Stranger Danger

   The party was tedious. The guests, even more so. Meaningless chatter oozed around me in cloud of poisonous gas.The smell of aging old coots wrestled the breath from my lungs. Their conversations unvaried, rodomontade. The pride dripping from their thinned lips. Each tale more exaggerated than the last. I hated parties. I hated socializing. I hated people. They all fell in the same category. Everyone believed they deserved respect for the most mundane tasks. As if washing clothes or cooking a meal for your family suddenly made you royalty. If that was the case, then I should be queen of the world by now. God knows i’ve shed enough blood for these overly proud monarchs. 

   Rolling my eyes, I took a deep swig of the sweet beverage. My fifth one of the night. If I was to be here against my will, then I was not going to stay sober. With little interest, I studied the room. The ceilings where high and domed; allowing the cheery music to easily float around the crowded room. The walls where covered in banners and strings of every color and the few windows thrown open, permitting the cool evening breeze to waft through. Doing little to fight off the sweltering heat that threatened to burn me alive. And that was no easy thing to do, considering I was fire resistant. 

   Lazily swinging my eyes around, I took in the guests. Many where grey and aging. Clothed in bright, vibrant colors. Fitting for such a joyous night. There in the corner stood Captain Wrengard. He was the captain of the kings army before he retired. His strength and wits are legendary. They say he fought off a hoard of two-hundred man eating dragons by himself and claimed there lands for the king. Lies. Wrengard cowered behind a boulder and cried for his mother begging for his life; and it was only two dragons, not two-hundred. 

   To my left stood Princess Zelina, although she isn’t really a princess. Her father owns a tavern and she just so happened to meet a prince who had been kicked out and his title revoked. He didn’t spill that little secret until the wedding night. Talk about a melt down. Zelina’s husband, Derek, resided to my right, talking up some young adolescent female. He likes them younger. Yuck! 

   Finishing the liquid and setting the glass on the nearest table, I made my way towards the door. My presence had been made known and now it was time to take my leave and find some real alcohol. Moving through the maze of bodies, I found myself near feet from the door. I was almost there. Almost to freedom. To entertainment. Almost away from this dreadful gathering they tried to pass off as a party. Unfortunately I wasn’t so lucky. Why does the universe laugh at me? 

   Blocking my path, stood my uncle. Jasper. With a sickly sweet smile, I began to fear for my life. Nothing ever went well for me when he did that. Movement to his left drew my attention and I knew then, my night had just gotten a whole lot worst. There, with an air of sadistic intent, stood my enemy. The bane of my existence. The reason for all my hate. The murderer of my happiness. The devil reincarnated. The man who broke my heart. Jessie

   Swinging my eyes widely back to my uncle, I frantically looked for another way out. But alas, I was trapped. There was one way out and Jasper and the spawn of satan, were blocking it. Standing tall, I squared my shoulders and continued forward. Maybe if I pretend I didn’t see them, I could sneak by and be free. The gods are just laughing their assess off.

   Jasper cleared his throat. “ Ah, Athena! My wonderful, beautiful, amazing, image of perfection, sweet little niece.’” Laying it on there a little think, don’t you think uncle? “A wonder it is to find you here tonight!” Sure, a wonder. As if I would be anywhere else besides this stupid party you literally dragged me kicking and screaming to. 

   Jasper gestured wildly to the man standing beside him. “I don’t believe you two have meant. This is a good friend of mine, Jessie.” 

   Plastering a smile to my face, I nodded to the tiny imp. To be fair, Jessie was quite a looker though. One of the reasons I fell for him. He was tall and lean with just enough muscle to comfortably rest your head with out fearing you’d be smothered by them. His hair was short and soft, a beautiful golden brown that made me hate my own chestnut hair. But the biggest appeal was his eyes.  Oh his eyes! It was like staring into a crystal lake. The blue so soft and inviting! I could drown in his eyes and never be happier. That was before the whole thing between us.

   “A pleasure to meet you, Jessie.” 

   “The pleasure is all mine Lady Athena.” His voice rolled over me like gentle waves over gravel. I repressed my shudder. My uncle didn’t know our past. I preferred to keep it that way.

   A girlish giggle drew my attention back to Jasper. Grasping my hand, he placed it in Jessies. My stomach felt nauseous. “Why don’t you two go for a walk outside and get to know each other!” Another giggle rang around me and before I knew it, I was being shoved outside with my mortal enemy and the door slammed behind us. Ripping my hand from his grasp, I wiped on my dress. An attempt to rid it from whatever germs this thing beside me carried.

   Allowing my eyes to glance his way I saw Jessie partake in a similar maneuver. 

   “Imp” I addressed him with an air of coldness that had nothing to do with the chill of the night.

   “Wretch” He replied a moment later. Sounding almost as of he was already bored of this conversation. Bored? Of me? How dare he! “I see you are doing well.” His sweet melody of a voice gained my attention. 

   I scoffed. “What is it to you? Not like you care how i’m doing.” 

   A chuckle. How dare he laugh at me. “Seems like someone is still mad.”

Mad? Mad?! Oh no, I’m not mad. I’m insulted that he felt the need to befriend my uncle and magically pop back into my life. I scoffed again.

   “Or maybe you’re just jealous.”

   “Jealous? Of what? That used candle stick?” I should not be here. I should not be talking to him. I should just leave. But I can’t help it! He’s just so infuriating!

   Jessie laughed and I felt my heart shudder. “Be it as it may, I am staying at the inn outside of town. You’re welcome to join me if you so choose.” He winked and my knees buckled. “Or don’t. Up to you.” With a smile, Jessie turned towards the edge of town. Hands stuffed in his pockets. I watched as he leisurely made his way down the main rode. Almost as if he was waiting for my decision. 

    Sweeping my eyes behind me, back towards the party, I weighed my options. The party would be safe. Boring, but absolutely safe. Pinning Jessie’s retreating form, I sighed. Why am I even bothering. I already made up my mind. With a huff and a stomp, I took off towards him, calling out his name and watching as he paused and glanced back towards me. A knowing smile already plastered to his stupid face.

   Stupid Jessie coming back into my life. Stupid heart for loving him. Stupid me for giving into said heart. I knew I would rouse in the morning alone. The bed cool and empty. But for tonight, I would take what I could get. The beat of my heart drowned out everything else as he reached for my hand and pulled me close. I couldn’t help but remember the popular saying, ‘stranger danger’. Yes, strangers were dangerous. But, thanks to Uncle Jasper, we were no longer strangers. The only thing in danger now, was my rapidly beating heart.

Taking a deep breath of clean air, I shyly glanced towards Jessie. He was already staring at me and I could feel a blush heating my cheeks. Who cared if my heart was in danger of being broken again; at least the pain was coming from a mysterious stranger who would most likely be gone by morning. I‘ll have to thank my uncle next time I see him.