Chapter 3

Phoebe didn't know why she was so nervous. It was a lame party after all! It wasn't like she had a date or something… She blushed just to remember how she brought that word in front of William. Then she scolded herself, why did she have to blush so damn much in front of William? She was Phoebe, a tough, sarcastic girl who wasn't afraid to speak her mind to anyone. So why did she become such a silly girl sometimes when she was with William?

She knew the answer to that question, but she still didn't understand why. She liked William. Like, really liked him. Like, she had a crush on him. Why, God, why her? At first she didn't even pay attention to him; he kind of annoyed her. She thought he was a nerd and a neat freak with all his military posture. But then she started to know the real him. He was mature, strong minded, smart, fun, a great big brother (a quality she admired being a big sister herself), respected the rules, but knew like none how to break them (see their little project to separate their parents), a true leader. He was Christina's best friend and vice-versa and really cared and helped the little ones, he even adopted her brothers and sisters as his own and that only made him dearer to her heart, because her siblings were everything to her, even if they annoyed her most of the time. And on top of that he was hot! Actually she could understand why she liked him, it is just that she always thought she would fall in love with some intellectual guy, probably someone linked to arts like her and, of course, who were not her stepbrother. But she couldn't do anything about her feelings, because: 1) William never gave any reason for her to believe that he liked her too and 2) Her mom and stepdad would have a heart attack if they found out about her infatuation.

So, here she was getting dressed to her "date" with William, trying to look good but not too dressed up. Phoebe considered herself a very in girl, she liked fashion and couture, she was her mother's daughter after all, but she didn't like to use the same type of clothes everyone else was using. She was a classic girl, but modern at the same time. At the end, Christina choose the dress for her saying it was perfect and that all the boys would break their necks trying to look at her when she entered the room. The only boy she really wanted looking at her with interest was William, but she didn't tell Christina that. She was listening to an old Joan Baez song while she put her silk gray dress on. It was from a Brazilian stylist who was friends with her mom, she gave the short dress to Phoebe last year when they met in New York. Lau chose a red purse styled by their mum and a pair of red sandals to go with the dress.

- Come on, Phoebe. We're going to be late. I'm sure everyone is already there.

Christina burst through the door, anxious. She was so excited about the party, she managed to be the first one to get ready and was pestering everyone around the house.

- You mean, David is already there. – Phoebe teased her about her crush in Dylan's best friend.

She eyed Cristina who was stunning in a green dress. She knew that David liked her too and he would be crazy not to make a move at her tonight. Christina just rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out before marching down the stairs. Phoebe only finished the final touches in her makeup and got out of the room. Dylan, Phoebe and William were together at the end of the stairs waiting for her. They all looked up when they heard her and she noted, with satisfaction, that William apparently lost his ability to blink.

- Looking good, sis! – Dylan smiled and offered his hand to her.

Her smile froze in her face when she noted her mother running towards them with a camera in her hands:

- Mom! It's not like this is the first time we're going to a party. You're behaving like Naoko.

- I know, sweetie. But you're all so beautiful together! Oh, I love this dress! Here, here! Let me take a picture of you all.

Phoebe just rolled her eyes and sighed as her mother started to get pictures of them. Her stepdad was playing with Ethan and Aldo, while Marisa, Bina, Lau, Joni, Mick, Otter, Ely and Kelly prepared to camp outside in the garden; Michael was their leader of course. Jimmi was brooding in a corner of the room because he wanted to go to the party, but their mother said he was too young to go to parties. Naoko and Harry were studying and bickering at the table. Phoebe smiled while her mother directed them:

- Now, now I want a picture of my girls together! And now, my boys!

Phoebe watched while Helen took a picture of Dylan and William and she took the opportunity to admire William. He was handsome with black trousers and a light blue long sleeved shirt.

- Come here, Phoebe. I want to take a picture of you and William and then I'm going to take one of Cristina and Dylan.

Phoebe hurried to William's side and felt butterflies in her stomach when she felt his arm around her waist.

- You look really beautiful, Pheebs! – He said quietly, just for her.

She looked up at him and smiled:

- Thanks, Will. You're not bad yourself.

At that exact moment, while she was smiling up at William, her mom took a picture. William and Phoebe were out of their trance and Phoebe looked at her mom. Helen had a weird look in her eyes when she looked at them, but didn't say anything. She happily called Dylan and Christina, who were teasing each other during the entire exchange.

They were already at the door, when the admiral reached them:

- William and Dylan, I trust you to take care of the girls. And please behave yourselves. Your curfew is at midnight.

- Come on, dad! Can't we stay a little bit longer? How about a two o'clock curfew? – Christina pleaded with her puppy eyes.

- One o'clock and that's it.

- Thanks, daddy! – Christina thanked, hugging and kissing her dad, who smiled proudly.

- Ok, you behave. William and Dylan don't let any boys near your sisters.

- Yes, sir! – William answered, saluting his father. Christina and Phoebe just rolled their eyes.

When they got to William's car, William opened the passenger door to Phoebe. Dylan went to the back seat and closed the door before Christina entered.

- Why can't you be a gentleman like Will, Dylan? – Cristina complained when she was finally in the car.

- Where is the charm in that? – He answered with a cocky grin, putting an arm around Cristina's shoulder.

Cristina scoffed and pushed Dylan away from her.

- Hey, hey, calm down! I don't think David likes violent girls.

- Shut up, Dylan.

- I'm sure he doesn't like bad tempered cheerleaders…

- I'm going to kill you, Dylan!

William and Phoebe just laughed listening to their siblings bickering during the trip to Lindsey's house. When they got there, William parked nearby. The house was full and the music was loud. Dylan and Cristina hurried out of the car, trying to find their friends. William only shouted to them:

- We are going to meet here at the car at half past midnight!

They only acknowledged him with a wave of their hands and went on. Phoebe and William walked side by side silently towards the house. William was the first to break the silence:

- Have I told you how beautiful you are tonight?

- Yeah, but it is always good to hear it.

- I guess I will have to stay near you all night long if I intend to keep the boys away from you. Dad wouldn't forgive me otherwise.

Phoebe just laughed heartily at him. When they were at the door, William offered her his arm and asked with a mocking English accent:

- May you give me the honor, milady?

Phoebe did a little courtesy and answered, while accepting his arm:

- But of course, sir.

When they entered the house, they saw that the party was at full force. A DJ was in one of the corners playing hip hop loudly. The room was cleared off its furniture, so people had space to dance and they were taking advantage of it. Phoebe saw that Christina found her friends and was in a corner looking at David, who was talking to Dylan.

- Do you want something to drink? I'm going to get a beer.

- A beer is fine, thanks.

Phoebe almost regretted it, because in order for William to get their drinks, they had to break contact. She watched people dancing to "My Love" on the floor and started to get in the mood for dancing. She loved to dance to this song. She was waiting for William, when someone touched her shoulder. She turned to see who it was and was surprised, in a bad way, to see Stephan, a guy she had the displeasure to date once.

- Long time no see, Pheebs! What's up?

- Nothing much, Steve. – She knew he hated the nickname. But he chose to ignore her.

- So are you here alone? Do you want to get it on on the dance floor?

- No to both questions. – She rolled her eyes irritated.

- Come on, Pheebs. You know I got the moves…

- I'm pretty sure she said no.

William interrupted Stephan and gave Phoebe her drink.

- Oh, you're here with your brother. – Stephan asked with a smirk.

- He's not my brother!

- She is not my sister!

Phoebe and William answered at the same time. William snaked his arm around Pheobe's waist protectively and looked pointedly at Stephan, who seemed to finally get the hint that he wasn't welcomed there.

As soon as Stephan walked out, William let go of Phoebe. She sipped her beer, trying to hide her disappointment.

- I'm sorry about that, Will. I don't know what I was thinking when I went out with that guy. He is just so annoying!

- Hey, I'm here to protect you from these guys anyway.

- But don't scare the good ones away!

- I don't think we will find a good enough guy for you here.

- William, you are going to spoil me if you keep saying things like that. But we're here to have some fun. And talking about fun, do you want to dance?

- No, no, no! I don't dance, I'm horrible at dancing

- No, he is horrible at dancing. – Phoebe answered pointing to a guy who looked like he was having a seizure. – I saw you dancing at our parents wedding and you are not a bad dancer.

- That was the wine acting!

She took one of his hands in hers and led him to the dance floor, where Dylan was already dancing with a brunette. Probably Ariana, Phoebe thought. William was waving to some of his team mates when Phoebe asked:

- Whatever happened to Carol, William?

- They broke up again, but this time I think it is permanent. I've never seen Dylan so angry with anyone like that before. Apparently she said a few hurtful things about Christina because she was jealous. He didn't want to talk to me about it and I'm not sure I want to hear it. I don't know why she was so jealous of Christina anyway. She is his stepsister; it' not like anything is going to happen between them.

-You're right. – Phoebe agreed with a somewhat forced smile.

-The important thing is that he has moved on now.

William gave Dylan the thumbs up when the brunette girl wasn't facing him and Dylan nodded with a smile. Phoebe started to dance and laughed at William when she saw that he was holding back.

- Relax, Will!

- I feel like everyone is staring at me.

- No one is paying attention to you.

As the party went on, William started to relax and enjoy himself. Phoebe couldn't help but admire the way his body moved. How could someone be so perfect like that? She felt like the luckiest girl at the party just because of that moment. At some point their bodies started to get really close, maybe it was because the room was crowded or maybe they were drawn to each other, but Phoebe almost couldn't breathe when she noticed that. The moment was broken when a beautiful read haired girl interrupted them.

- William! You came! I was looking for you when I saw Christina, but I didn't see that you were here at the dance floor. – She completely ignored Phoebe and just put herself between them.

- Oh, hi, Lindsay! Do you remember Phoebe?

Lindsay just looked at her direction and gave a small nod. At that moment, another song began to play and Lindsay put her arms around William's shoulders (without any resistance, Phoebe thought) saying:

- I love this song. Let's dance!

-Actually, I was here with… - He began embarrassed, but Phoebe interrupted him coldly:

- It doesn't matter, Will. I think I'm going to find Christina now. You can stay here and dance with the Lohan wannabe. – She added the last bit with a sarcastic smile directed to Lindsay. – I don't care.

She just shook her shoulders and left the dance floor. The moment she left she regretted her actions. Shit, why did she have to act like a jealous bitch? She finally found Christina, but didn't approach her when she saw her kissing David near the stairs. She decided to get some fresh air and cool her head for a bit. She went to the front of the house and walked towards William's car. She wanted to be alone for a moment. God, she was so furious with herself, but what she really wanted to do was to strangle that girl! She sighed and tried to control her emotions. She had her back to the house and didn't see that someone was approaching her.

- I was looking for you.

- You didn't have to. – She turned to look at him. – I'm sorry for the way I acted, Will. It is just that she totally ignored me… You can go back to the house and have a good time. Don't worry about me.

- I was having fun with you, Pheebs. – William answered sincerely. – Lindsay and I… Well, we have a history, but it's over. Apparently, she didn't get it. But I was having a good time with you in there.

Phoebe looked him in the eye and smiled slightly. She could hear the song "Don't matter" playing in the house and was surprised when William asked:

- Wanna dance?

- Yeah, we can come back to the house…

- We can dance here. – William interrupted and circled her waist with his arms.

Phoebe couldn't believe in this. It was too good to be true. She came closer to him and put her arms around his shoulder. They fit perfectly together. Her head didn't quite reach his shoulder, so she rested it on his chest, while he rested his on the top of her head. She was in heaven. Phoebe found herself paying attention to every sensation: his smell, the way his arms around her felt, the song playing at the back… Suddenly she felt William's nose caressing her right cheek and she lifted her face to him. She looked him in the eyes and was surprised to see the passion she felt reflected in them. And then she closed her eyes and parted her lips in a silent invitation. She felt William's lip softly caressing her forehead, her eyes, her nose, her cheeks…

And then he finally kissed her! Really kissed her. Softly at first, but as she opened her mouth to receive him, it grew in passion. She never felt so connected to a person like this before. Never felt so much passion and tenderness together like this. She wasn't prepared to the force of her feelings. It was like she had found a part of her that was missing. And for the first time she knew where she belonged.

Author's note:

Thank you, guys, for the reviews. You have no idea how much they mean to me. You are encouraging me to write and I'm loving it, because I'm in love with this couple. Thank you for your incentive.

I'm working on the fourth chapter. Later!