Chapter 16 - In Your Eyes

Marie was shopping with Connie and they were at a fabric store. Connie was picking up some art and craft supplies because she had an idea for Christmas decorations and Marie was there to help her out. She looked up when someone said "silk" and looked around. She mentally slapped herself.

"What was that?" Connie asked.

Marie gave her a confused look. "What do you mean?"

"Someone just said silk and you head just popped up, looking around," Connie said. "Should I know something?"

Marie gave Connie another look like her assumption wasn't true. "I don't know what you're talking about, but there is nothing going on."

Connie accepted the answer, but she didn't believe it. There were times when Marie was looking at him and she got a look on her face. It was like she was telling herself that she wasn't attracted to him, but her feelings were betraying her. It was like she was scared to admit it.

vvv

Marie handed Lauren the mixed drinks her customers ordered and went back to making more drinks. She was doing one after another. Thirty minutes later she finally found herself not busy. At that time, she took her break and went over to the pool tables to watch the guys play. She picked up one of the pool cues that were leaning against a stool in order to sit down. She watched as Pav got the eight ball in a corner pocket and won the round with Verchota. Buzz and Bah groaned in frustration before handing their cues to Silk and Jack.

Marie was really into watching them that she didn't see Jessica come over until Jack's whistle and Regan's tap on the shoulder made her look over. Jessica smiled at her and was a little hesitant about walking up further.

"Can I talk to you?" she asked.

Marie nodded and they walked over to a corner booth. "What did you want to talk about?"

Jessica replied, "First I want to apologize about the whole you finding out about Will and I in bed thing. I didn't want that to happen."

"Jessica… it happened. I was extremely hurt, but I got over it," Marie told her. "You don't have to."

"Yes, I do. I didn't mean to mess our friendship up," Jessica said. "I fell for Will's act."

Marie asked, "Did he cheat on you?"

Jessica shook her head. "The day he came back with the bloody nose, I was so pissed at him. When I told him about Simon and you, I was only concerned about you. I didn't mean for him to come here and harass you. He told me what he did and that's when I saw him for what he truly is."

"You broke it off?"

"That night. I'm sorry it took a few weeks, but I was a little hesitant about this," Jessica replied. "I wasn't sure if you'd be glad to see me."

Marie smiled at her. "I'm glad you're here. There are times I think about him and just shake my head. I can't believe I wasted so many months with him."

Jessica nodded. "I know what you mean."

Marie glanced at her watch and realized her break was over. "Maybe we can hang out sometime."

"That would be nice," Jessica said.

Marie stood up and said, "I'll see you later. I gotta go back to work."

"Have fun," Jessica said when she got up. "I gotta go. I made some plans with Frankie."

"I haven't seen her in a month."

"She's been busy with the arrangements for her wedding," she replied. "It's going to be really beautiful."

"I can't wait," Marie said before they parted. Marie smiled at the fact that Jessica took the time and came over to talk. If she did it back in September, she wouldn't have given her a chance. She was glad that they did talk.

vvv

"Ogrodnick passes it to Larson who passes it to Webster. Back again to Ogrodnick. Edwards with the save," the announcer announced to the TV audience. The guys and the girls were hanging out at the dorm watching the North Stars play against the Red Wings. They were really into the game.

"Oh!" Marie yelled. "That was so in!" She was pointing to the TV like the announcers could see her pointing to the fact that Detroit's goaltender missed it and the puck hit the netting.

"It hit the outside of the net," Rob pointed out.

"Well… what do you expect? The TV is so small that twenty plus people can't see the screen very well," Marie complained.

"Stop complaining," Jannie said.

"I'll try," Marie replied. A few minutes later, she wasn't complaining, but she more aware of the cologne Silk was wearing. Try not to think about it, she told herself.

"Marie, do you need glasses or something?" Rob asked.

She turned to him and questioned, "Why do you ask?"

"Is you sight ok? You were squinting like you were going blind."

"Seriously?"

"Yes."

"I'm fine."

Silk shifted next to her and she was well aware of how close he was to her. She tried not to let it affect her, but it did. If she didn't get out of the room at the moment, she was going to do a terrible thing in front of everybody. She couldn't kiss him because if she did the friendship would be ruined and she'd be really embarrassed. She excused herself and went into the bathroom.

She turned on the faucet and cupped some water to cool down her face. She looked into the mirror and had a staring contest with herself. "Idiot," she whispered. She came up with a solution. If she asked him to hang out soon, then maybe she'd be able to tell him how she felt. They'd be able to talk about it. Maybe the whole thing was a phase. "Doubt it," she whispered again before heading back out.

vvv

Marie and Silk came back from the dance floor and plopped down on the stools that they've been occupying for the night. The bartender gave tem two shots and they did them at the same time. They put the glasses down next to the other three that they each had before. Marie figured if she got a little alcohol in her she'd be able to bring up what she wanted to talk about. So far she couldn't.

"So… Jill comes into the room and tells mom that she was ready to apologize. Mom nods and all she does is gives us a look and says 'Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!' real fast. It was hilarious."

Marie laughed. "How old was she?"

"Eight."

"Oh my God! Did she get into more trouble?"

Silk nodded and took a drink of his beer. "She was such a brat."

"I can't wait to meet her."

"Are you guys getting the tickets?" Silk asked.

"Already bought. We're going if it means missing a week of school. One of those weeks is Spring Break for us," she explained. "We want to see it happen live."

Silk smiled and Marie smiled back. That smile, she groaned. She was about to start talking about how she felt when he asked her if she wanted to go out and dance again. For the rest of the night they were there, they danced and had a few more drinks.

Later, when they got back to the dorm, she headed up to this room just to hang out more. They settled down to watch TV and she studied his profile. He had the most boyish look ever and that seriously made her want to kiss him even more. He was so cute and it was tearing her up inside. She was terrified if he didn't feel the same way, but she was also terrified that it was only six and a half weeks since she and Simon broke up. He looked over at her and smiled.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing," she replied. She turned to the TV and pretended she was watching the Johnny Carson. She scratched her forehead before looking over at his clock. It was almost one and she decided that it was time to leave. "You know what? I got a big day in the morning. Regan and I are going out to buy some Christmas gifts."

"Christmas is in six days. Are you telling me this is last minute shopping?"

"Not totally last minute. Last minute is the day of. We only have a few people to get," she said while putting her coat on. She looked at him and smiled. He walked her to the door even thought it was right there and gave her a hug. When they parted they stared at one another. Marie was the one to break the staring contest they had going on. "I'll see you later."

Marie exited the dorm room and put a hand on the closed door. She was debating about just going back in there and kissing him senseless, then telling him how much she liked him. She sighed softly and started walking down the hall. She stopped short, bit her lip, and turned around. Right when he opened the door, she reached behind him, grasped his head, and kissed him. Out of all the times she fantasized about what it would be like to kiss him, she never thought it would be so powerful, lustful, and passionate. She swore that fireworks were going off.

Before she even knew what was happening, her back was up against the door, and one of her legs was slightly wrapped around him. Her coat was lying on the ground, and he was attacking her neck, while he pinned her arms against the door. She closed her eyes, bit her lip, and moaned. He let go of her arms, and her hands went to the hem of his shirt. She kissed his collarbone, his neck, and then kissed his chest before kissing him again on the lips.

They stayed at the door for a few more minutes before he actually started backing up with her and turning her around so she was the one lying on the bed first. After a few more minutes of kissing each other, he brought his head up and they looked into each other's eyes. His gaze was intense, and that put a little bit more fire in her. He closed his eyes and bent down to kiss her again. Somehow her sweater came off and things got a little bit more hot and heavy.

vvv

Marie exited the bathroom the next morning, tip toeing back to where her shoes rested. She was trying not to wake him up and trying not to look at his sleeping form because she'd start to cry. She couldn't believe she did what she did last night. When she woke up, she was in shock. She slept with her best friend, who didn't really know her true feelings for him. She was now really frightened that she messed everything up.

'Where are you off to?" Silk asked rising up. He was wiping the sleep out of his eyes.

Marie looked up startled. "Oh… um… Regan is probably waiting for me." She grabbed her coat and purse, leaving before he said anything else. She went to the other wall in the hallway and rested her forehead against it. She heard voices in another room and she left before they come out and saw her.

Once in her car, she leaned against her palm and stared into space. She started to cry and that made her mad. She hit the steering wheel and kept swearing at herself. She shook her head and started the car. When she got back to her apartment, she took a shower and calmed herself down before going over to Regan's place.