Hey! Chapter update:) A/N: Just wanted to let you know it's been brought to attention that many of you are awaiting the moment when Christian tells Grace and Carrick. Understandable;) It'll be soon- I promise- but there's still a couple more chapter that come in place into the storyline that leads to the big reveal. So if you can continue to await it out, I more than promise it'll be worth the wait. Plus, the chapters before the big "talk" it will entertain you!:) Thanks, and ENJOY! Review if possible;)
I groan and lift my face out of my hands to look over at Wesley. He's scowling in the direction of the men's locker room at Christian- who's already out of sight.
He looks down at me and grins, "What's wrong, Ana? Afraid of a little more gym competition?" he mocks. He knows exactly why I'm nervous.
"No," I say sulkily, "I just don't want Christian to see me trip over my own two feet so many times in a class period- there should be a limit. Why do they do Gym class against Gym class anyway?"
He shrugs, "They do it every so often- mostly 3 times a school year. It's just something to look forward too."
I groan again. I will not be looking forward to this anytime soon. Just then Kate jogs up to me with a giant grin on her face.
"Hey, Ms. Handsie," she teases, "I see that Christian will be joining us for Gym. I think every girl noticed when he walked in- their like freaking zombie in his presence." She says annoyed under her breath. "Consider yourself lucky, girl!"
My brow creases, "How in the world am I 'lucky'? My boyfriend just got front row tickets to see how incapable I am in the category called walking!" I whisper to her exasperated.
Kate puts her hands on my shoulders and looks into my eyes- at this point I suspect that Wesley rejoined his other group of friends' conversation, "Ana," she says sternly and surely, "Your just siking yourself out. I'm sure it won't be that bad, so you have to Steele yourself together. I doubt he'll break up with you because you suck in Gym" she chuckles. She removes her hands and leans on the wall by me, "I'd give anything to spend one extra school hour with Elliot." She says sadly.
It must be hard for Kate and Elliot to get any real alone time. Even when they are together people are surrounding them- maybe I'll give them their own lunch hour alone at their table. I must plan this with Wesley and Christian.
I sigh, "Your right, Kate. How horrible can this be? Maybe I'm just over-reacting." I know that we only have at least a couple more minute until Gym officially starts so I have to ask one more thing. I turn to Wesley and lightly tug on his Gym shirt.
He turns around and looks just above my head- acting as if I'm too short to see. "Ahem?" I cough, and put my hands on my hips.
He looks down at me in mock surprise, "Sorry, Ana. Didn't see you there- better watch out unless someone'll step on you," he grins.
I scowl at him. It's not my fault everyone around me is either a 5'6 Goddess, or a 6'0+ beast! I'm still scowling as I continue, "Can you just promise me one thing?" I plead, "One?"
"Sure," he shrugs, "What?"
"At least attempt to be civil with Christian? And I'll ask this of him as well?"
"Fine," he mumbles, "But your little boy toy better watch himself."
"Thanks," I stand on my tippy toes and ruffle his Golden locks playfully. He grins and turns around- back to the 'tree lovers' conversation.
I bite down on my lip with a sigh, and look down at my black running shoes- a gift I received from Carla when we went school shopping in Portland. Kate's still to the right of me, lost in deep thought or giving the death stare to some innocent victim she despises. My head snaps up when I hear noise coming from the boys' locker room; a combination of laughing, walking, and talking. I then see Christian walking in the lead on the pack. He's in black basketball shorts that hang from his hips deliciously- with the waist band of his dark blue boxers just peeking out by his oh-so happy trail, the same black Gym shoes he wore on our walk not long ago, and he is just pulling his shirt over his amazing physique- giving the more than willing girls a peek of what's mine- as he walks out. I'm even drooling over him right now- I am one lucky, lucky girl.
Comparing him to his other male 'companions' is easy; Christian is as tall and muscular- but lean in all the right ways. His body is based off of classic lines, ending with the most mouthwatering V line any man would kill to have. He grins at my gaping and hungry expression as he runs his hands through his unruly trade-mark copper hair. I giggle, and seductively- well, as seductively as I can manage - lick my bottom lip while I look at his body up and down salaciously.
His mouth falls open and his eyes burn, as if saying 'you're a naughty, naughty girl, Ana. Don't tease.' I smile with a blush and turn my attention back over to Kate.
"Look at all the female dogs –a.k.a hungry bitches- that are drooling overyour boyfriend," Kate says in a sickening tone, "I mean seriously! Can they say obvious, or would they have to put away their libido long enough to check?" she sounds very annoyed.
I gape at her- surprised at her outburst- but, at the same time, a disbelieving giggle bubbles up, "Kate…?"
"Ana, look at all of them- I'm just trying to look out for you." she states with a shrug. I look around the Gym at the girls who are whispering to their friends about him- while looking at him up and down, and blushing at his presence. They all seem to have a salacious look in their eyes. I meet Christian's probing expression as it burn into me.
"What?" he mouths.
I gesture to all the wonton Christian Grey fan club members.
He looks around the Gym at them, and then at me. He shrugs- obviously unimpressed- and sighs with a smirk, "I love you." He mouths once more.
I roll my eyes and smile shyly, hugging myself on the inside, and nod in a 'yeah, yeah. I know, Grey,' manner. He grins widely with a chuckle as the coach blows her whistle,
"Okay!" she shouts in authority that it brings us all to attention, "Gym A!" she gestures to us, "Gym class B!" she does the same to them, "We are here to work as a team. Just because you are in different hour classes does not give you the upper hand to make fun of or trash talk one another. No pushing, punching, purposely hurting, or injuring another student. If you can remember that we will be having a good day today. Now, you know the drill- eight Gym laps to start off." Frankly, the coach scares the living day lights out of me- she reminds me of a drill sergeant. I think my heart rate goes up by each sentence she yells. She looks at us to make sure we're ready, and then across the Gym floor, "Ready?" we nod, "GO!" And we're off.
Kate and I jog along with the students. The Gym is very crowded today, there are double the class mates, and I fear which one of these people will be the cause of my total embarrassment at some point.
I get lost in my thoughts a lot when I'm running- soon I'm on my fourth lap and I'm working up a mighty sweat, I'm also vaguely aware that I already lost Kate in the crowd of students- I may not be the best sports player but I'm a good runner. I stay as unnoticeable as possible as we run. I can't even spot out Wesley let alone the copper hair that plays in my dreams- plus, I'm too petite.
I momentarily jump when I feel Christian's hands wrap around my waist as he runs behind me.
"So, jealous are we, huh Baby?" I can sense his grin.
"They were undressing you with their eyes, Christian." I pout, which makes him more amused.
"Well, they can undress me mentally all they want, but they're never going to get to see what only you have permission to." He says simply, "Plus, I seemed to remember someone else undressing me with their eyes." He hints. Making small circles with his thumb on my sensitive skin- I bite down on my lip.
"Yes, because I can." I state matter-a-factly. "Do you ever get annoyed with all the gawking girls?" I wonder.
"It's just a face," he murmurs, "If they actually knew what's behind it they 'de leave me alone, and I'd be at peace."
I scowl at the low level he puts himself on.
"Let's not talk about this here," he says dryly.
"What would you like to talk about then, Mr. Grey?" I ask- still slightly annoyed. My breathing picks up into short pants as we continue jogging about.
A sour look spreads across his beautiful face, "How about this." He says, and pinches the back of my upper thigh/lower behind.
I jump with a yelp that gets the attention of most of the students, "Christian!" I scold quietly, and pick up my pace a bit more.
"These shorts are very little, Ana." He growls, and it does something to me unexplainable. I brush the feeling away the best I can and decide to play dumb.
"Why whatever do you mean, Christian?" I bat my eye lashes, and wipe the sweat forming on my forehead.
"I mean they barely cover up my girlfriend's delicious dairy air. For goodness sakes, Anastasia, even Victoria kept her secret." He scoffs.
I choose to ignore his last comment. I know for a fact that my shorts aren't as short as most of these girls here, "Well, what are you going to do about it, Boyfriend?" I mock.
He hears the sarcasm drip from my voice, because as soon as I doubt his capability he leans down to my ear- keeping good pace with me, "I can think of a way or ten," he hisses, and the threat is real.
I look up at him with worry, he winks and I watch as he jogs faster through the group of kids in front of us- I can see through his Gym shirt that he's collecting sweat on his lower back. It's slowly seeping through the material, and I also see sweat by the nape of his neck. It's quite sexy to watch, but too soon, he disappears and I'm left with his threat whirling in my head.
A couple more minutes pass and we are done with our eight laps. Many kids are panting with their hands on their knees- as if they just ran a marathon- including Kate. It was just eight laps, I shrug. I pant softly as I make my way to my bottle and take welcome refreshing and satisfying gulps of my heavenly, cold, and crisp water. I almost moan. I look around and see Christian chatting with a taller man by the bleachers. I watch as he takes his water bottle and pours an amount in his copper locks, he then shakes his head a bit, and runs his fingers through it. He catches my eye and smirks as he takes a drink.
"Okay, people!" The coach yells, "Groups for kick ball; the Red team on this side," she points, "and Blue on this one!" She starts to call last names of the students, directing them to which place. "Blue- Zimmermann, Red- Heights, Blue- Madison, Red- Knight, Blue- Kavanagh, Red- Sanchez, Blue- Grey, Red- Steele."
I hear my name and I instantly do and awkward run walk to the reds side of the gym floor as she calls out the rest of the class. I smile when I see Wesley's reassuring grins and he gives me a high-five. I can almost feel Christian losing it on the other side of the floor, but I remain calm.
"So, are you ready for some kick-ass kick ball? No pun intended." He adds with a grin.
I giggle, "I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
"Come on, Steele." He encourages, "You gotta get pumped, Ann's!" he starts to hop from side to side in front of me- getting ready for the game.
"Go, team!" I say awkwardly, and punch the air with equal awkward enthusiasm.
He stops hoping and gives me an unimpressed expression, "Anastasia- that was weak."
I shrug with a smile, "I guess I just lack pep. Maybe I should cheer randomly more." I joke with a giggle.
Wesley chuckles as well, "Maybe!"
The game starts with the red team in the 'field' and the blue team kicking. The rules are if the ball hits the wall then it is automatically a home-run. We nominate Wesley for the pitcher of the team, and I go into the far back, wanting to be out of reach as possible. Wesley rolls the ball to the first kicker and it's caught by a team member- to which we all praise him- and the ball is thrown to Wes once more. We go through almost all of their teammates- Christian at the end of the line- and Wesley rolls the ball once more to the next kicker. I see it all in slow motion as the ball heads straight for me; I close my eyes about to feel the impact of the hit, when someone catches it for me. I hesitantly open my eyes, and look over at a petite female class mate who's smiling sweetly at me after she throws the ball back to Wes.
"T-thanks," I stutter- still a bit shaken. The game continues.
"You're very welcome!" She smiles widely, "I'm Lavender!" she says proudly.
I smile softly- what an odd, yet, pretty name, "I'm Anastasia." I realize mine must sound the same way as well.
She smiles again and goes back to her spot- bending her knees into a strong stance and focusing yet again on the game. It's funny to see her get so serious in matter of seconds; she's very petite like me, and I can already tell she's quite spunky.
It's Christians' turn to kick. I can feel the pissing contest going on in front of me. Wesley's playfulness subsides and Christian's glares at him darkly. Everyone around us becomes silent as Wesley whips the kick ball with a lot of force to Christian, and he's ready. He runs forward to the rubber ball and kicks it with all his energy. I watch as the ball goes back into Wesley's direction at full speed and hit's him in the face with a loud smack that echoes off of the Gym walls.
Christian smiles darkly with a dash of satisfaction as he stands back and looks at Wesley. The force of the hit sent Wesley to the floor as he clutches his face and cusses in Christians direction- which I think makes Christian more amused at the moment.
"Ass-hole!" Wesley yells, "You kicked it at me on purpose, you fucker-!"
"Eh! Knight, no need for the profanity-," the coach begins.
"Yeah, Knight. Haven't you ever heard of an accidental coincidence?" Christian spits at Wesley. His stance changes into one of a threat.
"Come on now, Grey-!" Again Coach Hale tries to intervene.
At this point all of the student have stopped what they're doing and are now look at the two men that are getting ready to tear the others throat out- I wince at the thought. From the corner of the gym I hear;
"Twenty on Knights, "One boy whispers.
"Nah, I'm betting on Grey, man. Did you see how ripped that kid is? He'd take Knight down in thirty seconds- tops."
Oh, My. Their betting on who would get pummeled to a pulp first? I try not to listen to their useless batter, but I can't help but hear them.
"Well he'd have a good reason too- I do it for that juicy little thing Anastasia Steele too." He growls.
I blush inwardly at his words- still locked on Christian.
"Yeah man. I think you could clearly see who would've won the brawl in that video if his beast of a brother Elliot Grey didn't pull 'em apart."
"I don't know man; Knight looked like he was going for blood. Must be all the organic chemicals that nature freak uses daily… must help him get that buff,"
"Haha, you mean like soybean steroid?" they laugh at him.
"Shhhh, man. I'm trying to watch how this'll play out." Their attention is once again to Wesley and Christian who stand glaring at each other.
"You better watch it, Grey!" Wesley threatens.
Christian rolls his eyes, "Or what Mr. 'Save the trees', are you going to do?" He challenges. "Fuck off." For a moment I feel as if I catch a glimpse of the cold, brawling, Christians that he was before we met, the hostile, bull-headed man that everyone is so use to in this school.
"Alright, that's enough Boys!" Coach Hale steps in between the two with her arms extended out, "Grey, go cool off and sit this class out, and Knight- go get some ice for your eye before it swells."
They still stand there and glare at each other darkly- not moving an inch from either spot.
"NOW," Coach hale says firmly.
It takes a moment for them to comply but eventually they do. Christian goes to the bleachers and sits in my usual spot to 'cool off', and Wesley heads to the nurse's office to get a packet of ice for his eye.
I try to keep my eyes off of Christian as he sits on the bleachers. If I do look at him I'm afraid of what'll I'll see, or how I'll react. I want to yell at him for doing that to poor Wes.
The coach lets out a lung of breathe when we're settled again, "Continue the game!"
The games been going on and I manage to stumble on my own two feet 4 times in the small amount of time- two of which I was caught in midair by team members. I did not want to see Christian's expression after that. The ball frequently rolls to my space in the Gym, and when it does I try my best to throw it to the nearest base. After accidently hitting three teammates in the back of the head with the rubber kick ball- not as hard as Christian hit Wesley, might I add- I finally hit a girl on the blue team as she tries to make it from second to third.
We switch from field to kicking and Coach Hale comes up to me. She looks worried, "Steele, Hun, do you just want to sit this one out for now?"
I blush and bite down on my lip. I take an unwilling quick peek over at Christian whose gaze is locked on me. No way I'm going to feed myself to the dogs.
I shake my head shyly, "No thanks, I think I'll play this out until the end."
She looks at me unsurely, and then reluctantly shrugs, "Okay, your choice, Steele." She backs up a few steps and looks at the Blue team's pitcher- Kate- and gives her a thumb up, "Continue."
We get through fourteen team members until it's my turn to kick. By now I'm shaking with anticipation to get this over with. I take a step back from the base and give a sheepish nod to Kate- who smirks at me. I'm willing her with my eyes to go slow. She mouths 'okay' and rolls the ball to me- much faster than slow. I panic as I watch the red ball, that's sent personally from hell to ruin this Gym class for me, makes its way over. I swallow loudly as I awkwardly go to kick the ball. I'm a second too late and I end up missing completely, slipping on my behind.
My eyes are closed as I groan. Oh, please just let the floor swallow me whole! My face is beet red as I sit there on the Gym floor, I hear a couple of chuckles from the crowd of student who are used to seeing me like this, and the new students who get the pleasure to see it all for the first time- from their laughs I can pick out the newbie's easily. I'm suddenly pole-vaulted back to my first day in Gym when this happened to me- only now there's more of a crowd, it's a different sport, and Christian- who, may I add, counts for twenty students, in my opinion- watched it all from start to end.
Before Coach Hale has a chance to get to me, Christian is by my side helping me off of the floor.
"Baby, are you alright?" he asks with worry. I watch as he glares at the students- instantly shutting their hysteria up, "Ana? Are you hurt? Do you need the nurse? Talk to me." He demands.
I wince as I stand up, and brush off the back of my shorts- I'm going to be sore tomorrow, "No," I groan, "This happens all the time in Gym. I'm fine." I sigh.
He's not sure if I'm just down playing it for him so he looks swiftly at Coach Hale, who gives him a reassuring nod.
"Can she sit out?" he asks full of hope.
"Yeah, that's usually what has to happen."
Christian smirking at the thought of that as he leads me to my usual spot on the bleachers. We pass Kate and I scowl at her.
"Ana! I'm so sorry! I thought it was going to be slower than that," she grins embarrassed. A disbelieving giggle escapes my lips. I roll my eyes and sit down as the game continues.
Christian sit's one level higher behind me so I can sit back and rest my head on his lap. He sits their patiently and rubs my shoulders softly. I moan quietly.
"I may need to switch Gym class hours so I can see you this cutely clumsy all the time." He breathes in my ear.
My eyes snap open to look at him, "Don't you dare, Christian." I gasp, "That would be… out of the question."
He smirks and rolls his eyes- watching the game once more.
"Well, I think it would be worth the time if I could do this to you every time you fall," he suggestively rubs all the way down to my lower back, over my waist, on my stomach under my shirt.
I giggle at the contact, "Christian!" I gasp quietly, "Stop! Don't make me laugh when I'm mad at you."
"And why would you be mad at me?"
"Because you hit Wesley in the face with a kick ball." I state dryly.
He chuckles, "Well when you put it that way I guess you could say I've been a naughty boy…" he says darkly.
"If you didn't like him talking to me you could have told him verbally,"
"Well I think the message came through to him faster this way."
"And what message would that be?" I lean my head back and he stares down into my eyes.
"Don't. Touch. What's. Mine." He's says firmly, "There's no if, and's, or but's about it- simple and to the point. If the boy can do that I may be civil towards him."
I gape at my surprising and unbelievable boyfriend, "Jeez Christian, you make it sound like I'm a new car."
He grins widely, "Well you are a luxurious new toy of mine," he then bends down and plants a soft kiss on my lips.
I feel an unfamiliar pull at the pits of my stomach- or is it my groin? I have no clue what it is but it's unbearable. I shift uncomfortably, and taking Christian by surprise, I move so I'm cradled on his lap and I'm snuggled into is chest. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me closer into him- looking down at me amused.
I stare up at him innocently, and I feel like a small child in the lap of an adult. "Christian? Would you like to have Dinner with me and Ray sometime this week- preferably Wednesday? I think it's time you meet my Father." I say, suddenly feeling shy. I bite my lip and pick at an invisible spot on my Gym shirt- waiting for an answer.
I look back up and I find him staring down at me. His eyes are alight with nothing but love and awe, as he himself smiles shyly back.
"Really?" he breathes, "You're not… ashamed… of me?" He swallows, suddenly trying to hold back an unknown emotion.
My eyebrows furrow as I sit up more in his lap. The statement hit's me hard. I feel like crying at how low he puts himself. If anything he should be ashamed of me. Isn't that the truth, my subconscious scoffs, "Why would I be anything but proud of you?"
"Because of what I did to you… and my past as a child." He shrugs. Suddenly I feel like the roles are reversed; I am now the adult looking upon the broken child in front of me.
I shake my head, and put both my hands on either side of his face- making him look at me, "Listen to me Christian Grey. I'm not- nor will I ever be- ashamed of you. You're the very best thing in my life and you always will be as far as I'm concerned. I would love for you to meet my Dad- hell, if we could get plane tickets at this very moment we'd fly to Texas- even if it's just for five minutes- for you to meet my Mom." I smile softly as he chuckles. "We could go to the Cemetery after school if you want to meet my Grandma Steele. And as for what happened between us it's just water under the bridge, baby- So, enough with putting my Christian down, because frankly, it makes me angry." I growl as I lean in closer to him.
"Fuck, you make me feel so… cherished."
"That's because you are." I state matter-a-factly, "So do you want to meet Ray?"
He nods, "It would be a great pleasure,"
"Good," I smile softly.
Just then the coach blows the whistle. "Alright People! Get changed and go to your next class! Let's hustle!"
Christian and I stand up. I walk in front of him as we make our way down the steps.
"Ana?" I turn to face him. "I was serious about the shorts." He warns.
"Good, sulk all you want, because I'm still mad at you for hitting Wesley in the face- I guess we're both displeased at the moment."
He shakes his head with a grin. I can't tell what he say's exactly under his breathe- but I swear I hear this woman's going to kill me.
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