Duran

A Story by Brandon

Not yet finished but I would like feedback on what has been written thus far.

Chapter 1

When Christine met Duran she was a junior in college with a clear vision of how her life would turn out. She would graduate college with a degree in psychology. Then after taking a year off to travel the country by car she would pursue grad school. Her masters on to her doctorate. Only after practicing would she even consider dating and marriage. Let alone having children and a family. Her parents had done it the "American" way and she would as well.

Two days before spring midterms she was studying at a little known startup coffee shop a few blocks from the apartment she shared with an older cousin. Her hair was down and draping over her shoulder. She was a blonde naturally but in order to be different she opted for the ginger look only to find that redheads were a much more common sight once she died her hair. She wore non prescription glasses not because it was the new trend around campus but because she actually felt more intelligent and thus more capable of perfoming well when tested. Her running shoes looked as though they had never been out of the box but in fact had been used again and again on the same treadmill she always uses in the athletic departments training center. She had been tempted to etch her name into the display so that she could assure its availability anytime she needed to run a few miles. Dark wash jeans and an over laundered t-shirt rounded out her dress. Even in her garb she looked as though she was well kept and always aware of her appearance.

Duran noticed her as she attempted to withhold the slip of laughter that would overcome her as she thought of the previous nights mishap. Long story short, her neighbor had fallen asleep drunk on his couch, naked with the door wide open. Her cousin saw first and summoned her out to the breezeway to behold the mound of blubber that appeared to be eating a sofa cushion. It was disgusting to say the least.

Duran smiled to himself. He had become attracted first to the look of her innocence. She charmed him from across the room and he felt he had to have her. He had once before experienced the rejection of a woman deeply involved in her studies so he decided to wait until he saw her packing her things away before he would make his move. This would require some patience but would allow him the opportunity to perfect his approach. He returned to the counter to refill his coffee. Colombian medium roast, black without sweetener. A taste he'd acquired during a vacation in the state prison. The barista returned and after taking his cup she wished him away with a snide upon her face as he reproached without leaving a tip. He didn't do this with intent. Rather he was in thought. And when Duran Price was in thought there is very little that could empart him from his what some would argue was his best qualitiy. His mind. Being a "thinker" is what led Duran to the narcississtic notion that he could completely have his way with any woman he wanted.

As boredom began to settle in he decided it was going to have to wait until he saw her again. Not because he feared rejection but because he had arranged a meeting with a travel agent for his yearly rejuvenation. He began packing up his laptop. Christine was still nose deep in her biology textbook but as Duran made his way out of the cafe she saw that he had left a pen on the table. It didn't appear to her to be any ordinary pen so she quickly grabbed it and scurried out.

"Hey. Excuse me!" She tried yelling. "Mister man you left your pen."

Duran was half shocked and half nonchalant about the fact that she had apparently noticed him sitting at the table across from hers. His face was a cringed as he tried to fight off a sneeze before fully turning to receive his next prize.

"Oh wow. Thank you so much." He said.

He smiled at her. This almost won her over instantly. He wasn't really what most women would rate a ten but there was an extra little something in his smile. Boyish yet stern and seemingly ever present. The skin surrounding his eyes formed what some refer to as crow's feet. His lips curled just enough to see the top row of teeth. They were an inconspicuous shade of yellow in response to being the first in line to receive a cup of his all black coffee. The way his cheekbones seemed to want to jump into the air produced a very feminen bone structure that would be the basis of his childish facade.

"You are very welcome" Christine said. "What's your name? If we are ever in the same room toghether I'd rather not greet you with mister man again."

"I'm Duran. Or D. Or whatever you want to call me actually. With a face like that I would answer to Boceefus." They exchanged a giggle as he offered to walk her back into the coffee shop.

"No thank you. I would really prefer not to go back in there but there's still lots of studying to do." "Well don't forget to tell me your name madam woman. I know that isnt as catchy as mister man but I too need to know what to save with your number." He said slyly.

_________

His normally cool demeanor seemed to evaporate with every word that escaped that gorgeous mouth. As she spoke her jaw made a slight shift to the left anytime she wanted to dramaticize any significant story of her past. Her nostrils and brow both reacted when she mentioned she had a knack for baking. As if she could smell the aroma of snickerdoodle cookies accompanying her words. If her eyes began to flutter just a little, Duran noticed, it was usually as she spoke of her parents and the fact they had been married for over 30 years. Happily she claims. He, however has always been skeptical of what some believe is true love. She made sure to mention that she had always imagined that one day she too would be able to experience a togetherness as good, if not better than that of her parents. But for the moment all she needed was her passion for studying the human body and a good lay to keep the pipes from drying out. Though she hadnt said the latter aloud.

Duran suddenly realized that he had not only listened during their conversation but he also reciprocated with factual snippets of his own life. He began telling her about the things he disliked growing up. This was oddly out of character for him because as a self-proclaimed optimist the last thing he wanted to do was paint his life out in shades of grays and blacks. When he caught himself he turned to his fondness for reading. Anything from the classics to legal thrillers he would say. He let her know that he considered himself a thinker and any subject that could provoke his mind would certainly have him thirsting for more. She asked his views on marriage and he had to admit that the thought of commiting his entire life to one woman frightened him a little. She wrote it off to him being the typical man. This, he most certainly was not.

Perhaps the most significant factor separating Duran from the average "player" was that he sometimes began to believe that he had fallen in love with whatever woman he happened to be courting at that time. He would pour his attention and affection in droves because he had convinced himself that THIS one was THE one. He had already began to look at Christine in this light. This time though he had a reason to. Christine was charming. She appeared to be this shy, innocent type but he learned as she approached him that this was not the case. She was a knockout to begin with. He could see every curve beneath her loosely fitting t-shirt and jeans. Her hair was an inspiring shade of red. It had a brightness that you could notice in a crowd of redheads. He had no idea that it wasnt her natural color. Especially the way they complimented both her emerald green eyes and fair freckled skin. He has always been attracted to freckles. Atop the physical beauty that is Christine there was an ease about her. The conversation flowed so easily that hours had passed before he even once thought about the time. She was very bright and therefore could match his whits. Which was of great importance to him. She wasnt funny in a traditional way but she did find herself as well as Duran hilarious at times. She was driven to succeed and declared that nothing would stop her from reaching any goal she set for herself. She wanted to counsel teens and contribute to guiding them towards a fulfilling life. This brought about an air of nobility as well as compassion he thought. She was perfect for him. His little checklist for his future wife had not only been completed but she effortlessly exceeded what he believed would be enough to hold his attention. Duran was smitten and was unafraid.