Hey guys! Finally got around to actually writing more of one of my stories! Just been so busy, so sorry for those who were waiting for updates! :) More will come, I promise! I just need to make myself write it. Anyway, here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy and again, please review. Also thanks to all who have or favourited etc my stories! Means a lot :)
Chapter Two
Levi was sitting in the locker room, shaking his towel impatiently over his hair. His shirt clung to his still damp body, but he didn't care.
He was exhausted.
He may have gone slightly overboard with his workout, ignoring the fatigue and burn in his muscles far past when he should have.
Erwin was getting his things from his locker, his towel slung over his shoulder.
"You sure you don't mind dropping me off?" He asked, glancing at Levi as he packed.
"Course not. Besides, how else are you going to get home with your car in the garage?" He questioned sarcastically.
His friend just smiled and rolled his eyes slightly at Levi's tone.
"Thanks, Levi. I owe you."
Levi pulled his phone out of his bag, switching it on. He didn't see the point of leaving it on when he wasn't around.
It irked him to hear other peoples phone ringing ceaselessly in their lockers, so he wouldn't leave his to do the same.
He placed it down beside him on the bench, packing his stuff away.
He kept his mind on the task at hand, refusing to let her rush back into his thoughts now they weren't solely focused on the exercises in front of him.
She got what she wanted, so did he.
So why did he keep replaying that morning, his heart clenching a bit more each time?
Sighing inwardly in agonised frustration, he grabbed out his deodorant, spraying his underarms in short, angry bursts.
"Hey, I'm going to get a bottle of water in the shop. I left mine in Hanji's jeep," Erwin said as he strolled out the locker room, calling back over his shoulder, "You want anything?"
"No, I'm good," Levi replied flatly. The door swung shut, leaving him alone.
He had just packed his last things when his phone vibrated beside him.
Picking it up, his screen told him he had a voicemail.
He dialled into it, holding the phone to his ear with his shoulder as he picked up his bag, ready to leave.
The voice operator finished talking and the message clicked on.
"Hey Levi. It's Petra."
Levi stopped dead, bag hanging in his grasp.
"I was just ringing to...well, I mean, I just wanted to ..." Her sigh whispered down the phone. He could hear voices and an engine in the background, like she had been on a bus.
"I wanted to say I'm so sorry for the way I ran out of there this morning," her hushed voice told him in a serious tone. "I was just so late and so tired. I didn't even think...Look, I know you're probably not very happy with me right now, but I hope you'll let me explain myself properly. I really did have an amazing time."
Levi's hand was clenched around his phone so hard it twisted in his grip and he hastily snapped it back to his ear.
He couldn't believe she'd actually rang him.
"Anyway, I'll be finished in work around half two, so if you want to meet up, I'll be in the Blue Bamboo Cafe shop at threeish.. My phone will be off for work, so...I'll just see you there. Or not..ugh..Bye."
As an almost afterthought, her voice hastily added, "I really hope you do come though. Please, think about it if you're not, ok?"
Then the line clicked off.
Levi slowly lowered his phone from his ear, staring at the screen.
She'd called him.
She'd called him, even after this morning and she wanted to meet up.
Glancing at his watch, he saw he had enough time to drop Erwin off, go home and change before he went to meet her. Because of course he was going to go.
Slinging his bag over his shoulder, Levi marched out of the locker room, shoving his phone into his pocket.
This wasn't going to be such a bad day after all, he thought, and a secret smile crossed his face.
Levi sat sipping his coffee and patiently waited for Petra to show. At least, he was patient on the outside. His insides were humming with nervous anticipation. What if she came and told him she'd had an amazing time as she'd said, but she didn't want anymore out of it? That she just felt a polite obligation to say it to his face?
For the millionth time since he told Erwin on the ride home, he contemplated bolting on the situation.
Who needed this kind of drama? If they ended up trying this out was he going to end up with a relationship full of tricks and lies, of getting the run around? That was not something he needed in his life.
Glancing around the coffee house, he tried to reason it out. Maybe things were genuine and she had somehow forgotten to mention her other job.
On the other hand, maybe she was being polite about it because of Günter? Or was she coming because she really did want to see him again?
Ugh, he could drive himself mad going over the different scenarios. He tried to dispel all thoughts and focus on one thing: waiting to see her actually walk through the door.
If she didn't show, that was that, goodbye. He didn't care how he felt about her, he wasn't about to be played and let down. If people wanted to be there for you, they'd be there. If not...well it didn't matter how much of a history you had. They were simply gone from your life. He knew that experience all too well.
Swirling the bottom of his coffee to blend the escapee granules, he felt a familiar bitter prickle down his throat to his stomach. He would not think about that now. If he was already putting these dark thought on things with Petra, a girl with whom he'd really had very little encounters with in reality, he might possibly be as hurt as Erwin and Hanji were always saying.
Well, it wasn't his problem anymore. She'd made her choice all those years ago...
Levi realised he was holding his cup halfway to his mouth, staring into its contents. He slapped it back to its saucer, running his hands roughly over his face.
This was a bad idea. He should go, this was becoming way too complicated in his head.
He was about to stand up and yank his jacket off the back of the chair when a golden smudge caught his eye through the steamed up window. His chest gave a clench, his eyes narrowing as he saw the blur of distorted colours reach the door.
Then she came into his focus, shaking rain from her hair and brushing her boots over the door mat. Golden eyes looked up from under thick lashes, scanning the cafe with a slight crease in her brow and hidden teeth tugging unconsciously at her lower lip.
They skipped over faces until they found his, something like relief and happiness lighting them up. A small smile crossed her lusciously pink lips and he knew there and then he'd made the right choice.
She raised her hand slightly in greeting and started winding through tables, across to the booth beside the fake bamboo tree he'd chosen.
Ok. So she's here. Now what?
As she got closer, he realised he had to greet her. What the hell did he do?
Get up and pull out the chair for her? No, way too formal.
Maybe just give her a kiss on the cheek, the way he always saw Hanji do with people she knew?
He was saved the trouble of deciding as when she got to the table, ever relaxed and composed, she merely smiled and shrugged off her damp coat before sliding into her seat.
She wore a simple oversized cream knit jumper over legging type things and ankle boots, but Levi thought she looked as beautiful as when she was dolled up. She was effortlessly gorgeous and he wondered again how he'd come across such a creature?
"Hey, Levi," she smiled across at him. He was surprised to note a hint of nervousness in her expression and the way she was clenching her hands together on the table.
"Hey," he gave a small smile, one that acknowledged the situation.
"Thanks for coming. I know you were off today, so sorry for interrupting," she grimaced, before looking nervous again.
She cleared her throat, licking her lips and glancing at her hands.
"I guess I have some apologising to do," she glanced back up quickly, a serious expression now clouding her face. "This morning, I just-"
She was interrupted by the arrival of a bouncy stepped waitress, dark hair pulled back into a voluminous ponytail.
"Hey, guys, can I get you anything this afternoon? Today's special is especially mouthwatering; a Belgian chocolate cake with a salted caramel molten centre that comes half price with our Brownie Bamboo Cappuccino, which has a topping of fresh cream and truffle curls. Can I tempt you?" She smiled deviously.
"No thanks, Sasha. Just a mocha please," Petra smiled amusedly at the girl who looked crestfallen.
"Petra, you're seriously missing out. If you keep getting the same thing, how are you going to know if you like other things?" Sasha demanded, hands on hips.
"I know what I like," Petra replied glancing up directly at Levi.
Levi sat back slightly, completely taken aback at her plain as day admittance. She kept on surprising him.
"Okaaaay, but I still think you should try it. You can take the calories, if that's what you're worried about?"
With a sigh, she left at Petra's gentle rejection of the offer, Levi also turning down her top up offer.
"Sorry. She's a major foodie," Petra laughed. "Anyway... Look," she leant forward again, not phased by the interruption, "I know I gave you the most ultimately lame lines this morning, but please believe me when I say that they were totally unintentional. I am such a disaster in the morning and when I saw how late I was... Trust me when I say there were no intelligible thoughts in my head."
Levi sat, letting that sink in. Straight and to the point: he appreciated that.
"...Levi? Are...you going to say anything?" Petra was looking at him with a worried frown. He realised he was still spaced out thinking of how to respond.
"Why didn't you tell me you had a morning job?" He asked, the lack of explanation unnecessarily frustrating him.
"I thought I had. It's not like I was hiding it from you. I mean, a) we've only actually talked a few times and b) I'm not moonlighting as a prostitute or a serial killer," she teased with an easy grin.
"I know. I guess I just didn't know what to think. I thought you were bailing," he frowned.
"No. I definitely wasn't, not on purpose," she reached across for his hand, almost without thinking.
He turned his hand over, looking down at her delicate one resting on his rough palm. They were so different, yet they fit so perfectly into each other. Like they were meant to be together.
With a completely unsurprising realisation, Levi knew that he always wanted to look down and see their hands like this.
He always wanted them to be together, as premature of a reaction as that may be. It just felt too natural, too perfect with her.
There was just one thing that could prevent that and he needed to know once and for all, for his peace of mind.
"Petra. I just need to know one thing," he spoke softly, turning his gaze back to hers. "What do you want? Was last night just a hook up for you? Or do you want more? I don't mean to put pressure on you, this has been so brief and fast... But I need to know. It's driving me crazy. What are you thinking?"
Petra went quiet for a moment, her gaze thoughtful and serious.
"You're right. This has been a total whirlwind. And I know we've only talked a few times, but I feel like I really know you. And like you know me, all of me, not just what everyone else sees. Last night was impulsive, yes, but you have to know," she leant forward, both hands now grasping his, the rest of the cafe a background oblivion. "I don't just go home with guys. I mean, I've had a boyfriend or two, but you are the only man I've ever felt like this with before," she insisted softly, her eyes shining out nothing but truth and passionate sincerity.
Levi felt a surge of emotion, strong and foreign, stir from deep within him. She'd awakened something, something so pure and fierce that it almost scared him. Almost.
Instead, he just wanted to wrap her up his arms and never let go.
"So, to answer your question... I want to be with you Levi. Because it seems wrong not to be. I'm sorry if it's forward and it's ok if it's not what you want. But it's how I feel. And I'm not going to hide it," she finished.
Her heart was trembling, her head was slightly spinning at the bare honesty she'd just blurted out. She couldn't believe she'd just said all that.
At the same time, it was what she felt and it didn't seem to be going away, just getting stronger.
Besides, he'd asked!
"Good. I don't you want to hide it. I want you to feel like you can tell me anything. Because I want to be with you, too, Petra."
A smile took over Petra's face, and she was about to reply when Sasha once again interrupted.
"Here you go: a mocha. No curls, no molten centre. Just cream," she sighed as she slid the beverage in front of her. "You're seriously missing out...and I can tell I've interrupted."
An amused, knowing expression replaced the disappointed one as Sasha spied their hands entwined.
"I'll just... Leave you to it," she grinned, backing away.
Petra gave a laugh, gently pulling away to sit back properly. The two had unknowingly craned forward, creating their own little corner. Picking up her spoon, Petra gave the rich, chocolate-coffee drink a swirl, cream melting into its contents.
Without looking up at him, she picked up her glass and held it to her mouth.
"So, what are you thinking, Levi?"
"That now all our cards are on the table... We both want more. Which leads me to one conclusion," his deep voice dropped low and Petra felt herself lean towards him slightly.
"It would seem I need to take you on actual date."
His onyx eyes gave nothing away, but Petra could tell he was enjoying this.
"Oh really? And where would that happen?" She played along, nonchalantly pouring a splash of milk into her coffee.
"Well, it would have to be somewhere nice I suppose. Good impression and all, you know," he frowned at her.
Petra couldn't help laughing at the über serious expression on his face.
"That's not something you need to worry about," she assured him.
"Trust me."
After they'd caved and had more coffee (still not the chocolate masses Sasha was trying to sell them, much to her disappointment), Levi and Petra had organised their first official date for that Thursday evening. Levi would be off the next day and Petra told him she didn't mind being out late - cue her flushing cheeks.
She still couldn't believe how easy it had all been, even after their understanding. Maybe things were just that simple when it was with the right person?
With Levi holding the door open for her, the two exited the coffee shop, cold, damp air hitting them, a sharp contrast to the heavy heat of the cafe.
"So, I guess I'll see you Thursday then?" Petra asked, pulling a piece of wind blown hair out of her face. A length of her scarf was trailing behind her shoulder and Levi leant towards her, trailing it back over her chest, fingers trailing against her jaw as he did so. That earned him a small smile from her, her skin left tingling from his bare touch.
Petra wanted him to pull her in by the scarf and kiss her, like something from a novel but he let go. Probably due to the cafe full of people with a great window view.
"Yeah, Thursday. I'll pick you up around half eight," he confirmed.
"Ok... Well, I'll see you then," she gave a small wave as she turned, heading the opposite direction to himself. She could feel his gaze still on her as she walked away and she found herself thinking that everything went so well, you're going out Thursday... To hell with their audience. They probably wouldn't even notice.
Turning on her heel, she walked back to him with purpose. He had just turned away, only a step or two away from the door when she called his name. He turned back, raising an eyebrow in question.
She didn't say anything, just strode right up to him and, gripping his collar, sealed her lips across his.
She felt him hesitate for a split second before placing his hands on her back and cheek.
He manoeuvred his lips so his head was tilted the opposite side, never breaking the kiss. Petra shifted her body closer to his, her hands flush on his chest now. It was a delicate pull of a kiss, not wild and passionate, but sweet and perfect. When they broke apart he looked down at her with an amused expression.
"Sorry. I just couldn't resist," Petra straightened the front of his jacket.
Levi was about to respond when movement caught their eye. Several customers were pointing and whispering or chuckling at them through the window.
"Well, dinner and a show, I guess," Levi shrugged, before turning his attention back to her. "So, anything else to add before we go?" He asked with a cheeky expression.
With a grin, Petra turned once more and strolled away.
"Nope. Nothing I can think of," she said, walking backwards for a few paces. "See you Thursday, Levi."
With a wicked grin, she spun and disappeared around the corner.
Ok, so that's Chapter Two. Again, more fluff than anything, but it's going somewhere. Looking forward to writing it! :) so what did you think? Any thoughts?
Oh and I apologise for the lack of proper breaks between paragraphs in my other stories! Don't know why it keeps happening, I can't put in this line things on the proper place on the iPad! :/ sorry!
God bless! :)