For Those You Love
Chapter 1
"Come on, man!" Lee heard. His brother, Bradley, was hosting a new year's party for his college friends. So far, he had spent the entire party (which he was chaperoning) by the refreshment table, moping. "Are you going to be a complete bummer all night?"
"I didn't even want to be here!" He hissed, adjusting his blue shirt-collar with a sweaty hand. "Mom and dad made me stay!"
"Well, at least look fucking happy!" the younger man spat, turning away from his brother to dance with some scantily-clad girls. Lee shook his head and turned back looked around the party. He seemed to lose himself, as he didn't notice a rather small woman approach him.
"Um… excuse me?" She said, attracting his attention. He jumped away from the table and gestured for her to help herself to the punch bowl (which he had been standing in front of).
"Sorry about that…" He muttered, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment and blushing. She smiled, making her emerald eyes glow. Something warmed Lee, making his smile too.
"It's fine." She said. He expected her to walk away but she simply relaxed next to him, sipping on her drink. "I see I'm not the only non-party animal here tonight."
"Yeah." He laughed, stuffing his hands in his pockets and copying her actions, feeling the edge of the table against his legs. The silence that followed was comfortable. "So, what college degree are you doing?"
"Journalism and Mass Communication." She replied, turning her head to look at him, her short, brown hair shining in the light. "What about you?"
"Oh, uh, I did an Education degree two years ago and I'm working at the local elementary school." He shrugged. "Oh, shit. I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself. I'm Lee. Lee Everett."
"Carley." She smiled, taking the man's hand and shaking it. "Carley Palmer."
"Nice to meet you Carley." He smiled, letting go of her hand and looking around the room once again. The music suddenly got loud and he turned his attention back. "Fancy going outside?" He shouted above the noise.
"Yeah!" She answered, a pained expression on her face.
Four Hours Later
"Thanks for taking me to that pizza place." Carley smiled as they approached the pharmacy arm-in-arm. "No offence to your mom and dad, but salad isn't really what I had in mind for party food."
"None taken." He smiled, offering her a bite of the slice he held in his hand. She accepted and rested her head on his shoulder. "Besides, I'd rather be out here with you than in there."
"Really?" She asked, looking up at him in surprise. He simply smiled down to her.
"Yeah, I would."
"Aw, you're just a big sweetheart aren't you?" She laughed as he took another bite.
"That's me." He shrugged, clearing his throat loudly.
"Well, I'm glad I came to this New Year's party." She smiled once again, snuggling into his arm. His face broke out into an even bigger grin as he offered her the last of his pizza.
"I'm glad too."
"Hey! Lee!" They heard. Lee looked up from their private moment to see his brother gesturing them in. "It's the last dance before New Year! A slow one!"
Lee looked back down to the small woman, raising his eyebrow and chuckling.
"Well? You wanna dance with me?"
"I don't know… I'm not a dancer…" She said, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. Lee took her hand in his.
"Neither am I…"
"Alright. Just don't tell me I didn't warn you." She laughed, shaking her head as he led her back indoors. He led her to the centre of the room and wrapped his arms softly around her waist. She wrapped her slender arms around his neck and looked deeply into his eyes.
I see it in the way you would do
When no one else could ever get through
Holding back till I come around
Time and time again you wait for me to come in
And did you really look my way?
Cuz no one could of seen this coming
I would never let you down
If I was running backwards in full time
He pulled her closer, feeling her head rest on his shoulder and let out a sigh of content.
So I can and I will and you'll see your hero come running
Over and over tonight
And I do wanna love you
If you see me running back
And I do wanna try
Because if falling for you girl is crazy
Then I'm going out of my mind
So hold back your tears this time
The couple swayed back and forth, enjoying the other's presence.
Me, I'm used to being tired and bloody
But you believed that I could be somebody
You put your world on hold for me
Gave away to follow failure through the fire
I need you to know I will
Believe me girl I'm so tired of running
I just wanna hold your hand
Stare at you like you've got everything I need
Lee thought about the woman in his arms. She was two years his junior, yet she seemed so mature. He knew he could fall for her.
And I can so I will and you'll see your hero come running
Over and over tonight
And I do wanna love you
If you see me running back
And I do wanna try
Because if falling for you girl is crazy
Then I'm going out of my mind
So hold back your tears this time
Carley pulled back from his shoulder and stared deep into his dark, chocolate brown eyes. He stared back into her emeralds.
And what if I never said to you I was dynamite
And what if I never told you I'm afraid to cry
What if I never let you down
And said I'm sorry for the nights I can't remember
What if I never said to you I would try
Yeah Yeah Yeaahh
Lee started to lean down, opening his mouth slightly. Carley closed her own eyes in anticipation. He gently connected their lips, holding the back of her head softly.
And I do wanna love you
If you see me running back
And I do wanna try
Because if falling for you girl is crazy
Then I'm going out of my mind
So hold back your tears this time
And I do wanna love you
If you see me running back
And I do wanna try
Because if falling for you girl is crazy
Then I'm going out of my mind
So hold back your tears this time
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
The two lovers broke away from each other and smiled, resting their foreheads against the other's.
"Happy new year…" Lee whispered, his breath rugged. Carley bit her bottom lip and smiled.
"Happy new year." She murmured back, standing on tip-toe for another kiss.