Teddy never came around.
By now, I was coming to terms with what I had done with Chris, and feeling a little less guilty about how I had probably let Teddy down. But still, for three whole days we never saw Teddy at all.
During those days, I spent time with Chris. We were inseparable, hardly leaving each other's side. I had found out Chris had been beaten by his dad for not coming home two nights in a row. His dad had flung a plate at him, cutting his cheek deeply, and had almost snapped his arm before one of his brothers had pulled him away. It made me want to cry when Chris told me, and I ran my hand over his cut, watching him wince, but telling me he was okay and that he was used to it. I felt guilty, knowing that Chris didn't deserve anything like that happen to him, and when the day came I would leave Castle Rock, I knew that the beatings would continue and I wouldn't be there for him.
Every night Chris would sneak out of his house and come over to Gordies. When I knew Aunt Dorothy and Gordie were fast asleep in the other room, I would quickly change into jeans and a shirt, and I'd sneak out of the back door and go and meet him. We'd walk hand in hand, down the darkened roads of Castle Rock, staring up at the stars. We'd go anywhere we want – but mostly Chris would take me down the river, where we'd just sit up all night talking. I'd lie in Chris's arms, staring at the moons reflection in the rippled water below, and let Chris kiss me as many times as he wanted.
"I'm gonna miss this" I said softly as Chris kissed one of my temples.
"Me too – I'm gonna miss you so much"
"Will I ever see you again?" I asked him. Chris held my hand, and sighed lazily, staring out towards the river.
"I don't know, probably – you're Gordie's cousin, right? You'll come back one day"
"But will it be the same?"
"I don't know Andy, I don't know…" Chris sighed sadly, squeezing my hand tighter. The silence between us wasn't awkward, just upsetting. I leant in, and kissed Chris's cheek gently.
"I'm never going to forget this moment, Chris," I said truthfully. Chris looked down on me, and gave me his beautiful warm smile, the one that made my heart flutter and kissed me.
"You're scared, aren't you?" he whispered.
"What?" I asked confused.
"You're scared of telling me how you feel, because you don't want to be heartbroken," Chris said slowly, "You're scared of telling me exactly how you feel about me – about us, because you know you're leaving soon, I know you Andy, and I know you're worried about when Teddy finds out, and you don't want to hurt him, believe me, I don't want to hurt him either. But you don't deserve the pain of having to hold back what you want to say, just because you know you're gonna have to leave me, but its okay – just as long as I can be yours for these last nine days, and be with you until you go home, my feelings for you will never go away – because I love you"
A single tear slid down my cheek, and Chris wiped it away with one of his fingers, pulling me into a warm hug. I felt him nuzzle against me, as I bit my tongue, trying my hardest not to start crying. And finally it came.
"I love you Chris"
I felt Chris smile against my skin, like he'd heard me, yet he didn't say a word.
"Did you hear me Chris?" I asked, almost in tears "I said I loved…"
Chris cut me short, kissing me passionately, and I felt myself just melt into his warm lips.
I meant what I had just said, about loving Chris. I did love him, so much. My beautiful Christopher Chambers, who loved me, and I was going to leave him in nine days. It didn't seem right, or fair, that I could have fallen in love with someone who knew I had to leave so soon, maybe like a punishment. I didn't want to leave Castle Rock, but I knew I had to, and it made me want to weep.
"I heard you" Chris said, once he'd removed his lips from mine, "Crystal clear"
"Are you happy?"
"Like you wouldn't imagine!" Chris grinned, and held me closer.
"I don't want to leave you Chris"
"I know, but you're gonna have to"
"It's so unfair"
"Shush…" Chris said warmly, resting my head against his, "Don't think about it now… just let me hold you and feel you, and just forget everything. Tonight, there's only two of us in the whole town"
I nodded understandingly, and closed my eyes. Chris kissed my eyelids, and stroked my hair.
"I love you Andrea Louise Parker"
I smiled softly, opening my eyes up again.
"And I love you too, Christopher Robert Chambers"
We spent the whole night, watching the stars reflect on the water below, feeling each others presence, because we both knew we had to make the minutes last.
***
It was nice waking up in the morning, knowing that someone out there loved you.
On Wednesday, I woke early again, kicked my feet out of bed, and ran straight to the window, drawing back the curtains so that I could see the sun. The sky was clear blue, with the faintest wisps of cloud, and the sun was beating down glorious rays. I open the windows, breathing in the cool morning air.
It was things like these people took for granted; I couldn't understand how people could pass this off little less than amazing.
I heard the scuttling from downstairs so I knew it was either my Aunt or Gordie who was up, so I went to investigate.
Gordie was in the kitchen, sitting at the breakfast table. He smiled as I entered the room.
"Morning Gordie" I said warmly, taking a seat down next to him. He leaned over and poured me a fresh glass of orange juice in the glass next to me.
"Morning Mrs Chambers" he teased, as I rolled my eyes, but still feeling rather pleased with the new nickname.
"Oh Gordie, behave!" I giggled, "Not yet anyway!"
Gordie raised his eyebrows, "Good lord – you're not planning the wedding this early?"
I shook my head, laughing, "Nope, but who says you're invited anyway?"
"The wedding of my best friend and my cousin? I should be!" Gordie laughed. I sighed happily, looking out of the window smiling.
"What have you got planned today?" Gordie asked me, and I shrugged.
"I fancy going on a walk down to the river" I smiled broadly, "I really like going down there"
"Wow – since you've not been since last night?"
I gave Gordie a confused look, "Wait – what?"
Gordie smirked, "Don't act like you don't know what I'm on about – I heard you last night"
I pulled a face, "Alright fine! Chris and I went down the river"
"How long did you stay out til?"
"I came home at five this morning"
"Damn. What did you both do?" Gordie teased me, nudging me in my arm. I knocked back the rest of my drink.
"Never you mind! I'm going to go get ready and have a walk – goodbye dear cousin!" I got up from the table, a cheeky grin on my face, as Gordie watched me skip back upstairs to get dressed.
***
The doorbell rang as I was putting my makeup on, and I heard Gordie run to get it. I smiled when I heard the familiar voice and the floorboards creak outside my bedroom.
"Knock, knock, can I come in?"
"Wait a minute!" I called, and quickly applied some cherry lipgloss, pouting in the mirror. I straightened down my dress and my hair and when I was ready, I called, "Come in!"
I turned away from the mirror and over to the doorway, where Chris was standing smiling.
"Hello beautiful" he said softly as I walked over to him, smiling. He pulled me towards him and into a warm embrace, hugging me with passion. I felt him kiss my neck, smiling into it.
"I love you," he said happily, as I tilted his head back up and kissed him softly, giggling.
"I know you do – and I love you too!"
Chris smiled, his hands still on my waist, "So, what are you planning on doing today?"
"I was thinking of going to the river"
"Again?" Chris stuck his tongue out and I chuckled.
"Of course! I love it!"
"Would you like me to come?"
I shrugged, "I kinda fancied going by myself – but you could always find me later if you miss me too much!"
Chris nodded, "Yeah okay, that sounds good"
Chris released my waist when he heard Gordie coming up the stairs. It was the promise we'd made to Gordie – no soppy business between us when he was there, and we both smiled innocently when he bounced up to us.
"You guys had a good night at the river then?" Gordie taunted knowingly as Chris stared at me.
"You told him?"
"He guessed!"
"Oh right" Chris turned back to Gordies direction, "Whats it to you anyway Gordo?"
Gordie folded his arms, smirking, "I like knowing where my cousin goes with strange testosterone fuelled boys!"
"Gordo, Teddy wasn't there…"
I bit my lip hard, thinking about Teddy for a second. Where was he?
"I'm gonna go now" I said quickly. Chris looked at me.
"Was it something I said?" he asked worriedly, and I shook my head.
"Of course not – I just wanna catch these rays!" I laughed, and leaned in to kiss Chris's lips.
"Woops!" I giggled, turning to Gordie, "Sorry cousin!"
Gordie rolled his eyes, "I don't mind the one off!"
***
The river was almost as beautiful in day than it was at night. Of course, my mood reflected the way I saw things now. The slightest little choir of birds singing made me grin. It was peaceful; nobody ever came to the river this early, so I had the freedom to do whatever I felt like – within reason of course.
I took of my shoes and socks, and walked in the water, It felt so nice, the warm air, and the coolness that surrounded my feet. It was lovely, and it made me smile.
I could sing, I could dance. I could throw my arms up in the air and cheer.
And the reason for that – was because I was in love. I was in love with Chris Chambers, and no matter what anyone believed about him, I stuck by with what I felt towards him. Pure, unconditional love. His beautiful eyes, his soft kisses, and the way he made me feel special. I loved him so damn much.
"I love him" I whispered, a grin growing on my cheeks, "I love him!"
My words became louder as I walked up the river, stomping and splashing in the water.
"I love him"
"I love him"
"I Love Him"
"I LOVE Him!"
"I LOVE HIM!"
"I LOVE HIM!" I screamed at the top of my voice, almost collapsing in a fit of laughter.
"Who do you love?" came the voice from behind. I screamed petrified, and turned around quickly, my mouth dropping when I realised who it was.
Standing with his hands in his pocket, smirking at me.
Teddy Duchamp.
"Teddy?" I shrieked, "What are you doing here?"
He stared out at the water, still smirking.
"Why I always come here at the crack of dawn!" he joked, and laughed, that terrible laugh and I smiled uneasily.
"You didn't follow me did you?" I asked curiously. He smiled wickedly.
"I might have followed you"
I shuddered, seemingly creeped out by Teddy's words. I decided to change the subject.
"Where have you been Teddy, we haven't seen you since…" I stopped myself, thinking back to the party. Teddy nodded.
"Say it"
"The party" I finished, nervously. Teddy smiled, walking upto me.
"The party – oh boy! What a hoot! Eeeeeeeee-eeeeeeeeeeeee-eeeeee!"
He laughed loudly, "Man – too cool! The dares were hi-la-ri-ous!"
I ran my fingers through my hair, "Oh god yes!" I giggled slightly, trying to fool myself into feeling comfortable around Teddy, but it wasn't working. Teddy strolled over and put his arms on my shoulder.
"And you kissed Chambers!" he hooted, and I felt my cheeks flush, uncomfortably and embarrassed as Teddy inched nearer.
"Yes…I did…"
"Was it good?"
"Umm…"
"I never got to see the rest of it…" he said, a bit sterner. I swallowed.
"You should have stayed – we didn't finish our game"
"Really?" Teddy raised his eyebrow, drawing ever nearer to my face, "Should we finish it now?"
"Teddy…" I squeaked.
Teddy grabbed my waist and I shrieked slightly as his mouth met mine in a wet kiss. It was toothy and rough – nothing like the way I had imagined him kissing me in my fantasy. His fingers were digging into me as he moaned during the kiss. I tried to push away but I couldn't.
Eventually I moved my mouth away, and the wetness moved onto my cheeks. I jumped back quickly, Teddy almost falling forward, but stopping himself quickly.
"Teddy what the fuck!" I screamed, wiping my mouth on the back of my hand. Teddy stood with a smirk impression.
"Man – that was hot!"
"You complete fucker!"
"What?" Teddy looked shocked, "Andy – isn't this what you want?"
"No!" I shrieked, "No its not! How dare you do that to me!"
"Andy, you kissed Chris like that, I presumed…"
"Don't presume anything Teddy! I didn't want to kiss you last night and I never want to ever again"
I gasped at my own words, no matter how truthful they were, and stared at the now pale Teddy…