about him, wasn’t his wealth or fame, it was how passionate he was about everything and how natural he treated everyone. He was indisputably real.
I’d left earlier for work in hopes of getting there first. He texted me on my way.
Rhys: Getting us coffee, is there anything else you’d like?
Me: No, thank you.
Rhys: Are you sure? I’m getting something, Ellie, so you might as well pick.
Me: Surprise me.
That was a huge mistake because he showed up with coffee and a huge bag of food. As he walked past the glass, his eyes found me and he smiled. It was contagious, causing the corners of my lips to rise as well, and I watched his eyes come to life as he observed my own grin. I opened the door for him and said, “Good morning,”
“Good morning,” he repeated, after placing the bag on the table. “We’ve got Danishes, pastries, bagels, toast, fruits, and I got you a yogurt parfait.”
I laughed, thoroughly pleased at his child-like enthusiasm. “That’s way too much.”
“Well,” he said, putting his hands on his waist. “Someone didn’t want to be specific. You better eat it, ’cause I hate wasting food.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll take some home if you want.”
He nodded with his hands on his waist. “So, what will it be?”
I chose the parfait and a croissant, which he served for me. He sat in the chair beside me and as we started eating I could feel his eyes on me. I avoided his glance, especially in close proximity, but I couldn’t help it anymore. Looking up, I caught him glancing at me as he bit his lower lip. “It’s good to see you. You look nice,” he gestured towards my outfit with his eyes.
I had chosen a lacy navy t-shirt and pink skinny capri pants, which matched the color in my cheeks perfectly. I looked down shyly and almost choked on granola.
“Am I making you uncomfortable?” he asked with a boyish grin.
“No,” I swallowed. “It’s just, I’m not used to compliments from guys…it’s been a while.” I paused and proceeded to change the subject. “What movie did you see?”
I didn’t just ask this for distraction, I was morbidly curious about who he’d gone with. He told me that he went with an old classmate, saying that he knew her since grade school. I wasn’t thrilled that it was a female, but when he again mentioned how happy my text had made him, it made me feel better. Jealously wasn’t practical, but I’d grown attached to him and while I knew this wouldn’t go anywhere, I didn’t like the thought of him with another woman.
We spent the morning discussing other characters in the play, focusing on how Hamlet’s interactions with them would add characterization to him. Specifically we concentrated on Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius, and how he sets the events into motion. Rhys paid attention, looking at the text and being professional, but every now and again I caught him glancing at me in a way that left me flustered. He’d be staring at my face, biting his pen or crossing his muscular forearms across his chest, and it was impossible to ignore. Lunch came quickly though, saving me from embarrassment and that small meeting room.
As we left campus all the students stared at him, some brave enough to wave and approach him. He was nice to them, waving back and signing an autograph or two, but his attention never left mine. It was hard to read him and unsettling because I never knew what was real and what wasn’t. He played pretend for a living, though he seemed most himself around me. But what if he wasn't? The Rhys I saw could have been an act too. At the restaurant we ordered a pizza and I mustered the courage to bring up his companion again.
“So how did you meet your friend again?” I asked as casually as possible.
“Oh, I went to school with her. Her parents and mine are great friends, and they’ve always wanted us to get together, but she’s like a sister.”
I sighed internally despite that I had no hold or possession over him. Rhys squinted
I’d left earlier for work in hopes of getting there first. He texted me on my way.
Rhys: Getting us coffee, is there anything else you’d like?
Me: No, thank you.
Rhys: Are you sure? I’m getting something, Ellie, so you might as well pick.
Me: Surprise me.
That was a huge mistake because he showed up with coffee and a huge bag of food. As he walked past the glass, his eyes found me and he smiled. It was contagious, causing the corners of my lips to rise as well, and I watched his eyes come to life as he observed my own grin. I opened the door for him and said, “Good morning,”
“Good morning,” he repeated, after placing the bag on the table. “We’ve got Danishes, pastries, bagels, toast, fruits, and I got you a yogurt parfait.”
I laughed, thoroughly pleased at his child-like enthusiasm. “That’s way too much.”
“Well,” he said, putting his hands on his waist. “Someone didn’t want to be specific. You better eat it, ’cause I hate wasting food.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll take some home if you want.”
He nodded with his hands on his waist. “So, what will it be?”
I chose the parfait and a croissant, which he served for me. He sat in the chair beside me and as we started eating I could feel his eyes on me. I avoided his glance, especially in close proximity, but I couldn’t help it anymore. Looking up, I caught him glancing at me as he bit his lower lip. “It’s good to see you. You look nice,” he gestured towards my outfit with his eyes.
I had chosen a lacy navy t-shirt and pink skinny capri pants, which matched the color in my cheeks perfectly. I looked down shyly and almost choked on granola.
“Am I making you uncomfortable?” he asked with a boyish grin.
“No,” I swallowed. “It’s just, I’m not used to compliments from guys…it’s been a while.” I paused and proceeded to change the subject. “What movie did you see?”
I didn’t just ask this for distraction, I was morbidly curious about who he’d gone with. He told me that he went with an old classmate, saying that he knew her since grade school. I wasn’t thrilled that it was a female, but when he again mentioned how happy my text had made him, it made me feel better. Jealously wasn’t practical, but I’d grown attached to him and while I knew this wouldn’t go anywhere, I didn’t like the thought of him with another woman.
We spent the morning discussing other characters in the play, focusing on how Hamlet’s interactions with them would add characterization to him. Specifically we concentrated on Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius, and how he sets the events into motion. Rhys paid attention, looking at the text and being professional, but every now and again I caught him glancing at me in a way that left me flustered. He’d be staring at my face, biting his pen or crossing his muscular forearms across his chest, and it was impossible to ignore. Lunch came quickly though, saving me from embarrassment and that small meeting room.
As we left campus all the students stared at him, some brave enough to wave and approach him. He was nice to them, waving back and signing an autograph or two, but his attention never left mine. It was hard to read him and unsettling because I never knew what was real and what wasn’t. He played pretend for a living, though he seemed most himself around me. But what if he wasn't? The Rhys I saw could have been an act too. At the restaurant we ordered a pizza and I mustered the courage to bring up his companion again.
“So how did you meet your friend again?” I asked as casually as possible.
“Oh, I went to school with her. Her parents and mine are great friends, and they’ve always wanted us to get together, but she’s like a sister.”
I sighed internally despite that I had no hold or possession over him. Rhys squinted
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