Progressive U Creative Writing

The sun began to rise over the harbor in Long Beach as Owen Krenshaw crested a small sand dune at a light jog. He had been up for hours just thinking. The entire time he had been running his mind had wandered, and every time that it wander it always wandered in the same direction... her. Owen had been running for hours trying to get that woman out of his head. That woman with her delicate curves... so many curves... and those lips, he really had to stop thinking about that. I mean really, how could he be this head over heels in love with a woman when he didn't even know her name. But he was, and that was the sad part because he didn't even know if he would see her again.

Owen stood to watch the sun rise over the harbor. He was so mesmerized by the sight that when he looked at his watch he realized that he was going to be late for work. Owen booked it home to his beachside apartment. Once inside, he showered, dressed, and was out the door in record breaking time. Owen made it to his office only five minutes late, which didn't really matter because he was the CEO anyway.

"Mr. Krenshaw, here are your messages and your appointments for the day."

"Thank you Susie, you're a real live saver," Owen stated with a boyish grin.

"That's what you pay me to be, Mr. Krenshaw." Susie laughed as she went to make some copies.

'Why am I so distracted. Good God stop thinking about that woman you idiot!' That was about the hundredth time that Owen had to mentally reprimand himself. This was getting a bit ridiculous, he hadn't even had lunch yet. "Susie! I'm going to go get lunch, do you want anything?" Owen knew that she was trying one of those new diets, Atkins or Jenny Craig he couldn't remember, but he thought he should try anyways.

"Owen, you know that I am on a diet. Just because you can eat anything you want doesn't mean everyone else can, but thanks for asking." Susie was a great secretary and friend, maybe he should tell her about that woman he can't stop thinking about. After lunch, he decided.

Owen always ate at the same place everyday at lunch time, the Sunrise Cafe. It was only a block from his office so it was easy to access and the food was awesome. Today was only slightly different. He was so distracted by that damn woman!

“Mr. Krenshaw? Mr. Krenshaw... OWEN!!” The woman behind the counter became impatient and slightly raised her voice to get his attention.

“Wha...What?” Owen was severely confused. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

“I asked if you would like your usual, but maybe you should add a little caffeine to that.” She responded. “You’re looking a little weird.”

Owen just stared at her. ‘Was a woman really affecting him this badly?’ He thought to himself.

“Excuse me.” A woman tried to squeeze between Owen and the person behind him.

Owen, out of sheer curiosity, turned around to look at the woman trying to get through the crowded building. He instantly recognized the backside of that woman who was currently walking away from him.

“That’s the woman from the bar last night!” Owen was stunned, stuck in the position in which he had moved to look at her walking by. The whole time he had his mouth gaping open, he watched her get closer and closer to that door.

“She’s gonna get away from you again man.” The older man behind him snapped his thoughts to the present situation and Owen took off after her. By the time he had gotten to the door through the crowds of people, she was gone.

“Damn it! I missed her again!”

“Missed who?” Susie’s voice came out of nowhere, but as Owen turned around there she was. “That is a long story, how about I fill you in on the way back to the office.”

After a slow walk back to the doors of his office, Susie knew everything. She knew that he had kissed a woman without finding out her name first, and that she had simply disappeared into thin air until just a couple of minutes ago when she showed up at the Sunrise Cafe. And Susie also knew that he had lost her again; that he was so flabbergasted by the sight of her he forgot how to run after someone until it was too late.

“You know, you could always ask the people that you were with last night and see if any of them know who she is.” Susie stated as she plopped down in her office chair. Owen was so thankful that he had Susie to talk to, she was so understanding and level headed.

He had known Susie for years, they went to high school together but had lost touch after graduation. Then one day she applied for the position of his secretary and they were reunited. They had never talked much in high school, but they were as close as any two people could be in today‘s world. They hung out , went on business trips together, and even ran together every other morning. She was a great friend and he was lucky to have her.

“Owen...” Susie sounded bewildered. “Owen you should come and have a look at this.” Owen followed the sound of her voice, past two closed office doors and the copy room, straight to his office door.

“What is it Susie?” She just pointed at his desk, or more accurately what was in the middle of it. He walked into his office and around to the front of his desk surveying the scene. There were a dozen roses and a card on his desk. Owen motioned for Susie to come closer so that she could read the card with him. The card read: Hello Owen, you may not know who I am but I most definitely know who you are. If you want to find out who I am, meet me tonight at the pier in Long Beach Harbor at 8:45. I love sunrises on the beach and my favorite flowers are orchids. I will be wearing a jean skirt and red shirt. Owen was silent for what seemed like hours.

“Are you going to go?” Susie asked quietly. Owen looked at her with incredibly wide eyes.

“Of course I’m going, this could be the girl of my dreams, you know, that one I can’t stop thinking about!”

‘Oh right,’ Susie thought to herself, ‘the one you can’t stop thinking about! What about the one that’s right in front of you!’ She smiled and nodded to whatever he was saying.

“Should I get her flowers, Sus?” Owen looked at her and she couldn’t help but laugh.

“Yes, you should get her flowers! What kind of man are you?!” She laughed all the way back to her desk. That laugh made Owen’s heart beat twice as fast. He wonder momentarily why that was, but quickly lost his train of thought.

He walked briskly over to Susie’s desk and asked, “Would you help me pick out flowers? I have no idea what orchids to get.” Susie just nodded and was swept into a tight hug. Susie melted into Owen and he just stood there bewildered by the feeling. Hugging Susie felt so great to Owen, but he wasn’t exactly sure why, so he brushed it off as being her friend.

“All right, we will do that later, but for now lets get back to work.” Susie nodded, not wanting to give away her thoughts, and sat back down to do what she had left to do. A couple of hours later Owen came out of his office with his jacket in hand, ready to head to the flower vendors. “Are you ready Susie?” Susie hopped up and grabbed her jacket.

“I’m ready if you are!” They were out the door in a matter of seconds and headed down to the beach front. As they walked, Owen talked up a storm.

“What do you think she’ll look like, Susie?” Susie just shrugged. “What should I wear?”

“ I don’t know Owen. I don’t think that she’ll care what you wear, as long as you show up.” Owen stared at her with an incredulous look on his face and then spoke slowly.

“I guess you’re right, shorts and a t-shirt will do.” Susie slipped her arm through Owen’s and they skipped along until Susie saw the orchids.

She immediately pointed at the red and white orchids. “Those are the ones,” she said with authority.

“Alrighty then.” He looked at the vendor and said, “I guess we’ll take those ones.” The vendor smiled and mumbled something about young lovers being so bossy.

There was an hour and forty-five minutes left until Owen had to be at the pier and he was nervous as hell. Susie left him about a half an hour ago. She apparently had something very important to do because she left in a real hurry. Owen decided that he was going to go down to the beach a little early, just to clear his mind and gain a little composure. If he did that, at least he wouldn’t make an ass out of himself. He grabbed the orchids and headed out the door of his apartment.

Susie left Owen about a half an hour ago and was totally freaking out. All the doubts she had ever had about her feelings for Owen were running through her mind, flashing in her mind over and over again.

“He doesn’t even like me!” Susie was in her apartment and she was trying to give herself a pep talk before she had to leave... you see how well that was working. “I cannot believe that I am going to go through with this.” Susie left her apartment early to clear her mind by walking to the beach. She was wearing a jean skirt and a bright red polo.

When Owen got to the pier the sky was edged in pink as the sun went down. There she was, wearing exactly what she said she would be wearing. Owen had to gather enough courage to walk up to her and once he had it, there was no backing down.

Susie heard him take a deep breath and start walking up to her. She took a deep breath to calm herself and then she felt a familiar hand rest on her shoulder.

“Hi,” was all he said, but it was enough to make butterflies erupt in her stomach.

“Hi,” she responded knowing that her voice was going to give her away immediately.

“Susie?” Owen looked and sounded slightly shocked as Susie turned around to face him. All Susie could do was smile and on a whim, she touched his face just to make sure he was real. Susie touched him so softly that Owen reached to do the same.

So with the flowers in hand and Susie making his senses go berserk he asked, “why didn’t you tell me that it was you when I thought it was that girl from the bar?” Susie looked down at her feet only to have Owen lift her chin so that their eyes met.

“Because I was afraid that you would laugh at me or just blow me off like you did in high school.”

“Blow you off... Baby you make my heart stop and beat twice as fast at the same time! Why would I blow you off?” Owen was bewildered by the look on Susie’s face.

“But the way you talked about that girl... That girl you don’t even know...” Susie was nervously shifting from foot to foot.

“The only reason that I have ever dated other women is because I thought that I never had a chance with you. Baby, I have been in love with you since the day you walked into my office for a job.”

Susie wrapped her arms around Owen’s neck and kissed him like she should have a long time ago, long and passionately; letting him know all that she felt for him. Owen’s arm snaked around Susie’s waist and he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. They broke off the kiss with a series of smaller kisses and they both were smiling like fools.

“I guess these are for you then.” Owen handed the flowers over to her. “Thanks for helping me pick them out.” Susie smiled and took the flowers from him.

“Do you want to take a walk down the beach?”

“Sure babe, anything you want,” Owen said simply, taking her hand and leading her off the pier.

They walk for a long time, just up and down the beach. They talked about everything, they laughed about most of it. They had serious conversations and absolutely hilarious ones, all the while, knowing that it was right. They were right together.

“Look,” Owen said looking out over the horizon, “it’s your favorite time of day, sunrise.” He smiled and kissed her sweetly as the sun rose over the city. They broke the kiss and watched as the sun rose the rest of the way over the city, knowing that it had dawned on a new day and that they were going to be late for work.

“You know what Susie?” Owen said as they started to walk towards his apartment.

“No, what?” Susie asked.

“We aren’t going to work today. Jim can handle the office for me and I am giving you the day off.” Susie laughed and shook her head as she laced her fingers through his.

“How about we go to bed? I’m only a little tired.” Susie grinned at him and Owen grinned right back.