Hypnosis

An Alleycat Crew Short

Have you ever been completely memorized by something?

You still your body, forget the rest of the world exist, and just… watch. unblinking.

Waves gently lapping at the beach, erasing footprints from the sand.

The sway of trees in a mountain valley showing you the path of the winds.

Ripples spreading across the still waters of a pond from the first drops of a summer rain.

A bird riding the thermals high over the peaks without moving a single wing.

A parade of ants hauling away the piece of bread you dropped, one tiny crumb at a time.

It’s poetry in motion. Your brain locks onto it. You’re a prisoner to its rhythm, lost in your own senses…

But then she turns around…

Words came out her face hole…

Words? … But you didn’t hear a single one because your brain was locked onto the rise of each cheek as she walked. The way her jeans wrinkled in opposing angles with each step. The slight roll of her hips. The crease at the top of her legs. Her pockets.

And now she’s standing there.

Judging you.

Waiting for an answer.

You probe your brain, hoping that some part of it was paying attention, and find… nothing. Your ears completely failed you. They had one job…

You try to hold her gaze like a normal person, but your eyes betray you… they want to see the way her hips shift when she shifts her weight to the other foot.

“Kash!”

The sound of his name ripped him out of the trance.

“Huh?” his eyes snap back to hers.

Brilliant… She definitely won’t notice you were staring at her ass now… idiot.

He saw the smile reach her eyes before it touched her mouth. The way her cheekbones lifted and crinkled the skin at the corners. The soft fall of her eyelids as she closed them and shook her head. Her hair was down, Blonde strands framing her face like she planned the whole damn thing.

Her eyes opened.

Something tugged at his chin.

It took him a second to realize it was her fingers, forcing him to pay attention this time.

“I said, ‘I’m hungry for red meat. I think my iron is low. Can we go to the barbecue place for dinner instead of getting more seafood?’”

“Sure… barbecue sounds great,” Kash replied, forcing a smile so he didn’t look guilty.

She didn’t let go of his chin. She just stood there… smiling. Like she knew…

Ten seconds passed.

Fifteen.

“It’s the wrinkles again, isn’t it?” Calynn asked, her voice far too sweet.

“It’s not my…”

“You’re taking me shopping,” She cut him off and turned to walk away.

“Wait. Shopping?” Kash protested, waving his arms. “Why?”

“Punishment for ignoring me while staring at my butt.”

“But it’s not my fault!” Kash whined. “I didn’t… and you…”

She kept walking.

He watched her go.

His eyes betrayed him again.

Damn wrinkles.

“Fine,” he muttered, dragging his feet after her. “But I’m not carrying all of the bags.”

Calynn glanced back over her shoulder, that same dangerous little smile playing on her lips.

“We’ll see.”

Kash groaned, but he followed… and watched the wrinkles.