Chapter ten already, can you believe it! Ohh, I'm just getting started! ;) Thank you BUNDLES for the reviews, they make me happy! Heres chapter ten!
There is a darkness deep in you - You're All I Have, Snow Patrol
Blossom
I traced my finger along the sachet of sugar I'd just emptied onto the table. I was at the café, waiting for Tim.
So much has happened in the past two weeks. Tim pretty much hasn't left my side. But I've been grateful for a friend, someone to make me smile. I'm not entirely sure it's just a friend in Tim's eyes though…
The first time he pulled me into his arms, I froze. I didn't push him away and I didn't lean into him. I didn't know quite what to do. All I knew was it didn't feel the same; we didn't fit right. I haven't stopped thinking about Brick, and I probably never will. I ache and yearn for him. It's like a silent longing at the back of my head, constant.
I haven't seen him. I haven't really tried to either. I just, can't. My stubborn, stubborn brain is waiting for him to make the first move. After what he said, he needs to make the first move. It plays over in my head like its been recorded. 'Regret?Whatanappropriatewordtouse.' The way he growled it, in a deadly whisper.
He regretted being with me. Well, he sure had a funny way of showing it. He knows me. I still haven't decided whether it was said to hurt me. Was he upset I'd not chosen him? Not that he gave me a chance to even choose anything. But he was right; I shouldn't have even needed time to think about things, when he gave me that ultimatum. Should I?
I have literally been drifting about from day to day, waiting for things to get easier. I never thought I'd say it, but it's been nice to have someone there to talk to. Which doesn't make sense, because obviously I've not been discussing what happened with Brick and I to anyone.The only person I've discussed that with is myself, in my head.
Yet, Tim had kind of been my rock. It's strange how someone can comfort you so much without realizing it. I haven't been in floods of tears crying into his shoulder or anything. In fact, I haven't cried since I developed the photos. I have just, existed, since that day, the last day I saw him. But Tim's made me smile. It's made me feel better.
That 'date' we had two weeks ago went nicely. It wasn't as awkward as I imagined it to be, he chatted the whole way through, brought me three courses of food, and even drove me home, wouldn't let me fly by myself like I would have done. He told me about his family's business, they own a gaming company downtown, he studied media at college; he's going to join the company when a position as a designer becomes available.
He's the complete opposite to Brick, which is both a blessing and a curse, mostly the latter. It's nice being around someone who is so together, who knows what they want to do in life and has a plan. But, he's certainly no Brick. We don't slot together when he holds me. There's no spark, when he kisses me. Probably because I'm like a damn statue. Not that he's done that very often. I feel like I'm betraying someone when Tim's lips touch mine. I almost threw him across the room the first time he did it. It doesn't feel right. I knew he was going to do it as well, by the way he was looking at me for so long, almost as if he was deciding if it was a good idea. There was no spark.
But we've been seeing each other for two weeks now, nothing is official or set in stone, but I know it will have to be sooner or later. I can't lead Tim on. So half of me is saying to end this before it even begins. I'm not ready for it. I don't know if I ever will be. But at the same time, I don't want him to not be there. I do like him; he's kind, warm and sensible. He's someone to have a future with. So why is that turning me off so much? Everything a girl should want in a partner, but I'm not really interested in the slightest.
Either way, I know he's going to ask where this is going sooner than later, any normal person would start to wonder after two weeks. I still don't know what I'm going to tell him.
This is all my sisters' fault, really. Seeming to think I'd be happier with Tim in my life. I have been, that is no lie, but not truly, like when Brick was mine. Obviously they didn't know I was with him. All they've seen is that suddenly I am unhappy and assumed its because I have been single too long. But it's because I am single after three years.
I think I'll start badgering Buttercup to find someone, see how she likes it.
Tim's shift was nearly over, and I let out a little sigh as I dusted off the sugar I'd emptied off the table. We were going over to my place once he finished his shift; he was going to 'formerly meet my family', even though he's already met Buttercup and Bubbles. After that first 'date', they kept appearing at the café, and hanging about. Spying.
Forgetting that one member was my ex boyfriend, it was worrying anyway that we hadn't seen the ruff's for almost a month. What were they up to? They normally caused some kind of issue, major or minor, a couple of times a week. But since that last meeting, since I left Brick that photo, nothing. It's almost as if they have upped and left.
I got to say I am a little disappointed. Seeing Brick brings the fire back, even if he did attack me last time. I feel more alive then ever when I'm with him.
"Ready to go?" Tim said, his bag slung over his shoulder. I'd been thinking so deeply, he was done, the café was closed, even the other two waitresses had left.
"Yeah, sure." I grabbed my bag and Tim locked up.
"I gotta say, I'm pretty nervous." He said, as he opened his car door and jumped in.
"Oh don't be, it's only the Professor you're meeting. I'm sure you'll get on fine." I reassured him, deadpan.
When we got there, we headed for the front door, my hand reached for the handle and just before I opened the door, Tim grabbed my hand and pulled me close to him. "Wait. Blossom, I've been meaning to ask you something."
I felt my stomach drop. Here it comes.
"Before I meet your father, I need to know where this is going. We've been seeing each other for two weeks, we've cuddled, we've kissed. I can see you don't move fast, and that's fine. I just want to know whether you just see me as a friend or what?" he said, caressing my hand.
I looked down at my hand, feeling completely uneasy. In my head I envisioned myself, gently letting go of his hand, shaking my head, telling him I had no idea who I was at the minute, but I knew I wasn't someone who wanted to hurt him, I held him close to me as a friend, but not as a boyfriend, and that I was sorry if I lead him on at all, and I valued his friendship.
But that wasn't what happened. "I, I do like you, Tim." I mumbled. "I don't move fast, I move slow, and I appreciate that you acknowledge that. I, I see you as, erm-" What am I doing? Just be honest with him!
He grinned widely. "Blossom, you're blathering. Will you be my girlfriend?"
I felt my stomach knotting. No, I can't be his girlfriend.Not this suddenly. Not so soon? I still love Brick. It wouldn't be right. But he looked so hopeful. And he was nice. The thought of hanging around on my own for the next few months, well it looked pretty grim.
I exhaled shakily. "Yes." I mumbled, and he hugged me closely. I felt sick, as we entered my house. What on earth was I playing at?
When we got in, the Professor had prepared a gammon steak, and a banquet of side dishes, and Bubbles had made a big trifle for dessert. She'd also brought along her new boyfriend, Zac. Tall, blonde and blue eyed, looking at Bubbles like she was a magnificent diamond that made the world go round; he ticked all the boxes, and he seemed a nice guy. I couldn't help but predict how little they'd have done if this was Brick I was bringing home again.
The meal went nice, and I waved goodbye to Tim at the door. The Professor was impressed with Tim, they got on really well, and it turns out he knew Tim's dad ('ol' Ollie Olsen'); they went to school together.
So my sisters and my father are delighted with Tim. And it feels weird, considering how unimpressed they were with Brick. Being with Tim feels like I'm filling a void. No, not filling it, covering it. With a piece of netting and a pile of leaves, it's not really fixing it. It feels very temporary.
Which makes me feel awful.
"Blossom! I am so happy for you. Tim is so lovely!" Bubbles cried, jumping onto the sofa and sitting on my lap.
I carefully pushed her aside, and she laid her head on my lap. "Yeah, he's a catch all right." I said half heartedly, playing with a lock of her golden hair. She smiled warmly in reply.
"Now we just got to hook Butter-butt over there up with someone. We should take her out somewhere!" Bubbles said deviously, casting a quick glance over at Buttercup.
"Like where?" As if I knew anywhere to find Buttercup a boyfriend. She was very resigned and secretive about boys; that's why Bubbles is always making gay jokes to her.
"Well, I met Zac in a snooker club downtown." Bubbles said, matter of fact.
"You told the Professor you met him at work?" Bubbles works at Pokey Oaks kindergarten with Ms. Keane. Just hours ago she'd announced that Zac was a pupils' older brother and that's how they met.
"That's technically, not a lie. We met at a snooker club. I think it's called 'Class of 85'."
"What were you doing in a snooker club?" I asked, perplexed.
"Meeting Zac!" She giggled. "I went with some girlfriends. It was such a fun night! We should go there tomorrow."
"I dunno Bubbles, it's not really my scene."
"Come on! It'll be fun, you can bring Tim and I'll bring Zac, and we can both bring Buttercup and we'll have a laugh!"
"I don't even know how to play snooker?"
"Oh we're not gunna play snooker?" she replied, taking her phone from her pocket and texting Zac.
Rather then ask why we were going, I just laughed. "Good luck telling Buttercup we're going boy hunting for her."
The snooker club was just as shady as I imagined it; the thought of Bubbles and a gaggle of her 'girlfriends' going down here made me annoyed, but I guess Bubbles can look out for herself, and others.
Buttercup was annoyed about the whole arrangement, till Bubbles said where we were going. Apparently she too had been here quite a bit also. The things they'd gotten up to without me knowing. I could talk though…
Tim went and ordered a round of drinks, soft drinks for me, Bubbles and Zac, Buttercup had begged an alcoholic beverage of some kind, if she had to 'hang around with us and talk to the low life in this place', she didn't plan on doing it exactly sober.
Me, Buttercup, Zac and Bubbles found a booth in the corner, and went and sat down. Once Tim came back with the drinks, we settled into the booth and began to chat.
"So Buttercup, see anyone you like?" Bubbles said with a smile, sipping her cola.
Buttercup rolled her eyes in reply and took a swig of the beer Tim had brought her. But she surveyed the bar anyway, and I watched her face closely. Her eyes kept lingering back to the back of a tall brunette. He had dark black hair, a tall chiseled looking back.
"Anyone?" Bubbles repeated after a minute or so.
Buttercup shrugged her shoulders, swirling the beer in the bottle round and looking into it.
"What about the tall dark guy?" I asked her. She looked up quick, and her cheeks tinted a little.
"Oooh the one at the bar? Go say hello!" Bubbles squealed.
"Bubbles, shut up. I ain't doing anything." She mumbled, shaking her head.
"Chicken?" Bubbles asked, a cheeky smirk appearing on her face.
"Of course I'm not!" Buttercup cried back.
"She doesn't have to if she doesn't want to." I said, drinking some lemonade. Buttercup looked over at him again, but I felt her arm go tense suddenly, and I looked up at her. "What's wrong?"
"Eurgh. It's Butch. We don't see them for weeks then they show up here." She grimaced. I felt my stomach drop. Butch was here? So we don't see the 'ruffs for weeks and then they show up at a bar we just happened to go to.
"Oh. Bummer. There will be someone else. Stupid Boomer's here too." Bubbles reassured.
I suddenly felt sick. Brick could be here. I knew I should have just ignored them, like my sisters did. They both just grumbled, and were on edge, ready to jump if they kicked off. But I couldn't help myself; I had to go over, to see if he was here. I couldn't pass up a chance to see him. To reason with him. Luckily the ladies room was just round the corner of the bar. I quickly excused myself as I got up from the table and headed to the toilets. Little did I know, Butch had spotted us; just as I was leaving the others.
I got to the door of the restroom, and took a quick glance around. I could see Boomer stood by the bar, looking around for someone else. Just as I tried to find Brick, I felt a hand grip my wrist and pull quickly.
In a whirl, I was stood nose to nose with Butch, holding onto my wrist tightly, the two of us stood round an inconspicuous corner. "Hello Blossom." He leered.
I whipped my wrist from his clutches and glared. "What on earth do you think you're doing?"
"I saw you lot over there. Getting all close and personal with your new boyfriend huh?" He sneered angrily.
"What I do in my private life is nothing to do with you. You make one wrong move, and I'll take you down." I warned.
He just smirked. "So you come over here to look for my brother?"
I didn't reply, just felt the colour drain from my face.
"Well he's not here. Don't think he's waiting around for you. He's a rowdy, he doesn't mope or get down about dumbass girls. Boomer and I are out tonight, to give him some privacy, if you get my drift. That chick's so loud, we had to get out." Butch said, grinning.
I took a step backwards. I felt dizzy, completely nauseous, and like someone had punched me in the stomach. Brick was with someone else? I was with someone else, it, it made sense, right?
"Yeah that's right. You're not the only one who can move on sharply, you little slut!" he growled.
I barely acknowledged he'd called me a name. I was in too much shock. I felt like crying, and ripping Brick's head clean off his shoulders at the same time.
"That's right, you are a slut. I heard you're a good one too." He said, leaning in closer, his forehead touching the top of my head, and sniggering into my ear.
Butch's laughter tore me out of my hypnotic state, and I headbutted him away from me. I heard another voice.
"What are you doing Butch?" It was Boomer. He looked from my face to Butch's, and I swear I saw sympathy wash over his expression. "Just leave her alone all right? Brick would be pissed if he knew-"
This shocked me just as much. Butch frowned and interrupted him. "No I won't! She's over there getting heavily petted by her new guy already,and you expect me to standby and watch?"
I scoffed. "I, I don't need this." I sighed, walking away.
Butch threw a punch at the side of my head, and I hit the wall with force. I swung round and punched him back, but it seemed to have no effect. I tried to shoot my eye beams, but a thin weak red line sneaked out, doing nothing. What was going on?
Butch just laughed, and Boomer pulled him away. I headed into the bathrooms and leaned against the side, head in my hands. God, what's happening to me? All this stress is making my powers fail. He's with someone else. Butchs' words whooshed around in my head. I felt queasy, my mind was racing.
I was so STUPID! Letting him affect me so much that I could barely get myself out of trouble. Of course he was with someone else. He's an asshole! He's a rowdyruff. I don't know why I am getting so caught up over him, he obviously isn't even thinking of me.
I stormed out of the ladies room and headed back to our table.
"Hey, I was wondering where you got to, you o-" Tim started, but I interrupted.
"Let's get out of here." I said, quickly changing my frown into a smile. He looked round at the others.
"You sure, we've not been here long?"
"Let's go back to your place." I said determinedly.
"Umm, yeah sure, if you guys don't mind?" Tim said looking to the others.
"No, go, its fine." Bubbles said with a wink.
I took his hand, waved to the others and lead the way out of there. And when we got to Tim's apartment, I headed for his bedroom, held onto his hands tightly, and let Brick wander from my head.
r&r :)