CH. 3
Pushing away the weight that I felt my chest, I heard the crackling of wood and felt my face warm. As I opened my eyes, I saw the flickering flames of a fire, burning in a large fireplace. I gingerly stretched my arms as I say up. Retying my long hair up in a ponytail, I took note of my surroundings. From what I could tell, I was in some sort of den, and a beautiful stone walled one at that.
The only light sources came from the fireplace, several sconces and a large window. To the left of me, an entire wall was filled with volumes of books. On the opposite side, there was a chess table with two chairs. The moonlight entering from the window, which over looks them, cast an eerie glow on them. Behind me, there was a wooden desk with two chairs along side it. Above it, there was a map of Europe, with several black pins dotting it.
It was then that I noticed that I was sitting in a large black sofa and that I was not alone as I felt movement behind me. Looking down, I saw a body, a half-naked male body. I stifled a scream as I scrambled to stand up. I quickly checked myself to see if anything was a miss. Nothing was. I was fully clothed in my black sleeveless tank top and red flannel pajama pants. My mind was on overdrive, trying to find out where I was, how I got here, and who that was.
"Get back here, I'm getting cold," he mumbled reaching for me, still asleep.
Deciding to get to the bottom of things, I grabbed his arm and pulled. I succeeded in tumbling down, with him atop of me. Opening my eyes, I met angry bright silver eyes.
"Get off of me!" I yelled, trying pitifully to push him off. My mind faintly recognized there was something different with my voice, but I really didn't care at this point. He complied and we both stood several feet apart, looking at each other warily. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a toned upper body. His hair was light brown, and the cut reminded me of Tony's hair. There was something about his strange-hued eyes that seemed familiar.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"The same could be asked of you," I retorted in a slightly husky voice. Was that my voice?
"Answer me, bitch!" he shot back.
I narrowed my eyes at his remark and remained silent. He took a menacing set towards me, all the while reaching towards the waistband of his black silk pajama pants, never once breaking eye contact. I stood my ground, hand going to the waist of my pants as well. We both faltered as our hands came up empty. What was I reaching for?
"If you must now, my name is," I paused, not for dramatic effect, but for a valid reason. Name, name, what's my damn bloody name?
"Well?"
"I don't know,"
"How believable," he sneered.
I blinked and tiled my head slightly. Faint recognition sparked in my eyes.
"Wait, don't we know each other?"
"It's unlikely. I would remember someone with golden eyes."
"Are you mad? My eyes are brown."
He looked around the room. He then reached towards something on the mantle. Handing it to me, I took it carefully. A mirror. Giving him a confused look, he sighed.
"Look at it."
I gasped softly at what I saw. Two golden eyes stared back at me. My face was also different. It had a slightly more mature look, making me look more like my age. For the past two years, my face had still maintained look of a fourteen year old, something that I never liked. Really? I sat down on the couch, mirror on my lap, with a dazed look on my face. He stood in front of me, with his arms crossed, apparently waiting for something.
"What?" I snapped.
"You haven't answered my question."
"What the hell are you talking about you bloody git?"
"Who. Are. You?" he enunciated slowly, menace dripping from every word.
"I thought I told you that I don't know."
"and you expect me to believe you?"
"Well, yes," I replied narrowing my eyes, " and for that matter, why don't you get off your white horse and tell me who you are?"
He curled his lip into an insufferable smirk. Where have I seen that before? He opened his mouth, but closed it suddenly. His brows furled in concentration.
"I can't remember my name," he said finally.
I raised a skeptical eyebrow at him, a faint smile tugging on my lip.
"Shut up," he mumbled.
He took a seat next to me, and we sat in an awkward silence.
"So," he said, breaking the silence after several minutes, " are you a virgin?"
I blinked.
"Um…did you just ask me whether or not I am a virgin?"
"Yes," was his blunt reply.
"What kind of bloody question is that?" I exclaimed outraged. I could feel my face start to flush from anger and embarrassment.
"Do you make a habit out of asking people personal questions like that?"
"No," he replied calmly, "but do you make it a habit of answering simple questions with a question, all the while screaming like a banshee?"
"Are you saying that I make emotional outbursts?"
"By Jove, the girl's got it!" he congratulated mockingly.
I opened and closed my mouth in silent rage.
"Say something or close your mouth. Geez, you look like a stupid fish. However, if that is the look you're going for," he said, "I'd give you a seven, but since I don't like you, I'm going to give you a four."
I closed my mouth, and eyes, took a deep breath and relaxed my body. I maintained this position for a while. Of course, it was only for a while.
SLAP
I slapped him upside the head hard. Feeling better, I leaned all the way back onto the sofa and opened my eyes. I was rewarded with a shocked look upon his face. I couldn't help but snort.
"Well, doesn't someone look like a stuffed fish?"
His face instantly turned into a scowl.
"Aw, is the little baby upset?" I asked in mock concern.
He just glowered at me.
"Oh, honestly quit looking so affronted," I responded, hitting him lightly on the shoulder.
"Shut up," was his sulky reply.
I stood up and began to explore the room. It was…exactly like I had first observed. There was no door, so I went to the window. It was a breath-taking site to behold. As far as one could see, there was a thick forest surrounding the place. The structure itself was built upon a precipice high enough that allowed the occupants to see just above the treeline. Even though I was enraptured by the view, I could feel his eyes on me; I vexed me. Turning around, I found him stretched languidly across the sofa.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing."
"Uh-huh, I can see that. May I ask why?"
"Oh, because I don't feel it is necessary to do anything."
"Let me get this straight. You find yourself awake in a strange room, along with a stranger and with said stranger, you don't have a clue onto who you are and you don't feeling like finding out why?"
"Its not like I'm not curious, oh, I'm far from it but-"
"But? What the hell is that?"
"Don't interrupt me, its not polite."
I clenched my teeth.
"As I was saying, I find it much more intriguing to vex you," he responded smugly, "besides, why should I help someone that is extremely rude?"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"First of, you haven't the ability to have a civil conversation with someone, but most importantly, you haven't answered my question."
"I thought I told you I don't remember."
"No, no, you silly bird, not that question. I do believe that we both reached an impasse on that particular inquiry. I'm referring to the other one."
"You actually want me to answer that?" I asked incredulously, "If I can't remember who I am, what makes you think I'll-"
Even as I said that, I knew that in fact I was. I also knew that I'd been kissed before; something that made me grin every time I remembered. Oh yes, how could I forget that?
"Yes, you were saying?"
"Quiet, I'm remembering," I replied furrowing my brows in concentration.
The kiss was received in a…a…"Train compartment!" I exclaimed, sitting up straight suddenly. My eyes widened, and I could feel a goofy grin upon my lips.
"What the devil are you raving about, you daft bird?"
"My first kiss! I received it in an empty train compartment," I replied, "I don't remember with who it was, but…we were on our way to the station, going home for summer break."
He regarded my for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders before leaning back. After staring a the high ceiling for several seconds he spoke:
"You still haven't answered me…"
"Fine, if you must know, I am a virgin."
He looked at me with a clear yeah-right look.
"When I remembered my kiss, I also remembered that," I replied calmly, "Now, that that is out of the way, why did you ask that in the first place?"
"I was think of a name for you, and based upon what I've seen of you and your answer, I have an idea."
"That is totally biased, however what were the names?"
"I'm stuck between Janet and Katherina"
"Why those names?"
"Janet because I remember seeing a musical in which a recently engaged couple by the name of Brad and Janet have to spend the night at this bisexual mad scientist's house; who just so happens to be a transvestite as well. See, Janet is a smart girl, shy and has your average girl next door charm about her, however, towards the end, she becomes this wild thing," he said wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, "and Katherina because in the playwrite's creation, she was a, intelligent and fiery shrew. Just like you."
"Hm…" I said as I processed his response.
"Well, which would you prefer?"
"I think I'll have to go with Katherina. Even though I loved that musical, I prefer the play."
They were both great productions.
"Fine, Katherina it is."
Silence.
"Well, seeing as that I've come up with a name for you, I see it only fitting that you do the same for me."
"What a gentleman," I responded sarcastically.
"What else would you expect from a-" he frowned, "Its like my name is on the tip of my tongue, but it won't come out."
"Tell me, what do you think of yourself?"
"Pardon?"
"In your own words, describe yourself."
"Hm…well, I am a bit of a bad-ass, though I find myself misunderstood. Hey, don't give me that look, its true. I find it extremely frustrating that I can't distance myself from my past. People don't seem or rather don't want to understand, that even though I was raised in with certain beliefs, doesn't mean that I believe them. To many I am what I am. However, the attitude I've taken I see as a form of a blessing as well."
"Why?"
"Why?" he asked incredulously, "Its with the bad-boy persona that I've got girls flocking to me. I exude a devil-may care and screw-authority attitude; besides what girl does not want a bad-boy?"
"You are such an ass," I said laughing, "You know, you remind me of some people."
"Really?"
"Billy, James, Narcissus, and Adonis."
"Why them?"
"Well, Billy because you've got the whole 'screw authority' attitude and sneering down pat. James, 'cause well, he is the Rebel. I think the other two are self explanatory."
"But, Narcissus?" he asked somewhat petulantly, "I don't stare at my reflection at every chance I get."
"All right fine, forget that option. Now choose."
"I'll take…"
AN: oh, cliffhanger O.O
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