Black and White

It was a black and white landscape. Ebony lips, ivory skin. The mirror in her hand trembled slightly as she hid her face behind it. Her hand shook faintly as she raised the lipstick to her face and drew it slowly across her lips. Her lips, already smothered in dark paint, grew darker, more mysterious.
Her skin was paler than usual, ice white. Her eyes were black shadows in an empty sea. As she looked down, mascara lashes flittered across her cheek like shadows across an empty wall. She looked like a sprite, a waif, so delicate she could be blown away by a gentle puff of city wind.
She crossed her legs uncomfortably underneath the café table, and looked out across the busy street. The lipstick disappeared into the shadows of her handbag. Her fingers smoothed the leather nervously as she watched people hurry past. She exhaled slowly, and pursed her darkened lips. The coffee in front of her was growing cold, but she ignored it, manicured nails picking at the table.
The waiter brought the bill and set it gently on the table before her. She barely glanced at the paper in front of her, just threw down a pile of coins and stood up.
From across the street I watched her pick up her handbag and clasp it in one hand. She picked her way delicately between the tables, high heeled feet light on the cobbles. Her eyes were low, hidden behind waves of dark hair. She tucked one lock behind her ear distractedly, but it fell back to cover her face in a curtain of dark curls.
The streets of Paris grew dark, and heavy with the scent of summer. She walked slowly, a stranger to the thronging streets around her. I followed, turning the collar of my coat up against the evening chill. She walked on, regardless of the coat forgotten in her arms. Her shoulders were bare in the evening air, and she did not seem to notice she shivered.
Outside her apartment block she turned and met my eyes. The floor heaved beneath my feet as hazel eyes met grey. Her eyes were huge with pain, dark and glistening. Her lips parted slightly, as though she sighed in sorrow. The world hurried on around us as we stood, locked in each others gaze.
Finally I turned and walked away. I felt her eyes follow me down the darkened street, but still she said nothing.