Chapter 3: Eric

AN- I just wanted to say thank you to my first two reviews from xXx dark shadow xXx and PriscillaN. Thank you so much! You guys made my day! For the rest of you people that haven't reviewed for me, please! Review!

oOo

Billy and Bridget stepped inside the kitchen. They were holding hands. Eric and Greta looked up from their conversation and smiled. Billy, who had a fierce look on his face let go of Bridget's hand and stepped forward to greet Eric.

Eric, seeing Billy step closer, stood up from Greta's kitchen chair and put his hand forward to shake Billy's hand. "Hello. Nice to meet you." Eric greeted formally.

Billy, who seemed to relax a little bit more, replied "Hi. My name's Billy. I assume you are Eric?"

Eric looked shocked when he saw that Billy already knew who he was. Looking at Bridget who was staring at her feet, he answered "Yes. I'm Eric. Can I please ask you to excuse Bee and I for a moment please?"

Bridget, upon hearing this, looked up from staring at her feet and said "What?"

Eric walked toward her and held her hand gently, but firmly, said "I need to talk to you."

Bridget looked at Greta, who was shrugging, and Billy, who looked quite reluctant into letting Bridget follow her ex-boyfriend, followed Eric out of the kitchen door, pass the hallway and finally into the living room. Eric let go of Bridget's hand and sat down on the beige couch.

Bridget did the same, but she sat down on the opposite couch. For 10 minutes, both of them just looked at each other without locking eyes. Eric looked at Bridget's curvy, slim body, and her long, beautiful bright banana colored hair. He noted how her bright green-blue eyes seemed to sparkle and how her freckles were dusted just right across her slender nose and cheekbones. He gazed at her more mature posture, and her long, langly legs and arms.

At the same time, Bridget noticed how Eric's figure had become more muscular but lean at the same time. She also observed his broader shoulders and she was almost certain he didn't grow any taller. Her eyes then looked at his face, and seemed to notice his sandy hair seemed to grow longer. As she looked at Eric, she remembered all the things she used to love about him. The way his hair falls into his eyes, the way he holds a cocky, but warming posture, the way his light stubble would tickle her chin, and the way his eyes used to look at her with such a loving gaze...

Suddenly, Bridget couldn't stand being so polite and quiet anymore. Hatred started spilling out of her. She couldn't start falling back in love withi him again. Heck, she didn't even know if she was 100 over him yet and it was three years since they broke up.

She stood up and demanded very rudely "Eric, what are you doing here?" She had her hands crossed over her chest and she leaned on one hip.

Eric looked up at her. He looked at her pleadingly and said "Bee, please, can we talk about this first, and more cordially?"

Eric's remark made Bridget even madder. She started to scream at him. "ERIC! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? YOU CAN'T JUST WALTZ INTO MY GRANDMA'S HOUSE AND EXPECT ME TO GREET YOU KINDLY! DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU PUT ME THROUGH THESE LAST 3 YEARS? DO YOU? I HAVEN'T GONE OUT WITH ANYONE FOR THREE YEARS! YOU PUT ME THROUGH MILD DEPRESSION! YOU RUINED MY LIFE! WHEN I WENT TO THE AIRPORT, I MET BILLY AND I THOUGHT I WOULD BE HAPPY AGAIN! NOW HERE YOU ARE, READY TO MAKE ME GO THROUGH THAT ENTIRE HECTIC RELATIONSHIP AGAIN! DO YOU WANT ME TO GO OUT WITH YOU AGAIN JUST FOR THE REASON THAT YOU CAN BREAK MY HEART AGAIN?

Bridget stopped to catch her breath. When catching her breath, she noticed that Billy and Greta had been standing near the doorway watching her furious rage.

Eric just had his face in his hands. Calming down slightly, Bridget silently passed Eric, Greta and Billy to go in the kitchen to get some water. Bridget took a cup of water and started to sip it very slowly. When she was done, she put her cup in the sink and walked back to the living room.

Before she could enter the living room, she noticed that Billy was still outside waiting for her. He took her back into the kitchen and said "Bee, just come outside with me. We'll go to my house. Don't worry. We'll come back to Greta's house when Eric's gone."

Bridget, smiling at Billy said "Billy, you don't need to worry. I'm fine now. I just want to get it over with Eric." Leaning in, she gave Billy a quick peck on the lips and walked back to the living room.

As soon as she entered the living room, she noticed Greta had left. Bridget smiled. Just leave it to Greta for knowing exactly what to do. Sitting down on the opposite side of Eric, who simply looked at her, Bridget said "Eric, we need to talk"

Eric just nodded.

Bridget continued "I asked you before and I will ask you again. Eric, what are you doing here?"

Eric replied "Bee, I came here to apologize. I'm still coaching for the Kickers but I had to take a break to visit you. I came here to apologize for breaking up with you years before. I was stupid. I never realized what I had until the one only person I ever cared for was gone. Please Bee. Take me back." Eric looked at Bridget pleadingly. Eric knew he probably looked pathetic and desperate, but he didn't care. He needed Bridget back in his life.

Bridget, who seemed to soften up, looked at Eric. She looked in his eyes, which were getting moist, and she looked at his hands, which were clasped together in a tight hold. Slowly, her eyes were getting moist too.

She hugged him and he slowly wrapped his arms around her in return. Bridget said into his t-shirt clad shoulder "Eric, I am so sorry but I have a boyfriend now."

Bridget felt Eric loosen up their hug immediately. He looked into her eyes and said "Bee? Don't you love me?" Eric mentally slapped himself for saying this because he knew it was extremely cliche. But once again, he didn't care.

Bridget replied, "I'm sorry Eric, I can't go through with this again." Tears were now streaking down her face. She gave Eric another brief hug and went up to her room.

Bridget found herself lying on her bed crying for no good reason. She heard the door open then close and a car's engine starting. Pretty soon, she stopped crying. Bridget didn't get out of her bed though.

Billy walked in her door. She looked up. He came and sat down with her on the side of her bed. Stroking her long hair, Billy whispered "Bee, come on. Let's go get some dinner." Immediately, Bridget started to feel happy again. After all, she had never been on a date with Billy.

Smiling, Bridget shooed Billy out her door and told him to go home and get changed. Bridget rushed to her bags and opened up her suitcases, rummaging to find proper clothing to match the occasion. She wanted a casual, yet stunning outfit to wear. Bridget wished that she had the traveling pants right now. Apparently, Lena had them. Bridget, Lena, Carmen and Tibby had been continuing their circulation of the Pants. Since they no longer spend day and day with each other, the Pants are now used on normal days too. Not only on summers.

After minutes of searching, Bridget found the right outfit. She wore slim fitting jeans and a beautiful light blue crop top with matching earrings. Bridget fastened a pearl necklace around her neck and combed her hair until it was presentable. She rushed into the bathroom and started applying her makeup. A little bit of silver eye shadow, mascara, a bit of blush, and plenty of lip-gloss.

Finally, Bridget was satisfied with her appearance. Choosing high stilettos, she walked down the stairs to find Greta waiting for her on the bottom. "Bee, darling, you look beautiful!" Greta exclaimed. Bridget hugged Greta in response.

Shortly after, Billy arrived wearing perfectly fit, jeans that were not too baggy and not too tight. He wore a dark red collar shirt that was rolled up to his elbows and hanging loosely over his jeans. In addition to that, he wore a black tie. Bridget thought he couldn't have ever looked more handsome even though she didn't really like the black and red combination. She was more of a white colored girl (AN- a white color, not to be meant as racism).

Flashing his toothy grin at Bridget, he took her hand and led her out the door. Once they were all settled in Billy's car, Billy turned to Bridget and said "Gosh Bee, you look great."

"Thanks Billy." Bridget replied. Once Billy got the car started, he turned toward Bridget and asked her "Bee, Mexican or Mongolian tonight?"

Bridget thought about this very carefully. Finally, she said "Mexican". It's been a long time since Bridget had eaten Mexican food. She had purposely avoided Mexican food before because they reminded her of Eric, but now, she thought she was ready to eat Mexican food now.

Once they arrived at the Mexican restaurant, Billy and Bridget walked hand in hand inside. A waiter led them to a corner seat, which had a small table with a comfy corner couch specially designed for two. Bridget sat down beside Billy. His arm was around her waist. She smiled at him.

Still eating their tacos, Billy and Bridget talked. They talked about everything. The most popular subject was soccer. In the middle of discussing each and every soccer team, Bridget felt that her bladder would burst any minute from all the wine she's been drinking.

Quickly informing Billy about this, she hurried into the lady's washroom. When finished, Bridget washed her hands then adjusted her make-up. In the middle of reapplying her lip-gloss, four girls looking around the age of twenty came in. Apparently, they were squealing over this man who was making out with this girl in the restaurant. "He's so gorgeous!" exclaimed one of the younger looking girls.

"Gorgeous? He's not gorgeous! He's drop-dead gorgeous! I'm so jealous of that girl!!!" exclaimed another. After many statements about this man, the four squealy girls left the washroom.

Bridget was done adjusting her makeup. She just stood there listening to the four girl's voices. Bridget immediately felt sad because five years ago, Bridget, Lena, Tibby and Carmen used to do that too. Gossip in the washroom. She missed her sisters so much. Leaving the washroom, she looked around to find this supposedly gorgeous man who was making out with this supposedly beautiful girl.

Scanning the room for the second time, Bridget spotted this man. He was far away but she could tell he was having a heated passionate moment. Suddenly, Bridget felt the urge to go up to the couple and tell them to find a room. Walking up to the couple and still clutching her hand purse, she approached the couple.

They didn't notice she was approaching them. Once she arrived at their table, suddenly her purse slipped out of her hand. It made a big sound on the marble floors. Quickly, Bridget bent down to retrieve her things. When she stood back up, she looked at the couple. They had broke apart. She looked at the woman. This woman was fairly beautiful. She had stunning black-layered hair with gold hoop earrings.

Bridget looked at the man. Her heart did a lurch and she dropped her purse again. It was Eric. This time, fortunately, her personal items didn't fall out. Standing up again, she looked at the Eric.

Eric said "Bee?"

Looking sheepish, she replied "Eric." Then she simply walked away.

Bridget couldn't sort out her feelings now. She was walking toward Billy, who had been patiently waiting for her to finish with her bathroom business. Bridget, now, was completely caught up with her thoughts. She thought she was completely over Eric. If she was, why did she feel like her heart had dropped down to her feet? Why did she feel so rotten and sad all of a sudden? Did Eric really only need a couple of hours until he found another girl? She walked back into her table, looking sullen.

Billy smiled at her, not knowing what was gog on. He said "Bee, finally, I thought it would be midnight by the time you arrive" Bridget returned to her seat and kissed him fully on the lips. What had happened to the fireworks she felt before?

"Sorry Billy." She replied.

Billy, being the gentlemen he always was, fought the urge of asking Bridget why she had taken so long.

After dinner was finished, Billy took Bridget to watch "Love Forever". They hadn't bought any snacks because they just ate dinner. Choosing seats near the top, Bridget sat down on her seat. Billy, wanting to be closer to Bridget cursed the seats for being so wide apart.

Bridget laughed at Billy's frustration and lifted the armrest. Billy and Bridget moved closer together. Bridget put her head on Billy's shoulder and he put his arm around her. Both of them comfy, they watched the movie. Through out the movie, Bridget felt like she was in heaven. She didn't want to go anywhere. Slowly, her thoughts drifted away from Eric.

Sooner than Bridget would have liked, the movie ended. Leaving the movie theatre, Billy and Bridget discussed the movie, laughing at the funny parts and smiling at the romantic parts. Once in the car, Bridget looked at Billy. Their eyes locked. She felt his lips on hers. She put her arms around his neck moving so that she was closer to him.

After a quick snog, Billy broke away desperately needing some air.

"We need to go." Billy said to Bridget.

Smiling, Bridget merely nodded. The fireworks somewhat returened.

As Billy was driving Bridget back to Greta's house, Bridget fell asleep happy with hopes of getting over Eric completely.