Chapter 21

Confession

Rating: T (Language)

Warnings: Willy/OC, language

Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Willy Wonka, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or anything affiliated with it. Due to that fact, I'll just go cry in a corner now.

Theme song for chapter: "Can I Hold You Now?" By James Newton Howard.

A/N: xSilentDawnx: Who knows? Maybe Willy's got some insane, murderous wife one of his old friend had thrust upon him locked up in one of those rooms of his. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised. xD

I collapsed on top of my bed when I got back to my room, and just sat there for a few moments.

I hated these feelings. I hated the way the feelings made me feel, and I hated the way the feelings of the feelings made me feel. It was a vicious cycle, but it was also my own fault, really. I put those godforsaken feelings on myself by kissing him that night. Before that, I hadn't so much as looked at him twice. I thought of him as my weird, eccentric, world-famous, ingenious boss and nothing more, the way it was supposed to be.

I sighed, removing my jacket and folding it up.

There was a knock on the door, and I sighed loudly yet again, making sure it was audible from the other side of the door.

"Who is it?" I called, letting the irritation seep into my voice.

"It's me." Mr. Wonka said.

"No, that's impossible. You are you and I am me, and if I were you, I would just say my name to avoid the whole 'you are you and I am me' argument." I got up, and walked slowly to the door, deliberately taking my time. I opened it up a crack and peeped through.

"What do you want? I haven't finished the sketches, if that's what you're here for. I was planning to work on them now, but you came in just when I got back."

"Actually, I was wishing to discuss other matters. May I come in?"

"What's the password?"

"The password is 'Nitrogen."

"How'd you know? Step into my office." I flung open the door dramatically.

He took off his hat, and stepped into my office.

I didn't bother about closing the door, and just sat down on the edge of my bed.

He stood in front of me.

"Someone came for you today."

I looked at him. "Who?"

"According to Doris," I recalled the Oompa Loompa in Reception. "She said his name was John."

"What was his purpose?" I asked, trying to hide my curiosity.

"He left a message saying that his Aunt passed away and he came to tell you that he's leaving for the States in two days."

"Why didn't you tell me?" I demanded, guilty and sad for John. When I got my new phone, I hadn't given him the number.

"I am telling you."

"When did this happen?"

"This morning. Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to inform you 'till now."

"You could have let him in or something!"

"I do not allow guests into the factory."

"You let Darcy in." I said coolly.

"You brought her here in her state. I couldn't refuse her, now could I?"

"She's fine now."

He hesitated. "She's different. Her circumstances-"

"I know." I interjected selfishly.

I thought about what I said, and continued;

"I know. I understand. I- If I were in your position, I wouldn't make her go back to… what she was doing either. I just feel really bad for John, that's all.

He's been so good to me. I'm going to miss him."

He paused for a second. "Do you love John?"

I blinked, taken aback. "What? No. He's my friend. Why?"

He shrugged.

"Why did you ask me?" I repeated.

He smiled. "Just wondering."

"Why were you wondering?"

"Touché."

"So….?"

He sighed. "I am not compelled to answer you."

He walked to the door and placed his hand on the knob.

"Mr. Wonka, wai-" I was shocked to see that instead of walking out of the door and closing it behind him, he shut the door and turned back to me.

I looked at him and swallowed. "Willy…?"

He walked in front of me, and bent down so that his face was level with mine.

His brilliant, penetrating, addictive gaze met mine and I melted.

"But I will anyway."

I didn't reply, suddenly unsure and suspicious.

"I can't figure you out," He said, his brow furrowing. "You're weird."

I couldn't help but feel disappointed. "That's it?"

"Lemme continue, 'kay? As I was saying; You're weird. As weird as they come. You are a mystery wrapped in a riddle wrapped in a cardigan. You always surprise me, and I find it a challenge to predict what you're going to say next."

"Is it a pretty cardigan?"

"My point proven. I can never guess what you're going to say next. Not to mention the fact that your mood changes so frequently and unexpectedly. I'd love to know what's going on inside your head."

"Are you insinuating that I am bipolar?"

"Yes, but that isn't my point."

"Thanks. Continue."

"Most of the time, you walk around looking confused as a baby in a topless bar, but the point is; You entertain me."

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

"Your face entertains me."

"This conversation is getting more insulting with every sentence."

"Oops. I didn't mean it like that. I meant it as a 'pretty' sort of way. No, not pretty.." He shook his head. I frowned.

"Beautiful."

"Oh."

My blush deepened, but I kept my face straight.

He paused, and suddenly took my hand in his.

Ah, fuck. Please don't say it.

"Alice, I've decided that I think I might possibly love you. Maybe." Darn it.

The news hit me like a basketball to the nose, and I sat in stunned silence for a moment.

My stomach filled with butterflies. No, not butterflies. More like exploding, wrathful, suicide-bomber mutant butterflies with Hitler mustaches and who have a thing for sadism.

I refused to believe it. He was lying. Of course he was, he had to be. There was absolutely no reason at all for him to love me. I wasn't pretty, I didn't have a nice personality, I wasn't funny, I wasn't rich, and heck, I didn't even have some tragic past for him to pity me on. I was just…nothing. A random unexceptional teenage girl. And then there was Mr. Wonka. He was beautiful, he had a strange and yet amazing personality and he was a genius. He was revolutionary, witty and scintillating and had the incredible power to take things straight out of the book of 100 Impossible Things and make them a reality.

"You're lying!" I accused, glaring. "That's not funny." My mouth turned downwards involuntarily, my face falling.

"Unfortunately not. I mean this in the nicest possible way, but you don't just choose who you love. It just happens, sometimes, to someone you would least expect it."

I glared at him, or more at his nose. I refused to meet his eyes.

"Bullshit."

"Language, my dear fish."

"I'm not a fish. I'm a motherfucking mermaid. What of it?"

He giggled. "You're such a teenager."

"You're such a… human."

"I hope so."

"I need some air."

Mr. Wonka grabbed my hand as I went to reach for the doorknob.

I turned to him suddenly and was about to yell something at him, but then he spoke.

"Listen, I don't expect you to return my feelings at all. In fact, I think it'd be better if we… avoided each other from now on due to these unforeseen circumstances that have arisen. Again, I don't expect anything back from you. I just thought you should know what's on my mind and why I'll suddenly start avoiding you. 'Kay?"

"Well… Ugh. What did you want me to say to that, then? If you didn't expect me to return you feelings, what did you expect? I'm leaving in under two weeks." I grabbed his hand, and held it tightly between mine own two, and closed the space between us, staring into his eyes fixedly.

"Do you want the truth? I think I like you too. I think I'm infatuated with you. I'm not going to say I love you because I don't know what the hell love even is. I'm just a teenager, and you older people are always rattling on about how we get in over our heels and rush into what we think is real 'love'. I don't know what this is, but I feel something towards you, as embarrassing as that is to admit. If I… If I… did happen to," I struggled to find the right word. "Accept your…" Again, I struggled. Thanks vocabulary, for failing me just when I needed it. "Statement? What will happen at the end of my stay?"

And then I kissed him. I heard him moan slightly, maybe in surprise of my abrupt actions. I kissed him harder, more fervently as our mouths moved against each other. Pulling apart our entwined fingers, moving from our lips to our tongues. I ran my fingers through his hair, intoxicated with his scent.

I savored this moment of happiness, this feeling that I'd craved for weeks.

This bittersweet moment, perfect in it's own way, but tainted with the feeling of desolation. I felt the tears on my cheeks and whispered an apology against his lips.

I forced myself to pull away, ashamed at my rash, spur of the moment decision. With an apologetic glance, I ran out of my own room, almost slamming the door behind me in my haste, wiping the traitorous tears that coursed unceasingly down my flushed cheeks.

I felt strange and confused. Guilty and empty. Hadn't I wished for his acceptance? For his love? So why didn't I just take the chance, turn back now and tell him I want to be with him? Because it wasn't me. I was too proud and yet too weak at the same time. I pushed the button and the elevator door slid open, angrily wiping away the fresh wave of tears that stung my red cheeks. I looked at the wall of buttons before me. For once I had no idea where to go. I just wanted to get out of the factory. I wanted to be outside, to feel the cold air against my skin, so smell the pure untainted breeze instead of the sweet smell of candy.

I extended my hand to push the 'Main Hall' button, when I suddenly felt it vanish beneath my finger. It all happened so quickly, that I could barely even register it. I saw another button appear, and before I could stop myself, my finger pressed down on it.

'Abyss' glowed red, and the elevator plunged straight down into the depths of the earth.