AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Prologue
The train cars are full of people heading downtown to tonight’s grand ballet performance. Everyone is well-dressed; not as nice as me, though. Knowing I’ll see my Nora tonight, I went all out and rented a tuxedo and shiny black dress shoes. Some would say I’m overdressed, but my girl is worth it.
I bought her a bouquet of red roses over a week ago and hung them upside down to allow them to air dry. Their dried state catches the attention of some of the other riders on the train. It doesn’t matter, though. I get strange looks whether I’m holding dead flowers or not.
The corner of the note I made for Nora barely pokes out of the cloth I delicately swaddled the flowers in. I’ve never left a note with her flowers before. That changes tonight. It’s high time she knew my intentions that we will be together... soon.
Nora’s performance will outshine the rest of the dance troupe as she always does. I’ve seen her in countless productions on stage, and I’ve secretly watched her practice her routines from afar. A sly smile spreads across my lips. I’m so proud of her!
Closing my eyes, I picture her images across my bedroom wall. Some are from newspapers, and some are candid photos I took myself when I’ve followed her around town. I keep a scrapbook on my desk filled with playbills from her performances.
The screeching of the train brakes pulls me from my thoughts. As I open my eyes, I see the surrounding bodies sway forward and then back as we crawl to a stop. I stand quickly, hoping I don’t get caught behind the crowd. It’s a short distance to the theater. A walk that carries a purpose.
I feel my inside jacket pocket. My ticket is there, along with a napkin stained with Nora’s red lipstick. I followed her to dinner two nights ago and watched her use the napkin to dab her perfectly plump lips when she finished her meal.
I couldn’t let something that perfect be thrown away. I waited until she left, then hurried over and grabbed it before the table was cleared. She left behind a perfect imprint of her bright red lips. It’s a memento almost as perfect as her. One that will go perfectly in my scrapbook, along with everything else I’ve collected of my Nora.
I make my way over to the train where everyone crowds the doors, waiting for them to open. As soon as they do, the whoosh of air blasts through the train car, blowing some of the rose petals off Nora’s perfectly dried flowers.
My anger flares at the missing petals. I want them to be flawless for Nora because she deserves the best. I wish I didn’t have to take the train, but I had to give up my car. It was far too expensive to maintain while purchasing ballet tickets and traveling to all of Nora’s shows. A sacrifice well worth the reward.
The pressing of bodies behind me urges me forward. Just as I step onto the platform, pain shoots through my foot and forces a screech from my mouth. I jerk my head in time to see a plus-sized woman hurrying away from me, without so much as an apology.
The culprit for the pain in my foot is now apparent as I hear high-heeled shoes clacking quickly away from me across the platform. When I look down, I notice a scuff across the toe of my shoe. Rage boils within me.
“You inconsiderate swine!” I yell after the woman who ruined my shoe.
She doesn’t even bother to look back. She has no concern for my foot or my scuffed, once-perfect shoe. No one seems to notice my outburst. I try to keep a low profile even though I tend to be noticed, anyway.
I crouch, carefully placing the roses on the ground beside my foot. I quickly try to buff out the scuff on my shoe, and I’m somewhat unsuccessful. It isn’t gone, but it’ll have to do for now. I’ve fallen behind the crowd and I can’t be late to my girl’s big show. I grab the roses before standing again.
I rake my hand through my unruly brown hair while gripping the bouquet of roses with the other. That careless woman won’t ruin my night. Tonight, I get to see my Nora perform again. She’s portraying a classic character, the damsel in distress. Little does she know, her true Prince Charming is on his way.
Putting one foot in front of the other, I quicken my pace as I try to forget about my scuffed shoe. I approach the crowd but refuse to wait behind them. Instead, I weave between each tightly packed person, hearing some groans from patrons along the way, but they mean little to me. I’m on a mission. A mission to rescue Princess Nora.
As I approach the ticket taker, I reach into my inside jacket pocket. Careful not to ruffle the napkin, I retrieve my ticket and shove it toward him without a second glance. He hands me a playbill, and it feels like gold in my hand. Gripping it gently, I continue into the theater, the playbill in one hand and dried roses in the other.
I don’t linger with the other patrons in the lobby. I head straight into the theater and find my seat. I scored an orchestra seat this time, but it’s in the far back corner. One day, I’ll have enough money for a front-row seat, but for now, this will do.
I had to give up my IT job at a large company. My boss couldn’t understand why I needed certain days and times off. That smug man could never understand the dedication and devotion it takes to be there for someone the way I need to be for Nora.
I started working for myself a couple of months ago doing IT independently. It’s been a little harder than I expected to get my business off the ground. However, I’m my own boss and make my own schedule, so it’s worth it.
The lights are still bright in the theater. They won’t dim them until right before show time, which is still about five minutes out. More patrons are trickling in, chatting with each other before taking their seats. No one chats with me; no one even notices me tucked in the back row.
I allow the perfectly dried flowers to rest on the seat beside me. I’m unsure why no one else can see the beauty they hold in this state. I don’t see why everyone prefers them fresh. There’s nothing wrong with liking something different…or someone different.
I think Nora will agree with me when we’re finally together. I’m sure she appreciates all the dried flowers I’ve left her so far.
I open the playbill, scanning over the words until I see her name, Nora Reyes. A wide smile covers my face. Her name is nearly as beautiful as she is. Closing my eyes, I can picture her light brown skin shimmering under the stage lights. Her dainty figure gracefully moving across the stage.
I anxiously bounce my leg, waiting for the show to begin. It’s been too long since I’ve caught a glimpse of the woman who owns my heart. The days leading up to one of her productions are my least favorite because security is tighter during rehearsals. I was lucky to catch her at dinner a few days ago, but that wasn’t enough. It’s never enough.
No one has taken the seat beside me. I’m relieved but also angry. How could Nora’s show not be sold out? It’s a shame more people don’t know of her beautiful performances. Or is it? Do I really want to share Nora with others?
I place my playbill on top of the roses on the seat beside me, careful not to lose any more petals, before I fix my eyes on the stage. It feels like an eternity passes by the time the lights finally dim. Heat spreads through my chest as the music begins to play gently.
Princess Nora makes her way onto the stage, and my heart rate picks up until it’s pounding in my ears. Her presence fills the room. I struggle to swallow the lump in my throat. Her raven hair is slicked back tightly into a bun, her petite frame perfectly complimented by her toned tan legs. My eyes follow her every move.
