A/N: Hn...I'm so sorry for that last chapter-Hopefully this chapter will be better. Oh and Adam is supposed to be the 'nice son'-really. So keep that in mind, he is not evil or conniving, he is nice. Anyways-thanks to my reviewers!
TriGemini- I agree, that last chapter was kind of strange and I'll probably go back and revise it. Anyways, yes-Jack's parents are as nice as they seem-they're just a little upset with him for some of the things he mentioned. But Adam on the other hand...well, he's nice too-really, but he likes Elli while Jack is just realizing his feelings for Elli. So that causes tension. I'm glad you liked the chapter anyways. Thanks for reviewing!
The Future Mrs. Jack Sparrow-Yea, Jack strikes me as very sarcastic-hell, he is sarcastic! But that's why we love him. Oh and Jack is not technically Italian, he just used to live in Italy- really don't know, he can be from what ever ethnic group you want. Yes go Jack! Well, that's not fair cause Adam is nice too, but oh well. Thanks for reviewing!
DeadPoetic- Well, you have to take in consideration the fact that Adam is nicer than Jack, which is why she falls for him so quickly, but no one can replace Jack! Lucky-I want to go to Italy! Take me with you, I'm small-I can fit in your suitcase! XD Anyways, thanks for reviewing, I'm glad you liked the chapter...even if I didn't...meh...
Blossomlite- I'm glad you like the chapter! Yep, Adam and Jack are gonna have to fight now-sibling rivalry, it's all Elli's fault. XD Thanks for reviewing!
Evil Duckie of the Black Lagoon-Hey! Thanks for saying you liked the chapter, it makes me feel better, cause I didn't like it. Anyways, things should be very interesting between Adam and Jack. XD And I sent you an e-mail, but in case you didn't get it-I won't think you're copying from me. You need to update your story, it's awesome! Thanks for reviewing!
Incubus2704-Once again, Adam is the 'good son'-you all have to understand that. I know I made him seem kind of sly in the last chapter, but that was just me. But there is no doubt that things are going to be interesting in future chapters. Thanks for reviewing!
Jinxeh-Wow, another long review! Lol. I sent you an e-mail back, so all I can say is thanks for reviewing! By the way, Elli is sorry that she misspelled your name.
Katweenathesmiley-Yes, everyone would love to be Elli, she's so lucky! But hey, I'm happy with Will. 'huggles' Thanks for reviewing!
Captain Ammie Sparrow Turner-Once again, Jack is not 'technically' Italian. And his family is nice, just kinda dysfunctional at times. XD Thanks for reviewing!
Siriusly Sirius Lily Black- Um...please what? Damn Adam to hell? If that's it, then no-Adam is NICE, nice people never die in stories! Well, that's not true, but oh well. Thanks for reviewing!
oliverlover-I promise to add more of Will into this chapter. He's my fav. character too after all. XD. Thanks for reviewing!
Okay, now hopefully on to a better chapter! Thanks for staying with me, my awesome reviewers!
Chapter Five-Close Encounters
The Moineaus beamed at Elli and I when we reached the bottom of the stairs and led us to the dinning room. There was a long table that could hold close to twenty people, but since there were only seven of us, we only took up a small portion of it. Mr. Moineau sat at the head of the table with Adam on his right and Jack on his left. Elli sat next to Jack and I was next to her. Will was next to me and Mrs. Moineau was next to Adam.
I stared down at my plate helplessly, eying all the forks and spoons and knives warily. How the hell was I supposed to know what to use? Honestly, why must there be about five different forks for dinner? I sighed softly and looked up as the waiters brought us small bowls of salad, setting one in front of each of us. I poked at it weakly, trying to convince myself to eat it, but after what I just found out about Elli, Adam and Jack-- I wasn't all that hungry. Actually I felt sick to my stomach and I just wanted to leave the dinner table, but I knew that wouldn't be possible.
Besides, I couldn't leave Jack all alone to suffer at the sight of Elli and Adam, who were talking in soft voices to one another. You know that whole love-at-first-sight thing? Well, it really does exist. But I wasn't really paying attention to them-my mind kept slipping in and out of their conversation. Mostly I was thinking about the time when I was in love with Will, but he loved Elizabeth and I felt my heart twist with pain because I knew exactly how Jack was feeling right now, but to have the person you love ignore you and pay more attention to your own brother must be even worse.
I looked at Adam and Elli again and I knew that there was definitely a connection between them. Some how I felt mad at Elli, wondering how she could chat away with Adam in such a friendly manner when Jack was sitting right next to her, practically dying. Part of me wanted to shake her and demand what the hell was going through her mind, but the other part told me to leave her alone and that she would have to make her own decisions.
Before I had a chance to pick what I was going to do with/to Elli, the butlers came out again and whisked our salad plates away and soon reappeared with the main course. I ate as if I was in a dream, my hands moving slowly, not tasting the food on my tongue. It was like eating masses of glue and I felt even more ill, but I forced all my food down and drank some wine--praying it would make me feel better.
Jack must've been feeling worse than I was because he had just picked at his food slightly, staring at his plate with a grim expression.
"Jack, whatever is the matter?" His mother asked, leaning forward to look at him closely. He just shook his head and forced himself to eat–all the while never looking up at anyone. Elli cast a sideways look at Jack before talking with Adam once more.
xXx
Dinner had long since ended and we had all moved to the large living room to talk some more while we drank dark, rich coffee. The Moineaus had asked possibly the most dangerous question they could-'How did we all meet?' But fortunately, our little group consists of very creative and imaginative people–not to mention the fact that we were pirates and can lie like hell. Which is what we did. Even more fortunate--the Moineaus believed every word.
After we had made it through our elaborate explanations to the Moineaus dangerous questions(all the while biting our tongues, trying not to laugh) and after Mrs. and Mr. Moineau had told us some things about themselves and their families, the grandfather clock in the front hall rang. It was eleven. Adam seemed the first to realize how late it was as he cast a glance towards the direction of the chiming.
"Well now, it's rather late at night and I should be making my way home." He said softly, while standing.
"It was so nice seeing you again, dear brother." Jack murmured sarcastically from where he was leaning against the wall in one of the far corners of the room.
"It was nice to see you again Jack." Adam replied, but he–unlike his younger brother–meant it. He had really missed Jack and was devastated when he found out that Jack had run away to become a pirate. Jack was his brother and what was he going to do without the only person he had truly felt close to? The only person who was in the same mess he was? Some how Adam never felt as if his mother and father really understood him. But Jack did.
Adam would be lying though if he said he hadn't expected Jack to run away. Everyone in the household, even the maids and butlers expected it. Jack just seemed to have a restless air about him and on many occasions Adam would find him staring out of the wide windows of the mansion, gazing at the ocean.
"But Adam, you can't go home now dear. It's much too dark." Mrs. Moineau was saying. "There might be thieves out there."
"Mother." Jack said in a warning tone, laced with hostility. She turned to him slowly, her eyes wide and her face slightly pale.
"Oh...I didn't mean..." She began to apologize, but Jack just casually waved his hand, dismissing the conversation between them. She looked relieved and turned back to Adam. "Dear, we have plenty of rooms, stay here for the night. You and Jack can have your old rooms and let's see...Elli can have one of our guests rooms in the main hallway and Will and Ari can share another one of our guest rooms in the main hallway as well." She said, speaking slowly-forming it all in her mind.
All I can say is thank god I was not drinking anything cause I would've spit it out at what Mrs. Moineau had said. Did she honestly think that Will and I were married or something? Unless in Italy it's not considered improper to share a room with someone you're not married to. I highly doubted that. For a fleeting second, Will caught my eye and I forced myself not to look away and to keep a straight face. I caught Elli smirking at me out of the corner of my eye and I shot her a threatening look. She turned away from me, but didn't stop smiling evilly.
"Really mother, I don't want to trouble you." Adam was saying, but she shook her head.
"Adam, it's no trouble son. Besides, I'm sure you and Jack have a lot you want to talk about."Mr. Moineau cut in. "Don't you Jack?" He said, turning to his younger son while smiling warmly.
"Oh yes, I have oh so much I want to tell Adam." Jack assured his father in a light tone that we all knew was sarcasm. "Yea like how he's a right pain in the ass." I heard Jack muttered darkly. His father shot him a disdained look. He knew Jack was going to be difficult about this and he was now under the suspicion that Jack did not come here on his own free will and that the three of us forced him to. If that was the case–Mr. Moineau felt very disheartened. Were they really such terrible parents that Jack had to be forced to visit them? He sighed and then smiled at the rest of us.
"Well now, it's settled. And it's very late so I suggest we all retire for the night." He said, trying valiantly to appear light hearted. We nodded in agreement and made our way up the stairs with Adam leading and Jack trailing behind all of us. Once we were about halfway up the stairs, Elli stopped walking to turn around and glare at Jack, giving him a look of contempt.
"Honestly Jack–why do you have to be such a bastard to your parents. I think they're nice." She snapped, placing her hands on her hips and looking at him, her eyes like ice.
"Well that's your opinion Elli. Besides, you only met them today and I've had to live with them for seventeen years. After that long of a time, you learn what people really are like and grow to hate them." Jack countered.
"You can say that again." Elli muttered darkly.
"Why are you always against me?"Jack demanded.
"Because you're against everyone else Jack! You always shoot people down, you're sarcastic–you're horrible to your own brother!" Elli replied vehemently.
"Even I was nicer to my brother." I added in. Jack shot me a look that told me to stay out of this.
"Oh poor Adam–he's had such a hard life hasn't he? I mean, being a pirate is so damn easy." Jack hissed. Adam, from the top of the stairs winced when he heard the harsh tone Jack had used. All he wanted was to try and work things out between Jack, but that seemed like the impossible task. Slowly Adam made his way up the rest of the stairs, not wanting to hear anymore of the conversation.
"See–that's what I'm talking about!" Elli cried, pointing a finger at Jack. She had seen Adam slink away and now she was really pissed off.
"Well Elli, I'd love to stand here and be lectured by you–but I'm afraid I no longer have the time. Good night." Jack muttered and pushed past her roughly, stalking up the stairs to his room. Elli glowered and made her way up the rest of the stairs, Will and I followed behind her slowly.
"That went well for a nice visit to see the family." I murmured–it was my turn to be sarcastic.
"Knowing Jack, it could've gone a lot worse." Will pointed out, putting an arm around my waist.
"True." I replied simply. "Let's just hope the Moineaus didn't hear any of that. It won't make them feel any better."
"I think all of Florence heard." Will murmured. I just sighed wearily and rubbed my head. I didn't even know how long we were going to stay here at the Moineau's-I just hope it was too long. Adam, Elli and Jack might drive each other crazy before long and there was bound to be dead body involved somewhere.(namely Adam's...or Jack's if Elli gets really pissed off.)
Once we reached the top of the stairs, I was lead away by a maid, as was Elli. We entered yet another large room and the maids helped us out of our dresses and all of our other many layers of clothing. When they were done with that, they set out two nightgowns for us and left the room so we could change in peace. I eyed the nightgown with a look of disgust. It was all frilly and lacy and had stupid bows on it. Basically, I was not going to wear it. Elli's face mirrored my look.
"Ugh-I would rather die than wear those." She muttered.
"Hell yeah." I agreed. I pulled off my petticoat to find that I was wearing a thin shift underneath it. Geez-how many layers of clothing was I wearing? Wait... "We could just wear these." I called to Elli, gesturing to the shift. She eyed the shift, seeming a bit wary, but then she shrugged her shoulders and tugged off her petticoat as well.
"I guess it'll have to work." She grumbled.
"We'll commandeer our clothes back from the maids." I assured her, while putting the dress away.
"Please don't use any of Jack's words right now." Elli groaned. I just shook my head and followed her out of the room.
"Which room is mine?" I asked, looking up and down the long dark hallway.
"How should I know? I don't even know where mine is!" Elli hissed.
"Well, just open a random door." I suggested. Elli did so and found that Jack was in that room. He sat up in bed when he heard the door open and Elli stiffened.
"What?" He demanded. She glared at him and slammed the door.
"Idiot!" She cried, smacking me on the arm.
"Ouch! Try the room next to his." I murmured, rubbing my arm.
"Oh no–you're opening the next door." She said, pointing a finger at me. I rolled my eyes and opened the door. To my relief, I saw that it was mine and I smiled at Elli triumphantly. "That's not fair! God, why do you hate me?" She asked the ceiling.
"You sure you want an answer?" I whispered. She smacked me on the head this time and then smiled evilly.
"Have a nice night." She said and discreetly motioned to Will, who was asleep.(Thank god) I kept my face straight and gave her a look that said I wasn't amused.
"One more word and I'll tell Adam you like him." I warned, smiling evilly once I saw Elli's face become lightly tinged with red. Without so much as saying goodnight, she promptly turned on her heel and walked down the hall, searching for a room. I shook my head, smiling. I then walked into the room, closing the door behind me and carefully making my way across the room. Suddenly a thought hit me and I stopped right in the middle of the room.
Where was I going to sleep? I could sleep in the bed as well, but...that just seemed kind of awkward right now. I thought about sleeping on the floor, but it was made out of tile and I reconsidered. I looked around and saw that there was a small couch against the far wall. I sighed in relief walked over to it. It was smaller on close inspection, but I was small myself, so it would have to do. After laying down on it and curling up as small as I could, I fell asleep shortly.
xXx
Jack hated being here. He knew that Adam was smitten with Elli and she with him and this frustrated Jack to no end because tonight he had just now decided to listen to the feelings he had all along towards her. That is to say that Jack chose to stop lying to himself and face the fact that he did love Elli and had for quite some time. But no matter how much Jack wanted to tell Elli this, he couldn't because what would it be worth? Elli and Adam were starting to fall in love Besides, Elli would most likely just laugh at him if he ever told her that he loved her.
In the middle of his despair, Jack found himself wishing that he had never met Elli, that she had never come here or that he had never seen her smile, heard her laugh and most of all, he wished he hadn't kissed her.
Now Jack was a man of few regrets, he went through life living in and for the moment and doing whatever he pleased. Yet Elli was an exception, she was probably his only regret–which is kind of depressing considering he loved her, but he just couldn't help thinking that his life would've been simpler if he had never met her.
And in thinking these things, Jack found himself hating Adam more and more. He already disliked his brother as much as it was humanly possible without hating him, but the fact that Adam was smart, had a simple life and was not wanted by every official he came across made Jack upset because he felt that if anyone deserved the amount of happiness Elli brought, it was him. But unfortunately, love doesn't work that way at all. Love doesn't flock to who is most deserving, who's life has been harder, who's more depressed or disheartened. This wasn't fair, but it's not like Jack could change it. With a deep sigh, Jack closed his eyes, deciding he shouldn't think anymore tonight and tried to sleep.
Needless to say, he never did fall asleep.
xXx
Adam was staring up at the ceiling, watching the shadows slowly diminish. That meant dawn was coming soon and Adam was shocked to find that he had been up this late. Never in his life has Adam ever had such a hard time falling asleep and he had never stayed up this late.
He was also thinking about Elli and how odd it was that he had become smitten with her so quickly. He supposed it was because she was refreshingly different from all the other women in Italy. She didn't seem to be of a high social status, she was a pirate after all, but that was also what made her so different. Adam thought that women weren't allowed to sail, but apparently she found a way around that. She also wasn't afraid to speak her mind–as she demonstrated when she starting on about how Jack was sarcastic and a horrible brother.
Now Adam wouldn't say Jack was a horrible brother, it's just that he never seemed to care much for Adam. It was like he was always getting in his way or that the fact that they were brothers didn't stop him from trying his best to ignore Adam. Well, Adam supposed that was pretty bad, but there had been times when Jack was one of the best brothers anyone could ask for.
And another thing that had bothered Adam was the fact that Jack seemed to love Elli as well, but she didn't seem to care about him much. So now Adam was unsure of what to do. He couldn't just tell himself to not feel that way towards Elli anymore, to not want to know everything about her, but if he tried to get to know her better–it would most certainly upset Jack and Adam didn't want that either.
All these thoughts had been plaguing Adam's mind the whole night long and he wished it was morning, which wasn't really that far away, but to Adam the minutes seemed like hours. Adam rolled over in bed and clamped his eyes shut, forcing himself to sleep.
xXx
I groaned, shielding my eyes against the few rays of sun that managed to sift through the curtains. Yes, after all these years–I was still not a morning person and would never be. Carefully I uncurled and sat up, not wanting to fall off the tiny couch. I felt like I was in Alice in Wonderland and that I had grown too big for everything. But there were no annoying white rabbits running around with pocket watches, just Will and I. Speaking of which, Will was still asleep. And he used to tease me about being the last one up. Actually, the house was very quiet and still and I doubted that anyone else was up except for the maids and butlers perhaps.
My head started pounding and I felt slightly dizzy so I flopped back on the couch again, my feet resting on top of the opposite armrest. That was really sad considering I was small for my age. I found myself wondering about everyone else and how they slept. I hope Elli and Jack weren't up late last night arguing. If so, I'll bet the Moineaus were probably regretting letting us come. Quite honestly I was regretting talking Jack into coming here. It seemed as if we barged in here and disturbed the peace they had and I couldn't shake the feeling that it would've been better if we hadn't come at all. But then again, the Moineaus were most likely excepting something like this-- with Jack being a pirate now and all of us tagging along.
A rustling sound interrupted my thoughts and I looked over at the bed to see that Will was awake by now, sitting up in bed.
"Good morning." I said lightly, taking my feet off the armrest and sitting up. I was stiff and sore from sleeping on the couch and I wanted to lay down again. Maybe I should've just slept on the bed as well.
"Good morning–did you sleep on the couch the whole night?" He asked. I shrugged my shoulder and then winced, I had a bad crick in my neck.
"Yes." I replied.
"I'm sorry, you should've let me take the couch." He said earnestly. I was about to shrug my shoulders again, but refrained from it.
"It's fine. You were asleep anyways and I wasn't about to move you." I answered. (Not that I could even if I wanted to.)
"Well, tonight you should sleep on the bed, I'll take the couch." Will was saying. I sighed and rubbed my temples.
"If we even stay here another night. The Moineaus might already be annoyed with their pirate son and his 'crew.'" I murmured. Will got off the bed and came to sit next to me on the couch. I didn't look up at him, even when he pulled me close to him.
"What's bothering you?" He asked me.
"Nothing." I replied in a flat tone.
"I don't believe that." Will said. "Something's bothering you." I didn't feel like answering this time. Will sighed and closed his eyes, wrapping both arms around me and hugging me tightly. I did the same.
That was one thing Will still didn't understand about me, my seclusion or independence. I loved him very much and Will knew this, but he still couldn't get over how secluded I could be at times. Sometimes I just wanted to be alone and he starting wondering if it was something to do with him, but Elli had assured him that it was just part of who I was. Will always wondered what had made me like this, what made me want so introverted. He also knew that I was trying to be more outgoing and trying to open up to him more, but it was hard for me and it worried him. It made him wonder what kind of life I had lived before I came here.
"Now something is bothering you." I said, feeling a slight tension radiate from Will.
"Yes." Will answered. "I was just wondering why you like to be alone so much. It worries me sometimes." I sighed and he looked at me carefully, hoping I would say something. I sighed again and looked at him. Instantly Will became interested, because I didn't tell him much about myself, but he was always interested on the rare occasions when I did tell him things about my life.
"For the same reasons you were. Social outcast, no one to talk to...et cetera." I replied simply.
"Well that's vague." He teased me. That's another thing he always got on me about. I was pretty vague though, I guess. I offered him a small smile and laid my head against his chest.
"But you love me anyways." I said, my smile growing brighter.
"I do." He confirmed, leaning down to kiss me. I closed my eyes and held onto him tighter, but as soon as I did so, he pulled away at the sound of Elli and Jack arguing.
"What's with them now?" I muttered under my breath. Will laughed and stood up, pulling me up as well.
"I don't know, let's go find out." He replied. I obliged and followed him out of our room into the main hallway.
"Hey-what's wrong with you two now?" I demanded, walking up to them. Elli stopped arguing with Jack to look at me. She was really pissed off about something. Her bright blue eyes were flashing with malice and she was faintly trembling from anger.
"Him! He's so rude and mean–especially to Adam!" She cried and pointed to Jack. I looked from her to Jack and then to her again.
"Why are you always sticking up for him?" Jack demanded.
"Well someone has to, cause you keep shooting him down the whole time!" Elli shouted.
"Hey!" I shouted. They both froze and then turned to look at me. "What exactly are you arguing about?"
"I'm just trying to find out why the hell he's so rude to Adam. I mean, the poor guy has done nothing to Jack–..." Elli was cut off by Jack.
"You don't know all that he's done, you have no idea!" He shouted, thinking of how Adam was smitten with Elli and how she seemed to like him better.
"Fine then. All I know is that you have no reason to treat him the way you do. He's your brother!" Elli cried.
"I thought we went over this last night." Jack replied in a bored tone.
"Well obviously it didn't get through your thick head." Elli snapped.
"Like you're any smarter than me!" Jack shouted.
"At least my brains weren't fried by the sun!"
"Hey, I resent that!"
"You sound like five year olds--now shut the hell up!" I cried, putting an end to their yelling. They shot each other one final glare before stalking off to their rooms. I sighed and shook my head. "Honestly–those two are going to kill each other before long."
"No, they wouldn't have the heart to do it." Will replied.
"You still think they might care for each other?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. He nodded.
"Yes, I think they might." He assured me.
"Well, it's good to have one optimist. Now I have to go find some decent clothes, preferably my sea clothes. Stupid maids." I murmured and stalked off to the room I had changed in last night. Will smiled as he watched me walk off. At times I seemed so off the wall and full of life and laughing so hard I'm about to cry and the next I'm secluded and wistful and lost in my thoughts. Will doubted he'd ever know all of who I am. Sometimes he thought it'd take a life time to figure me out.
xXx
After about an hour, the maids summoned us to breakfast and everyone was present of course. I looked around the table and saw that each person was wearing some different kind of emotion on their face or in their eyes. Adam looked depressed and lost in thought, Jack was irritated and sullen, Elli was still mad and the Moineaus were smiling, even though I could tell they were nervous, but why? Maybe they heard Elli and Jack arguing or maybe they were going to ask us to leave.
But instead, Mr. Moineau asked if we all slept well and we all answered yes, although I'm sure Elli and Jack were lying. Adam too, he had dark rings under his amber eyes. They stood out oddly against his pale skin. I shouldn't be pointing that out though, because I knew I had deeper and darker circles under my eyes from all the sleep I missed over these past few years.
"Today I received an invitation for a ball tomorrow night and I was wondering if you four would like to join us." Mrs. Moineau said and gestured to us. Elli was taking a sip of her water when Mrs. Moineau announced this and started choking. Adam looked at her worriedly and gently rubbed her back until she gestured for him to stop. Jack glowered. "Are you alright dear?" Mrs. Moineau asked.
"Yes...I just swallowed my water to fast..." She lied. I grinned at her evilly and she kicked me under the table.
"Ow!" Jack whispered. I bit my lip to keep from bursting out with laughter, as was Elli, but she was having a harder time with it. She has bad aim–no matter what she tells you.
"Anyways..." Mrs. Moineau cut in, trying carry on with the conversation and ignore the fact that Elli was silently shaking with laughter. "What do you think? Would you like to come?" At this Elli regain herself and she, Will, Jack and I all looked at each other–trying to see what everyone else wanted. I personally didn't want to go, but if everyone else did, then I would have to–so it didn't really matter to me. After a few moments of silence, Jack smiled to himself somewhat triumphantly and then turned to his mother.
"We'd be delighted to go." He answered with sincerity. Elli, me and Will stared at him with disbelief in our eyes. What daft idea had gotten into his head now?
A/N: Really-what is Jack thinking? Why would he want to go to a ball? What's going to happen at the ball? Why am I asking questions I already know the answers to? Lolcoughreviewcough