Alice & James

Chapter 1

Alice

I wake up and see the ceiling fan rotating slowly above my head.
Upon looking to my right I see the sun beams being cast through the gaps in my blind.
I walk into my bathroom and stare at my reflection and I am filled with self loathing.
I brush my long black and blue hair to my right and tie it up in a pony tail.
I am reminded of that one night in university where I decided that I had a pessimistic view of life and people, that I hated each and every single human that plagues the Earth. This includes my self.
Those particular thoughts gave me the urge to dye my-what was once ginger hair- Black and dye the tips and some of the strands blue.
I wash my face with cold water. I do this because it reminds me that I am alive. It reminds me that each second is a second closer to what I have been looking forward to since childhood. Death.
I walk into my bedroom and put on my under garments as well as my black combat trousers, a black shirt and a black waistcoat with brass buckles and such. I fold up my left shirt sleeve to my elbow and put on my black rectangular framed glasses. I then put on my blue tie. I run my fingers across it's dark blue silk. I the put on my Black combat boots and tie the laces up to the very top. Placing my trouser twisters in am ready to face the world.

People always seem to take pleasure in pointing out the fact that I have a very manly character. I earn several dirty looks off of the many pedestrians that walk past mainly for the fact I am dressed in what I like because I like it. Not because some starved model in a magazine was wearing it.
I never was attracted to anyone. Not even once. My parents were worried about the fact that whilst all of the other girls wanted to dress up as princesses, I wanted to run around with all the boys in camouflage and with BB guns. They were also worried that I hadn't been in a relationship with anyone. Ever.
My parents were also concerned with how I never made friends and spent all my time sleeping through the day and living in the night, how I would go days without eating anything, how I would go days and nights without so much as a few minutes of sleep. I still retain my opinion that sleep is for the week regardless of what people say.

Chapter 2

An Unexpected Arrival

I walk up to the front door of the shop I work in and slowly push the handle down and step inside the warmth making me feel uncomfortable.
Kassandra looks up from the counter and then looks back down at her clipboard.
Morning Alice.
Morning Kassandra.
I place my overcoat on the coat stand by the door and sit at my desk.
There is a small white envelope right in the centre of my desk.
It Reads:

Meet me tonight at 6 O'clock sharp on the Burnley bridge.
Kassandra
Yes?
Do you know anything about this?
Standing up with a puzzled look on her face she looks at the small envelope.
I think I saw James drop something on your desk.
Is he into me?â
No. Or at least I don't think so.
Does he want to kill me?
Don't be daft!
Looks like he wants to meet me tonight on the Burnley bridge.
Kassandra goes back to her seat with a smirk on her face and she starts to chuckle.
What I never understood was I always seem to make friends even when I'm not trying.
Even when I try to avoid people I end up making friends and they always seem to want to be just like me.
I look at today's work. I have to repair four pocket watches. Seems today will be an early finish.
When I got home I started to get ready for tonight's meeting with James. I did this by having a shower-A very cold one because It is a lot more refreshing than having a warm one- After my Cold shower I went and put on my black jeans with torn holes in them, punk boots and my favorite black dress shirt. I set off at about quarter to six and mad it there by ten to. And to my surprise James is already there.
He greets me by taking my hand, bowing slightly and kissing my fingers. Which sends a strange feeling through my body.
Good evening Alice.
Good evening James.
He is wearing a long black overcoat, Gothic boots and a dark grey shirt.
He offers his arm and I link mine with his.
So what are the plans for the evening?
I thought we could go and see a film at the theater, followed by a meal at the Bistro.
So we're on a date?
No. I just couldn't gather the courage to speak to you so I gathered that I should just take you out for a night of fun so that we can become friends.
I've never had someone who wanted to be my friend.
Well I do. Plus you're full of so much mystery.
He takes a moment to breathe in and out slowly whilst flicking his black hair out of his eye.
You might punch me for this but... He trails off nervously.
Carry on.
Plus I find you quite attractive.
Cool.
I see him look confused then return to his normal confident posture.
Shall we? He asks confidently.
Yes. Yes we shall.