Just Love Me
Gasping for breath, a young man slips into an alleyway and stops. He tries to calm down his breathing by taking deep breaths. After a while, he walks over to a door from which loud music can be heard. The man knocks on the door and waits. The door is opened slightly, and a tall, muscular man peeks through the small crack.
“Markus Peterson.”
The young man waits as the door is opened to him. He slips through and walks to the edge of the small platform. Scanning the dancing people, he tries to find his girl but can’t. He glances over to the little restaurant at the other end of the club, but he is still unable to see her.
“Where is Margaret Smith?” He inquires of the door guard.
“There.” The man points at a blonde girl who is sitting in the dark corner of the little restaurant with her back to them.
“Thanks.”
The young man jumps off of the little platform, and makes his way through the dancing people and up the few stairs. Sneaking up on the girl, he puts his hands over her eyes.
“Guess who?” He whispers in her ear.
“Oh, Peter!”
Margaret turns in her chair and smiles up at him.
“Hello, darling.”
He kisses her on the cheek before settling into the other chair.
“Where have you been? You have been neglecting me so.” She frowns at him. “You ran off the other day while we were in the middle of drinking coffee. Yesterday, you came running around the corner and barged into me and my friends’ conversation. Then, you told me that our plans have to be rescheduled before racing off again.” She leans closer and looks him in the eye. “What did you do this time?”
Peter takes her hand.
“Margaret, I am sorry I couldn’t stay. And that I had to cancel our previous meeting.” He smiles slightly, “But what makes you think that I did something wrong again?”
“Because you don’t just cancel meetings with me, you are prone to get into trouble and you seem to be a bit out of breath, which tells me that you have been running like a maniac again. What do you have to say for yourself this time?”
Silence ensues for a few seconds before Peter speaks up.
“Have I ever told you that you are beautiful when you frown?”
“Don’t change the subject. I am...”
“And that your eyes sparkle when you are upset with me?”
“Stop it, Pe...”
“And that you are the most beautiful creature that has ever roamed the earth?”
“Do you know what? For a seventeen year old boy, you know just what to say to a girl to make her heart melt.”
Peter smiles crookedly and takes a sip of the glass that is on the table.
“Hey! That is my drink!”
“Ours.” He takes another sip.
“Fine, I will just get myself another one.”
She holds up her hand to signal the waiter, but Peter grabs it and pulls her off of her chair. He leads her over to the dance floor and starts to dance with her.
“Peter! You are going to ruin my hairdo!” Margaret protests.
“Just dance with me, Margaret.” He pulls her closer before whispering, “And remember, I came in as Markus Peterson.”
“Well, Mr. Peterson, may we go and sit down? I am dizzy.”
“I...”
The door to the club is swings open and six police officers enter. Peter looks at them with wide eyes, especially when he recognizes one of them. Desperately, he glances around for an escape route and spots one that he might be able to make.
“I am sorry, darling, but I have to leave again.” He whispers in her ear.
“Do you have something to do with this?” Margaret looks at him with tears starting to form in her eyes
“Let’s just say, that I might not have totally lost my pursuers before I come in here.”
“How could you ruin another date?”
“Shhh...Margaret.” He kisses her softly, ” You must know that I love you and I really need you to just love me back.”
“Hey, you two!” The familiar officer yells at them.
Peter lets Margaret go and looks at the man. His eyes takes on another color of blue and he smirks at the officer before taking off. Shots ring through the building and many of the people hunker down, but Peter continues running. He jumps over the little railing at the edge of the restaurant, gets onto one of the tables, and hoists himself up and out of the skylight. The police officers stare at the window before quickly exiting the club.
“Catch me if you can! I am the gingerbread man!” Peter’s voice echoes through the quiet night.