Chapter 14

Warren had been thinking about the young woman he had spoken to at the school, the one that seemed to be so close to his thoughts whether he wanted her to be or not. Aryana was just… right there. And now, with what he had seen, he wondered if he dominated her thought's just as much. Why else would she keep something like the aluminum ring after all these years if he wasn't. A smile touched his lips at the thought, but what now?

So what she kept the ring, what was he supposed to do now? If she had wanted to get a hold of him in the time she had been gone, it's not like it would have been impossible. She knew his phone number, where his mother lived, everything about him so there was no way she couldn't actually find him. But she hadn't. She hadn't tried, once, to get in contact with him. Then again, could he blame her? He had never even bothered getting passed the name calling and yelling to figure out what the hell was going on, let alone give thought to anyone other than himself.

Growling to himself, Warren stood and decided to go for a walk. He needed to clear his head, to go somewhere that wasn't there for the time being. Making sure to grab his coat on the way out, he left, not sure of where he would go, just going.

0o0

Aryana had gotten out of the shower and was in the process of drying her hair when there was a knock on her door. She stared curiously at it, tossing her towel onto a nearby chair before answering it. When she swung the door open, she couldn't believe her eyes. To be honest, she was certain she lost a few shades of color.

"Hey Firefly." he said with a slight smile.

"Warren, what are you… how'd… hi."

The two stood there for a moment, neither really sure what to say though it was obvious Aryana was a bit more taken aback by the sudden appearance of the man.

"You going to invite me in or do I have to hang out in the hallway?" he finally asked.

Aryana couldn't make her mind shut up and just stepped to the side, giving him a silent signal to enter. He did, walking passed her and looking around. She knew her face still bore confusion, the only natural emotion, as the door slammed shut. Warren heard the action and turned on his heel, his hands still in his pockets. He chuckled internally at the expression touching her features.

"Why are you here Warren?" she finally asked, the words escaping for once.

He cocked a brow to her, trying to keep it light and to keep them from fighting. A light grin tugged at the corner of his lips as he turned back to the room. She glared at him as he walked around lazily for a moment, noticing something resting in the chair near the balcony. He moved towards it and grabbed it, falling into the chair. Aryana felt her breath hitch as he took the jewelry box into his hands and attempted to pry it open.

"Not for you." she snapped, flicking a small fireball at the man to get his attention.

It hit Warren square in the forehead, surprising him enough to stop. He looked up at the young woman.

"There a reason for that?"

She seemed flustered, something that made the man more determined than before to open the box and find out what it was that she didn't want him to see. Before she could walk up to him, he pried it open.

"Damn it." she hissed, the man's face dropping before she reached him.

There, smiling back at him, was the picture of himself that she had tried to keep secret. When his eyes met hers again, Aryana was already a crimson red. She was caught and she knew it. Warren had to admit, he wasn't expecting to see himself in the box and didn't know how to react now that he had.

Finding her strength, at least to cease any further embarrassment, Aryana moved forward and snatched the box, slamming it shut and tossing it onto the bed behind her. The two remained in a silent awkwardness for a while, the young woman wrapping her arms around herself while Warren slumped into the chair further. Eventually, Warren spoke up.

"So, how long you going to be in town?" he asked, trying to act like this was just a friendly conversation between friends, not exes.

She sighed, tilting her head to side and looking away from him.

"Why are you here Warren?" she asked in a weak voice.

He tapped his hand against the armrest of the chair before heaving himself up. Her eyes slowly traveled to the man as he approached her. He looked blankly down into her face. The two stared for an immeasurable amount of time and Aryana felt herself slowly sinking back into the way things used to be, the way she used to feel, when something grabbed her hand. Warren lightly laced his hand under hers, his eyes never leaving her gaze, and gently pulled her right hand away from her arm. At the same time, the two looked down and saw the aluminum ring resting on her digit. He rubbed his thumb against the soft metal. She felt stomach fill with butterflies at the sensation of his heated skin touching hers. Slowly, their eyes met again.

"Couldn't throw it away?" he asked softly.

She shook her head.

"I tried." she replied in the same hushed voice, looking back down at the joined hands. "I just couldn't do it."

She felt him nod, lowering their hands but he didn't let it go. He leaned a bit closer to her, towering over her still. She could feel the heat swelling between them like it did whenever they were too close. She closed her eyes, wanting it to disappear but desperately wanting him to continue.

Warren leaned over her, his chin touching his chest as he leaned down a bit closer. His cheek was lightly rubbing against hers, his eyes falling shut. He felt her breath hitch when he leaned closer, inching towards his target. Her breath moved into him with each pant before he claimed what he had wanted. Aryana gasped as best she could before his lips slammed into hers. She felt the familiar fire radiate through her body at their contact. Almost immediately, she molded into his touch.

Aryana's arms wrapped around his neck, Warren hugging her around her waist to ensure she wouldn't leave as he kissed her with the passion he had lost through the years. He held to her, almost desperately, silently apologizing for everything he had said to her in the past and the tears he made her spill. Aryana's mind was spinning with the familiar and new, all mixing within her before a startling reality broke through the haze. Only seconds after it started, Aryana pulled back.

Warren breathed a bit heavier than he thought a kiss would have made him, her forehead resting against his. A smile touched his lips when he realized she was just as out of breath. What he didn't seem to realize, was Aryana was tearing up. He heard her sniff and pulled back, looking sadly and confused into her face. Gently, he guided her eyes up to meet his.

"I can't do this." she said in a broken voice, stepping away from the man.

His brow tensed as she looked around, trying to focus on anything that wasn't him. The tears moved gently down her cheeks, the young woman running her fingers through her hair. He didn't understand, in the least.

"I'm sorry I just can't do this."

"You seemed to enjoy it."

She laughed weakly at his attempt to joke. A smile touched his lips but he still didn't get it. She soon explained. Her expression darkened slightly as she raised her left hand. Warren felt like his breath had been stolen from him at the sight of the ring shining in the dim light, mocking him from its perch on her left ring finger.

"I'm engaged." she said, her voice breaking completely this time.

His brow creased further, the ring still smiling its victory at him. His shock began to slowly turn into anger, the expression shifting on his face.

"I'm getting married in three months."