Don't Yell at me

Wrote this on my way into NYC last weekend Also coming up with a title is hard i don't like this.

The first I ever saw of you was your head and bare, glistening, torso leaning out over the external AC unit of your dilapidated apartment building -- the red bricks were worn down so patches of concrete conquered the surface, and graffiti decorated the walls. This sight was accompanied by a strong, pungent smell of rotten vegetables and a draft of warm air, and I was captivated by that moment. As you blew smoke over my head, your eyes searched the streets, wandering along sidewalks and yellow taxis sputtering through the stop and go traffic. And as your eyes wandered, so did mine. My gaze fell on your sculpted jawbone and the definition of your abs. Behind you, I could see faint outlines, perhaps a fridge or a TV set. My eyes flickered all over your body before resting on your eyes, still roaming the streets. The voice in my head -- not my conscience, the other one -- screamed at you to look at me, and you did. Your eyes locked onto mine, and I was pulled out of that moment. The smell and the warm air fluttered away as I realized that my pace had slowed down and I pulled my eyes back to the road in front of me. A voice carried over me and across the street, and without even looking, I knew it was you. But I had to look and know for sure, so I glanced back. Your eyes were still locked on me as you yelled, and for a second I thought you were screaming for me. My eyes fluttered downwards and I imagine I began to blush. But someone from across the street responded to your calls, and I raised my gaze once more. You still maintained eye contact, and grinned a menacing smile and bared your crooked teeth. Then you took one long drag on your cigarette, blew the smoke away from you, tapped the cigarette twice, and retreated. You slammed the window shut. I remained mesmerized. My gaze couldn't revert this time. I was in love. 

Reviews

[ChemicalMadness]

I enjoyed this little snippet - you crafted such a well defined picture and created a setting that was easy to plop right down into. I especially loved the line "not my conscience, the other one..." Made me smile. It's also a great synopsis of a moment many have lost themselves in - that second of connection and acknowledgement in a strangers eyes.

CM.