2003-12-10 / 2:54 p.m.

(come on take a ride with me)

that this image is so cliched did not stop me from waking up feeling wistful. He rode up on his snappy motorbike and asked me, in that movie-perfect British accent, to hop on; i wrapped my arms around his waist and smiled. The air was cold and damp on my cheek and my heart did that odd fluttery thing it does when you're with someone new and you realize they feel the same way.

Later, at the pub, as he leaned into kiss me, the alarm clock rang, shrill and rude and angry

last night ... tonight