Lexi, Bex - You probably get bored of me saying it, but thank you lotsies for your reviews. You're always so lovely.
LisaT - Haha, it's very rare that I have time to get on an actual computer. I have the QuickOffice app and just blast out chapters on the go.
Additionally, thank you to everyone who's been so supportive of Checkmate. Your praise is so very humbling and appreciated.
On we go!
Chapter Twenty Five
"Look, no offence, but I know what's best for Dynasty," Kevin insisted as he pushed himself away from the breakfast table.
Mr Clarkson took a step forwards.
"No one's saying you don't, but knowing 'what's best for Dynasty' isn't going to get you into university next year," he argued, his voice growing louder as Kevin could see his frustration building.
"And what is I don't want to go to uni next year?" Kevin exclaimed. "I don't need your classes and I don't need your help. I'm not coming back to school until Dynasty's coming back with me."
Kevin suppressed the guilty sickness in his stomach and forced his way out of the dining room, leaving an exasperated Mr Clarkson in his wake.
Dynasty twisted her fingers together anxiously as she listened to Kevin's rapid footsteps growing closer.
She wished silently that Kevin would keep his word. She wanted him to stay with her, needed him to nurse her and care for her as he did, yet in reality, Dynasty knew she was not willing to sacrifice his future to satisfy her whims.
Dynasty raised her head, golden ponytail swishing, as Kevin emerged from behind the banister and gazed down at her.
"Well, we said they'd drag me back eventually," he said flatly.
Dynasty released a long, huffing breathing and shimmied closer to the wall, patting the empty space beside her.
Kevin sat himself down on the bottom step beside Dynasty.
They rested quietly for several moments as Dynasty settled herself comfortably against Kevin's side, dropping her head into the curve of his neck and shoulder.
"You're going back to school," Dynasty informed Kevin suddenly.
Abruptly, Kevin's arm fell from Dynasty's shoulder. He recognized the resolute tone in her voice; the oh-so-Dynasty informative that always sounded like a command.
"No, I'm staying here, with you, like I said I would," Kevin argued, twisting his body towards Dynasty as she leant back against the wall.
Dynasty shook her head lazily.
"Kevin, I'm made up that you've stayed with me but it's time to go back. Besides, I'll be with you in a few weeks anyway and then you won't be able to get rid of me."
She finished with a smile, pointing a pale, fragile finger at him playfully.
Despite her spirit, Kevin was easily distracted by the ghastly gray cast of her skin. Her lips were often pale and Kevin suspected she was hiding the exertion it took her just to move.
Lucky.
The doctors had all repeated that like a mantra. 'Lucky to be alive.' 'Lucky to be recovering so quickly.'
"Look, Kev, I'm dead lucky to have you but I'm ready to start living my life again and that starts with getting my own breakfast and not having you lift me out of every chair I sit down on."
Dynasty sighed inwardly as she studied the undecided glint in Kevin's eyes. She knew he couldn't resist the lure of a classroom. No matter how ardently he insisted he could learn from his books alone, Dynasty was not blind to Kevin's needs. He needed a teacher, stimulation; he needed Waterloo Road.
Kevin scratched his cheek absently before turning his eyes on Dynasty.
"You're sure you'll be okay on your own?" he asked hesitantly.
"I'm not on my own though, am I? I've got Mrs. B, and a whole stack of glossies off Imogen. I'll be fine," she reassured him. "Anyway, if you go back to school you can keep me up to date on everything I've missed."
Kevin nodded solemnly.
"Promise you'll call if you need me."
Dynasty slid away from the wall and snaked her arms around Kevin's waist.
"Seriously, I'm fine, but if I need you, then I promise I'll call," she agreed, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "Now, go get ready."
Kevin brushed his lips softly against Dynasty's forehead before dragging himself to his feet and loping up the stairs.
Dynasty mourned his absence slightly, contemplating the long weeks of Mrs. Budgen's fussing and daytime television ahead of her.
She replayed Kevin's earnest words to Mr Clarkson and found herself as shocked by one of his revelations as she had been the first time.
University had always been something Dynasty had been less enthusiastic to discuss. It would inevitably cause their separation, a fact that Dynasty found intolerable, even hypothetically. Yet, it had always been the path she had assumed Kevin would take but now she was unsure.
I'll kill him if he gives it up for me, Dynasty thought bitterly, glancing behind her as though Kevin might hear her silent raving.
Dynasty pushed herself to her feet. She grasped wildly for the banister as the all to familiar crackle of pain flitted through her with every movement.
She growled lowly, frustrated by the inconvenience of her situation. Steve-O's snarling image wavered in her mind as she wandered into the deserted living room.
Fury, wrath unlike anything she had ever felt before pulsed through her every muscle at the very taste of his name on her tongue. He had taken so much from her, threatened to take so much more than he had.
Dynasty clutched the window sill for support as her delicate mind bombarded her with a siege of memories. They were less exaggerated versions of her nightmares, filled with half empty beer glasses and grotesque eponymous tattoos.
As thick, flushing waves of nausea turned Dynasty's stomach, she stared beyond the glass pane into the rain dampened garden, bare but for a scattering of trees. Dynasty found herself transfixed by the only foreign object in sight. She studied the rigid shadow amongst the green grass and leafy branches.
Her heartbeat quickened as the silhouette shifted ominously.
"Are you okay?"
Dynasty gasped abruptly, flinging herself away from Kevin's touch as his hand came to rest on her shoulder.
"Are you trying to scare me to death or something?" she shrieked, slapping Kevin's arm noncommittally as he buttoned his shirt quickly and held his tie out to Dynasty.
"Sorry. Erm, could you?" he prompted, raising the tie a little until she snatched it away from him.
She eyed the enduring red and gold fondly, fastening the tie securely around Kevin's neck. She rolled her eyes as he stalked over to the mirror and tugged the tie loose.
Kevin glanced back apologetically as he adjusted and readjusted his uniform.
"What?" He smiled as Dynasty shook her head and rolled her eyes again. "It takes time to look this good."
I'm sorry the updates on this and Alive and Kicking have taken so long. I took a few days off to spend with the lovely people in my life, but I'm back and ready to go. So I'll see you next over on Alive and Kicking, which is long due an update.