shocked.

“Because your bed-time stories were Cinderella and Snow White, while my bed-time stories were about vampires and  witches.”

 

 

Christina Strigas

Comments:

4

  1. TheOthers1 says:

    I actually like Athanasios. Something about him that’s very attractive and enjoyable.

  2. Chrissy says:

    It’s so much fun writing his character. Thanks!

  3. The Hook says:

    Some great raw emotions on display in this one! Excellent work.

    1. Chrissy says:

      Thanks so much for your comments!! 🙂

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