Chapter 3
Cheesy title is cheesy. And I can't think of anything else to name it lol. If you find any mistakes or something that doesn't quite make sense let me know! Hope you enjoy :D
Disclaimer: Fable and all that goes with it does not belong to me sadly :(
5 years later
Dorian stared out the kitchen window lifelessly. He was 15 and home alone while his father was at work. His mother had just died a few weeks ago from a fever. He didn't know what to do with himself. How was he supposed to go on without his mother? She was still so young and it scared him. What if he was next? What if his dad or one of his friends were next? He pushed the thoughts away as he sat down at the table and ran his hands down his face. His sight landed on the bow, it shimmering again like it had done before. Confused he got up and walked over to it. Examining it, he decided it wasn't his mind playing tricks on him. He touched it and instantly pulled his hand back at how cold the bow was. Tentatively he reached back out and grabbed the bow down from the mount. Slowly he thought he heard it whispering to him. He dropped it and stepped back. It was a bow, it couldn't have been whispering to him! He really was losing his mind. He picked up the bow and mounted it before walking outside.
The warmth of the sun shone down on his now sun-kissed skin. The house across from theirs was for sale, Mr. Mason had died before his mother from the same fever. He glared at the house, blaming the dead man for his mother catching the fever. He then realized that the for sale sign now had a 'SOLD' plastered on it. He cocked his head, curious as to who bought it. Tristan came running down the path and ran right into Dorian knocking them both to the ground. "What the hell!" Dorian said pushing the other boy off of him.
Tristan gave him a lopsided smile and laughed. "Well I wasn't going to ram into you but then I thought it'd be fun."
Dorian rolled his eyes and got up brushing the dirt from his clothes. Now being taller than everyone else his age, he looked down at his friend and pointed to the sign watching Tristan turn around to look at it. "Heard anything about who bought it?" He asked.
Tristan thought and then shrugged his shoulders. "No clue, mom hasn't said anything about anyone new moving to town. Though she hasn't said anything of much lately. She still misses your mom a lot."
Dorian stiffened upon talk of his mother, not wanting to really think of it. "So what are you up too? I'm surprised Ewan's not with you."
"I ran off without him. He was getting on my nerves so I thought I'd come hang with you. What are you up too?" Tristan said wandering over to the steps of the house and sitting down.
"I wasn't really up to anything. How's Emily?" Dorian asked raising an eyebrow. Emily Brooks was the prettiest girl in Oakvale. She had bright blonde hair, shimmering blue eyes with a very developed body for her age. Her family also was the wealthiest, so of course she always dressed nice. Originally she had gone after Dorian, he was the best looking guy in Oakvale. Unfortunately her timing was horrible. She had started hitting on him right after his mother died and he had wanted nothing to do with her at the time. So instead she turned to his friend, Tristan, and now they were dating.
Tristan placed his chin in his palm then answered. "She's okay I guess. I don't know she acts weird sometimes. But so do all the other girls. I just don't get them all that much."
Dorian chuckled and sat down next to him. "You'll get the hang of it. Why don't you ask your dad for some advice?"
"I really should, I just haven't gotten the time. He's always with mom worrying over her, or at work." Tristan sighed. "So you wanna go to the docks and fish or something?"
"How about I meet you there in a little bit. I think I'll visit my mother's grave first." Dorian said, his smile disappearing.
Tristan looked at him with an odd expression. "You're going to go by yourself? I don't know man, that place gives me the creeps. It's so dark and empty."
"I don't mind it so much, it is kinda creepy, but I want to visit her first." Dorian got up and started heading towards the covered bridge. "I'll met you at the docks in a bit."
"Ok, see you later." Tristan watched as his friend disappeared walking down the path. He then shoved himself up from sitting and walked in the opposite direction towards the docks.
Dorian stood in front of the huge doors with an uneasy feeling in his stomach. Ignoring it he grabbed the door and swung it open heading for his mother's resting place. Luckily the catacombs had been renovated from mere tunnels to crypts and and his mother was close to the entrance. Dropping to his knees in front of her coffin, his head dropped and his hair fell covering his face. "Why did you have to leave. It's not fair. It wasn't your time." He whispered meekly. Sitting there he suddenly heard a noise from deeper in the place, unaware of what he was doing he got up and walked further in. The area was dark, and the lights at the front didn't reach very far and soon he couldn't see anything. Shaking his head he turned around and headed out of the crypts walking through the ever expanding town.
Emily saw him walking along the path and hurried to fall into step besides him. "Hi Dorian." She purred.
"Hey Emily." He said walking with his hands in his pockets.
"I heard the house across from yours sold. Some people with the last name of Whitfield. They're from Knothole Glade. Should be arriving either today or tomorrow." She said eyeing him.
"I saw it sold, didn't know who bought it though. Knothole? Huh, maybe I should go back home to help them when they arrive." He said lost in thought.
"Ooo I'll come with you to help!" Emily said clasping his arm.
Dorian stopped and threw a lopsided grin towards her. "Ok, I have to tell Tristan first though, I was going to meet him at the docks."
Emily made a face and let go of his arm. "I'll meet you back at your house then."
"You don't want to see your boyfriend?" He asked bluntly, although he knew the answer.
"He's been kinda weird lately, I don't want to see him right now." She said frowning, she just didn't really like him all that much in general. She would much rather be with Dorian. She always got what she wanted and so eventually he would be hers, or so she thought.
He chuckled recalling Tristan saying she acts weird sometimes. "Well I'm going to go talk to him, maybe I'll stay for a while, I'm not sure."
"Don't be too long, I'll wait for you over here by the well." She winked and walked away.
Running his hand through his hair he continued walking. He didn't exactly want to tell Tristan about Emily still trying to get with him. Tristan had never been one for observation and was completely oblivious to the way Emily acted towards Dorian. Sure he liked the attention she gave him, she was pretty after all. However she was still his best friends girlfriend and he didn't want to hurt or betray his friend. He spotted Tristan sitting on the edge of the docks and made his way over. Tristan spotted him and waved getting up. "Hey, that didn't take too long."
Dorian smiled back at him. "Yeah guess it didn't. Hey I ran into Emily on the way here. Seems the people that bought Mr. Mason's house are going to be moving in either today or tomorrow."
"Oh, she didn't say anything about me did she? I swear it's like the girl is staying away from me on purpose. Thats cool, wonder who they are." Tristan said crossing his arms.
Dorian scratched the back of his head awkwardly, clearly not comfortable. "No she didn't, maybe you should look for a new girlfriend? She does seem rather odd. Guess their last name is Whitfield. I thought it'd be nice to help them move in when they arrived. Never know, maybe they're young? Or maybe they'll have a cute girl around our age."
"I like Emily though, and she's plenty cute. Geez have you not really looked at her? She's got some real nice assets thats for sure." Tristan commented with a lewd smile on his face.
"I have looked at her. She's very attractive, but I doubt you'd be willing to share now would you?" Dorian replied with a smile matching his friends.
Tristan narrowed his eyes. "No I wouldn't. Hey where did you see her?"
"Over by the well, I assume your going to talk to her now?" Dorian asked amused.
Smiling shyly he nodded his head. "You can come if you want of course. But I have a feeling you'll be heading home to brood or something."
Dorian smacked him over the head. "I do not brood."
Tristan rubbed his head frowning. "Fine whatever. You have been rather odd lately, but I guess thats to be expected since recent events. Well catch you later! If you see Ewan why don't you smack him."
Before Dorian could reply the other had already darted, heading towards the well in the center of town. He sighed and decided to head to the general store before going home. Stepping in he waved to Mr. Gibbons who owned and ran the store. "Hello Dorian! Looking for anything specific?"
"Hey Mr. Gibbons, sorry no, just browsing for now." Dorian replied politely. Mr. Gibbons was bald, short, and not a very pleasant sight to say the least. But the man was nice, welcoming everyone who stepped into his store. He had a daughter named Lauren who was in the back room reading. She was a quiet person and would rather stick her nose in a book than deal with people. She had always had a school girl crush on Dorian though. She was 13, had copper colored hair and brown eyes with freckles on her pale skin. She peeked out and blushed seeing Dorian wandering around looking at random items.
She stepped out of the door and went to her father. "Um, need any help dad?"
Surprised to see her he raised an eyebrow. "Finally gotten tired of living in a book and decided to re-join the real world?" He chuckled as her cheeks reddened. "Your a lot like your mother Lauren. Could you watch the counter? I need a small break."
"No I didn't get tired of my books. I just thought I'd offer my help incase you needed anything. Ok, how long will you be?" She huffed crossing her arms.
He laughed and patted her back. "I'll only be a few minutes." Stepping outside the shop he waited close by watching for Dorian to leave. He knew his daughter had a crush on the boy and thought he'd leave them be. Who knows, maybe they'd end up together, he was a nice boy after all.
Dorian on the other hand was somewhat deep in thought while he glanced over the wares. Eyes landing on some apples he remembered that they were out back home. He picked a bag of them up and carried it over to the counter. "Oh, hello Lauren."
"Hiya Dorian, is that all?" She said slightly blushing again.
He smiled, he knew the girl liked him, all the girls in town did. His thoughts started wandering to how easy it would be to trick the girls into thinking he liked them, bed them, and then leave for the next girl. Lauren tapped her fingers on the counter bringing his attention back to the present. "Thats it for now. Although if I forgot anything I might have to come back tomorrow."
"O-oh well we'd be welcome to see you." She said hiding her face with her bangs. He paid and picked the bag back up.
"See you later Lauren." He said throwing a wink her way.
Her face went entirely red. "S-see you later Dorian."
Walking back home he smirked to himself, it was entertaining seeing the way he could get a girl to react to him. Taking a different path home than the one that would lead him through the middle of town and past the well, he greeted the people he passed in the streets and kept a smile on his face. Once he was almost home he saw Ewan staggering about, most likely looking for either him or Tristan. The boy was definitely lacking in the brains department, and he groaned not really wanting to deal with it right now, but deciding it wasn't that bad. "Hey Ewan, what are you up too?"
Startled to see Dorian appear Ewan spun around, making himself dizzy in the process. He placed a hand to his head closing his eyes for a moment before talking. "Oh hey Dorian, not much, I was just heading towards your house to find you or Tristan."
"Well here I am, Tristan's down by the well with Emily I think." He said walking past Ewan.
The boy turned to walk with him but found Dorian's pace a bit to fast for him. "Hey slow down a bit will you." Dorian rolled his eyes annoyed at the other boys slow pace but slowed. "Ugh if Tristan is with Emily I don't want to see him. She's mean." Dorian chuckled. Of course Emily would be mean to Ewan, he wasn't bright or as good-looking as Tristan or himself. The rest of the way home he listened to Ewan have a small rant about Emily and how he didn't like her, Tristan should dump her, he could do so much better than her and what-not. Honestly after a while Dorian tuned him out and only added a few 'yeah', 'uh-huh', and 'of course''s, bored with the conversation.
Once home he turned towards Ewan. "It's been good seeing you Ewan but I gotta go, I'll talk to you another time." He then opened the door and closed it before Ewan could reply. Hearing him mutter his goodbye and wander somewhere else Dorian sighed. He didn't exactly enjoy doing that but sometimes the boy just couldn't take a hint. Setting the package of apples down he grabbed one and started eating it while staring out the window. Once finished he stepped outside to throw the core away and looked down to the bridge to see a wagon heading his way. Must be the new neighbors. He thought to himself. Walking back into the house he looked himself over in a mirror, making sure nothing was in his teeth and that his hair was in a somewhat orderly fashion. Smiling at himself in the mirror he decided to change into a better outfit before stepping out. It took him all of 5 minutes to get ready and he walked over to the wagon that had stopped in front of Mr. Mason's old house.
Stepping down from the wagon was the most gorgeous girl he had ever laid eyes on. She had hair black as night that freely flowed down to her mid back, her eyes were the color of jade and her skin was a flawless creamy ivory. Her makeup consisted of luscious red lips, black eyeliner and mascara. She wore a simple black dress that hugged her body accentuating her curves, and boy did she have curves. The dress was laced in silver and was modest, not showing much of her skin. Dorian smiled, thoughts immediately going to how he could woo her while he walked over. She turned hearing him approach and gave him a small smile.
"Hello, I'm Dorian Gray, I'll be one of your new neighbors. I live across the street with my father." He said offering his hand out to her.
"I'm Briar Rose Whitfield. Nice to meet you Dorian." She said reaching for his hand to shake it.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Briar Rose." He grinned as he gently brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it before letting go.
She raised an eyebrow unimpressed but forced herself to smile. "And to you as well, now if you'll excuse me I have to help my mother."
"Do you need any help? I'd be happy to offer any assistance I can." Dorian said before she turned around.
"I am quite able to do so myself. But I see the determination in your eyes so I'll let you help for now. Grab the bags in the back while I help mother." She said heading to the other side of the front of the wagon. "Mother, it's time to get down now."
Dorian walked to the back and was surprised to find only a few bags and no furniture. Picking up as many bags as he could hold, he heard a frail voice from the front. "Briar? We're here already? Oh do be careful I'm not light!"
Briar chuckled at her mother and helped her down, supporting most of her weight with her arms. Walking forwards towards the door she realized she hadn't unlocked it yet and mentally berated herself for being so foolish. Dorian came walking to the front and noticed the strange expression on the girls face. "Everything ok?" He asked slightly confused as to why she hadn't opened the door already.
"I forgot to unlock the door and the key is in my pocket. I-" She was cut off when her legs started to buckle under her mothers weight. Dorian had watched and knew what was coming, he dropped the bags and ran catching both her mother and Briar before they fell.
"Are you alright?" He asked staring intently into her eyes.
His eyes are gorgeous. Was the first thing she thought, then she thought he was fast, and close, too close for her liking. She pushed out of his arms and scowled at herself. "That's never happened before… Thank you."
He slightly frowned, all the other girls he had met would have at least wanted to stay in his arms for as long as possible. She seemed to be a strange one. He held her mother while she unlocked the door and swung it open. She tried taking her mother back but he just tutted and swung her mother fully into his arms carrying her into the house bridal style. Briar watched slightly confused and suspicious as to why he was helping so much. Sure he was good looking, but she didn't exactly trust men, and she certainly didn't have the time for them. Stepping into the house she looked around and pointed to the master bedroom. "That's going to be her room, we were told the house came fully furnished already so if you would please put her onto the bed in there that would be most welcome."
He immediately walked into the room and gently set her mother down on the bed. "Wha-who are you? You're not my Briar." She said confused.
Briar was at her side pushing him away and sitting next to her mother. "I'm right here mother, it's alright" He walked out of the room to go get the bags he had dropped.
"Who was that then dear? That wasn't you, too strong, plus they had a very… manly smell to them?" She asked reaching out for her daughter.
"He… he's our new neighbor, he's helping us move in." She replied taking her mother's hands.
Her mother visibly relaxed and started drifting off into sleep. "How nice of him, you… should talk… to him more… maybe…" Her words turned into mumbling and Briar stood carefully pulling the blanket out from her mother and placing it on top of her.
"Shhh, sleep mother, you need it." Kissing her mother on the forehead she walked back to the wagon to find Dorian chatting with two newcomers, a boy and girl. The boy and girl were holding hands but the girl was leaning in to Dorian while talking. Briar cleared her throat to get their attention and headed over. "Friends of yours?"
"Ah yes, this is Tristan Anderson, my best friend." Dorian began while Tristan stuck his hand out shaking Briar's. "And this is Emily Brooks, his girlfriend." He finished smiling at her. She shook Briar's hand as well but her eyes narrowed, instantly jealous of the new girl's looks. "Tristan, Emily, this is Briar Rose Whitfield."
Briar rolled her eyes at him. "Pleasure to meet you. You know I can introduce myself." She said cooly while going to the back of the wagon and picking up a couple of bags.
"Of course you can, I'm sorry I didn't mean to impose." Dorian replied. He turned and headed into the house, Briar behind him. "Anywhere specific you want the bags?"
"Just set them on the floor for now. Thank you again, for helping with mother." She said dropping her bags and heading back out.
He carefully set the bags down and followed, she grabbed a few more while he took the rest. Once done they walked back outside to the waiting couple. "Anything else you need?" He asked giving her one of his full smiles that usually made girls swoon.
"No, thank you once more. Nice meeting you all." she said and turned walking back into the house.
Dorian watched her leave and shut the door, brows furrowed completely baffled as to why she was so different. "Wow, she's like, totally not that nice is she." Emily said right away.
"I think she is very nice. She just probably has a lot on her mind seeing as she has to take care of her mother." Dorian countered back.
"I dunno, I just met her." Tristan said not really caring all that much about her personality and more about her looks. He was smart enough not to say anything on the later while in front of Emily though.
Emily crossed her arms letting go of Tristan's hand. "Well she didn't seem all that nice to me. Anyways, how about we go somewhere else. Dorian you should join us, it'd be lovely to have you along." As she said her last sentence she leaned forward towards Dorian and placed her hand on his arm while batting her eyelashes.
Dorian sighed, his friend was truly blind, and as much as he would love to give in, he held back for his friend's sake. "Sorry, I've got things to do."
Emily pouted. "So you can't hang with us, your friends, but you were more than willing to help that harpy that just moved in."
Silently groaning Dorian crossed his arms about to speak. Meanwhile Briar had been on the other side of the door listening to the whole conversation. Without realizing what she was doing she had opened the door and stepped up to Dorian. "I'm glad you're still here, looks like I could use some help after all if your friends don't mind." WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Her mind screamed at her.
Dorian's words died on his lips upon hearing the door creak. His expression shifted instantly into relief and he smiled at Briar. Before he could speak Emily huffed. "Whatever, let's go Tristan." She snapped, then turned to Dorian and spoke in a much softer voice. "See you later Dorian." Winking she turned and headed off, Tristan waved to his friend and then followed after her.
"Alright, now that I've saved you from that trollop, good day." Briar said and began to spin around.
Dorian blinked in surprise for a second before reacting. "Wait!" Grabbing her wrist he stopped her and she turned back to face him.
She pulled her wrist out of his grasp and glared at him. "Do not touch me."
Putting his hands up like he was being arrested he spoke in an innocent tone. "Okay okay, now just wait a second, you can't say you still need my help and then say you don't."
Placing her hands on her hips she narrowed her eyes at him. "Yes I most certainly can. I suggest you stop trying to woo me or whatever it is your doing, I have more important things to do than deal with you."
He dropped his hands, expression unreadable. "I'm not trying to woo you. I was simply being nice. Has no one ever been nice to you before?" He didn't want to lie to her but he also didn't want to admit that he was in fact trying to win her over.
"Yes people have, but most of them have only done so with an ulterior motive. So excuse me if I do not trust easily." She snapped at him.
"Well you'll find that it's different here. Here we just happen to be nice people, sorry to be suspicious by being nice." He growled.
Sighing in frustration she pinched the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. "I'm sorry. I'm just stressed and worried about my mother and seem to have lost my manners. I'd offer you to come in to have something to drink, but as you know, we've only just arrived."
"It's fine, I understand. I'd offer you to come to my house for a drink but I don't think you'll leave your mother. Where is your father, if you don't mind me asking." He questioned, calming down.
She instantly tensed upon being asked about her father. "You're right, I won't leave her. My father left before I was born. It's been me and my mother my whole life." Seeing the pity forming in his eyes she held up her hand. "Do not pity me. My father was a low-life scum and I was and am better off without him. Now you said you're living with your father, where is your mother, if you don't mind me asking."
It was his turn to tense but she had answered his question. "My mother died a couple of weeks ago from the fever."
"Oh, well you have my condolences, which matter little I'm sure." She said dropping her gaze, ashamed of the way she had been acting towards him. "I don't know what I'll do once mother passes."
"They mean more than you think. I appreciate it. It's hard, but if you need someone to talk to, I'll be just across the street." He said giving her a solemn half smile. "But it's getting late and I should leave you to unpacking. My father will be home soon as well."
"I- thank you. I might have to take you up on that offer sometime. Yes it is. Farewell Dorian, it was nice meeting you." She blushed from his proposition.
Tenderly reaching out and taking her hand again he brought it up to his lips and kissed it once more. "It was a pleasure to meet you Briar Rose. I'm sure we will be seeing a lot more of each other." He let go of her hand and walked back to his house, giving her one last smile before closing the door. She stood there for a few seconds, holding her hand against her chest, cheeks red. Shaking her head and snapping out of her daze she promptly went back inside her own house to unpack. Try as hard as she could, she could not get Dorian Gray out of her mind for the rest of the evening.
