DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of The Royals characters, however I own some original characters that you'll get to know them one by one.
So, again, thank you all for the alerts, I appreciate it :)
And now to my guest reviewers: I'm so glad to hear you're enjoying this :)
And to MissieK: We just want a little bit of sweet Jaspenor but they're not giving it to us :((( And the funny thing is your suggestion! I was writing this chapter and I put a Len/Liam scene talking about Jasper and then I saw your review suggesting the same thing! I feel like we're on the same page! :D Enjoy the chapter ;)
HERE WE GO:
Chapter6_Today
"That was, by far, the tastiest barbecue meat I have ever had, in my whole life…" Liam let out as he put down his plate. Everyone nodded in agreement and Jasper smiled humbly, but no one talked, as they were all busy eating. But of course, Eleanor wasn't eating, she just decided to stay quiet.
She had lost her appetite after her little talk with Ophelia but she ate a bit for Jasper's sake. She had to give it to him, he was talented. And even though the food was fantastic, she couldn't force herself to eat for long.
Jasper would glance at her once every few moments, she would give him a reassuring smile, and he would get back to eating. Ophelia seemed too busy enjoying her food than to notice Eleanor. Even Beck kept staring at his plate and not at her.
She suddenly stood up and announced out loud: "I'm going to my room." She ignored everyone's strange looks and went inside. She literally ran to her room when she was sure they could no longer see her.
She had been slapped with the harsh truth just an hour ago and she had been fighting with herself ever since. Before Ophelia said it out loud, Eleanor never had thought about that four-letter word. She couldn't bring herself to even think about it.
But it was said, right to her face, and she felt it. She felt it, like when a brick wall falls on you, like when someone pours ice cold water on you. And she had to run away from it. And she knew exactly how to do that.
She went for her emergency suitcase and opened it in a hurry. She picked a bottle of Vodka and a couple of joints and sat down on her bed. She took a swig of Vodka and then groaned when she realized she didn't have a lighter.
There was a knock on the door and she hesitated before saying: "Come in." To her surprise, Liam walked in, and closed the door behind him. He took a look at the joints and the bottle and said: "I thought… Umm… I haven't seen you do any since we got here." She closed her eyes in frustration and said: "And maybe I should reconsider that."
Liam walked in and sat down next to her, putting an arm around her shoulders, like every time he wanted to protect her. She rested her head on his shoulder quietly and waited for him to talk but he didn't say anything as well.
Right when she felt a bit sleepy, he asked in a low voice: "Is there something going on between you and Jasper?" Her head jerked suddenly, giving her away, but she sat straight and tried to keep her voice calm when she asked: "What? Are you crazy?"
He chuckled and said: "I may be crazy but I'm not blind. I saw you that night, at the ball, dancing. And I see the way you two look at each other. I'm more surprised mother haven't figured it out, yet. She would try to get him fired or something."
Eleanor sighed, not looking at him but her hands, and said: "That's why I need you to keep this between us, Liam. I… I'm not sure what's going on between us… But I certainly don't want that bitch involved in it." Liam grabbed her chin and made her look at his warm smile and she smiled back.
He said mischievously after a moment: "One condition, though." She frowned and he offered: "You have to leave the weed and the Vodka where they were, and you need to come back to the backyard. Deal?" Eleanor huffed but gave in and shook her head at how happy Liam looked.
He watched her as she put the drugs back in the suitcase and said: "Be there in a few moments, ok? You don't want to leave your boyfriend waiting!" Eleanor grunted, grabbed a pillow and threw it at him but Liam was faster and the pillow hit the closed door.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jasper raised his head when she walked back in and when their eyes locked, he asked a million questions, but she took her eyes off him and sat down next to Ophelia. Everyone was pretending nothing had happened but Ophelia gave her a sympathetic look.
She noticed Jasper stood up and grabbed the dishes and to her surprise, Liam stood up and helped him out. Eleanor gave Ophelia a look but she only giggled happily. Eleanor sighed and turned her eyes away and they landed on Beck. He was giving her a concerned look but she smiled to reassure him nothing was wrong. He smiled back brightly and continued talking to Marcus.
Ashok asked all of a sudden: "Beck, you wanna play something for us?" He laughed and said: "I didn't bring my guitar, man. Sorry." Ashok grinned and said: "But I brought mine." Liam and Jasper walked in, and Eleanor noticed a strange look on Jasper's face, and made a mental note to kill Liam if he had said something to him.
Ashok turned to Liam: "I was just asking Beck to play us a little something." Liam looked a bit nervous for a quick second, his eyes moving to where Eleanor sat and back, and then said: "Sure. Like old times." Ashok went inside to get his guitar and Beck mockingly warmed up his fingers by massaging them.
Ashok returned soon enough and gave him the guitar and sat back down. Beck ran his hands on the strings delicately and asked: "So, any requests?" No one seemed to come up with a good song so he said: "I'll just do one of my favorites."
Eleanor swallowed hard and promised to herself that she wouldn't get lost in her old memories; all those time he performed for them but looked at her while singing. She tried not to remember the rush she felt when the word 'love' would come out of his mouth in a beautiful melody.
He started slowly:
I can't fight this feeling any longer
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship,
Has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show
Eleanor gulped hard trying to keep up a calm face but it was hard since he was saying those words straight to her face. For a few moments everything faded away and there was nothing but Beck and his voice in the world.
I tell myself that I can't hold out forever
I said there is no reason for my fear
'Cause I feel so secure when we're together
You give my life direction
You make everything so clear
She felt like she was in a trance or something like that and she couldn't get out of it. Beck was smiling sweetly and she was sure he knew the effects he had on her.
And even as I wander
I'm keeping you in sight
You're a candle in the window
On a cold, dark winter's night
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might
Suddenly, Ophelia moved a bit in her place and the spell wore off. She could sense others around her, she could hear a few whispers, and she even could see a few head nods from the corner of her eyes. And of course, she noticed him.
And I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for
It's time to bring this ship into the shore,
And throw away the oars, forever
Before she could stop herself, her head started turning towards him. She noticed how tense he looked and how his eyes were shining even from far. They were filled with so many emotions that she couldn't decide what his reaction to everything was. But then again, she never could read him.
'Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for
And if I have to crawl upon the floor
Come crashing through your door
Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore
But suddenly, he smiled, really smiled, and Eleanor felt like someone was blocking her Oxygen on purpose. She smiled back and silently hoped that the stinging in her eyes didn't mean she was about to cry in front of everyone.
She turned her head around when she noticed the song had ended and saw Beck's stone-cold face. She took her eyes off him quickly and looked at Ophelia who was looking at Liam longingly. Eleanor smiled as she saw her brother return her affection.
Ashok clapped his hands and soon everyone followed his lead and Beck looked at the ground humbly. He put the guitar down and said: "I'm pretty tired guys and we have an early flight tomorrow. Good night." He went inside and soon Marcus went to bed as well.
Ophelia put her hand on Eleanor's shoulder and whispered in her ear: "It doesn't mean you have to rush into it. Alright? Take it easy." Eleanor nodded and Ophelia smiled before getting up and excuse herself and soon Liam followed her.
Ashok was still there, working with his phone, not realizing the atmosphere around him had changed. Eleanor cleared her throat and called his name: "Ashok?" He made a noise without looking up from his phone.
Eleanor rolled her eyes and said through gritted teeth: "Don't you need to sleep? We're leaving at six sharp, you know." Ashok groaned: "What about you? I don't see you rushing to your bed." Eleanor gave him a look and he quickly got up and left.
Jasper chuckled and it made Eleanor finally look his way. She got up and walked to him, running a hand in her hair, trying to calm herself down. She got so close that she was basically standing between his legs. Jasper's head reached her chest at that moment and she was looking down on him.
His left hand instinctively wrapped around her waist and she put her hands on his shoulders for balance. He started: "What happened all of a sudden?" She didn't look in his eyes, but right past him, and said: "Nothing. I was just a bit tired." He didn't push it and Eleanor appreciated that secretly.
"So Beck's in love with you…" He blurted suddenly and it made Eleanor look down on him again. She couldn't stop the words that got out of her mouth: "I don't know. He's so confusing. Even more than you! He's married, you know…" Jasper sighed: "Yeah, I noticed the ring."
She let her hands move from his shoulders to his arms and said: "I don't want to talk about Beck, alright?" Jasper nodded but she could easily read the protest in his eyes. She moved her head down a bit and Jasper whispered: "What are you doing?"
Eleanor frowned and Jasper went on: "You do realize everyone's still up?" She rolled her eyes and said: "And where do you suppose we go so we could be alone?" An image flashed right in front of her eyes and he saw them lit up.
Jasper grinned, reading her mind, and said: "Go find a blanket and I'll get the car." Eleanor smirked and rushed back inside and Jasper went to get the keys. Five minutes later, Eleanor hopped in and Jasper asked: "Ready, Princess?" And with her simple nod, he started the engine and they drove off into the night.
He said, "Let's get out of this town
Drive out of this city, away from the crowds"
I thought, "Heaven can't help me now"
Eleanor closed her eyes as the wind made her hair whip her own face. She threw her arms out and just soaked in the cool air. Jasper asked with a chuckle: "Are you high?" She shook her head and said: "Not really."
She felt his hand grabbing hers and she opened her eyes. His eyes were still on the road, one hand on the wheel, and another one firmly gripping her own. One look at their intertwined hand and butterflies arrived again.
Nothing lasts forever,
But this is gonna take me down
But the giddiness was short-lived as he had to pull away to park the car properly. Eleanor jumped out and grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around herself. Jasper got out as well and asked: "Are you cold?" She nodded but said: "Not that much though."
He went around and put his hand around her and pulled her close. She sighed and their eyes fell upon the view in front of them. And even though only a few street lights were on, they could clearly see how vacant the beach looked compared to the afternoon. Jasper kept looking around but no one was in eye sight.
He started walking and soon Eleanor felt the sand underneath her feet. It was a bit cooler than before but still very much welcoming. She held on to Jasper as they walked until they were close to the shore. He asked: "Here?"
She pulled away nodding and put the blanket down on the ground. They sat down quietly and watched the waves coming and going in repeat. Eleanor couldn't help but shiver a bit and she mentally cursed herself for not thinking everything through.
Jasper noticed and without a word, he pulled off his own shirt. Eleanor asked shocked: "Are you hot or something?" Jasper laughed out loud and before she could protest, got her in his shirt. Even though the shirt was short-sleeved, it was much better than her little top. Still, Eleanor whined: "But what about you?"
He's so tall and handsome as hell
He's so bad, but he does it so well
He raised his eyebrows and whispered: "Well, you can always wrap your arms around me. That'll work." He ended his words with a wink and Eleanor chuckled at how boyish he looked. She tackled him down and he tried to fight her off playfully but he wasn't putting in any effort.
I can see the end as it begins
My one condition is
He finally relaxed and she ended up on top of him, resting her head on his chest. She closed her eyes for a moment and sighed when Jasper's scent hit her nose. She smiled at how ridiculously happy she was in his stained shirt and thought she was probably going mad.
He called her name quietly: "Eleanor?" Her breath got lost in the way, like so many times she just happened to be near him. She didn't respond for a moment but then he heard her faint voice: "Yeah?" He went on: "Do you think a few years later you would remember today? The market? The sand? Kissing in the middle of the ocean?"
Say you'll remember me
Standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset, babe
Red lips and rosy cheeks, say you'll see me again
Even if it's just pretend
Eleanor froze in her place, not knowing what to say, not knowing how to choose the right words. He sighed after a moment and mumbled: "Of course you wouldn't…" The bitterness in his words made her pull away from his chest and look at him.
Someday when you leave me
I bet these memories,
Follow you around
She called his name, like it was the answer he was looking for, and touched his cheek: "Jasper…" He stared into her eyes, waiting for something, anything. She gulped, holding back all the things she wanted to say to him, and just let a little part of it out: "You may not believe me, but I will remember today, forever."
Say you'll remember me
Standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset, babe
Red lips and rosy cheeks, say you'll see me again
Even if it's just in your
Wildest dreams
Wildest dreams
There it was, one of his few genuine smiles, and she let her lips touch his with no hurry. His hands were wrapped securely around her back, pulling her even closer, and she was clutching his cheeks with both her hands.
You'll see me in hindsight
Tangled up with you all night,
Burning it down
She pulled away after one long moment and slowly rolled off of him. They were laying side by side, arms touching, and their eyes were glued to the clear sky above them. She whispered: "Good night." And he said it back after he planted a kiss on her temple.
Say you'll remember me,
Standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset, babe
Eleanor closed her eyes and she was glad that there was nothing but the calm sound of the ocean around them. She felt herself drift away slowly and the last thing she remembered was Jasper pulling the rest of the blanket around her.
Red lips and rosy cheeks, say you'll see me again
Even if it's just in your,
Wildest dreams
Neither of them was going to forget that day...
This chapter turned out cheesier than I wanted but I hope you enjoyed it!
I can't wait to hear your thoughts ;)
Xoxo,
S