Chapter Three

I stand on the front door step to Bettes house feeling awkward and nervous. Light shines through the window panes of the door illuminating half of Erics face as he smoothes down his shirt and checks his breath before knocking on the door. Im embarrassed to admit it but I feel like Im in competition with him. A surge of panic runs through me, I should have picked something different to wear, I knew I should have picked something different. All those hours spent trying on different outfits, only I would manage to pick the worst out of them all. How am I suppose to impress her…I mean them looking like this? Do I look ok? I ask Eric just as the door opens, spilling light onto the darkened doorstep.
Bette stands infront of me, although the word stand doesnt seem good enough to fit her posture. She smiles, dark red lips parting to show immaculate white teeth, and I smile back at her looking down at my shoes like a shy teenager. She shakes Erics hand and I steal a glance at her while those unnerving eyes are too preoccupied to catch me out. Ive never seen clothes fit a persons body so perfectly, the way her dark suit clings to her hips but slopes at her *****.
She ushers us inside walking close beside me as she leads us towards the dining room. She leans closer. I think you look beautiful She whispers. I feel my cheeks redden.
Thank you I reply, my voice shaky. Im just nervous, she makes me nervous, thats all. Shed make anybody nervous shes so perfect.
Eric takes my hand smiling confidently as he begins to chat to a couple. I watch her leave the room standing rigid, my eyes searching her out even as I try to tell my mind that Im not looking for her. Shes not there.
We move into the dining room and I note with disappointment that shes still not there. Eric chuckles shaking his head, pretending to wipe away a stray tear. Im just going to look around
What? Ok sure. Ill be right here. Sorry Mark you were saying?
I walk around the room glancing at photographs and paintings, drawn into the works of art that are more comfortable to look at than some of the people in here. I wonder how many times Bette has looked at these? How many times shes touched them, stroked them with familiarity. I bring my fingers to the painting letting my finger tips dance across the surface as if they were human skin.
Are you coming to sit down? Bette asks her voice calm, soothing to my ears. I smile, meeting her eyes for once without intimidation.
Yeah. I just really like this one
We both look back at the picture and she nods in understanding. Silence seems to surround us enveloping us in a peaceful vacuum that separates us from everybody else in the room.
She brings her hands to my hair smiling and I almost purse my lips in preparation. Oh. Youve lost your earring in your hair, here Goose bumps spread across my skin as she holds my earring in the palm of her hand.
Thank you My hand touches hers and I feel her touch like ice or fire. We look back at the picture each of us smiling.

I lie in bed, turning away from Eric as he sleeps peacefully. I stare into the empty darkness, thoughts of Bette invading my mind. You dont even know her, I reason with myself. Shes just a person, like you like anybody. But I know that, thats not true. Bette is so much more than…I look over my shoulder at Eric thinking guiltily how much Id love for him to swap places with her. I slip further under the covers my embarrassment and shock hidden by the dark. Whats wrong with me? She barely said a word to me all evening, she barely touched me! I think of her touching my hair and bring my hand to my ear only to find it bare. It must be with her. I pull the covers up to my neck. Ill have to go back tomorrow and get it.