AN:
The Dells chapter is going to be split up into 3 chapters (for various reasons).
Two of 3 chapters are already written, I'll post the next chapter tomorrow (tonight considering it's near 3 am my time); and do my best to have the third part up the next day.
I'm sorry if you'd prefer I go ahead and post both chapters (especially since this one turned out to be relatively short), and normally I would do that, but I don't have the attention span to edit two chapters when I wrote both of said chapters tonight. :(
Hope this chapter is enough to keep you satisfied until 'tomorrow'!
Enjoy! :)
Special Shout outs:
FallenDeniseMorris: I'm so glad you thought so! :) Thank you!
Guest007: Well sew it back together! haha, so I can try and do it again. :D Thank you!
IA: The Dells chapter (s) is exactly what that's for: action, and Caleb x Nat, Lace x Tyler, and Pogue x Liz interactions. So this chapter, and the next two, will see none of Reid and Avery. Thanks for the encouragement, and I'm glad this story is turning out to be atypical. :D
Guest: Here's your update, and you Lace x Tyler action. Hope it was worth the wait! :D
To all my reviewers: you guys rock, thank you for the encouragement, it means a lot!
To all you non reviewers: you rock too, and I'm glad you're still reading!
x
The Dell's (Part One)
Lace's laugh was music to Tyler's ears, his smile wide as he spun her under his arm mindful of the dancing, writhing couples surrounding them, and uncaring of the fact that he and Lace were dancing unconventionally to the pounding R&B that barely drowned out the yells and hollers of fellow students.
He had dragged her to the dancing area the moment they had gotten to the Dells. Her pale blue sweater dress clinging tightly to her petite, slender body in a way that had drawn a lot of hungry eyes and Tyler knew that the easiest way to move those eyes elsewhere, would be to declare her off-limits; and there was no better way to do that than to dance with her.
If Lace had noticed the scowl he had worn until they had their first dance of the night, she didn't say anything, she merely followed his lead, keeping to his side through the hour or so they had been there, saving her smiles and laughs for him alone; and with her smile, it hadn't taken long for him to forget about the other teens surrounding them, his focus solely on the platinum-haired beauty.
Said platinum-haired beauty who nearly collapsed into his chest a moment after his wayward thoughts, smile still on her face as her sapphire eyes danced in the moonlight, "Stop," She begged, "No more. I need a break."
He quirked a brow, hands coming to rest high on her waist in gentle support, "Tired so soon, Garwin?"
Sticking her tongue out at him, she released his chest to pull her tangled hair back into a high ponytail, the cool night air brushing her nape in welcome relief. "We can't all be athletes, Simms."
Tyler chuckled, his teal eyes warm and teasing as he looked down at her, "Is that the excuse you wish to stand by?"
Thin brows pulling down in confusion, she tilted her head as she peered up at him, "As opposed to what other excuse?"
"Laziness." He offered ponderingly.
Pouting, she crossed her arms and gave an indignant huff, "I prefer the former to the latter," She informed him, "The former doesn't sound nearly as bad."
"Doesn't make the latter invalid." He mused teasingly.
"Oh hush," She blushed, yes, she was indeed lazy – years ago, she had even stopped cursing her perpetual tininess when she realized that, due to her small stature, she had near unlimited access to long-lasting piggyback rides.
Giving her a wink, he took one of her hands in his own and led her to the refreshments, summoning up a cool bottle of water when he noticed there was nothing but beer provided.
She gave him a surprised, pleasant smile when she realized what he had done, "Thank you Tyler, but next time," She put a hand to his forearm, gave a soft squeeze, "I'll just get a cup of ice or something."
"It isn't a big deal Lace." He assured her.
She shook her head, peering up at him through suddenly solemn eyes, "It is to me Ty."
Nodding his acquiescence, they both remained in contented silence as they watched the party and caught their breath.
It was a few moments later, Tyler's gaze lost to the roaring fire in the center of the pit that he turned his eyes towards Lace, taking notice of her fast-moving, clouded gaze roving over the crowd.
"What do you see?" His sudden question seemed to startle her, her head swiveling to face him as a blush stained her cheeks in embarrassment – he didn't know how to convince her she never had to be embarrassed of her distractions, not with him, not with anybody.
Turning her gaze back to the crowd of people, Lace got lost in all of the pulsing, colorful lines beating and writhing to their own rhythm.
The lines knew no end, wrapping around everything while touching nothing, some luminescent pearl, some as dark as the midnight sky, some dark lines sparkling with life – kind of like stars – while others were weighed down by a foggy murkiness that brought a thickness to Lace's throat. Some were innocent, some were tainted, few were malevolent, and none were pure.
She saw darkness; she saw light. She saw love; she saw lust. She saw deep, meaningful connections; she saw shallow connections, easily broken. What she saw was beautiful; beautiful, and inexplicable.
"I see connections," She finally answered once she managed to pull her attention from the thousands of lines connected to strangers, connected to acquaintances, connected to family, to friends… to herself. "Thousands of vibrant, rainbow-spectrum lines that are completely unique," No two lines were ever the same. "They're everywhere, Ty. Absolutely everywhere."
Smiling at the utter rapture in her voice, he returned his gaze to the crowd around them. Knowing it impossible, but trying anyways, to see what Lace saw; he failed, but in his attempt, he saw something else; something that had his brotherly instincts flaring, his previous suspicions and silent ponderings no longer just suspicions, but truth as well.
For there, behind the dancing flames of the fire, was his sister and Pogue Parry dancing together in an intimate tangle of limbs that was anything but friendly and platonic.
All followers, favoriters, reviewers, non-reviewers, continuous guests, and first-timers: I hope you enjoyed!
P.S. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a safe Black Friday! Enjoy Cyber Monday!
Feel free to review!
Until next time,
x
