***See First Chapter for Copyright Information***
Author's Note: I am SO sorry for the long wait on this chapter, exams are comin' up and I've been studying my ass off! Plus I had a bit of writer's block these past couple of days/weeks. Here's the second last chapter. Hope you like it, though it's probably a bit out of character…
3:05pm
GAIA'S POV + SAM'S POV (Point of View)
They had proceeded to the mid-game. She was up a knight and coming on strong. Almost like that first game in the park, only this time the tables have turned. Gaia smiled to herself as she watched Sam frown down at the board, eyes darting from piece to piece, searching for the perfect move. Finally moving a pawn forward, he settled back down again, a satisfied smile on his face.
"You're turn" He said cockily.
He's up to something…if only I could figure out what. Gaia looked down at the pawn he had moved forward and her mouth dropped open, with that one move he had made it impossible for her to move forward without sacrificing her second most valuable piece, her rook. Gaia looked up at Sam, his face a blank mask. Luckily Gaia's father had taught her the art of strategy, so she had a plan quickly forming in her mind's eye.
She moved her rook forward a space and Sam watched, triumph gleaming in his eyes. Three, Two, One. Gaia thought to herself and as she thought this, Sam's eyes that had once been filled with triumph were now filled with frustration. She had moved her rook forward, inviting him to claim it but her knight would attack any piece that tried.
"You know you're really pissin' me off" Sam said playful anger in his voice.
Gaia was a bit taken a back but played along, "And I'm lovin' every second of it"
He laughed and Gaia's heart beat quickly.
Damn, he's got a nice smile…nice eyes…mouth…everything. Gaia let out an almost inaudible sigh.
Or at least she thought it was inaudible.
Sam was now staring at her, eyes wide. As if he were searching for something. Gaia could almost feel him penetrating her body, through her mind, down to her heart, knowing exactly what she was thinking and feeling. Becoming a part of her.
Gaia was slowly growing uncomfortable and she was sure her cheeks were the shade of a very ripe tomato.
"What is it?" She asked uneasily.
"I was…uh, just thinking" C'mon Sam you can do it! Just tell her
"Don't hurt yourself," Gaia said smiling. Why am I so comfortable around him? I'm hardly ever like this with anyone. Except for Ed. It's like I can really be myself around Sam.
Sam smiled.
Gaia smiled.
They stared at each other for a long moment, smiling.
Gaia was the one who first broke eye contact with Sam, looking back at the chessboard. "So…what were you saying?"
Sam through caution to the wind and voiced what he had wanted to say back at the hospital where Heather got slashed. "Do you know how beautiful you are?"
Gaia had been told she was beautiful before but only by bums on the street that smelled of alcohol…among other things. She wasn't sure what to say in response to Sam's words, so she just shook her head. Gaia couldn't believe that S A M M O O N had just said that she was beautiful. It could almost make up for all the shit she had gone through these last 5 years. Almost.
"I think about you all the time. I know we don't know each other that well… but I can't get you out of my head. Every time I close my eyes…all I see is you. I don't know what it is about you…that makes-" -Sam paused for a second and pressed on- me want you."
As Sam finished he felt this incredible weight lift off his shoulders. He was happy to get what he felt about Gaia 'out there in the open' and he waited silently, watching Gaia to gauge her reaction.
Ok. Sam telling her she was beautiful was one thing but…that he wanted her, that he thought about her, that every time he closed his eyes he saw her; was enough to make Gaia forget that she was a freak of nature without a fear gene, to forget that she was the most unpopular girl at the village school (not that she cared about that very much), about Heather, Ella, about E v e r y t h i n g. All she was thinking about was how much she wanted Sam, how much she wanted his smooth lips on hers, to taste him, to feel that he needed her as much as she needed him.
On impulse Gaia leaned forward toward Sam at the same time as he moved toward her.
Their faces were millimeters away from each other and Gaia slowly closed her eyes, leaning forward to meet Sam's waiting lips.
Their lips met and the warmth from the kiss spread throughout Gaia's entire body, all the way down to her toes. She could feel the pressure of his lips against hers, the sweet taste of Sam's tongue as it explored her mouth.
She lost herself in the sensations and dragged the moment out as far as it could go, reaching out her hands she placed them on his face and pulled him deeper into the kiss.
Gaia could feel Sam's hands as they dug into her hair, holding her to his smooth, full lips.
They broke the kiss and Gaia stared straight in to Sam's eyes, "I want you too."
He smiled softly at her. Wow… she wants me. He thought dumbly as he gazed into Gaia's ocean blue eyes, then back down at her lips.
This time he kissed her, hard and deep. With a passion he never knew he possessed.
3:15pm
ED'S POV (Point of View)
Ed rolled under the Arc de Triompe, searching for a trace of Gaia; tangled blond hair, cargo pants or a very well worn gray hooded sweater. He finally spotted her by the chess tables but could only tell it was her because of her blonde hair. She was playing chess, except he wasn't sure as to who she was playing chess against. Probably that old guy Zolov she loves so much.
He rolled closer to the table to get a better look at Gaia and her opponent. Ed could now clearly see Gaia's face, blue eyes first, then nose and lips slowly coming in to focus. He shifted his head a little to get a better look at her opponent. He didn't look like Zolov from the look of his designer clothes and curly hair. There was something about him that was familiar to Ed.
Wait a second…isn' t that Heather's boyfriend? Ed had seen him before, at parties he went to. He started forward but stopped suddenly, almost falling out of his chair, as Gaia leaned forward. What is she doing?
Ed watched silently as Gaia kissed Sam, watched as she pulled him closer to her, hands on each cheek. Watched as his hands gripped her head to his lips.
A lone tear slid down Ed's cheek, his heart shattering, as he saw the woman he loved kiss another.
The only thought that ran through his head as he rolled away from Gaia and Sam was a quote from a favorite show of his.
"Hope is for losers. It's a con job people trip behind 'till they finally get a grip on the cold, hard truth"
Ed took the chocolate bar meant for Gaia out of his pocket and tossed it in to a nearby garbage can.
SAM'S POV (Point of View)
Sam pulled away from the kiss, reluctantly. Smiling he looked down at the chess board, "Guess it's a draw."
"Yeah, guess so. I kinda lost my strategy, a couple kisses back"
Sam laughed. He couldn't remember a time when he felt so happy. Not even with Heather. Not ever. Heather…that reminds me, I have to tell Gaia.
"Gaia- about Heather- He began
At the mention of Heather, Gaia's eyes grew cold and almost gray-looking. Sam rushed on hurriedly, "I'm breaking up with her"
Gaia smiled uncertainly, "Really?"
"Yes…I found someone else" Sam reached out and stroked Gaia's cheek lovingly, eyes full of desire.
Gaia placed a hand on his, where it laid on her cheek and sighed happily.
Sam gazed in to Gaia's eyes intently and watched as the look of utter joy melted away from her face and into a mask of hatred.
"What is it?" He asked worriedly, his hand falling from her cheek. Sam followed her gaze and gasped.
Heather.