Chelsea and Doubts, Julia and Guilt, Mark and Longing. Oh, the drama. XD
Chapter 9:
I traced my thumb over the diamond heart design in my palm. Was everything he said really a lie? Was he just trying to get me to fall in love with him, then dump me like an old tissue?
Was he just trying to hurt me?
I tossed the necklace on the table blankly then stood up from my couch and walked outside to tend my animals and crops.
* * *
"Julia, honestly. Spending the night with some boy--"
"Mother, it was an accident! I fell asleep next to him and he gave me extra clothes because I was soaked from the rain! I'm not a kid anymore. You may be my mom but I'm 22 now."
She sighed. "I know. But I still worry about you."
"Well don't. I can take care of myself." With that I walked into the kitchen.
I scrubbed the dishes watching bubbles ooze from the sponge. I sighed, thinking of last night. Why did I have to do that? I blushed. It's not really my fault, is it? I couldn't stop myself.
I slept at the Hotel that night. The rain let up, but I wanted to stay with him. So, I fell asleep next to him and woke up before he did, walking home. I washed his clothes quickly so I could return them next time I see Mark.
"Good morning, Julia!" I heard a familliar voice say. I turned my head around. "Oh! Good morning Mark." I smiled.
He sat down at the table. "Oh! I almost forgot." I walked to my room and grabbed his clothes from the top of my dresser and handed them to him. "I washed them for you. Thanks for letting me wear them." He blinked, surprised. "Oh. Thanks, Julia." he smiled his usual boyish smile. I blushed.
I looked at his lips.
I gasped and looked away suddenly. "What? What's wrong?" He asked, worried. "N-nothing!"
Geez, I knew I would feel guilty but I can't even look at him without acting like this! Maybe it would be better if he knew I kissed him? How would he react if I did?
I smiled to myself. No. Feeling this guilt is better than it being awkward. At least I can still talk to him.
We talked away for a long time, but the guilt still burrowed into my heart. Suddenly, the cowbell over the door jingled as Chelsea walked inside. "Good morning." She mumbled half-heartedly, sitting across from Mark. "Uh...good morning, Chelsea. Are you alright?" He asked.
"I'm fine! Geez, I say 'good morning' and everyone acts like I have cancer or something!" She snapped. Mark frowned.
"M-Mark, I'll talk to you later, okay? I have to talk to Chelsea." I said.
"Yeah." He said, troubled.
* * *
Mark walked out of Maribelle's shop and only when the bell over the door jingled from the door closing, Julia sat next to me. "Chelsea," Julia said almost in a whisper. "I...can I ask you something?"
I looked up at her. "What is it?"
"Can I...stay at your house tonight?" She asked, staring at her lap. Her eyes were watering. I flinched, worried. I've never seen Julia cry, or even come close to crying before. "Of course you can! You're my best friend." I smiled as warmly as I could.
"Thanks," She mumbled, blinking away tears. She laughed. "Thanks, Chelsea."
We talked for a little while, then I left her alone for a while. I walked down the brick road to the beach. As usual, the gulls flew overhead and the breeze slithered through my hair. I sighed.
"Good afternoon, Chelsea." A voice greeted behind me.
Will stood a few feet away, smiling. My voice caught in my throat. "G-good morning." I choked. "How have you been?" He asked.
"Fine." I mumbled. Like you care.
"I see. I'm glad." He smiled warmly.
"Ugh, drop the act." I mumbled irritably.
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing. Anyway, I have to go take care of my farm." I raised my hand lamely. "Good-bye."
"Ah, wait." I felt his hand take mine. I felt my cheeks get hot. "W-what?"
"Are you alright? You seem irritated. Did I do something wrong to this beautiful maiden?" He asked softly.
I jerked my hand away from his. "I'm fine! Stop calling me that! My name's Chelsea--or have you forgotten my name already?" I snapped feebly.
He winced. "No, I--"
"S-save it!" I walked away from him. I wanted to turn back and apoligize with all my heart, but I couldn't.
* * *
I stepped out of the steaming bathroom rubbing the white towel over my head. I wonder...what was wrong with Chelsea today? It seems to be my fault. But, what could I have done to make her act that way?
I sighed. "There are so many things I have yet to understand about maidens." I said to myself.
Maybe I should see her? No, no. She would want to be alone. But I'm sure she would be lonely as well. I stood for a moment.
Without thinking, I grabbed my jacket and pulled it on while running out the door into the Fall chill. I ran down the dock and across to Vendure island to her ranch.
* * *
I flopped down onto my bed after taking a shower and pulling on my tank top and shorts. I can't believe I said that to Will! I'm just...just...
Jealous.
That's right. I'm jealous of Lily. I hugged my pillow against my chest. She has a nice body, she's beautiful, and she's a treasure hunter!
I shook my head violently. No! This is no time to feel sorry for myself. Julia is coming over, and I have to focus on making her feel happy again. I heard a knock on the door.
"Coming!" I sang. As soon as I opened the door, I stepped forward to hug her. But the person came forward too, and I stumbled backwards, falling. "Ah!"
I shut my eyes. "Ouch..." I mumbled. I opened my eyes and looked up.
Will was on top of me. His hands were supporting himself on each side of my head, and his knees were on each side of my waist. He wasn't wearing a shirt, only his jacket and white pants. I blushed madly. He was staring at me, surprised as if he didn't know what to do.
"W...Will?" I whispered.
He blushed, and it was the cutest thing I've ever seen. "I-I'm sorry, Chelsea I didn't mean too knock you down, I just--"
"Chelsea, you know your door is open--" Julia walked inside. She dropped her bag that was slung over her shoulder. "W-what are you two d-doing in here?" She flustered.
"N-no! Julia it's not what you seem to think!" Will said frantically, on his knees now. Julia smiled, twitching. "Will, did you...knock her down? You...PERVERT..."
Will flinched. Julia was about to lunge at him like a killer lion, but I slid from under Will and pushed her back by her shoulders. "No! It was an accident! Promise!"
Julia stopped. "Really?"
I nodded.
"Fine, fine. You got lucky, Will." She huffed and picked up her bag, dumping it on the table.
Will stood up and sighed. His cheeks were still pink. "I apoligize, Chelsea."
"It's alright, it was an accident."
He smiled. "No, I'm not talking about that. I meant this morning. I don't know what I did wrong to hurt you, but I'm very sorry."
I almost burst into tears. I stared at the ground, not knowing how to say what I was feeling. Suddenly, Will wrapped his arms around me. I felt his warm, bare chest under my cheek and hands, and his breath on my hair. I blushed. He didn't say anything, but I knew he was meaning to. I heard Julia squeal in delight, but cut herself off. He let go and left, shutting the door behind him. My heart thumped, not only because of the picture of him over me, (Which was now stuck in my mind,) but because of the comforting hug. It sounds ridiculous, but somehow I had a feeling Will wasn't like what Vaughn described him as from the way he embraced me.
A few seconds ticked by. "Um..." I started. "How have you been, Julia?" I asked.
She intwined her fingers together in her lap. "I have something...I want to tell you." She whispered. I sat across the table from her. "What's wrong?"
"I...I kissed Mark!" She said, blushing madly.
I nearly fell out of the chair. "What?!"
"I kissed him! I kissed Mark!" She exclaimed.
"What he do?! How was it? Where was it?"
"It was so wonderful. And, well, see..." She looked away. "He doesn't really know I kissed him." She said.
"Huh? Then how did...?"
She told the story of how Mark felt guilty and the 'date,' he lent her clothes, and how he fell asleep, taking her chance. I rested my elbows on the table and my head in my hands, taking in every word.
"So you went on a date, borrowed clothes, kissed him in his sleep, and spent the night?" I summarized.
She nodded. "I feel so guilty about him having no clue that I kissed him though. I don't think he likes me so...I don't..." She trailed off. "I just needed to stay with a friend."
"I see. Well, I don't think we can do anything about it. So, let's see where your love for Mark leads you!" I said, grinning.
"And let's see where your love for Will takes you." She smiled.
Heh! It looks like Chelsea and Julia are learning the ways of truly loving someone. Sorry for the chapter being a little dramatic and sad. By the way, there are going to be more weird moments between Will and Chelsea XD
I love the reviews!
xXWolfHeartXx
