Here's the next part, and all the action you've been waiting for! from here, things only speed up, and let's say there's a lot planned for the few days ahead. lots of action coming up, stick around, this is just the beginning. like it? hate it? i'd sure like to know......
disclaimer, first page.
enjoy...
luce
Ch.3
The moon glistened thickly over the vast expanse of black water; across the bay, the bridge glittered in it's muted glory through the dark evening. The lights of the city trembled on the water, their reflection wavering with every breath of the breeze; on the rocks by the shore sat a half-girl half green butterfly, and a boy who watched the glimmering night silently.
She looked small and vulnerable, the green dress consuming her in a flame of cool, glistening passion; her legs dangled over the side of the rock, legs slightly open. Her hair had fallen down over her face and her half-bare shoulders, gently dancing in the breeze, and she stared into the dark, glistening depths as though watching another world below her.
Tristan sighed and leaned back on the rocks, watching her as she threw small pebbles into the water, and as she crawled over the wide, irregular boulders towards him. His mind raced with a million thoughts as she stretched out on the rock next to him, and they both lay on their backs and watched the velvet night sky.
"Hey look, there's Venus. And there's the milky way." she pointed out suddenly, and he followed her hand to the skies.
The moon drifted above them, wide and sad and silvery, casting silver shadows on her face. Her mouth looked sad, the corners drooping, and her huge blue eyes brimmed then receded indecisively. She was just full, full of everything and spilling over. The emotion hung in between them, shaky, and they didn't know what to do with it.
"Why did you leave?" he asked out of the blue, and she sighed.
"It just hurt so bad...I though love was supposed to be real...to last a long time...instead I lost a friend, somebody who knew me inside out. I watched Battle Bots with him for God's sake..." she said, the words unsteady. "Now, everywhere I go, it reminds me of stuff. Life at Chilton's not exactly easy for me, I think you know that. So I don't really have a place to escape...."
"What about your mom?" asked the boy quietly.
Rory sighed.
"She's the only reason I regret doing this. It's just that....things were falling into this rut. I woke up yesterday morning and all of a sudden I didn't care for a little bit. I just wanted to leave, to disappear for a second..."
"Why me? I was under the impression you hated me...?" he asked.
Sighing, she managed a rueful grin. "Cause you pulled up. Or maybe it was because I didn't know or even like you. I thought, here's adventure, got in the car, to find out I don't really regret the fact it was you. You know, you're alright when you're not you."
"Thanks, I think," he said sarcastically, and she stuck her tongue out in a childish gesture.
"Well, you are mean to me. Why should I like you?"
"Cause everybody likes me. Technically, you should be in love with me by now."
"And modest. Oh what more could I want. I guess that means you're having technical difficulties."
He grinned, and cocked an eyebrow.
"The DuGreys never fail, it's not in our vocabulary. I have a history to maintain."
"As what, official Chilton de-virginator?"
"Actually, most of them were devirginated before I hit high school."
"Poor Tristan. Now the saga continues; can he carry on his father's legacy? Must be a big burden to bear."
He smirked. "Remarkably less than you think. Truth be told, I'm not the sleazeball you think I am."
She grinned. "I know that's got to be a popular line."
Rolling his eyes, he poked her.
"Would it stun you if I told you I've only had about two real relationships?"
"Two! Oh my God, two whole ones? Is that a DuGrey record too?" she mock gasped.
"Fine, mock me. But I am human, even though I know you might be questioning my godhood..."
"The only thing I'm questioning is your sanity," she grinned.
A quiet moment ensued as they watched the glimmering lights.
"Actually, there's one more thing I'm questioning. Why did you do it?"
"Do what," replied the boy, knowing all too well.
"Come here with me." she said softly, knowing the answer.
"It looked like you needed help, I was afraid if I didn't take you who knows where you'd have gone." he answered, knowing he was lying.
"Since when the sudden concern?" she then asked, knowing already.
"Since always, that's me, sensitive's my middle name. Check my driver's license.." he said, knowing she knew instinctively.
Suddenly, that tiny smirk played upon her features, making him uneasy; the true Rory disappeared and a strange creature came out, mean and beautiful, reckless.
"Get up," she commanded, suddenly jumping to her feet.
He followed blindly, confused, until he realized what was happening.
"Hell no! Rory, you're not thinking, it's too cold, the dress-"
The cold water swallowed his words as he felt himself being dragged under. She'd jumped, taking him down with her, and he felt her body slip and slid against him, knocking once or twice; the taffeta swished silky against his skin, and a warm part of her brushed him, soft and inviting. Tensing up, he felt the sudden desire flow through his veins at her unexpectedness, the madness and allure she extended over him, and he wanted her desperately.
Bursting through the surface, they bobbed still on the surface, their faces close together. The lights from the shore shone in the droplets on their faces, setting them afire like jewels; tentatively, she reached out and wiped his jaw, flinging the droplets like dying stars in the silvery darkness.
Unsure, hesitant, he reached out to her, pulling her through the water towards him. He felt her slight hesitation, and waited; on her own, she approached him, her body close and warm in the cool, black water.
The tiny smirk played upon her features, and her eyes glistened mean and electric blue.
"You love me, don't you. Tristan who doesn't love anybody ever loves. me."
Clenching his teeth, he stared her down. A fierce pain shot through him, thinking of her lips,...so close...how could she?
"Shut up." he whispered furiously in the close, warm darkness.
"Tristan and Rory, sittin' in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G....you want to kiss me, don't you." she smirked, and flicked droplets into his face.
"Rory, I'm warning you,"
"First comes love, th-"
The kiss was full of painful desperation; he attacked her, his mouth crushing hers, and she fought back, her caresses violent. Off balance, they sank under the water, feeling the passion flame around their mouths in the cold liquid. Finally, desperate for breath, they burst to the surface, gasping; horrified, they looked at each other before the strange Rory disappeared and her face suddenly crumbled.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered, and he gathered her in his arms. Crawling up on the rocks, drenched, they took one look at each other, and couldn't help a shaky laugh.
"It's ok, I'm sorry too." he said, and knew he really wasn't.
Looking down at her hands, she hung her head.
"It wasn't fair of me."
"Nothing's fair, Mary. Let's go home..."
They walked back through the streets, and had their fortunes read. Never mind people stared, an artist pulled Rory to the side and drew her, and they were requested to dance on a corner by someone who wanted to take a picture. Tristan grabbed Rory and spun her, and they did a jazzy little box-step on the sidewalk as people snapped pictures; her eyes glistening, her green dress drenched, her smile laughing at him, she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
Tiptoeing into the cold marble foyer, Rory shivered.
"Run and take a shower. I'll see you at breakfast?"
"Sure," she responded, and they raced upstairs to their rooms.
The night's events played over and over in Rory's head as she stepped into her room. Letting the towel fall, she slipped into some soft, small stretchy cotton shorts and an undershirt, throwing on a sweatshirt over the ensemble. Crawling into bed, she opened the long windows out to the balcony, and watched the curtains flutter eerily in the dark, warm breeze. Sounds of the laughter on the streets reached her faintly and she smelled the dizzy perfume of the gardenias and the lilacs; a few lost notes of music floated on the air......
Restless, she listened to them, unable to sleep.
In an hour, she finally got out of bed, walked down the hallway, pushing a gold-rimmed mahogany door open. Creeping inside the room like a ghost, she listened for the soft sound of breathing; pulled to it, she slowly approached the bed where Tristan slept fitfully.
Watching him for a few second, her face relaxed into a wan smile; he looked so innocent when he was sleeping, like such a little boy.....there was nothing little boy about his body though, she thought as she glanced out over the form under the thin sheets. He was tall, well built with the tight framework of an athlete, each muscle defined...his warm, soft skin stretched over it like velvet over steel..she drew in a sharp breath as he turned, murmured something in his sleep restlessly. Suddenly, she wanted him; the thought assaulted her senses giving her no time to react. Stunned at the sudden unexpected feeling, and ashamed at the confession of guilt she'd extracted from him just hours ago, knowing that he needed her....it was too much to take and she stepped a little closer. He looks like a jaguar, she though; a lean, muscled feline, tense and ready to spring, dangerous.......each move smooth with the ripple of muscles like a current under the water.....the way he stands, even the way he looks.
Rory slipped next to him with a easy grace; in one swift movement, she'd slipped her legs under the covers and slid in next to him. Her soft curves and contours molded along to his angles in a intricate puzzle, and she melted into it. His first subconscious reaction was to snuggle into her, burying his head in the curve of her neck. Sighing, she allowed him to sleep, watching him and sensing his heartbeat, until her eyelids closed.
The morning sunlight broke over the city in it's fresh, blinding beauty; but when he opened his eyes, all he saw was her, and for a second he might have believed he'd died and was in heaven.
OOOH! what now! let's just say next chapter takes a wild and unexpected turn.....let your imagination roam...till next time, luce
