Endless Love…
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 12
"Stubborn as a mule"
The next day in class, Eliza was angry to see Annie with Candy. Since she couldn't talk about their origins without offending other, she has to shut up and look at them with mean eyes.
Alistair and Archibald came to see Candy and Annie. Alistair gave a present to Candy; it was a beautiful pink scarf.
- How beautiful! Said Candy hugging him briefly in her arms, thank you very much
- You're welcome Candy, said Alistair
Annie was looking at Archie from the corner of her eye. He came to talk to her and she started to smile and laugh softly. Eliza was not happy, she and her brother were sulking.
- The great aunt didn't bring you anything, said Elisa, it's Alistair and Archie who bought you that scarf!
- I know it, said Candy, which makes it so much more valuable for me, because it came from my two cousins who love me… The great aunt…well, she's free to do whatever she wants…
- You weren't too bored yesterday?
- No, said Candy, Annie came to get me with her father and we went to the hippodrome, it was really fun! Then we went by the Thames River…
- Oh thank you Annie, said Archie smiling, for coming to get Candy…
Annie blushed lightly and she smiled.
- Yes, said Alistair, Neil and Eliza refused to wait for you…
- Thank your Alistair, but I spent a very beautiful day with my sister Annie, said Candy
- I'm happy for you, said Archie smiling and looking at her tenderly
Annie saw Archie's look for Candy. But she knew that Candy only loved her Terrence, so she wasn't worried. Archie will soon realise that Candy only have eyes for Terry. That will probably be hard on him when he finds out, and Annie will there to pick up the pieces and maybe Archie will fall in love with her.
Candy arrived on her pretend pony hill and she found Terry lying on the grass, smoking. She put her hands on her hip saying;
- What are you doing there, Terrence Grandchester?! She said imitating the reverend mother!
Terry was started and turned around suddenly.
- Freckles? You scared me! I thought it really was the reverend mother!
- I thought I told you not to smoke near my tree again…
- You want a puff? He said giving her the cigarette he had in his hand
- I don't like the smell of cigarette, and the smell stays for a long time in your breath…
She took the cigarette and threw it on the ground and stomped on it. She took something out of her pocket and gave it to her. He looked at her surprised and amused.
- Take this, she said
- What is it? Asked Terry
- An harmonica, it's my favourite instrument…
- Did you play it?
- Yes…
- So you wanted me to have the taste of your lips every time I play it…
- Continue with your smoking, and that harmonica will be the only taste of my lips you're going to have!
Terry looked at her smiling. She wasn't kidding, she was serious and he loved being in her presence so much.
- Ok, mum, I get it! I'm going to stop… I can do without the cigarette, but I can't do without your lips…thank you for the present, I accept it.
Candy looked at him smiling
- I never know what to expect with you, you're impossible! Said Candy laughing
- Sit down, I'm going to play something for you, he said softly
He started to play the harmonica for a while and she sat next to him for a moment, thinking about the time they were on the Titanic, listening to "Swan Lake". And it was the melody Terry was playing!
He had a flash; he saw himself listening to the same melody with a girl with red hair…
- I like this melody, said Candy, what is it?
- "Swan Lake" by Tchaikovsky, said Terrence, it makes you dream, doesn't it?
- Yes…
The flash stopped. He finished playing his piece.
- That was very beautiful. "Swan Lake" by Tchaikovsky, said Candy
- Yes, said Terry, it makes you dream, doesn't it?
- Yes….
They both felt like déjà vu. They looked at each other. Terry had seen those green eyes somewhere before, but where? It was blurry. The bell rang announcing the beginning or classes, interrupting their tête à tête.
- I have to go to class, said Candy standing up, I'll see you later…bye
- Bye, Miss Freckles, and thank you again
Archie had seen them and he didn't loose a word of their conversation. But what did they mean? They were together? Candy would be going out with that snotty nosed kid? But how could she? After having Anthony who was so nice and soft, she's going out with that insolent and pretentious English aristocrat? The uneducated son of duke! He became very angry. He followed who walking to go to class.
- Candy!! He called, Candy, wait!
- Archibald? She asked surprise
- Candy!! I saw you with Terry! What were you doing with that obnoxious guy?
- Archie, why are you angry?
- I wanted to talk to you…
- Archie, I have to go to class, the bell already rang, said Candy, I'm going to get yelled at, I'll see you later, I promise!
She ran to get to class and she found Annie and Patty on her way. Archie looked at her going; he met his brother while he was walking.
- Are you ok, Archie? His brother asked
- No, not really…
- What's going on?
- I saw Candy with Grandchester…
- Grandchester?
- Yes… they seemed very very close
- Close how?
- They were talking about the taste of lips….
- The taste of whose lips?
- Candy's. She offered him an harmonica and he said the it was probably do that he have the taste of his lips every time he played it and she said "continue with your smoking and that harmonica will be the only taste of my lips you're going to get!"
- What?
- I swear to you, it's the truth!
- But maybe, that doesn't mean anything; they could just be joking around….
- If I hadn't heard the rest, I would've thought like you…
- What did they say after?
- It's what he said… he said ; "Ok, mum, I get it! I'm going to stop… I can do without the cigarette, but I can't do without your lips…"
- No you must've heard him wrong! You're kidding!
- I wouldn't joke on something so serious! He can't get enough of her lips! They're together, and they're kissing!!
- Archie…
- I love her so much Alistair. I want to be with her…
- I love her too, but I've resign myself; she will only see us as cousins, and you know it…
- I didn't get my chance with her, I'm going to talk to her
- You're going to get blown off…forget about it…
- No, I'm going to try. Maybe I heard them wrong, maybe nothing is happening with Grandchester
- Archie… said Alistair shaking his head, well you do what you want… come on we're going to be late!
After school, Candy was walking in the court to her hill and she met Archie. It was like he was waiting for her. She knew he wanted to talk to her. And she couldn't avoid him forever…
- Archie…
- Candy…
- How are you?
- I wanted to talk to you, let's take a walk?
- Ok…
They started to walk in the woods and Archie was talking.
- Here goes nothing… I saw you with Terry, what were you doing with him?
- He's a friend…
- He seems to be more than a friend to you, according to what I heard
- Archie…
- I wanted to talk to you…I even thought you would've guessed it...
- Guess what?
- That I had feelings for you… ever since our first meeting…
- Oh, said a confused Candy
- But since Anthony and you seemed to be in love with each other, I kept mum…now, Anthony is no longer here, so…
- Archie… I love you, but like we love a brother, a cousin. Annie is crazy about you…
- Annie? But…
- Yes, she's crazy about you… me…
- You're in love with Grandchester, right?
- Archie… Terry is a very good friend….
- You love him…
- I can't control who my heart loves…
- He's a snotty nosed kid, he's going to hurt you…
- I'm a big girl. I survived the Titanic, I can survive a heartache from Terry… don't worry about me…
- All right Candy, said Archie sadly
- I have to go see Patty. I'll see you later, ok?
She left a heartbroken Archie. Oh, Archie was in love with her? She loved him like a brother. Her heart belonged to Terry since the Titanic…
Annie saw Archie's sadness and started to spend a lot of time with him; talking to him, cheering him up. And Archie started to like Annie's company but Candy was still coming back in his head.
Candy was asleep one night, when she heard some noise. The door opened and someone fell. She woke up and turned the light on, she put on a robe and was surprised to see…
- Terry! She cried stunned
This last one was surprised. What the hell was going on?
- Candy? He said looking at her, I made a mistake; I'm in the wrong dorm…
His face was in a bad shape and he seemed to be in pain. She helped him up. She took him to an armchair.
- What happened to you? She asked
- I jumped the wall to go get a drink and I was attacked by a group of thugs. A man helped me and took me here…
- A group of thugs attacked you?
- They wanted my money, so…
- Did you drink? You're drunk…
- Really? You figured that out all by yourself? He said breathing in her face
- Cut that out! Said Candy pushing him away, you're going to stop acting like a child!
- Ouch!
- But… you're bleeding!! You got some knife wounds! Wait, I'm going to take care of you.
She went to the bathroom and took whatever was necessary to clean the wounds and make a bandage. She went back to Terry and she started to clean his wounds…
- Easy, said Terry, ouch! Ouch!
- When you like to fight in the streets, Master the son of the duke, you have to be able to take the pain!
- Easy Candy! You're hurting me!
- I'm not hurting you more than the knife wounds you got!
- You're mad…
- We're in school, Terry, and you're climbing the wall to go drink in bars and fight! You could've gotten yourself killed! And drive me crazy again!
She left the room to go to the bathroom but the first aid kit back and throw the bloody cotton in the garbage.
"Terry is in pain, he's going to need medication, and I don't have any here. What can I do? I'm going to go buy some!!" She said to herself.
She went back to Terry after she changed herself…
- Terry, she said, stay here. I'll be right back; I'm going to go get some medicine for you…
- Candy…no… don't bother. I'm going to rest and then I'll go…
- Stop saying nonsense, Terry. Wait for me here!
- Candy, he said weakly… don't go…
But Candy was already out the window. Terry couldn't stop her. He was too tired anyway. He fell asleep on the armchair.
Candy climbed the wall and went to look for a pharmacy to buy some medicine for Terry. She walked for a while; there weren't a lot of people. There were even people fighting near a bar. While she walked hastily, she bumped into a man.
- Oh, I'm sorry! She said rising her head, oh! Mr. Albert!
- Candy! What a nice surprise! Said Albert
She hugged him! They were both laughing. He was still the same, without the beard, and still with those sunglasses.
- What are you doing in London in the middle of the night? Asked Albert
- I'm looking for a pharmacy to buy some medicine for a friend who's hurt…
- Oh, I know one not too far from here…come with me
- Alright. I'm at St. Paul College, my uncle William sent me here so that I can become a real lady….what about you?
- I'm working at the zoo
- The zoo? You really love animals a lot…
- Yes, it's the perfect job for me…
Candy went with Mr. Albert to find the pharmacy.
Meanwhile, Terry felt better and he woke up.
- I'm going to see if I can walk…it's going to be ok, I'm going back to me room. She's a good nurse and she did a good job on my bandages, he said
He went out the window to go back to his room.
Candy and Mr. Albert had found the pharmacy and they bought the medication; something for the pain. Candy wanted to pay, but Mr. Albert took care of it.
- Let me pay for this, Candy
- Oh thank you, Mr. Albert, I have to go back to college fast
- I'll take you to the wall…
- Alright
They arrived at the wall and Albert helped climb the wall.
- Good bye Mr. Albert and thank you again! I'll come to see you at the zoo!
- Alright, goodbye Candy…
Candy went back to her room.
- Terry? I found some medicine, and…
She realised the room was empty. He was gone.
- I asked you to wait for me and you leave? Why are you like that? I go out risking punishment and you don't even have the courtesy to wait for me? You have no right to treat me this way! Not after everything I've been through! You need this medicine, and I'm going to take it to you!
She went out the window and swung on the trees. Alistair and Archibald had told her that Terry's room was next to their, just on the right side… she jumped on the balcony and she got into the room.
- Terry? She called, Terry, are you there?
- Candy? But…
- Why did you leave? I told you I was coming back…
- I didn't want you to go…
Candy turned on the light and she saw that Terry had changed his clothes. He had put on some pyjamas and he seemed to be still in pain.
- You needed medication for the pain, Terry
- It's not your job to take care of me…
"Yes it is, because I love you, you big fool! And you're going to drive me crazy!" She said in her head.
- Well you came into my room hurt. So I'm making it my responsibility…
- Candy…
- I didn't climb the wall and risk getting caught for nothing! You're going to take this medicine and I'm going to come and check on you every night, until you feel better! And don't argue with me!
Terry didn't say a thing, in front of Candy's tone. He took the medicine she gave him.
- There. I'm going to leave this here. Take some again in the morning and during the day. I'll come and see you…
- Ok…
- I'm going back to my room, before I really get caught by the nuns making their rounds… I'll see you tomorrow. Good night!
- Good night Candy… and thanks
- You're welcome…
She went out the window and went back to the room. She didn't turn the lights on and she took her coat off and put her nightgown back on and slipped quickly into her bed. She was happy to have seen Mr. Albert again and to know that Terry was feeling better. He could be so stubborn! Well she was as stubborn as he was!
The following days, the rumours that Terry was sick were circulating. Candy would go see him during the evening to make sure he was alright and that he ate properly. Annie went to see Candy in her room to talk to her about Terry.
- Candy, you know where Terry is?
- Yes, he's in his room. He's been a little sick…
- Have you seen him?
- What do you think?
- But where?
- In his room…
- Oh…
- I can't abandon him Annie…
- I know Candy. He needs you
- He's so stubborn… I had to force him to accept my help
- He doesn't know that you're as stubborn as he is!
- He's realising it! Said Candy laughing
- Ok, I'm going back to my room, said Annie
- And I'm going to see Terry… see you tomorrow
Candy went to Terry's room. He was feeling much better.
- Candy, you don't need to come and see me everyday, said Terry
- Yes, I do, you were wounded with a knife… I want to make sure you're fine…
- I'm feeling much better… do you how stubborn you are? I told you countless time to leave me alone, but you won't hear me!
- You shouldn't have come to my room….
- I'm sure that you would've come even if I hadn't come to your room, you would've come and look for me. You can't get enough of me…
- How arrogant of you! I saw a friend hurt and I helped him that's all… it could've been the little stray dog in the streets
- You're comparing me to a dog now…
- Every living being in trouble would've had the same attention, she said without cracking a smile
- Well even if the dog had bitten you, I bet you would've continued to take care of him…
- Of course, that would've been the pain making him a little aggressive, but he's not mean…
It was her way to tell him that despite his tough guy act, he was actually very nice. He was happy she was there.
- You're playing the perfect young girl, but you did climb the wall…
- I've never pretended I was a perfect young girl, and rules are made to be broken in case of an emergency. It was an emergency; I risked punishment to help a friend…
They looked at each other intensely. She was standing next to him. Terry pulled her against him and kissed her on the lips.
- Thank you, Freckles…
- The nicknames are back, you are feeling better… you're welcome Terry. Goodnight.
- Goodnight Candy
Candy went back to her room and she slept very well for the first time in a long time.
