In Her Eyes

Philip stared toward the large willow tree that stood in the middle of the courtyard. But he wasn't looking at the magnificent tree, he was looking at the woman who sat underneath it, reading a book. He had seen her around so many times, always under the tree, always reading a book. He so desperately wanted to talk to her, get to know her, see her up close, and look at her. There had been rumors circulating around the town but none that he actually believed. He had heard that she was a monster, evil, and horrible. That she had snakes for hair and that her stare could turn men to stone. But he didn't care, he was completely and utterly infatuated with Medusa. He would climb mountains to make her happy. And today was the day he was going to make his move.

As he made his way over to the tree, he could see her snake hair curling and slithering all around. Most males would be terrified of a scene like this, but those were just boys and he was a man. She refused to break eye contact from the book even though he tried to make his presence known. He lowered his gaze as he got closer, wanting to look at her face completely but knowing better.

"Hi," Philip said, focusing on the bright green blades of grass that surrounded her lower body. He saw her startle, perhaps she wasn't ignoring him and was just engrossed in her book. Trying her best to escape from reality.

"Sorry, you startled me. What can I do for you?" she said in a kind, simple voice. How could someone with a voice as smooth as silk be a monster? He stood there for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts.

"Please, don't apologize, I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Philip." Not looking up, he reached out his hand, praying for it to reach the intended destination and not have it wander where it did not belong.

"Medusa," she said as she wrapped her delicate hand around his.

"That's a beautiful name," he said, bringing his hand back and resting it deep within his pockets.

"What do you want?" her voice became suddenly stern, questioning his intentions with the sudden interest in her.

"I wanted to ask if you would like to go out sometime?" There they were, the words he had been wanting to ask for what seemed like a lifetime. It lingered in the air for a beat.

"I don't think that would be such a great idea..." her voice began to trail off, holding back.

"Then, can I just sit with you? I just got this book and wanted some company." Philip knew it was always smart to have a backup plan.

"Sure, I think that would be fine." She said.

He took a seat on the ground next to her, resting his back against the large trunk of the tree. Philip flipped to the first page of the book and began to read. He could feel the tongues of the snakes hiss around him, but he refused to let anything ruin the moment he had waited so long for. They both sat in silence reading their books together until one of them broke the silence.

"What are you reading?" asked Medusa.

"Just a book of short stories, you?" he asked back, even though he knew the answer.

"Moby Dick." She answered.

"Why that one? It's such a long story." He genuinely wanted to know the answer.

"I need something that will keep my attention for a while," she said in a sad tone.

"So it's true then? The whole, turning people to stone thing?" he asked in a hushed voice, praying that the question would not upset her.

"Yes, but I have been very careful and won't do that again. I can't do that again," she answered in a solemn tone. He could hear her fingers fidget with the pages.

"Is that why you don't let anyone close to you?" If he didn't cross the line before he probably did now. He could feel his hands get clammy as he gripped tightly to the hardcover book.

"Yes, everyone I care about gets hurt around me...You should probably go, it's getting late," She said as she collected her stuff and began to stare. She was so quick that she was already walking away by the time Philip stood up.

"Wait!" He shouted as he awkwardly got up. But she was already too far gone. He would try again tomorrow.

Today was a brand new day. Philip had already done the hard part of starting a conversation, now he just needed to continue it. He was determined to make this encounter better than the last.

"Medusa, hello," he said as he sat down next to her under the tree.

"Philip, you're back?" she said, sounding genuinely surprised that he had come back.

"Yep, guess I couldn't stay away." He said, he decided to take a chance and look up at her face. She was still looking at her book intently. He studied her face for a brief moment. She had delicate features and looked like a goddess. He so wanted to look into her eyes...

"You shouldn't be doing that," She said in a low voice. She still looked at her book. She must have noticed his stare out of the corner of her eyes.

"Sorry, I know, I just-you're beautiful," He said, looking down like a kid who just got caught cheating on an exam. She was quiet for a moment.

"Oh...th-thank you. I've never been called that before...but how did you know I wouldn't turn my head and look at you?" she asked, she could see her shift her body to sit more comfortably. He wondered if she was stealing glances at him, but knew she wouldn't take the risk.

"I guess I just trust you," he said. He slid down and sat next to her, pressing his arm and leg against hers. She didn't move away. He opened his book, and they began to read together.

"Can I look at you?"

The voice caught him off guard, he had actually grown comfortable and had fallen deeply into his book.

"I mean, it seems only fair that you got to look at me..." She continued. He could once again hear the sound of her fidgeting with the pages of the book. This time, he found it incredibly endearing.

"It is only fair," He answered, unable to contain the giddy smile from forming.

"Keep reading your book then, I trust you not to look too," she said. Never had a moment moved so slowly. He was hyper-aware of every blink he took. He could not focus on his book and only followed the words on the page, not comprehending the story at all.

"You're pretty beautiful yourself," she said. He smiled at his book and they continued reading.

The next time Philip looked away from his book, it had become dim outside. The sun was starting to set and he set his book down next to him and stared at the horizon. The beautiful colors in the sky matched this beautiful moment perfectly. He heard Medusa's book close and place it on the ground as well. She was going to watch the sunset with him. He looked down at his hands, praying that this next decision wouldn't cost him. He reached over and took his hand in hers. They sat in silence as they enjoyed the sky turn to black.

"I guess we should go," he said, taking a breath.

"Or we could stay, I just-I just want to hold on to this moment a little longer if that's okay," she said in a sweet, sleepy voice. She removed her hand from his to wrap around his bicep. She leaned her head on his shoulder and her snake hair parted away.

"Anything for you," they stared up, looking at the stars surrounding them.

After what seemed like a moment, Philip opened his eyes to the early morning sun rising in the distance. Not thinking, he looked over at Medusa. Thankfully her eyes were still closed and fast asleep. He wished that he could stay in this moment forever. He reached over and gently caressed her face. He turned his head away, in case this action woke her up.

"Good morning," he said in a deep, gravelly voice. He felt her shift and press her face into his shoulder.

"What time is it?" she asked in a lower voice. Everything about her was perfect and he couldn't get enough of her.

"Around 5:43," Philip said, looking at his watch.

"I can't believe we stayed out all night, I'm so sorry-"

"No, please don't-I actually couldn't have asked for a more perfect night. Well, morning I should say," Philip's heart was beating so quickly he thought his whole body was shaking. He hoped Medusa wouldn't notice. He closed his eyes tightly, turned to her, and planted a kiss on top of her head. The air was quiet for a moment.

"Thank you, Philip, for being so wonderful," she said, wiping her eyes.

He turned his head to look at her, she was staring forward. He cupped his hands around her face, turning her head towards his. He lowered his gaze to her lips as he wiped away her tears with his thumbs. He leaned in, and she followed forward. Their lips touched lightly together, sending chills through each other's bodies. They broke slightly away and Philip couldn't contain himself.

"I know it's only been two-or I guess three days now," he said, taking a breath before continuing, he raised his gaze to look at her straight on, "but I love you Medusa"

"NO!" screamed Medusa, tears filling her eyes and overflowing down her cheeks.

But sitting before her, now holding her hand in his cold stony hands was the statue of Philip. He had a smile on his face and was still beaming down at her red, tear-stained face. She just wanted to look at him, to see him say the words she had always wanted to hear from someone. And now he was gone. From that day on, Medusa decided she would never let anyone close to her again.