He'd caught her eye more than once.

Never a day went by without him thinking of all the possibilities. The future, his, hers, theirs, together forever. Clichés stung.

The fairytale however was even more painful, as it stabbed at his heart and toyed with his mind. He could even picture the little Imp sitting on his shoulder; hacking at his ear lobe and pulling at his hair.

Happy ever after, he would hear it sneer.

Her passion and enthusiasm for the things he loved, warmed his very soul. She would show him art, and swap music. They would recommend each other films and literature.

They shared everything in common, anticipated every line they would say. It was almost frightening, yet so comforting. They were in tune on every level. He felt as though they had been split in two at the beginning of time. Maybe they were the same person once, and had finally found their missing halves.

She would smile back at him.

He felt his stomach knot, his whole body buzz.

When he was down he would think of her smile and all his problems would vanish. She had the most amazing smile, and if it was the only thing in the world he had ever seen, he would die a happy man.

Her laugh was more than enough to remind him of his feelings towards her. It helped drown out the Imp's taunting laughter, as it almost reminded him of what he couldn't have.

It's all in your mind little man, it would say as it hopped onto his other shoulder giving him an equal earful, She'll never be yours.

Maybe the Imp was right. You always want what you can't have. But, it's early days yet and he didn't mind waiting.

He had nothing better to do with his life.

---soreal: Hi...how are you? :)

He sat, arched over the keyboard, staring at the computer screen.

A message popped up in reply.

---mojopin: Hey...not bad cheers. So...

His fingers hesitated slightly over the keys.

---When are we going to meet up?

The Imp rolled his crazy little eyes.

Copyright © James Johnson 2006