“Who's that?” I asked, almost without realizing it. Simone smirked. That was when I first heard Clara's name.
“One of Lisa's friends, I thought you knew she was coming? She was in the Facebook message.” I'd barely read that message, just checked the dates and the times and that was that. Now I wish I had because I wanted to go through Clara's profile. I wanted to see her with a partner. Or could I bear that pain? Surely she would have someone. She could have anyone. She walked forward, seemingly in slow motion. She waved at us. I stared back, my mouth agog. Never had anyone had this effect on me without yet meeting.
“Someone's got a little crush I see,” Simone said. I glared at her as Lisa and Clara approached the car. My cheeks flushed, afraid that Clara would hear.
“Shut up! I just like her hair, that's all,” I whispered sharply. Simone raised an eyebrow. She didn't believe me. I gave her another warning look as the door opened and Clara and Lisa's conversation poured into the car.
“This is Simone, Kira, and Andrea. You three, this is my friend Clara, she's an expert at camping so I thought I'd bring her along to help,” she said. Clara slapped her playfully on the arm. She said hi. Her voice was soulful and melodious, like a soft summer breeze. Lisa got in first. I found myself hating her and yet loving her at the same time. I could smell Clara's fruity perfume among the rest of the scents. Her legs were pressed against Lisa's. Mine were pressed against Lisa's. Somehow we were connected, touching each other without touching. I looked at her and dared not look away, almost hoping that she'd turn to see me staring but I wondered what look I would be met with. Would it be intrigue? Would she welcome me? Or would she sneer and turn away? My throat was dry and I could barely think straight but now that she was closer I could stare at her and that was all I needed. I looked at the way her hair flowed down in soft curls, at the pale, smooth skin, the full red lips, the demure earrings hidden behind her hair, only revealed to those who looked closely enough. Her jacket was open at the collar, providing a glimpse of her collarbone, the place where her slender neck met her shoulders and the rest of her body followed, hidden from my view, tempting me, luring me in. I wanted to see more. I wanted to uncover the mystery of her. I wanted to know everything about her, because I had a feeling that I would love everything. I didn't know if I believed in soul mates but if they existed then surely Clara was mine.
Chapter 4
“You two have something in common,” Lisa said as the car pulled away and the journey got underway properly. Kira was still singing along to the music but that was a distant noise. I was focused on Clara and Clara alone. When Lisa spoke Clara looked at me. The shock of those green eyes was enough to turn me away, yet when I did I felt foolish, like a coward, and it made me feel unworthy of her.
“Oh really?” Clara said, her voice dancing. I blushed. Was Lisa about to tell her that I was a lesbian? Was she about to tell me that Lisa liked the same?
“Yeah, Andrea here is setting up her own business, it's why we practically had to drag her on this weekend,” she said, narrowing her eyes at me. I felt small, crushed into the corner with the woman of the world next to me, the goddess beside her.
“Oh really? What business are you trying to set up?” Clara asked. This time I looked up and I caught myself in those eyes. They sparkled and glistened and I was lost in her soul. Her mouth twitched into a slight smile and she tilted her head ever so slightly as she awaited my answer. It was a subject I had spoken about many times and yet in that moment I felt myself becoming dumbstruck, as if the ability to speak had been wrested from my psyche by some malevolent wizard. I could feel the tension building, Clara wondering why this new person she had encountered couldn't speak. Or perhaps she was used to this and I was but the most recent victim to the spell that Clara unwittingly cast?
“Clara runs her own massage parlor,” Lisa eventually said, saving me from the silence that was consuming me. “That's actually how we met,” she continued, “she works wonders with her hands,” and suddenly I felt envy flow through me. To think of Clara's hands over Lisa's body left me reeling. It was irrational I know, but it felt like Lisa was torturing me with this knowledge. I would have given anything to feel those hands upon me and Lisa had already experienced it, and she could not fathom the desire I felt.
“I know what it's like starting out, and mine is only a small business, I don't expect to ever make much from it. I just like making a living and that's enough for me. Lisa told me a little bit about what you do earlier. It sounds like a lot of work with all the distributors and stuff, you must not get much time to relax,” Clara said, trying to prompt me into talking. She was kind. I appreciated it. I took a deep breath and smiled.