"Is she going to be okay?" a hoarse voice whispered.
It pierced the surface of Alex's wavering conscience, sending her reeling in and out of nothingness.
Faint rustling movement was heard, followed by the groan of springs giving way as weight was distributed. Alex felt her cool hand enveloped in warmth.
Slowly she tried to pry her heavy eyelids open. They were so heavy and sore they felt like they hadn't seen the world in ages. Blurry darkness wavered before worried Emerald swam into focus.
"Alex? Are you okay?"
The question swam through her mind, bringing back unwanted reminiscences. Alex frowned at them, closing her eyes as if to shut them out.
"Gram?" she whimpered. Before she could say anything else the darkness took her once more.
Later.
A flash of lightning struck, answered by the rumbling of menacing thunder. Rain fell hard on the window ceil and roof. The wind was howling, sending firm branches thrashing against a house of brick. Their shadows loomed into a room and over a bed in which lay a small trembling form as lightning cackled threateningly. The small form jumped, sending dark curls flying as thunder roared overhead.
Sapphire eyes peeked from underneath a heavy quilt as the rumbling dispersed; replaced by the rough uneven beat of rainfall.
Alex hated thunderstorms with a fiery passion. When she was small she would run to her parents' room and cuddle between them to take refuge. When she got too big, her parents wouldn't allow it anymore, so she would sleep on their carpet next to their bed.
Even though she was a teenager she still hated them more than ever. Sometimes she wished she was small again so she could run and hide for just that purpose. Just like now.
Trembling, Alex peeked out again and jumped when she saw the silhouette of branches on her blanket and walls. They looked like huge menacing hands coming down on her, ready to grab her.
Alex cringed when they reminded her of Reed earlier that night. He scared her before, however now he terrified her. She cried out when the wind blew harder, sending the branches in a terrifying assault against her window and consequently her walls.
It was the last straw for her however and she was up and out of bed in a flash. Alex cowered at her door as she glanced down the dark hallway. She crept left down the hallway, guided by the reappearance of lightning.
She passed only one doorway before she found another on her left and turned the knob with trembling hands.
A sleeping form occupied the bed as Alex drew near. In a flash of lightning Alex saw dark locks peaking from underneath the comforter. Cassie, she sighed inwardly.
When another deep rumble of thunder shook from underfoot, Alex ran under the covers trembling from head to toe. She closed her heavy eyes as she whimpered under the warm comforter. She would just stay until it settled down; stay until the storm passed…slowly tendrils of slumber wrapped their sweetness around her, making her eyes feel as heavy as she closed them against the stormy night.
Alex woke to birds singing in the morning sunshine. Sunlight danced on her face making her groan as she shielded her eyes. With a sigh she dropped her hand only to have it hit another masculine one.
Feeling weighed down, Alex looked down to discover an arm wrapped around her waist possessively. She felt firm masculine curves against her own softness. Frowning confusedly she felt her leg intertwined with another.
A long deep sigh from behind her confirmed her suspicions. "Ahhh!"
She was struggling with the heavy arm holding her captive when a surprised shout rang throughout the room. The person relinquished their arm quickly as she untangled their legs franticly.
The sheets seemed glued to her as she struggled to untangle herself fruitlessly. In a series of shrieks and swift arm movements, Alex fell off the bed with a loud thump, landing in a tangled heap on the floor.
At that most fortunate moment the door flew open revealing a laughing Cassie and Gram. Their mouths dropped seeing the scene before them.
Alex groaned rubbing her throbbing ankle, the person on the bed currently forgotten. Oh this was not good. She hoped to God it wasn't sprained. Hearing the door open, Alex looked up to see a dumbfounded Cassie and Gram.
The room had turned deadly silent; her shallow breathing seemed to echo off the walls.
Something flashed in Grams eyes as he gazed at the scene before him. Alex felt herself frown when Grams eyes narrowed, focusing on the person occupying the bed at the moment. Remembering the reason why she woke up, Alex glanced at the bed and was met with fierce ice blue.
Adam smirked as a blush crept up her neck, her face turning crimson.
Alex thought she died right then and there. She most certainly wished it. Her face was so red she could practically feel her pulse. Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my G-
"Well well well," Cassie mused, finally finding her tongue after pulling it off the floor with her mouth. Her blue eyes were sparkling with something Alex knew only too well.
"Most have been some night," she chuckled.
Comprehension dawned on her face as Alex realized what it looked like. "Wait! No no no no no no! It's not what it looks like!"
Cassie merely smirked. "Uh huh." "Yeah. Sure Alex. And you just forgot that this was now Adams room instead of my old one right?" she narrowed her gaze, knowing full well that that was the reason. She laughed when Alex mumbled darkly under her breath.
"What?" she giggled, raising a hand to her ear. "Sorry, Couldn't catch that Alex."
"I said," Alex growled, narrowing her eyes at her best friends antics, "That I forgot you had so conveniently switched rooms since I was last over." The last part came as a shout, making all of them wince.
"Yes you did."
Her head shot towards the amused comment. Her gaze wavered as she tried to keep eye contact with Adams piercing gaze. How in the world would she ever be able to look him in the eye again ever without turning a cherry?
"Yes, I did," she mumbled reluctantly. Adam sat up, the comforter sliding down his naked chest as he reached over the side of the bed for a shirt.
Too late, Alex tried to shift her wide-eyed gaze but found herself unconsciously staring. He was gorgeous. Alex found herself thinking exactly that before she mentally slapped herself knowing she was starring and dragged her gaze away.
Adam smirked to himself as he pulled a blue tee over his chiseled chest.
"Here lemme help you Alex," Gram pranced, walking over the Alex with an outstretched hand.
"Huh? OH!" she giggled, nodding as he helped her up, making them all sweat drop.
"Ahh." She whimpered when she put pressure down on her foot. Gram caught her just before her knees buckled from under her.
"Are you sure you are fine?"
Alex was currently lying down on a couch in a huge living room with her foot propped up on pillows with ice bags on her ankle. Cassie was hovering above her motherly.
"Yes," Alex sighed, blowing some stray curls out of her face as she regarded her worried friend, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Now go sit. I'm not dying here Cass. I think I have enough ice here to last me for the next ice age."
"Hey! I just want to keep the swelling under control is all," she said, taking a seat across from her, regarding her sprained ankle.
"Yeah, I know. Save it for your future patients," Alex joked narrowing her eyes at her best friend before gazing back up into the rafters of the large room.
"Fine! I will." She declared, her voice echoing.
Alex regarded her at her passionate outburst, knowing it was true. She wanted so bad to make it into medical school and drove hard in school to succeed her dream. Despite her worry, Alex knew that her grades were excellent and that she would make it into any school.
"God Cassie Shut up. You're so loud."
Cassie merely narrowed her piercing blue eyes, shaking her head, making her long and dark wavy hair sway around her. She was Italian and came from an Italian family. Her father was a wealthy business man, who lived in New York. Her mother had died, leaving behind a husband and small child. Her father, not knowing how to raise a child, sent her to live with his brother and his wife in Chicago, who had a small child around the same age.
"Ali. I thought you liked my big and obnoxious mouth."
Despite the pain in her ankle she giggled. "Oh yes. It's absolutely gorgeous."
"It isn't the only gorgeous thing around here. I saw you eyeing him," she whispered as if it was their dirty little secret.
She laughed at Alex's guilty expression, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Sooo. Come on. Tell me, what happened?"
Alex's mouth dropped in shock at her friends question. "Nothing. No. Nothing happened." Despite her words her face burned remembering the way she was held in his embrace.
"Ohhh. Sure blusher. Nothing happened. Right like im going to take that. Come on Alex you know me better than that. Seriously their not here. Tell me!"
"What do you want me to say? You know how bad thunderstorms scare me. I saw dark hair and assumed it was you. Nothing happened."
Silence lapsed for a few moments.
"I bet he groped you," Cassie whispered astounded.
"Cassie!"
"I'm just saying."
"Noo." Silence.
"I bet you liked it."
"Will you shut up already?!"
Cassie blew her a kiss and giggled before she grabbed a pillow. "Alex. Oh Alex. You feel soo good." She acted like she was making out with it, imitating Adam.
Alex grabbed a nearby pillow and threw it at her, turning crimson.
"Ow! Okay fine. I'll shut up. You spending the night right?"
"I don't know. I'll have to ask my mom."
They looked up at the knock on the door only to see their butler. He was tall with salt and peppered hair and carried himself with grace. He walked in carrying two crutches. "As you requested Ms. Cassie."
"Thank you Nigel. Here I'll take those." With a nod he handed them to her, and noting Alex's condition, regarded Cassie quizzically.
"Sprained it," Cassie filled. "A minor one, but sprain no less."
"And may I ask how she did it?"
"Having too much fun this morning, Alex fell…off the bed," Cassie smirked, her light blue eyes glinting mischievously as she looked pointedly in her direction.
Nigel nodded, seeing Alex roll her eyes and knew full well that there was more behind the words. He couldn't help remembering as he walked out, a certain loud thump that had came from Master Adam's room earlier this morning while he was in the parlor below him.
"So um, did you talk to her about it this morning? Was she okay?" Other than the part about her waking up in his bed this morning, Adam hadn't seen her since.
"She tried to play it calm, but I could tell she was shaken up," Gram said as they walked down a grand stairway.
"Bastards," Adam growled. He wanted so much to rip Reed and his gang apart for what they did last night.
"He didn't try anything did he?" Lord help him if he did.
Grams scowl darkened considerably at his question. "Yes, but she fought him and ran away."
Adam felt himself balling his fists, picturing Reed's neck around him. "Hes going to regret ever meeting a Meszaro."
Some minutes before
Adam looked up from his Calculus book hearing a knock and saw Gram at his bedroom door.
"Hey come in. I'm just finishing a formula," Adam said at his desk, glancing back down and scribbling something.
"Cool," Gram took a seat on his bed. He looked around the large room. He could almost see Alex again lying on the floor and tangled in sheets. Adam's sheets. This made him curl his fist tightly to the whites of his knuckles.
He looked up at his best friend bent over his Calc text, a frown evident in his dark brows as he scrawled something down and tried not to frown himself. Despite his better judgment, he tried not to assume anything, but found himself grudgingly threatened. He was battling with his mind, giving up slowly, vulnerable, as the truth sank in in that crystalline moment of reality.
"Adam." He looked up to see Gram sitting on his bed, scrutinizing him, his expression unreadable.
"Do you like Alex?"
Adams face gave nothing away as he carefully hid the impact of the question inside. "Nah, she deserves someone better," he replied calmly with a slight smile.
Gram nodded, taking his word for it. He felt somewhat relieved and was surprised to feel the tight pressure in his chest ease; he never knew it was there. But something felt odd. No. It was just a storm, she was scared and thought it was Cassie. It was an accident.
"It was just a storm right?" he found himself asking. "An accident. She was scared and merely mistook you for Cassie right?" he chuckled, glancing at Adam expectantly, wanting reassurance.
Adam nodded, hating it, knowing it was only half true. Alex didn't know it was he, but Adam knew it was she. He never knew that thunderstorms scared her that bad. She had fell asleep cuddled next to him, her whimpers and shivering ceasing when he held her. She had had a nightmare.
The winds were heavy and rain pounded, lightning and thunder came in fatal blows over head as he held her shivering form to him. She was whimpering in her sleep, moving as if trying to evade something. "No! Don't let him get me," she cried. Adam frowned, having a clue who it was chasing her in her dream. "Who? Who's chasing you?" he asked. She was crying softly now and running a slight fever. "Reed," she whimpered, tears falling freely. "Don't let him get me," she whispered achingly. He tightened his hold around her, protectively, "No one is going to get you Alex. No one. Go to sleep," he whispered to her. Nodding, she fell back asleep, resting her head in the crook of his neck.
Adam frowned whenever he thought of last night. He was going to kill Reed.
"I can't believe that bastard," Adam stood up and walked to the window, looking outside at the beautiful afternoon. His dark hair moved in the warm breeze from the open window. Hearing laughter he looked down and saw Cassie and Alex on the patio talking. He was surprised to see Alex's crunches, but smirked at how she had sprained it.
"Reed," Gram said. His eyes hardened at the thought of him.
"If Pat hadn't came and told us about him, we probably would have been too late," Adam said scathingly, his blue gaze had turned fierce as an artic winter.
"But we weren't. They're chicken shit. Most of them ran away when we showed."
"Reed didn't." "No but I got him good," Gram smirked, feeling the bruise on his cheek from the return blow. It was slightly purple. "Hes defiantly going to feel that today."
Adam chuckled, nodding. "Let's go. I'm done with my homework. Besides, it's Sunday."
Gram smiled, walking out with Adam.
"So um, did you talk to her about it this morning? Was she okay?" Other than the part about her waking up in his bed this morning, Adam hadn't seen her since.
"She tried to play it calm, but I could tell she was shaken up," Gram said as they walked down a grand stairway.
"Bastards," Adam growled again. He wanted to rip Reed and his gang apart.
"He didn't try anything did he?" Lord help him if he did.
Grams scowl darkened considerably at his question. "Yes, but she fought him and ran away."
Adam felt his fists ball tightly and pictured Reed's neck around him. "Hes going to regret ever meeting a Meszaro."
Gram glanced at his friend feeling the same way. Alex was loved by all and knew them since she was a small child. She was like a little sister and apart of their family. It felt so incredibly wrong for someone to try and do something like that to her.
"Hey. Where ya going?" Gram asked as Adam took an unexpected left, his long legs moving swiftly.
"Blow off some steam," came his aggravated reply.
Gram let him go, knowing he would be doing just that and turned and walked the way they came. It was a mansion with endless possibilities. He'd find something to do sooner or later.
Alex sat on the edge of the pool, letting her feet dangle in the cool water, and was careful about her sprain. She tried to sit easily, but the crunches made it awkward and she fell hard on her butt.
She was wearing a white tank top with her pink two piece bathing suit on. Her flip flops lay and crunches lay abandoned behind her. She sat there listening to her ipod, the one that Cassie had gotten her for her 17 B-day and sang to Jessica Simpson's cd In This Skin.
Resting against the palms of her hands behind her, Alex soaked up the sun, enjoying the afternoon before she would have to go home.
Can you think of it, the way I dream of iiit, I want you to see it like I'm seein' it. It's a picture of perfection, the vision of yours and
"Your lips upon my lips," Can you just picture it. "Your finger tips on my finger tips, your skin upon my skin, would be the sweetest sin, that would be the sweetest sin, yeah."
"All day I think of schemes to get you next to me, I want you so bad that I can barely breath," Feeling eyes penetrating her, she opened them and yelped seeing Adam standing there across the pool smirking, the music still rolling loudly in her ears.
Its sign of my affection, a vision of yours and your lips upon my skin-She stopped the music with a shaky hand. "Adam. What are you doing here?"
"I live here, can't I swim here?" he looked at her bright face, totally enthralled by her singing and silently wondered why she had stopped. She looked so cute and sexy with her curly hair and hot pink bathing suit.
"Do you mind if I swim?" he asked her, stepping out of his sandals.
"No, I don't really," He started to take off his shirt. "Mind," she finished weakly when he threw it on the ground. She tried but failed miserably this time to drag her eyes away; taut hard muscles ran down his chest to meet chiseled abs and a narrow waist at which blue trunks hung. His arms, like the rest of him, were tan and toned, built perfectly.
His grin widened seeing her round eyes and knew she was an innocent. "Like what you see?" he smirked.
Alex rolled her eyes but blushed all the same. "Maybe," she said, surprising herself. Wait what? Where the hell did that come from?
Adam laughed, shoulders shaking, dark hair falling into his blue gaze. Stepping up to the edge, his eyes took a mischievous glint and Alex knew he was concocting something evil.
She frowned slightly when she saw him back up, almost as if he was going to-"No. Adam no!" Too late. She barely had time to shield herself with her arms before there was a giant "SPLASH!"
Adam surfaced grinning from ear to ear. "A-Adam!" she yelped, shivering from the cool water dripping down her. "Wha-What did I ever do to y-you?" She looked down and saw that her white tank top was now transparent and that her bikini top as of the rest of her, was soaked.
He chuckled at her chattering teeth, "Actually, It's a matter of what you haven't done,"
Alex merely gaped as he swam to her, her wet arms sliding down her shins as she sat there with her legs pulled up, her chin resting on her knees.
She was motionless as he floated before her and her breath caught in her throat when he stood. (Shallow section of the pool! LOL)
Her large dark blue orbs gazed into his light blue piercing ones.
Smiling faintly, he braced both palms on the ledge, moving closer to her. Seeing as she wasn't going to pull away, he lowered his head and kissed her softly on the lips.
Alex gasped at the contact, but moved her lips against his softly, slowly deepening it as she lowered her legs, bringing herself into him more. Adam brought his hands up to clasp her thighs as she lowered them. She opened her mouth when she felt his tongue part for entrance and they explored each others mouths as their lip lock deepened. Alex clung onto his neck; her legs snaked around his waist as he pulled her closer to him.
Hearing something fall with a shattering crash, both broke apart and looked up.
Gram was standing there with tray hanging limply in his hands, a look of dismay on his handsome face. He gazed at them; Alex still held in Adams embrace and noticing her red and swollen lips, glared coldly at Adam.
Time sped up again as Alex's mind registered what had just happened. "Gram."
Ignoring her, he dropped the tray and walked swiftly away, leaving shattered glass and spilt lemonade in his wake.
"No. Wait! Gram wait!" Pushing herself up, Alex grabbed her towel and fell, feeling pain shoot up her leg from her throbbing ankle.
"Alex!"
A tear escaped as she made a mad grab for her crunches lying feet away from her and staggered as she pulled herself up, ignoring Adams pleas.
She limped as fast as she could with one leg after him, her vision obscured by tears.