Watch

Watch chapter 1: At A Distance





I watch.



It isn't much, but it's something right?



My eyes glue themselves, sometimes surreptitious, sometimes far too conspicuous for anyone's comfort. My gaze lingers on in spite, in love, in lust, in fascination. No matter the day, the moment, the emotion, I am there, soaking it up, a lecherous sponge, dripping with knowledge, yet still craving more. Gluttony is my queen, and I, her plain embodiment. I draw my tongue over my lips, moistening them the way one does when one sees something to their particular pleasure as I watch a group walk in. I listen, but above all I watch, my teeth sinking into the ripe red apple I’ve been handed. A gift from Lady Gluttony herself. I take a bite.



“Gabriel?”



I turn, breath catching as my vision yields to the sight of Perfection.



“Shaylee,” I say, voice harsher than intended, dark and hungry sounding.



I lick my lips again.



Shaylee brushes a strand of hair the color of thick, sweet molasses from her face. She smiles vaguely, pushing at her glasses next. Brown-orange, rounded square frames, sun flashing off the lenses and spotlighting the brushing of soft caramel freckles that dust her cheeks and nose. Her skin is flawless, her lips a delicate rosebud pink peeking shyly in succinct dips, edges just barely upturned. If I concentrate, I can detect the scent of her strawberry shampoo, mixing with just the smallest hint of vanilla body wash. My mouth feels dry and I am frozen, as if in a trance. She ducks her head and suddenly the world is moving again.  I nod.



She nods back, looking vaguely awkward. I pause, the tension growing, thickening into a wall.



“Did you want something?” I ask at last, the words sharp, a double-edged blade. Inwardly, I wince.



She takes an uneasy step back, eyebrows drawing together obliquely. I bite the inside of my cheek, taking in her nervous persona. Damn. I was always being too hard on everyone, pushing them away. I shift my weight, darting a sweeping glance over the room at large. A gaggle of girls were chattering, casting sideways glances at Shaylee. One stood, beginning to maneuver towards us. I turn rapidly back towards Shaylee, intending to capture her into some sort of conversation and to get her order before her friend manages to reach us, only to find that my coworker Brandon has stolen her from me. She is smiling at him, obviously thrilled by his friendly demeanor. I scowl.  I’ll have to talk to him about that later.



Her friend reaches her and throws me a glare, which I return without hesitation. I've been observing humankind since I was capable of such an activity and it's been enough to convince me utterly of many things, the most prominent being the depravity of which man is capable...and, even more than man, woman.



'What a Bitch...' 





I realize eventually that I have been staring at the girls for the past several minutes. Shaylee is plainly suppressing a flinch beneath my seething scrutiny, while her friend's eyes have narrowed to the point of being slits. I simper at her and turn my gaze back to the counter, grabbing a rag and swiping at the clean stone surface.



The bitch stalks towards me, dragging a reluctant Shaylee behind her. She slows beside me, spitting the word "freak" at me, as if hoping the word would be enough to make me drop dead. The word wouldn't be, but perhaps the noxious stench of her breath could do just that....I glower at her, while Shay reddens.



"Bella...please."



"Whatever," the girl snarls, tossing her fiery curls over her shoulder in the way signature of a vapid moron (at least as far as I was concerned).



"Sorry Gabe," Shay mutters as she passes me.



I watch her go. Watch, because, at the end of the day, it's all I can really do. Thank...whoever…that it's at least something I do well.