Page 13Fortunate kiss

So, what to do? It wasn't like I could just walk up to random strangers and ask if they knew a place where a sunlight-sensitive girl could have a decent night rest. Besides the obvious surprise that people would show, they might also start asking questions I had no answers to. Although... Maybe I could play it much simpler I didn't like lying, but I could at least try to be suggestive. Like saying I wanted to do something like developing film, for which I needed a lockable darkroom.

Yes, that sounded at least acceptable.

Even though it was still a lie.

The other problem was who to ask. But I had a weird idea. I wondered if this city had a bit of a squatters or art scene that I could get to. I was intelligent enough to be interesting for them and though I didn't paint, at least I was a writer of sorts. Obviously. (note to self, don't make too many self-references here).

It was only two hours until dawn, but having this somewhat clearer idea at least gave me some confidence that it could be done. And, worst came to worst, I could always sleep underground as a final resort. I was not looking forward to that though. I should have a decent chance to find something though. If I recalled correctly, there was a university in the city as well and students had to go out somewhere. And I was sure there would still be some partying.

I walked to the centre of the city. It surprised me how close it was to the marina and still fairly close to the ocean. It was a fairly small square with many pubs and small dancing clubs around it. Of course at this hour of the morning, I guessed around three, there was not a lot of people around. There was still a bar open though, and the people inside looked like they were having fun. Well, singing.

Inside I was happy to see the people there being of my age. Mostly. And, considering the clothing and copious amounts of alcohol, they were quite artistic. Or, at least, they thought they were. Despite the singing, it was still fairly pleasant inside, and I started looking around for someone to talk to. I knew I shouldn't wait too long with walking up to someone, else I'd look really weird.

There was a girl with long braids in her blond hair that interested me immediately. She was wearing a lot more colors than I was used to in her clothing and had a rainbow scarf around her neck. She was actually rather pretty and I realized I would try to seduce her if I hadn't already drunk tonight. She looked at me with a smile when she saw me looking and heading for her and was the first to speak.

"Hi!"

I was a little surprised but tried not to let it show. "Hi, I'm new here in town, just arrived and have kind of a weird question."

She smiled. "Let me guess, you need a place to crash?"

I blushed. "Yeah, kind of, but I need a place that's really dark."

She giggled. "Oh yeah, I know what you mean. A friend of mine couldn't sleep if there was even the smallest ray of light there. Uh... They may have some room in the cathedral."

I blinked. "The cathedral?"

She grinned. "It's not a church or anything, but they call it that since the squatters have taken it over. There's bound to be a room free for you to crash."

I hesitated for a moment. "Sorry to ask, but eh... Do they have locks there?"

She smiled kindly. "I think they do... Yeah, Fairly sure. It's an old school building you know, with tons of storage areas. They made bolts for most of the door as there are plenty of artists who want to work undisturbed."

I giggled. "Makes sense. Eh... But can you show me where it is, I really just arrived here 10 minutes ago."

She looked surprised. "Hitched a lift?"

I blushed. "Something like that, yes."

She looked thoughtful and turned to look at her friends before she replied. "Alright, I'll take you there. But, there is one condition."

"Which is?"

Instead of a verbal answer, she leaned forward and kissed my lips. I was quite surprised by the gesture and even more surprised to feel her tongue sliding between my lips gently. She was very, very sweet. The sweet caramel cream drink on her breath and lips was quite pleasant, actually. And, as I wasn't drinking the drink itself, I could even enjoy it. Despite my surprise, I felt myself responding to her kiss almost immediately, leaning into it and kissing her back with vigor.

It lasted a little longer than I expected.

Before I realized, I had my hands on her ass, feeling it through her jeans and feeling hers on mine. It happened so fast and fluidly that I barely realized with the conscious, careful part of my mind that I was doing it. And not just doing it, enjoying it.

A lot.

She released me and broke the kiss. She had a big grin on her face and looked amused at the expression on my face. I wasn't sure what I felt myself, heat, fire, shame, blushes, apprehension, joy. All mixed. But in a fun and good way.

"Alright," she said, "I'll show you where it is."

She walked passed me and smiled. "Oh, and I'm Esmeralda."

I'm probably not supposed to mention this, but Amy's writing wasn't as neat as usual in the past paragraphs. But as I enjoyed them quite a bit, I won't blame her.