The last chapter was better received than I expected. :d I hope the same happens with this one.
I read all your suggestion and I will consider them :)
I'd like to dedicate this chapter again to every single person that took the time to review my story, and especially to Mrs. Dom Masbolle for reading my story until the late hours of the night - or early hours of the morning?!
Oh and Jomorox I wasn't kidding about my request and I'm happy you'd do it. Sent me a PM with your e-mail - if it's not too much to ask - for facilitating communication. :D Thanks again so so much.
Enjoy!
Previous:
Inside I was dying piece by piece. I wanted to cry, I wanted to scream, I wanted to go to Charlotte and beat her up until she saw sense. I wanted to wake up and realize it was a nightmare. My 21 years old best friend was not getting married to the most dull, most patronizing – except a said boyfriend –, most pompous, generally idiotic man who I ever had the misfortune of meeting. He is the worst combination of snobbish and obsequious. And Charlotte said yes! There must be something wrong with the universe.
I realized the discussion I wanted couldn't take place over the phone; so again, I told Charlotte how happy I was for her and hung up.
My mind was still trying to work around the new situation as I lay in my bed, tracing patterns on the ceiling. I faintly heard the phone ringing, but I had enough bad news to last me a while, so I ignored it. It rang two more times, then whoever was searching for me gave up. At about the same time, my mind gave up and shut down. All I hoped was that the morning will show me it was all my vivid imagination.
I hoped…
OoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooO
The next morning when I woke up I felt like I hadn't slept at all. I didn't dream about anything, my subconscious taking over the task of playing in an annoying repeat cycle what Charlotte had told me. Marriage, Mrs. Williams, future, Colin, engagement, best friend, relationship – all those things made my eyes open at the crack of dawn.
I silently made my way to the bathroom, brushing my teeth, taking a long hot shower, feeling the need for a thorough exterior cleansing. I wrapped a fluffy towel tightly around myself, but I didn't go out. The steam from the shower had fogged the mirror above the sink. I used my hand to wash away the condensed water and I almost started laughing at the person staring back at me from the mirror.
It was a red-eyed, skin hanging, face flushed person that usually made its appearance around the beginning of November – not that it was that much time left before that. I guess Charlotte getting married had made me enter my critical stage before its time. I wasn't that bother by it, I expected it, it was just that people are going to have to see this side of me earlier.
I groaned in frustration as I realized that there was one person that will not stop bugging me about it. From what I knew of Will, he wasn't going to let this new – at least for him – and I'm sure pretty scary Lizzy slide under his radar. Ahhh, why God? What did I ever do to deserve this? Where in my pretty normal childhood did I screw up so badly that I couldn't have a happy time with someone?
I watched my reflexion in the mirror; the eyes reflected back looking disapprovingly at me. I willed myself to produce some tears to help with the redness and dryness of my eyes, but I couldn't. I tensed my whole body, keeping my eyes shut. God, if you can hear me, I just want one tear, ok? After a few moments, I relaxed, my eyes still as dry as ever. God wasn't tuning in on my frequency this morning.
I had much pressing matters to attend at the moment than wallowing about the divinity ignoring me. I listened to see if I heard any sign that the family was waking up and I grinned in delight when I realized I was still the only one up.
Looking intently in the mirror I started recomposing my face, willing my facial muscles to move and stay the way I needed them to. Because I figured I couldn't handle Will's interrogating stares and Jane pitying looks. And since I had so much practice doing this, once my face was the way I wanted it to be, I could hold the mask for an infinite amount of time. A few moments later, I was satisfied with the result, my eyes still red and dry – but there was nothing 2 drops of Visine couldn't cure.
I made my way to my bedroom, and after I took care of my eyes, I started working on what to wear for the day. If I followed my mood and the state of my mind, I would've chosen an old pair of black, baggy sweatpants and a black t-shirt.
I brighten up when I realized the color suited the situation. I was in mourning. I mourned the impediment loss of my best friend, of the only other person besides Jane that knew everything about me and still hang around and of course I mourned for what I did almost four years ago – but I did that almost every moment of my days and nights, so it was nothing new.
I searched my closet for dark-colored clothes – the sort I had in abundance. I finally settled for a knee-length black summer skirt and a black top I had snatched from Charlotte. It was better fitted to the occasion than what I had hoped to wear.
As I finally heard the distinct sounds of my father walking about, getting ready to go to work, I settled at my desk, firing up my laptop. I hadn't checked my e-mail in a long time. I opened the Opera window and clicked on the mail database. As I waited for it to charge, I remembered that before I fell asleep, my phone was ringing. I found it underneath the bed – a normal place I put things when I'm upset.
The phone's screen showed me I had three missed calls and at a further investigation, I discovered one was from Charlie – no doubt Jane hadn't picked up one of his calls – and the other two were from my own boyfriend. I returned to the laptop when I figured I'll talk to Will soon enough at practice.
I sorted through the junk that consisted my mail-box, reading the important notice my doc had sent me, reminding me I had to pay him a visit and complete my medical exam for the federation.
When I was finished, I went downstairs to make myself something to eat. On the way I started on a 'To do' list for the next few days:
Watch Jane closely – she suspects something
Have a heart to heart conversation with Charlotte – try not to vent frustration and anger on her
Vent frustration and anger on Colin…Williams – try to inflict as much damage as possible for possibility of canceling the engagement
Avoid Will acting like Darcy – don't talk to him when not alone
Avoid mother – she may try to vent her frustration and anger on me, not that it is a unique occurrence, but she seemed pretty pissed last night
Call doctor's office to make an appointment
Talk to Charlie to see what he knows – or ask Will 'cause he probably told Charles
Talk to Jane about the possibility of going shopping – in dire need of new clothes.
I was happy with what I had managed to think of in the short trip downstairs and when I entered to kitchen, my smile widened when I saw that my dad hadn't left yet. He gave me a warm smile, nodding to me in good morning as he started to read the morning paper. I made myself a quick breakfast and plopped on a chair next to him.
"Lizzy, you should eat more." my dad's voice trailed to me from behind the newspaper. "You burn enough energy at practices, so you need to keep your body fueled."
I opened my mouth to retaliate, but he continued. "I saw last night at dinner that you barely touched your food." It seems weird if I tell Jane or Charlotte, but when my father calls me on my mistakes I can feel it's the love that drives him. When my mother does the same thing, I know she's just eager to show me the failure I am.
"Dad, come on, you know I never was much of a morning eater. Usually I eat more at lunch." He lowered to paper, to look at me disbelievingly. "I swear I do. You should ask Jane, she's always there with me. Or Charlotte or Charlie." At my sister's boyfriend, my dad's eyes flashed with a light I didn't know what it meant.
"Elizabeth, you know…about what your mother said at dinner…she…you know how she is." Of course I do, she's a cold-hearted creature that takes delight in dragging her own daughter through mud. "She didn't mean the things she said to you. She only wants what's best for you." What she wants from me is to see me out of the house, out of their lives. But my father's sniggers brought me back to reality. "To tell you the truth, I'm happy you haven't brought a boy home yet." And he emphasized the warmth I could detect in his voice with the way his eyes started to shine. "My darling, darling Lizzy…I don't think I can loose you again."
I gulped what breakfast I had in my mouth, not knowing what I should say or do to that. Should I tell him the truth? That I hadn't been back? That I was still lost? Should I lie? I decided the best thing to do is keep quiet and run away.
I nodded to him, showing him I heard what he said, then emptied what I had left of the meal in the trash, rinsing my plate and fork. I hastily made my way out of the kitchen, stopping briefly to kiss my father's forehead in thanks and wish him a pleasant day.
A quick glance at the watch made me knock on Jane's door to see if she was up. But before I opened her door, I faintly heard my cell's ringer from my room. As per usual, when I picked it up, it stopped. I saw I had two new missed calls, both from Will. Before I could call him back, his name appeared on the screen, calling me.
"You're a morning person." I said morose in the phone. "Hi by the way." We usually didn't use the normal greeting when we talked on the phone.
"Good morning, Lizzy." Isn't he chipper?! "And I'm thankful for waking up early because I can wake you up." I usually ignored him if he called me really early.
"I'm sorry, Will, but today I probably beat you to it. I was up at 5." Ha! Take that!
"What a coincidence." What the hell was he up that early? I always assumed he waked up a few minutes before calling me. "I woke up at the same hour."
"Well, aren't we a telepathic couple? Just let me know when you'll start hearing my thoughts clearly. We'll save money on phone calls." It wasn't my intention to sound like such a bitch, but I guess I was preparing for the day.
"I don't know what could've possibly made you snappy at such an early hour, but it wasn't me, so I suggest you start acting properly." One thing was clear: this guy knew how to give lectures. I could feel every word seeping through the layers I so carefully set up this morning. "Elizabeth, I hope I don't need to remind you: I want you to tell me what is wrong with you." He made it seem like he wanted to add more, but after a few moments of silence I realized he didn't.
"It's too early in the day for that." And hopefully I'll distract you until the end of the day. "Plus I have more pressing matters to attend to today. Wait. Why did you call me?"
"Ah, yes. Where were you last night? I called you twice." But you didn't leave a message, so it wasn't important. "My aunt called me to ask me to be her best man. She left me speechless to tell you the truth."
"She's getting married? But I thought she was old." Colin was such a back-boneless creature. Couldn't he ask Will himself?
"Lizzy, Colin is getting married. I don't know to whom, but I pity the girl." I opened my mouth, ready to defend Charlotte's honor, but he continued talking. "I guess Colin called me a few hundred times, but I refused to answer. So his mother had to call me." And his tone told me he found all this humorous.
"Darcy, you're either blind as a bat or you just want to get me angrier. He's marrying my best friend for fuck's sake! Charlotte, ok?! Ahhh, it's so frustrating!" Just then I realized I had been pacing the floor of my bedroom. When nothing came from Will, I continued. "You and I both know they aren't right for each other. God knows your cousin is the stupidest man I ever had the displeasure to meet. Charlotte will never be happy with him. Ahh!" I felt like I would feel better if I threw the phone away, but a velvet, calm, steely voice coming from the speaker stopped me.
"Elizabeth, calm down. And Colin is not as bad as you make him to be. On the other hand, you have to calm down. You cannot blow like you did just now when you talk to Charlotte. She's a grown woman and she did what she thinks is best for her. You have no right to interfere. It's not you that's getting married to the guy, it's her. And as far as I know Colin, he will be really good with her." Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you The Preacher Man!
"She's my best friend Will. I…It will seem like I'm abandoning her if I don't say anything. Wouldn't you feel the same way if it was Charlie? I don't care how good he'll be with her, people usually marry for love, not convenience! Damn it!"
A long pause followed my rant, a silence that made me check if Will was still on the line. After a few moments, his voice told me he was trying real hard to keep it cool.
"To you maybe, Lizzy, but I can bet a fortune that Charlotte won't see it the same way." Since when did he know my friend so well? It was scary how much Will knew about me. "Now, you have to bloody suck it up and play your part."
I thanked him for his advices and we said our goodbyes, planning on talking further when we'll meet at the pool.
"Oh, and Lizzy, before I forget, bring my helmet with you please ok?" Will sounded excited about something.
I assured him I won't forget and I ended the call. When I turned to walk to the door, to call on Jane, I froze in mid-step. I could actually hear my heart hammering in my ears as I took in the person that was staring at me from the doorway.
"Jane…" I acknowledged her, but I couldn't say anything else. How long has she been standing there? How much did she hear?
Her eyes looked like they were trying to suck the information she wanted from my head, but when she opened her mouth, I knew I couldn't let her talk. Because if she asked me anything about Will, I couldn't lie to her.
"You're up. I was just coming to check on you." She frowned at me, opened her mouth again, but I cut her off again. "Come, come. After I received Darcy's critiques yesterday," I fought the urge to close my eyes when I realized the monumental mistake I made by bringing to attention Will's name, "I'm determined to work harder than ever."
I started frantically moving around the room, without giving her a chance to talk. "You know how it is, the earlier I start, the better." I found my bag, pulled it on my shoulder and then walked back to my desk, picking up Will's helmet. I internally cringed thinking it couldn't have been more obvious than now who I had been talking to on the phone. I took a calming breath and turned to Jane with a sweet, sickening and all so fake smile. "Come on coach, I'm giving you the opportunity to work me to death." And when she made no move to get going, I slipped past her and started descending the stairs.
I was almost at the ground floor when I heard Jane's frustrated voice. "Oh for crying out loud. Wait for me!" And I stopped at the door, knowing she was following in my footsteps.
We made our way to the car, and I hesitated for a second to get in. I took a deep breath and prayed for the better. The ride was silent thanks to my ability to seem interested in the scenery outside my window and to totally ignore the way Jane's mouth would open, just to close back after a few moments.
I didn't even wait for the car to stop as I jumped out, clutching tightly in my hands the helmet and my bag. I glanced around the parking lot looking for Will's Mitsubishi, but I only saw Charlotte's car and Charlie's red Range Rover parked right where the entrance was.
As I made my way to the entrance, I couldn't help but frown. Stupid Shiny Evo Owner! He said to bring his helmet. Where the hell is he?! I was walking determined around the Rover when I saw it. D'oh! How hard was it to guess he drove the Black Monster today? I shushed the voice as I couldn't help but grin at the thought of Biker Will. Last time he drove it, I couldn't fully appreciate him. Now I had the opportunity.
I took my time changing, spending a couple of minutes talking to Louisa. She was praising Caroline so much it almost made me sick…actually it made me prefer to go out there and face Charlotte and Jane than hide away in the locker room.
When I approached the side of the pool, I saw my partner already making laps and Jane attentively timing her. I glanced around as I made my warm-up exercises, hearing my name. I identified the voice as Will and Charlie's coach. The guy was red-faced and it seemed as one of his veins was about to explode. His eyes were murderous as he looked at his two 'students'. I couldn't help eavesdrop.
"…the last time, do you hear me? You're both old enough to stop acting like two hormonal teenagers! All I ask of you is discipline and dedication and no gawking the female population of the pool. Gott! Ich bin zu alt für diese!"
Will looked and sounded just as murderous as he cut his coach's speech. "Bloody hell, man, don't tell me about discipline and dedication! This is the only aspect of my life I dedicate all my time to. I am more disciplined and dedicated than you could ever dream of being."
I stopped my exercises to look in awe at them. What is the matter with Will? I've never seen him show such disrespect to someone as his coach…ever! I was looking expectantly at his coach, hoping for a come-back and I wasn't disappointed.
"You think you're so good? You think you know better then anyone? Let me tell you the reality, William: you know shit. Do you hear me? Nothing, nix, nada, whatever the fuck you want to call it. I made you who you are. And you two both," and I could see Charlie resisting the urge to duck underwater as his coach's stare flicked from the unflinching Will to him, "will destroy everything if you stop and stare at those two every chance you get." And it was my time to flinch when I saw the three men turn to look at me and – I could only presume – Jane.
I snapped my gaze from them, continuing my exercises, but still listening to what the coach had to say. He can't be serious. Ok, maybe Charlie was looking at Jane, but I knew Will better than that. He wasn't that affected by my presence.
My jaw hit the ground a second time when the voice I heard next belonged to my boyfriend. And it was seething with rage, so low that it was almost a whisper. "Don't ever, and I repeat, ever presume you know something about my personal life. I have years of experience in keeping everything separate. You know bloody hell nothing about me except I'm the best there is at this sport. And trust me coach, it's like that because I want it to be like that, because I'm dedicatedand disciplined enough to be the best! I won't let myself be sidetracked by a girl, even if she…"
I gasped in a rather un-lady like manner waiting – and rather fearing – how Darcy will continue the sentence. But he stopped, and as I looked at him, his unflinching, dead dark-blue eyes were looking at me. He was out of the water, doing the height advantage over his coach, but instead of looking at each other, both of them were intently looking at me. I felt myself blush and my mind started screaming for me to move, to go away.
So, I quickly turned around and made my way to Jane. As I was diving in the water to start the set of exercises, I hazard a look at the lanes I knew were occupied by Will and I saw he was back in the water, practicing.
By the end of the day, I hadn't had a spare moment to catch my breath. As I hurled my ass out of the water, looking murderous at Jane, I forgot everything about Charlotte and Colin. Or how Darcy would've continued that sentence if he wasn't reminded I was in the vicinity.
"Lizzy, you said you wanted to work harder…Your wish is my command." Jane wasn't a mean person, but I knew as I looked at her that today was about revenge – revenge because I hadn't stopped to listen to her and answer her questions.
Since I couldn't actually complain about it, I adopted the 'smile-and-wave' maneuver. I quickly made myself disappear in the locker room where my luck ran out.
As I stumbled in, the conversation that was going on stopped and I found everybody looking at me. I could feel a whole body blush coming about because they looked like they expected something from me. That feeling stayed with me as I made my way to the showers.
I dried my hair as best I could, but as I started dressing when I saw Charlotte in the middle of a ring of girls. And something clicked. Oh damn! I'm such a bad best friend! In no time I was up and making my way to her.
"My baby's all grown up and getting married!" And I hugged her with all I had, no words needed between us. We stayed like that for a couple of moments and it broke my heart when I felt her tears on my neck. Oh, Charlotte, why do you do this?
She finally pushed free, her eyes red and puffy, but a small smile on her face.
"Is that for me?" she pointed at my outfit. Right now I felt like the ground should swallow me whole. This morning, dressing in black sounded like the smartest thing to do, but after I felt her cry, it seemed like I was only throwing it in her face.
"Oh you know me…I'm loosing my best friend here. I'm so jealous on Colin right now." Jealous enough to inflict massive damage on him…the asshole!
"Always my sarcastic Lizzy. You know that I'm not leaving you right? I'm not going anywhere. You'll see, nothing will change, I promise."
I smiled in response hoping that was one of the promises she'll manage to keep.
Of course I remembered to ask her about the ring, a monstrosity that it seems was given to him by his mother. The other girls swooned when the rock glittered in the light, but that was already beyond my abilities. I was contemplating what Darcy's aunt must look like when Charlotte snapped me out of my thinking.
"Lizzy, I have to ask you something." I looked around, thinking we'll need discretion and I found we were the last ones still there.
"Of course, anything for you Char, you know that."
"Would you be my maid of honor?" Bless her soul; she had tears in her eyes.
I blinked a couple of times, taken aback by the proposition, but then I sobered up.
"Charlotte, I'm no maid…but I'd gladly pretend for you." And her laugh made me laugh too.
She pulled me in a bone-crushing hug kissing my cheek, repeating over and over again: "Thank you, Lizzy! It means the world to me!"
I looked at my best friend's face and realized I couldn't say anything that would make her change her mind. It was too late. I had been so wrapped up in fighting with Darcy and making things work with Will and trying not to loose focus on swimming as November was coming closer that I ignored what was happening with Charlotte.
I almost slapped myself when I realized the same thing applied to my sister. No wonder she was upset with me. I haven't properly talked to her since forever. My breath stilled in my throat. I closed my eyes, willing my throat to relax, but it did nothing.
I was taking slow breaths but no air was coming in. Please God, not now! Not til later! I looked at Charlotte, but she was busy gathering her things. I tried again to relax, but it had no effect. Maybe the fresh air will do me good.
I managed to go outside, hoping that the fresh air will do the trick.
Nothing!
I was grasping for breaths! What the hell?! I'm suffocating!! Why is it happening to me? Why now? I've taken my meds! I couldn't even scream for help. I was mute and suffocating.
Oh God, I don't want to die like this! Please God, no!
I managed to faintly hear someone say something to me, but I couldn't understand what the person was saying. Before I could see who was talking, darkness clouded my mind.
When I regained consciousness, before I could hear or see something, I felt two extremely warm hands moving along my arms. I could feel I was leaning against something as warm as the hands. As my senses returned I became more and more aware of what surrounded me.
I tried to open my eyes, but it was so much light that I had to close them back. An improvement was that my lungs were functioning correctly again.
The moving hands stilled on my arms, then they moved one to hold my hand, and the other I felt caressing my cheek.
I took a few other breaths and my hearing tuned in on the surrounding sounds. What I heard made my heart speed up to such an extend that I thought I'll have to look for a replacement.
"…Open your eyes, Elizabeth." Four words whispered in my ear, spreading warmth through my whole body, begging me to open my eyes in a voice I never thought I'd hear from him. "If you care for my sanity, please open your eyes." His calm voice, only holding the smallest hint of his origin, was gone, replaced by a low, gravely, british to the core voice.
I opened my eyes and I found two pools of melted blue looking at me intently. He was frowning and I couldn't help but frown back. Was he upset? But before I could voice a question, his lips turned into the sweetest smile I had ever seen him produce. His whole face illuminated as I felt myself being crushed to his hard chest.
That's when I realized he was cradling me like a baby. And if it was possible, my heart started beating even faster.
I realized I was dry sobbing as I felt his hands gently move up and down my back, his mouth whispering in my ear, trying to calm me down. I had my hands fisting parts of his t-shirt so tight that I think nobody could've taken me away from him.
"It's alright. Lizzy, you're ok. Shh…" I'm not ok, Will. I'm hurting inside and I'm hurting the people around me. I forced myself even tighter to him relishing in the warmth his body provided.
I think we stayed like that for hours, neither one of us talking, relishing – at least I was, and since he didn't complain to me clinging to him – in the fact that we could hold each other like that.
When I felt I had regained my forces, I pulled gently away, trying to un-wrinkle Will's t-shirt.
"I'm so sorry, Will, I think it's ruined." If I squeezed any harder, I think I would've made the dye come out of the fabric.
With one hand he was supporting my back, and with the other he tilted my head upwards to look at him, not before stilling my moving hands over his chest.
"I have plenty more." But his eyes told me he was waiting for an explanation for what had happened.
I avoided his gaze, for the first time noticing where we were. Since I remember passing out right outside the changing rooms lobby, Will must've been the one who was addressing me before I lost consciousness and he must've carried me in their locker room.
I pressed my head against his chest, my ear right above his beating heart – and there was something soothing about the rhythmic beating – and I tried to address his unspoken question.
"Can't we stay like this for a few more moments? Please…" answering my plea, he wrapped his arms again around me and tucked me to his chest. My head rested just below his chin and every breath of air I took was filled with his sweet water melon aroma, but now it was mixed with a remaining scent of the chlorine, a scent so like him, that I couldn't help but like it. I buried my nose in his t-shirt, the aroma being more potent.
That's when I had a vivid image and wish that I could wear his clothes, that his specific scent could accompany me the whole day. It was so vivid and mind-blowing that the next thing I knew I had my lips pressed against the skin of his neck, just above the faded blue t-shirt.
I felt his breath on the top of my head as I continued to lick and kiss that spot.
"I'll do something you won't like if you keep it up, Lizzy. I thought you wanted to relax."
I smiled at Will's words, making my way towards his chin, planting kisses along the way.
"Who says I won't like it?" I whispered just a millimeter from his lips.
My eyes were mirroring his and for a moment, I saw something shift in his gaze. It was so fugitive I didn't have time to recognize it and I forgot about it entirely at the next moment as he closed the distance between our lips. The impact created an explosion of electrical currents that sent bolts from my mouth all the way to my toes.
A heat appeared out of nowhere, a sweltering heat. He was just kissing me and yet my body had become damp with sweat. It was him. His presence was pulling me into him, devouring anything that stood in the way.
Acting on impulse, I pressed myself against Will even more and reveled in the solidness of his hard body. We were together, so why not take my relationship with him to the next level? I had nothing to lose.
He took immediate control of the kiss, forcing me to submit with not so gentle nips and tugs until a gasp parted my lips and gave Will the opportunity to seize my tongue.
I could've given in and sat back and enjoyed the ride, but I was too competitive to relinquish the reigns to him. So I fought back with renewed vigor, snatching the control from him and making him submit.
But Will wasn't having it. I felt him grab the back of my neck with one hand. He let his other hand trail upwards on my bare leg, pushing the fabric of my skirt on his way, leaving a trail of tingling skin behind the movement. His hand settled on my hip, as he laid me down on the bench where we had been staying.
The erotic shock of his hot body pushing against my front and the cool wood of the bench at my back extracted from me a moan that I didn't have time and that I refused to swallow back.
The sound clicked something in Will's mind as I felt him freeze above me. I opened my eyes to see what was wrong and I saw his liquid eyes, glazed from the desire that I felt in his kiss a few moments ago, starring at me. He released my lips and promptly moved away.
Oh great! I wasn't even good enough for him to have. I cleaned my mouth with the back of my hand, trying to get rid of the tingling and the sensation of his lips on me, as I made to get up. He was standing up, a few inches away from me, looking at the floor.
"Elizabeth…" his voice wrung too loud in the empty room.
"No need for explaining. I'll just be on my way."
I made to get up, but his hands stopped me and pulled me back. "Try to understand, please."
The look I gave him then should've made him flinch, but no reaction came.
"Understand what? That you don't want to have me? Yeah, ok. We'll continue kissing and making out, and you'll go home and probably fuck one of the bimbos that are after you."
His eyes told me I was hurting him, but I didn't really care at the time. "I'm not fucking anyone! Jesus! I'm attracted to you. If there's someone I'd have sex with, you'd be the one. What do I have to do to prove it?"
"I'd be the one? Well, Darcy, guess what? You just had a chance. I don't really know how things go on the other side of the Atlantic, but here, when you reject someone, it means you don't want that said person. Now let me go, so I can leave."
He stood up so abruptly that I flinched back on the bench.
"For fuck's sake, do we always have to argue?! I thought you were dead an hour ago! Excuse me if I don't exactly jump to have sex right after. Do you know how much you scared me? You looked so helpless and I didn't know what was wrong."
And the next thing he did made me want to beg him to forget I ever said anything, because he came and dropped on his knees in front of me. His hands cupped my face, forcing me to look into his eyes. I couldn't help but swallow hard as I read the mixed feelings that were coloring his stare.
"I thought I lost you." He whispered to me as I hugged him with as much strength as I could muster. I started apologizing over and over again and with each apology, his arms would constrict even more around me.
After a few moments and a chaste, lingering, sweet kiss, he pulled away, our faces on the same level.
"Will you tell me what's wrong?"
And the way he said it, asking me, not demanding me, the feelings he wore in his eyes just a few moments back made me internally cringe. I was such a bitch.
I kissed him once again hoping I'll delay the inevitable answer.
"No." I whispered still with my eyes closed. I felt him pull away, but I had to keep talking. "This was just a panic attack. Charlotte's announced marriage must've stressed me more than I thought. It won't happen again, I promise."
He frowned at me, his eyes boring into mine, trying to determine if I was telling the truth or not. And what he saw must've made him realize there was no way I was going to tell him the whole truth, because he sighed and smiled at me.
"I'll make sure to keep you relaxed then…" The only tell-tale sign that showed he didn't believe me was his eyes that turned a midnight blue color again.
I apologies once again and kissed him lightly, testing the grounds I was walking on.
"You better." And just like that he rose to his feet and extended a hand for me to take.
We started walking out the locker room hand in hand, confident there was no one left here that we had to hide from.
I started walking towards the girls' locker room when he pulled me back to him.
"Lizzy," he whispered as he kissed me, "I hope you didn't forget your helmet." Before I could voice my bewilderment at the use of the pronoun, Will continued. "And tell me you have a jacket to keep you warm on the bike."
Before I could get snappy, the sarcasm flowed away and a sultry, dare I say provocative and I dearly hope sexy, voice replaced it.
"What need do I have for a jacket? You're enough to keep me warm." I purred – I never purr! – as I leaned my body on his.
He pulled me upwards and gave me a kiss then pushed me towards the locker room, telling me to hurry up.
I grabbed my things that were strewed in disarray around the whole room and I found Jane's swimsuit – however did it get in our locker room. I took it, making a mental note to give it to Jane when I arrived home. With that taken care of, managed to be out in the lobby in 5 minutes.
I already had Georgie's helmet on top of my head just as Will wore it that first time when he made fun of me. I saw him waiting outside the building, staring at a spot on the floor, looking like he was trying to extract answers out of the solid block of concrete.
I allowed a moment on fluffiness to pass between us, probably due to the fact that we were finally in a public place, out in the open, together…although there were no witnesses.
I wrapped my arms around his waist from behind, enjoying the feeling of safety and how much an anchor to the world he was for me. His arms rested on own, and I could hear the smile in his voice when he talked.
"Miss Bennett, have you no etiquette? Hugging a man in public?"
I giggled and buried my nose in the back of his t-shirt. His smell was addictive. "What ever you mean, Mr. Darcy? I'm just practicing for the bike ride, that's all. I want to stay alive and so I have to be certain you're a good windshield."
Will spun around in my arms and I found myself being lifted to his height by the hips. I gasped in surprise at the sudden movement and started giggling again when I saw the amused smirk he had on his lips.
"I only serve as a windshield, eh? A means of protection?" And he raised his eyebrow questioningly at me.
"Yes, but you're my means of protection."
And I closed the distance between our lips, relishing in the tingling sensation that was coursing through my veins, making my blood boil. My mind was begging for air to fill my lungs, but the kiss was too good to interrupt for such trivial matters.
Will's hands were still on my hips, holding me pressed tightly against him, his fingers digging deliciously in my flesh. I had my arms around his neck, forcing his head down towards me, pulling at the hair at the nape of his neck.
Just as the kiss became even more heated, I heard a loud noise right in front of me. Will froze for the second time today mid-kiss, but now his eyes were questioning me about the noise.
I pulled away and peered around him to see what was the source of the sound.
Two muffled cries were realized into the air. I couldn't help but curse "Oh shit!"
"Oh my God!" the wide-eyed person said.
The senteces in german are google translated since I know pretty much every major european language except german, so if it isn't correct, it's the translator's fault!
Again I have a small request from you, my dear readers. On my profile page, I just posted the main cast of this story, the way i percieve the characters. It would mean a lot to me if you'd check it out and tell me what you think, if I came close to what you yourself imagined Will and Lizzy and Jane to be or not.
I hope you like them, don't forget to check and drop me a review!
Until later, tschuss!
