Excerpt: 900 Miles Difference

Leslie came out of the library with her eyes practically glowing; this was one of her most favorite types of weather.
The rain fell down in rapid succession as the sun shone warmly. Leslie ran out into the grass near the side garden that was visible from her favorite window seat, her arms spread wide as she spun in circles, dancing and leaping about, her face raised to feel the sun’s warm kiss and the rain’s cool touch. The flowers near her reveled almost as much as she at the wondrous occurrence.
Some of the fellow librarians looked out smiling, their young college dear to them.
“What do you think you are doing?” called a male voice.
Leslie’s heart stopped immediately, as did her cavorting. Caught off guard she stood there, not believing her ears as the rain dripped from her nose, fingertips, and hair.
“Leslie?” the voice now full of concern.
She did not think it was possible, he could not be here now, was she hearing things? Her heart started to beat rapidly ‘I can not afford to go more crazy!’
Suddenly his warm hand was on her shoulder, turning her carefully as she jumped and her heart skipped a beat once more at his touch.
‘I’m not only hearing things, but feeling things too’ her eyes clamped shut, not wanting to be disappointed.
“Hon?” he said quietly, his other hand softly grasping her chin and tilting her head up once more, gently pressing his warm lips to her chilled ones.
Blood rushed to her face, her heart thudding into a much faster pace as she unfroze and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close, not caring if she was going more crazy, she would enjoy her hallucination.
His arms wrapped around her, their entwined embrace a very different structure for the rain to drip from.
“Marcus?” she sighed as she broke for air “Why can you not really be here?”
His arms detangled themselves and pushed her back slightly, she tried to grip tighter and pull him close again.
“What do you mean?” he asked, a hint of laughter eeking into his words.
Leslie murmured “You are a hallucination, I’m going even crazier, but I do not care, please kiss me again.” she said as she attempted to cause their bodies to converge once more.
“Leslie,” he said, actually chuckling now, “Open your eyes you silly girl. I am really here.”
She shook her head stubbornly “That’s what you say, but when I do, you will disappear.”
He pressed her further away, “If you do not, I really will leave.”
Her arms fought feverishly to keep their grasp on him. “No, please!” she whimpered, “don’t leave me.”
He stopped pushing, frozen himself, “Love, have you not been alright while I have been gone?” he asked.
She bit her lip, “I have been fine.” she said.
“Even when you think I am a hallucination you can not tell a lie.” he said, “Why didn’t you tell me? Please tell me now.”
“You needed to focus on your temporary residency. You had enough to worry about without my silliness.”
“It is not silliness if it is hurting you this much, I thought you had agreed to tell me these things.” he sighed.
“I did not want you to worry.”
“You are mine to worry about and I will worry if I wish.”
“It’s just…no. You do not like cheesy things.” she said with embarrassment.
“True,” he said, another hint of laughter, “but perhaps hallucination me will not tell real me.”
Leslie considered this, nodded, and said “You are my happiness, dare I say it, my sunshine, without you… I’m just going to shut up now. I am making a fool of myself to a hallucination.”
Marcus groaned, “Don’t say that.”
“You told me-”
“I know. Leslie. Tell me when you are feeling low. Do not suffer just to keep me from worrying. You are also my happiness. If you are not happy, how can I be?”
“I…I’m sorry?” she replied.
“Goodness, open your eyes if you want to kiss me, I am going to leave if I only get to talk to a cheesy sightless girl who is soaked to the bone, even if she is highly attractive.” He shook his head in exacerbation, rain spattering off and hitting her.
“No!”
“Well…”
Cautiously Leslie opened her eyes to see his blue ones twinkling with mischief and amusement back at her. Hers widened, “You are still here.” she said incredulously as her hands tousled his reddish blonde hair and ran down his face to hold his scruffy chin.
“I told you that.” he said.
Suddenly she blushed, “And I was far too cheesy.”
He guffawed, “Yes, yes you were.” he agreed, “But I won’t hold it against you.”
She gave him a funny look.
“For long.” he finished as he began tickling her mercilessly.
Leslie shrieked as she writhed and fell to the ground, trying to escape as she giggled and gasped for air. “Please!”
“What?” he asked; mock innocence in his voice.
“I am at work!”
“So?” he grinned.
“I-am-getting-muddy!”
He finally let her up and swung her to her feet. “My, aren’t you a mess?” he said with a chuckle as he looked at her scarlet skirt and black shirt that were soaked, wrinkles, and soiled.
She tried to look upset, “It is your fault and you know it!”
“My fault? You are the one trying to get pneumonia before the wedding.” he replied.