Chapter: 4

Damn. I can't believe that I actually said yes to going on a date with William! I thought angrily as I practically tore my whole closet inside out trying to find a dress to wear for that night. I can't believe I'm even going through all this trouble to look nice for him, I continued my mind rant. This is basically what I've been doing for the past three days; mind arguing with myself. Oh, and avoiding Melanie at all cost.

I found a dark red dress that I kind of liked and held it in front of my body, and looked at myself in the mirror. Ugh! This drees makes my look like a damn strawberry. I huffed as I threw the dress on the floor, to join the other twenty dresses that I found not suitable. I ungracifally sat myself back onto my bed with a long sigh. God damn, you'd think with all the free time I had while avoiding Melanie that at least find an outfit. But no. I had to waste away three days of my life, wallowing in self pity. I let out another long sigh. Again.

Just when I was about to give up hope and cancel my date, there was a knock at my bedroom door.

When I opened the door I saw an absolutely beaming Aunt Rosa.

"Hello, my chica!" She exclaimed pushing past me, to set a box on my bed.

"Hey Aunt Rosa. I'm not trying to be rude or anything but... why are you here?" I asked tentatively.

She chuckled slightly, before turning to face me. "I thought you could use this," She grinned, turning back towards the box she pulled the cover off and pulled out a gorgeous black silk dress.

My jaw dropped as I took in the stunning dress before me.

I looked over to my Aunt - who was still looking happy, and slightly smug. Tightly, I wrapped my arms around her in a hug, before running off to the bathroom to put on my fabulous dress.

//..//

When 7 o' clock started to come closer, I got more and more nervous. I kept twitching and wringing my hands together.

The chime of my clock made me jump a foot in the air, before I realised what the noise was. I looked over myself in the mirror one more time; straightening up my dress and makeup, before leaving my room and heading towards the grand staircase.

And what I saw when I got there, was truly a sight to behold. At the bottom of the staircase was William. But, that was not what made my breath catch. As he stood there, with his back towards me, looking up into the sunset sky as it illuminated his face, was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

Quickly shaking those thoughts out of my head, I started making my way down the stairs. By the time I made it to the bottom, I looked up and realized that William had turned around and was now looking at me with a star struck expression. I looked back down at my feet blushing. I felt fingers under my chin, lifting my head up to meet his bright purple eyes. "You look stunning." He breathed, leaning down to kiss my cheek. I blushed harder.

I just nodded to his compliment though. For some reasons I don't know, I've always kind of hated it when someone gave me a compliment because it always felt like I didn't deserve it.

William frowned slightly at my silence, before suddenly grinning again, offering me his hand. I very hesitantly put my hand in his as he lead the way to our date set up.

//..//

When we left the house, William lead me to a trail that lead into the woods. The trail was lit by small lights so I didn't have to worry about falling on my face or anything.

Most of the walk was spent in silence, but more of a comfortable silence then an awkward one -which I was thankful for.

We suddenly came to a stop, making me stumble slightly. William caught my waist and helped me right myself, before turning me around so that my back was to him. I felt something silk cover my eyes, blocking my vision. I tensed slightly, but relaxed when William rubbed my bare back. "Do you trust me, Sapphire?" He whispered in my ear.

I hesitated. Can I trust him? I don't really know him. Then why do I always have this weird sense of security every time I'm around him? Why does he make me feel safe and wanted? My head kept telling me to be more cautious, to think this through more. But, my heart was screaming at me to trust him, to give him a chance. After a long silence, I finally whispered back, "Yes."

William moved in front of me. He gently took my small hands into his bigger ones, and started to lead me forward, further into the woods. As we went further I started to hear water and could feel a mist blowing on my skin. William stopped, went back around my back and untyed the silk scarf from my eyes.

I gasped in shock at the sight before me. It was a small alcove, with two waterfalls. The top water fall was small, with a large rock platform next to it. And right below it, was a slightly bigger but still relatively small. "Wow," I said in astonishment, I heard William chuckle slightly behind me. "It's beautiful."

He chuckled again, "I knew you'd like it." He gently took my hand in his again, before leading over to the platform near the smaller waterfall, where I just noticed had a picnic set up on it.

As I started eating, William made a small fire to keep us warm, as the sun started going down.

I began getting some questions out that I've been dying to know. "So..." I said slowly.

"So..." He answered with a slight grin.

"How did you find this place?" I said gesturing around the alcove, as I picked up another raspberry popping it into my mouth.

William was silent for awhile before answering, " Well... when I first moved to the Blake Mansion, I wasn't in the best mental state and I didn't want to be around people too much. So one day I decided to walk around the woods, and found this place. I mostly come here to think now."

I lied on my side to face him, "What do you mean you weren't in the best state of mind?" I asked curiously.

He sighed heavily, "It's complicated," He looked up into my eyes again. I noticed now that his eyes were sad and troubled. "But, I tell you if you tell me something about yourself." I nodded. " Okay... the reason I moved to the Blake Mansion was because parents died..." He paused. "Well, actually, they were killed... in front of me." He said softly.

I was shocked. I never would have guessed that something like that would have happened to him. William always seemed kind of happy. "I'm so sorry, William." I know that it's a little stupid to say things like 'I'm sorry' but I just didn't know what else to say.

He looked back up into my eyes and gave me a shy smile."It's okay. I'm better now." He smile widened slightly. "Now I get to ask you something."

I tensed slightly at that. I was nervous that he would ask me something about Jason."Okay." I said nodding.

"Why are you at the Mansion?" I visibly relaxed and exhaled my breath I didn't know I was holding.

"It wasn't really my idea. My parents..." I paused looking away from him to the blanket we were laying on. I sighed before continuing. "... they said they wanted me to come meet my family. You know, get to know everyone?" I scoffed. "But, I could see in there eyes that they were just trying to find an excuse to get rid of me."

William looked at me in confusion, "I don't understand?"

"What is there to not understand?" I asked angrily. "Don't you get it? They just didn't... want me anymore." I said in a softer voice.

"No," He whispered, nudging my shoulder so I would look at him. I looked up into his eyes to see them sad and confused. "I mean..." He puased to push a lock of my hair behind my hair, grazing his fingertips against my cheek. "Who in their right mind wouldn't want you, Sapphire?"

I laughed humorlessly, and his frowned deepened. "Your views of me are set way too high, William."

He looked like he wanted to disagree with me but just let it go. "Okay. Your turn."

I thought for a second before asking my question. "So, do you live at the Mansion?"

"Yes, ever since my parents died I've been living here."

"But why? I mean your not related to anyone in the house." I asked, lifting my eyebrows in confusion.

"Yes that's true. But, your Aunt Rosa was a very dear friend to my mother. She promised both of my parents that if anything happened to them, then I could go live with Rosa." He said with a fond smile.

"Wow, I didn't know that." I said. "I wonder why she didn't tell me," I said more to myself then to William, "So, what's going on with you and Melanie? She acts like you two are married or something." I said chuckling slightly.

William cracked a small grin, "Honestly, that girl is nuts. We're not dating or anything, she just likes to think we are for some reason." He chuckled again.

I chuckled with him slightly, and then before we knew it, we both were rolling on the ground in peels of laughter. By the time we calmed down, I rolled over towards him and just realised then how close our faces were to each, and I immediately stopped laughing and sat up.

"What's wrong?" William asked in concern, sitting also to look at me.

"N-nothing." I stuttered slightly. He tried to touch my cheek, but I, again, flinched away from his touch. Even though my face was now turned away from him, I could tell that it hurt every time I flinch away from him. "I'm sorry. I-I must be a terrible date." I said almost inaudibly, but he still heard me.

"No your not," He said softly back at me, very slowly - to give me a chance to pull away - he pulled my hand into his and gently interlaced our fingers. I hesatintly turned my face back to his, but still avoided looking into his eyes. For a moment it was silent between us, except the crackle of the fire. Both of us barely even moved, except for William's thumb drawing small circles into the back of my hand. "I understand, Sapphire. I know your scared. And unsure." He paused, bringing my hand up to his lips to kiss my knuckles, "I can't say I know what it feels like to go through all the things you've probably gone through, but I do know what it feels like to want to isolate yourself from others. To refuse anyone to get close to you in fear of feeling the pain you once felt. But that's not going to help you, Sapphire. I had to learn the hard way, that by trying to make yourself alone your only going to hurt yourself in the long run," He kissed my hand again. "I also learned that it helps to talk to someone. I know you probably won't want to tell me after just meeting me, but I hope that one day you'll trust me enough to tell me about what happened to you."

A shocked expression was surely on my face after hearing what he said. It was a new experience to have a choice to tell someone something. Usually - either it being my parents or Jason - I never had a choice, I either told them or I suffered the consequence. It felt so nice to finally have a choice for once. "Thank you, William. You don't know how much that means to me." I whispered. I finally looked up into his amazing purple eyes that I love so much and saw sincerity and another emotion I couldn't place, but strangely warmed my insides.

He leaned closer to me so his face was inches from mine. He cupped one of my cheeks in his hands and kissed the other softly. He nuzzled his nose into my neck, breathing my scent in deeply. I closed my eyes at the sensation of his slightly cold breath on my neck. I felt him pulling back again and when opening my eyes I could see him looking at me with half lidded eyes. He continued silently stroking my cheek before breaking the silence with a question I hadn't realized I wanted him to ask until a few seconds ago. "Can I kiss you, Sapphire?" He said in a husky voice.

"Yes." I said without hesitation. He pulled me closer to him so that I was now in his lap, before leaning down only a few inches until our lips finally met in a passionate kiss.

AN: Hi everyone! I usually don't like to write Author's Notes but I just wanted to tell all my viewers that I put photos on my profile for this story. Read and Review!

Love, GothicaMay