#roseindarkness

“ Do you have to call it that?”

“ Chair please.”

It was just like every other day at the office. Ethan had been at this branch for a while and he finally settled into a routine. He was moving back and forth his desk chair, letting his wandering thoughts run away with him.

Reminiscing about his college days which weren’t that too far gone, but seemed like ages ago. Everything kept jogging back to Elena. They had promised to stay in touch after she was hauled away. Something about having to take care of an ailing relative. But his texts and emails seemed to go wayside and hasn’t heard a response in quite some time. After all of his attempts, he just simply gave up. But his mind would not let her go. It wasn’t long from the moment they met that Ethan developed feelings for Elena, it was hard not too. Even though he couldn’t see her entirely, he fell for her from the minute he heard her voice. Over time he gathered tidbits of information that would later solidify his feelings, but, honestly, it was instant for him.

But Ethan never had the courage to say anything. He always kept it hidden to himself. Well, from her at least. His friends would always give him grief and would tell him time and time again ‘just tell her.’ But he could never bring himself to do it. So, he just sat back and waited patiently. Hoping by some miracle she would come around just tell him everything he’s always wanted to hear.

But four years went by very quickly and graduation had them going in two different directions. Ethan had planned out everything he wanted to say to her on that day. He was going to lay it all out for her. But after the ceremony, she was hastily whisked away. All he got was a short goodbye and that was it. And sending it over text or email wouldn’t be personal. The things he wanted to tell her needed to be said in person. ‘I love you. I’ve always loved you. Since the minute I heard what my name sounds like when you say it.’

All he had now were his memories of her. He’d bring them out all of the time, but lately they were plaguing him more than ever. Two years without his best friend was far too long. It wasn’t until Ethan heard the tap on his door that he snapped out of. He nearly fell out of chair because he was startled so much, but he caught himself in time.

“Are you coming to lunch?” One of his closest buddies in the office asked as he peeked his head in the doorway.

“Hm? What?” Ethan questioned still in a bit of a daze. “Oh, lunch. Right. Yeah, I’m coming.”

“You okay?”

“Yeah. Just have my mind on a lot of things right now.”

“Come on. I know that look. You’re thinking about her again, aren’t you?”

“Sorry.” Ethan sighed a bit to himself. “You’re right. I can’t help it. I love her, Johnny.”

“Then why are you sitting here, moping around. Go tell her.”

“It’s not that easy. For one, I don’t even know where she is right now. And two, even if I knew where she was I can’t just walk right up, hand her a flower and say ‘Hey, remember me? We were best friends in school and will you go out with me?’ It just doesn’t work like that.”

‘Aw, stop. I’m sure she can’t be that hard to find. Facebook or something.”

“I’ve tried.” Ethan was feeling even more defeated than before. “Nothing.” He removed his red tinted glasses and set them on his desk. “Besides, what do I have that I can offer her?”

“Well, you can’t see.” Johnny joked, trying to lighten the mood.

“I’m serious. Plus she comes from a high society family.”

“So she’s rich. So what?”

“I’m not, that’s what. I wouldn’t be able to make a good impression on any of her family or friends. And that’s not fair to her.”

“Now, you’re just being ridiculous.”

But before Ethan could mutter a rebuttle, another co-worker strolled up and interjected himself into their conversation. “Hey, did you guys see the new girl they hired?”

“You really have to stop that. You know he can’t see dipshit.”

“It’s fine, Johnny. Leave him alone.” Ethan chuckled a bit.

“No, but seriously. She’s super hot.”

“Did you happen to get a name?”

“It starts with an ‘E.’ Elisha...no. Elema...no. Elena….that’s it. Elena.”

Ethan stood up as fast as he could once he heard her name. It wasn’t that common of name. But the chances of it actually being who he hope were small. “What does she look like?”

“Oh, now you care?” But Teddy got smacked in the back of the head by Johnny. “Ow!” He rubbed the back of his skull. “Short-ish. Blonde hair. And the best smile ever. Spoke with a bit of an accent.”

The smile grew on Ethan’s face. “It’s her. Johnny. It’s Elena. The Elena. This is my chance. Well, my second chance. I’m going to tell her everything. I’m not going to let her slip away this time. We’re more mature adults now.”

“Alright, man. Calm down. You need to go and see if it’s actually her before you start making wedding plans.” Teddy turned and gave Johnny a weird look, but it was only reciprocated with a wave.

“You’re right. But I swear to you, I’m not going to chicken out this time. ‘Faint hearts won fair lady.’”