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Chapter 3
Paul stared back at me, shaking with laughter and looking quite pleased with himself. His hand was so tight around my wrist that I could have sworn he was trying to dislocate it. Jesse would never dream of hurting me, I couldn't think. Then why, as Paul stood there looking deliciously masculine, did I sort of like how he was touching me? You're sick, Simon, real sick.
"What is your problem!" I yelled at him as I stood up from the rock. I jerked my hand as hard as I could and he finally let go of it. I rubbed my wrist with my other hand and I glared at him, waiting for a reasonable response.
Paul just grinned at me, his hands in his pockets,
"I just thought you should know that you've got yourself a new partner, Suze."
Suddenly images of Cee Cee tied up kicking and screaming on a railroad track flashed through my mind. Paul wasn't that twisted… right?
"What are you talking about?" I hissed stupidly. I became abruptly aware of how very alone Paul and I were for the second time in one day. A cool breeze blew though the dense clearing of trees and I couldn't help notice how it tousled his hair perfectly. Mine, on the other hand, decided upon flying every which way and as per usual, found its way into my lip gloss.
"You see," he began, stepping out of the shadows of the trees. With ever step he took towards me I managed to saunter backwards, afraid of what would happen should he come too close. "I know Cee Cee kind of has a thing for Adam so when I mentioned that we change places, she seemed only too happy to oblige."
I had some difficulty believing that Cee Cee was happy to oblige to anything… especially something coming from Paul. I raised my eyebrows skeptically and began to march along the path that my previous partner had followed. Besides, Cee Cee so wouldn't do that to me.
"Right Paul, nice try though. You had the whole I-care-for-others thing down pat. Now really, what are you doing here and where's Cee Cee?" I could hear Paul walking calmly behind me his breathing perfectly fluent while mine was severely laboured - from both being frightened and the walking.
He didn't say anything for a few seconds as he continued to trail behind me. Was the sick pervert taking a nice gander at my butt? I didn't even bother to turn around and lash out at him. That's how tired I was. I was just so horrified that all of this managed to occur in one day and how somehow, Paul seemed to be at the very root of it.
I realized that he had stopped moving and I let out a big sigh, turning to him in exasperation. He simply stared back at me with his full lips contorted into that God-forsaken smirk. Oh, how I'd love to smack it right off his pretty little face…
"How long are we going to play this game?" He stunned me with this one, really. I'm usually on the ball when it comes to direct questions but I wasn't aware that we were involved in a 'game' in the first place. But, I digress. I was interested in what he had to say so I merely shrugged impatiently,
"What game, Paul?" With two strides of his long legs he was practically pushing himself right up against my body. The cologne that I had smelled earlier on the bus began to waft around us, ensnaring my senses. I swear, that is the only reason that I let him get that close to me. It's not like I'm warm for the guys form or anything… I just happen to like a good smell every once and a while – especially since I probably didn't smell like a rosebush at the moment.
Paul took my chin in his strong hand and tilted it upwards so that we made direct eye contact. His intense blue gaze ran over the volumes of my face searchingly, as though he had a secret and was sure I knew of it. His tender breath was caressing my skin and I felt his body's warmth almost radiating from him. As hard as I tried, I couldn't tear myself away– well, maybe I didn't try that hard. I was horrible and I knew it. I'm a one-man woman and Jesse was that man for me and I was more certain of this than I was of the fact that Paul worked alongside the Devil… so that's pretty damn sure.
I put my hand onto his chest to try and goad him away from me but instead it just lay flat, receiving a tingling sensation from the rise and fall of his chest. Something, I couldn't help but take note of, Jesse didn't have. Suddenly I was filled with grief and compassion for Jesse who never really had the chance to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
I could feel my eyes starting to water and I could have kicked myself if it weren't for Paul's response interrupting my deep thoughts,
"The game where I chase you and you deny your true feelings for me."
I wouldn't have been more flabbergasted if he had slapped me. The gall of this guy! I mean, to assume that I am head over heels in love with him, when I am so obviously taken by another!
This time my hand did as originally intended and shoved Paul's rigid body away from me and my face screwed up in utter mortification. I had had enough,
"You really are a sick bugger, you know that?" I screamed, only I didn't say bugger, "You just can't get the picture that I chose Jesse and I never – and will never – want to be with you! So you can just –" at this, I told him to go and do something very nasty to Kelly Prescott and I could have sworn his cheeks had turned slightly pink. This was a momentous day! I, Susannah Simon, made Paul Slater blush! Much to my disappointment however, it wasn't a blush of embarrassment, as I soon found out.
With that comment, I spun around on my heel and almost ran further down the path towards the campsite, which could be miles away for all I knew. I so would have spat at Paul at that moment, if only it weren't so, um, gross.
I had jogged fast enough to get out of Paul's view but just when I thought I was in the clear, I felt something strong come into contact with the back of my knees and my legs gave way, causing my whole body to go down with them.
I wasn't too happy to hear that I made a distinctive "oompf!" as my face brutally smacked against the gravel. Hey, at least I didn't scream… that I would never have lived down.
Paul forcefully shoved his knee into the small of my back and carelessly held my arms – of which I had been flailing hopelessly - back with one hand. He had me pinned down and I hated it. I was trapped and let me tell you, it is the most distressing feeling possible, especially when a full-grown tank like Paul lies down on top of you.
The gravel was drilling into my bare legs and it would have done the same with my face if Paul hadn't lifted it up. He held my head in his hand and bent down so that our lips brushed lazily against one another. Under normal circumstances I may have mildly enjoyed another kiss, but considering I was being nailed into the ground it was kind of hard to think romantic thoughts.
"Oh, Suze, you know I would never do anything like that to a girl. Well, except maybe for you. I could definitely make an exception." The red tinges of fury slowly started to disappear from his face as he spoke and grinned wolfishly, "You hurt me, you know that? I hate to do things like this to you – actually that's a lie – but sometimes you just make me so mad." I swear, Paul practically snarled at that word. Oh, I'm so scared.
"Yeah, great basis for a relationship," I said sarcastically, my voice coming out in little puffs of air due to the small amount of oxygen I was receiving. If he ever let me up, he was so going to die a very slow and painful death. Maybe I could feed him to Tad's dad as I sort of I'm-sorry-for-the-loss-of-your-son gift? Or maybe I should rip out his soul and let him live in that creepy Shadowland?
While I was contemplating Paul's homicide possibilities, I felt something damp and wet hit me smack dab on my nose. I glared at him in shock. Did he just spit on me? Ew. I mean, that is the most immature and disgusting thing a person can do! I know that I fully thought of doing the very same thing to him before but still –
My thoughts were once again interrupted by a loud crackle booming overhead and I looked up to see lightening split through the sky… followed by a torrential downpour.
That's it. I fully wanted to die right here on the cold, wet gravel… not so much with Paul on top of me, though. Nothing can ever go right in my life, it's this huge failure. I am cursed, I swear. I am stuck on some secluded mountaintop quite a bit away from civilization during a murderous thunder storm with hell's son. Great. I tell you, I should get a prize for going along so placidly with all this world spits out at me.
Just then, through the etched lines of the rain I saw the faint shimmer of someone materializing. Jesse! I couldn't help but pray. It was stupid of me, I know, to think that he would show up amidst all this crappiness but whatever… a girl can dream.
Tad, now fully solid, strode up to the two of us who stared at him stupidly. My clothes were soaked and I was pretty sure you could see right through them. My hair clung limply to my face and I'm guessing I looked like some sort of hairy beast. A werewolf, perhaps. Just my luck that when I am trying my best to look good I end up resembling a hideous mythical creature.
"Come now, is that any way to treat a lady?" Tad chided, grabbing Paul by the shoulders and shoving him off of my back. He mercifully reached out for my hands and I gratefully took them. Once I was hauled to my feet, I could see that my legs were a little worse for wear but the rain was rinsing off most of the blood. I quickly wiped my hair away from my face, though I did not dare to look at my clothes for I knew, just by the way Paul was gaping hungrily at my body, just how bad the whole wet-clothes situation was.
And so the three of us stood there in the pouring rain, not knowing what to do, given the situation. I desperately wanted to knee Paul repeatedly in the groan but for now, I settled for crossing my arms over my chest and seeking shelter beneath a large willow tree.
"You'll never make it to the camp," Tad said reproachfully as he came to stand beside me. Paul, I noticed, at least had the decency to go and find his own tree, even though he was within ear range. "I've been there and it's pretty far away. Lucky for you though, I know these mountains. My dad and I used to go hunting here all the time," I glanced up at him and was surprised to see a brief flash of misery in his eyes before his face hardened again. He shoved his hands into his pockets, "Before he thought he was a vampire, I mean."
By the next tree, I heard Paul snort with amusement. Ignorant people like that simply deserve to die, I thought.
It was then, despite all of the madness, that I finally took notice to what Tad was actually wearing. It was early in the morning before, give me a break. What I had mistaken for a vest was actually a life jacket, and a defective one at that. All of the floatation material must have fallen out of it because now it just flopped around Tad's naked torso. Oh my God… he was in his bathing suit! Well, duh Suze, he did die while water-skiing. I couldn't help but run a measuring eye over Tad's hard, chiseled body. God, I had forgotten how beautiful he was. Ugh, I really am disgusting! We're all about to die of pneumonia (except for Tad of course being already deceased) and here I was thinking about some ghost's muscled body! I am such a tool.
"Anyways, as I was saying," Tad continued, "there's a cabin a few minutes from here in a clearing deeper into the woods. It's pretty deserted now but it will do until the storm lets up."
I felt myself nod numbly, too exhausted to put up a fight about staying in someone's old, musty cottage on Mount Nowhere. I then became acutely aware of how little I was wearing and how ridiculously cold it had become. The dark, menacing clouds overhead had done a significant number on the very little warmth the mountains received and now my breath was condensing into little clouds in front of my face.
I gave an involuntary shudder and then, astonishingly, I felt something thick and damp drape around my shoulders. I turned around instantly only to see yet another naked torso, its beauty exceeding that of the first, if that was even possible. Paul looked down sheepishly at his feet and then walked in front of me as he followed Tad through the forest. I could not believe it. Paul took his only shirt off his back and put it on me. I was more baffled by the mere fact that he had taken the time to think of someone other than himself. Was Paul truly changing? Nah. This was the guy who up until a few minutes ago tried to make me a grave in the gravel path. For whatever the reason, the added weight of the shirt on my bare shoulders was much appreciated.
We didn't speak a word to one another as the three of us trudged through the thickening mud, Paul trailing behind Tad and me taking up the rear. I still wasn't over the initial shock of Paul's selfless act as I gazed at his bare back. I wasn't nearly about to be polite at say thank you, though. I hadn't quite forgotten who he is… or perhaps was. No, Suze! I had to keep informing myself, giving my head a little shake. Paul Slater was Paul Slater… the Paul Slater that tried to kill you and tear you and Jesse apart. My heart lurched at the thought of him and I felt a sickening longing for home. I'd give anything just to be sitting in my room, drinking hot chocolate and talking to Jesse again, and then I remembered. Jesse was living at the Mission now, quite a distance from me. This would not do and I made a mental note to bring this issue up with Father Dominic.
A few minutes into our trudge, the trees became less abundant and what little rain they were shielding us from before pelted down on us, practically driving me into the ground. In front of Tad I could barely make out a small, brown cabin sitting literally, in the middle of nowhere. As we walked right up to it, I could then make out the fine – well more like heinous – details. There was a grand total of one window on the cabin, placed prominently beside the front door – or should I say entrance because it seemed to lack an actual door. The shutters were gray and peeling and they looked as though the slightest gust of wind would rip them right off. Well, that's pretty well how the entire shack looked. Was it just me, or was it leaning surreptitiously to the left?
Paul spoke for the first time in what seemed like forever, "Welcome home."
I groaned as the two men walked cautiously through the gaping hole where the door should have been. OK, I admit it, I was afraid. I kept picturing that a soon as I stepped into it, the roof would cave in and I'd be joining the many people I'd mediated. Not that this would be a bad thing, of course. It would solve all of the problems in my life.
Despite my restraint to enter, I sighed deeply and finally got out of the rain which I could have sworn was forming into ice pellets.
The first thing that hit me when I stepped inside was the overwhelming stench of… well actually, it smelt like death. I'd seen enough bodies in my day to know what it smells like and I can tell you, this cabin reeked of it. It took all of my strength not to hurl all over Tad, who had the misfortune of standing in front of me.
I couldn't see a thing in the Cabin of Death so I threw out my arms in front of me, groping the darkness. Then I found something hard and rather muscle-y… I realized that I had my hand wrapped firmly around Paul's arm, but it was comforting so I didn't let go.
"Um, so what do we do now?" I said to no one in particular. Suddenly, something in front of me burst into flames and I threw my arm up in front of my eyes to guard them against the blinding brightness.
"Sorry about that," I heard Tad say. I slowly lowered my arm and was delighted to find a fire lit in a small alcove. How he managed to do this was a mystery to me but I wasn't about to complain when something good finally happened.
From the flickering light the fire was casting, I was able to see around the small cabin. I guess at one point it might have been quite nice, judging by the fact that there was a small kitchen and a large bed in the corner. Now everything was covered with dust and mold and I'm scared to think of what has been living out here, rodent wise.
Paul and Tad were already sitting in front of the fire with their hands out. They made a space for me in between so I plopped down awkwardly and handed Paul back his shirt.
"Thanks…" my traitorous mouth said. What can I say? I'm too polite for my own good.
Paul rewarded me with one of his all-knowing smirks but didn't meet my eyes, thank God. Maybe he finally understood the severity of what he did and the consequences that will come of it. Yes, that's it, feel my wrath!
There was a pregnant pause as we were all at a loss for words. It would have been dead silent if it weren't for the rolling thunder and, oh yeah, the sound of my teeth chattering.
"Look Suze," Paul whispered, finally breaking the stillness. I leaned towards him, not wanted to miss a word if this was his apology. I've always wondered what an apology from Paul Slater would sound like. I half expected angels to come down and sing his heavenly praise. I was fully prepared for the greatest I'm-sorry-for-being-such-a-jerk-can-you-ever-forgive-me? when he went,
"You shouldn't say stupid things like that or you'll just keep on getting your ass kicked." Whoa. That was officially the biggest let down of my life. I could practically feel Tad rolling his eyes and I was glad he was on my side.
What an idiot! He makes it sound as thought I'm the one who needs to be apologizing when I am fully not the one who inflicted bodily harm. I hated him for who he was and I couldn't believe I'd thought he could ever be someone else.
I let out a frustrated cry and had half a mind to stalk away haughtily and go lie alone in the corner… but then again I didn't want to end up a Suze-sicle. No, I definitely chose to stay by the nice toasty fire but I threw Paul the dirtiest look possible and lay down on the ground, my back to him.
"Thanks for helping us, Tad. You've been great really," I said, looking into his eyes and forcing a smile. Then under my breath I mumbled with as much icy edge I could muster, "I hate you Paul Slater, I hope you die. Goodnight." I chirped this last word with as much mock contentment as I could muster.
As if I could ever really get to sleep, but I was going to let him think I could.
Even with my eyes shut I felt them resign as well, laying down somewhat close to me – for body heat purposes only, I told myself.
I had finally stopped shivering but now I had bigger things to worry about. Like trying to ensure that nothing crawly or mouse-like climbs into my hair or –heaven forbid – my mouth during the night.
The storm continued to rage outside and the thunder and wind roared with such a fury that the cabin shook and creaked warningly. I tried as hard as I could to block out all the sounds and freaky thoughts by filling my dreams with Jesse. Considering the fact that I was dreaming, I was shocked to realize that I had managed to fall asleep. I could practically see Jesse's handsome, tanned face and long, lean body standing above me. His billowy white cotton shirt was tickling my face as he leaned over my head. His perfectly white teeth were standing out amidst the darkness of the cabin as he scowled.
Wait, why would I be dreaming of Jesse in this dirty old cabin? What was wrong with me? I couldn't even picture him on a beach with his shirt off or even smiling!
This deliberation would have been enough to rouse me from my sleep but when I went to open my eyes, I realized that they had been wide open all along. Jesse leaning over me was no longer just a dreamy image but my cold and harsh reality.
I opened my mouth to say something but found myself transfixed by his steadfast, narrow-eyed gaze. To tell the truth, it looked as though Jesse had swallowed one of Dopey's socks after a wrestling tournament, needless to say, they are disgusting. Well, that's how he looked: kind of both hurt and repulsed at the same time as he stared at something lower than my head.
I soon became aware of something lumpy lying across my midriff and as my gaze moved toward the unknown object, I saw the object to be an arm… and a fairly large one at that. Even though I already knew, I followed the direction of the arm, horrified to find it lead directly to the sleeping form pushed right up next to me: Paul.
Paul had been cuddling me during the night and now Jesse, fully present in all of his ghostly hotness, was witnessing the indiscretion first hand.
Then Jesse cleared his throat.
Give me Dopey's socks any day.
Ta Ta for now! It's 1:16 am… REVIEW TIME!
Luv,
Lyanne
