Cross
Chapter 5
"Attention passengers, we will be landing in Moscow shortly."
Marium yawned widely as the announcement went off. She stared around the airplane slightly dazed. They'd been flying for… she'd lost count how many hours. Her parent's had consented to let her spend the week at Kai's. The truth was they were utterly thrilled that she'd managed to make friends so fast, especially ones with such influential families. She was a tad surprised that the girls had asked and gotten a yes without any trouble. Apparently their parents let them do this all the time; go and spend a week in a guys house without parental supervision. Life certainly was different at Cross.
She peered out the window at the beautiful city below. She was a bit curious as to why Kai's grandfather would bother sending him all the way to Cross, maybe it was just that good of a school. Mariah stretched languidly in the seat next to hers, taking a few quick glances at Ray who was sitting across the aisle from them next to Kai and Brooklyn. Hillary sat next to Salima in the seat in front of them, and Max and Tyson behind.
When the plane eventually landed the group quickly got up and left the plane. Twenty minutes later they were exiting the terminal. The frigid air hit them like a rock, only Kai seemed unaffected. He'd told them to bring warm clothes. A man dressed in a sleek black out fit stood before a limo. Kai walked up to him,
"Master Hiwatari."
"Frederick." Kai nodded back in response. The man, Frederick, wasted no time opening the door for them and quickly loaded their luggage into the trunk. As they drove through the elaborate town on quaint streets it began to snow lightly. Twenty minutes later they immerged from the city and passed through the countryside. Snow covered everything in thin white sheets, almost frozen in time they seemed. At long last they turned down a long driveway leading to a huge mansion atop a snowy hill and overlooking a fast-moving river. When they stopped before the house Kai quickly led them inside, saying the servants would take care of the luggage. It was even grander inside the house. The ceiling seemed to go on forever with lovely archways and intricate borders. It was extremely quiet, the many paintings lining the walls seems to stare at them abrasively as they passed. Kai led them past the main hall and into the corridor, and up a flight of marble stairs. At the top he continued down a hall with three red silk covered windows looking over the river and back yard. Tyson elbowed Brooklyn wagging his eyebrows at the place. Brooklyn only smirked and shook his head.
After the hall they came out onto a landing with four doors.
"The two doors on the left are for the girls, the ones on the right are for the guys. Two people per room, and don't worry there's a cot in the guy's room so you don't have to share the same bed." The guys sighed and laughed at this. "The girls can use the bathroom down the hall to the right. Guys you use my bathroom, past that on the left, next to my room. Go on and get settled, dinner's in half an hour." They said thanks and quickly hurried into their rooms.
U4083503763576892768927426
"This place is huge." Mariah murmured, staring out the large window to the snow covered field." Marium flung herself onto the bed behind her, revelling in the soft silky feeling, like a giant pillow beneath her.
"I think Cross should get beds like this." she said, staring at the lovely canopy overhead. Mariah laughed, turned, and jumped on the bed next to her.
"Yeah right." Marium laughed with her.
"So… what's up with you and Max?" Mariah asked, running her fingers over the gold silk. Marium frowned, sitting up.
"What do you mean?"
"Are you two…. You know…." Marium grinned,
"No. We're just… I dunno, whatever." Mariah nodded slowly, pretending to understand,
"Ahhh… I see…." Marium grabbed one of the pillows and smacked her over the head,
"Ow!" Mariah yelped.
"Don't tease." Marium said, "I like him."
"Oh I can tell. I'm happy for you, Max is a cutie. Him and I dated for like a week back in grade nine." she said, sticking her tongue out, "What a disaster. I'm so glad we're friends now." Marium nodded slowly, running her fingers through her hair.
"Did you just do that to get Ray jealous?" she laughed, it was Mariah's turn to swipe at her with the pillow. She missed and sighed, flopping back down on the bed. Marium quirked an eyebrow from her new seat on the arm chair near the closet.
"Well?" she asked. Mariah shook her head, looking off through the snow.
"Ray and… I think we've always liked each other, we were both just too stubborn too admit it seriously."
"Oh… I see." Mariah grinned,
"In any case, we're together now." Just then there was a knock at the door. Without waiting for an answer Hillary and Salima walked in.
"Wow, yours is as big as ours." Hillary said in awe.
"We came to tell you guys dinner's ready." Salima said.
"Alright." Mariah replied, heaving herself off the bed. Though they'd all taken off their coats, they were still clad in sweaters and thick socks. The girls walked down the empty hallway heading for the staircase. At the foot of the stairs the guys were milling around. Brooklyn looked up as they walked down.
"Does anyone actually know where the dining room is?" he asked in his cool voice. Salima shrugged.
"Not a clue."
"Excuse me, but Master Kai has asked me to escort you to the dining room." The group turned to see Frederick standing below one of the archways leading to another hall. They followed him as he walked briskly past it and down the marble hallway. More paintings lined the walls here, some of them even had people that shared the same features as Kai, but all were stern and cold. Mariah shivered involuntarily and she felt Ray squeeze her hand from next to her.
"How's your room?" he asked in a quiet voice, afraid to echo.
"Gorgeous."
"Same." he replied.
"Poor Kai, I can't imagine what it's like for him spending all of his holidays alone in such a large desolate house." Ray nodded, looking ahead of them,
"Yeah, he's always been an introvert, maybe he prefers to isolation."
"Beats me."
At the end of the hall were two huge oak doors reaching up to the ceiling. Frederick opened them with a loud creak, then gestured for them to enter. Inside was a huge room with three large windows on the far wall facing the front yard. In the center was a long cherry-wood dining table that could seat at least thirty people. At the moment it was set for only nine, and at the head sat Kai dressed in a crisp white linen shirt and black trousers. Hillary looked down at her own attire; a simple black hoodie, tight blue jeans and black legwarmers. She wish she'd known to dress up. Kai looked wonderful in his outfit, and suddenly she felt like she didn't fit into his life, all the luxuries and classic beauty of everything. Sure her family had money, but they were gaudy and flashy compared to the sheer elegance of this.
"This is beautiful." Salima said, sitting down at the table with the others.
"Thanks," Kai replied, "We don't usually use it, but I figured since it's your first night here, why not." The group voiced their thanks.
The next hour was lost in delicious bliss. Marium couldn't pronounce half of the names of what she ate, but it all tasted wonderful. She glanced at Max sitting next to her, the way his sparkling eyes lit up in the candlelight as he laughed at Tyson's horrendous table manners. She smiled to herself; how she ended up here, she'd never understand.
Brooklyn ate delicately as usual. His own home was about an hour away from Moscow. The lonely mansion was probably empty, save for the servants, as always. He couldn't help but remember that Tala lived nearby as well, though he might not even be home for the beak. He tended to make a home wherever he was, and most likely would be busy supplying parties that were undoubtedly going on during the vacation. He pushed these thoughts from his mind and focused his group of friends.
After the meal Kai led them to the spacious living room. A fire cracked under a large mantle while old looking leather couches faced it. Outside through the windows the stars had just begun to appear in the dark sky, and the snow seemed even more fragile.
Kai sat in the large armchair closest to the fire, very obviously at home. The others dispersed on the couches, while Hillary opted to sit on the floor nearest the fire to warm herself.
"Kai this place is great! Why haven't you ever invited us here before?" Tyson asked. His mouth still tasted of the sweetness from dessert. Kai shrugged, not replying.
"He was probably afraid to let you loose here Tyson." Max said. The others laughed and Tyson rolled his eyes.
"Har har har, witty Max, really." Salima patted his arm on the couch next to him,
"Poor Tyson." she said. He glared at her, but there was no malice behind it, and he quickly smiled.
Soon after the conversation lulled and a clock somewhere sounded eleven.
"Well, I'm tired." Mariah sighed, standing from the couch. Salima nodded, standing as well. Eventually everyone began to head for bed in pairs or alone. Kai told them they'd be going into town the next day, and had to be up early. They said their goodnights, laughing out the door. As everyone trickled out, Hillary realized with a start that she was alone with Kai in the eerily dark room. The fire crackled behind her and she glanced up at him.
"This place is absolutely beautiful." she murmured. He looked at her, his gaze unnerving.
"Thank you, but it's not all it seems to be." She nodded. "There's always a difference between the appearance and reality of things."
"Seems that way. But then again, everyone's got a side of them that they don't want to world to see." she looked out the window, hugging her knees to herself.
"Yes."
"Some of us, are just better at hiding it." she laughed lightly,
"You mean me." It wasn't said like a question, but she could tell he was waiting for a response.
"Sometimes, yes. You're… very good at putting up a wall between you and other people." His brow furrowed momentarily, and then smoothed, once more replaced by the cool façade.
"It must be an art." She sighed at his inarticulate response.
"Clearly." she replied, equally bland. His gaze narrowed as he looked at her. She returned it with her own warm stare, very much unlike his own. At last he seemed defeated and shook his head. He stood from his seat and she felt a pang of regret that he might be leaving, but then he turned and sat on the carpet next to her.
"It's odd, but this "art" seems most easy to create when I'm here." he said, leaning back on his hands. She cocked her head to the side,
"What do you mean? That you're least comfortable here?"
"Well, not that. Simply that I learned to hide my feelings in this place. It's cold, and holds no childhood warmth for me. It has taught me many things." She stared ahead, trying to understand what it felt like to feel an alien in your own home, and then she knew exactly how he felt.
"It must be very lonely." He looked her in the eye, as if trying to understand her meaning.
"Yes, it can be."
"I can relate. When I go home I feel like my parents only see me as a little doll that came to life, like they didn't really expect me to grow up. They say they want me to go so some expensive university, but I get the feeling it's only to get me off their hands."
"I'm sorry." she sighed wistfully,
"That's alright. I've gotten used to it, as I'm sure you have. They sat in silence for a few long moments. Hillary looked down at how close their thighs were, the way he smelt so wonderful, just like his jacket had. She smiled to herself as a thought crossed her mind.
"Can I ask you a personal question?" He frowned slightly.
"That depends what it is." he replied, leaning forward off his hands so they were level.
"Ok." she nodded, then began hesitantly, "You know those rumours… around school, about you and Miss Hart? Well…. Are they…-"
"Just rumours." he responded firmly. She thought she glimpsed the whisper of a smirk on his lips. She grinned,
"Really? Cause you don't have to be scared to tell me, I'll keep your dirty secret." Now she was just teasing. This time he actually smirked and she thought her heart would burst,
"Alright, in exchange I'll keep you secret safe about you and Tala." he replied, leaning closer to her face. She flushed, but kept her composure,
"I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about. At least I can prove you're having an affair. How do you explain all those perfect grades?" he laughed lightly,
"Intelligence." her heart fluttered as she felt his breath fan across her face, then mocked a frown,
"Oh, didn't think of that." he smirked as she laughed,
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked, eyes narrowing dangerously.
"Oh you know, just that, you're clearly not the sharpest tool in the shed."
"Is that so?" his voice grew very soft and low.
"Y-yes." she said, mouth suddenly parched.
"I'm smarter than you think." he whispered, and then his mouth was on hers. Hillary was in shock for a split second, savouring something she'd only ever imagined happening. But then she felt his lips moving over hers and she began to respond. He was firm, but not harsh, meticulous, but passionate. She moaned as she felt his hands on her waist, gently lowering her to lie on the carpeted floor. Alarms were going off in her head, but she couldn't be bothered. He tasted fresh and cool, and just slightly like that wine he'd apparently drank at dinner. He licked her lower lip, biting it lightly, eliciting another moan from her. His tongue quickly delved in, and he groaned in approval. His hands were on either side of her supporting his. She ran her hands lightly over his muscled chest and he grunted. She smiled into the kiss, knowing she was making it harder for him hold himself up. He quickly grabbed her hand and pinned them above her head, pressing himself flush against her. She gasped as he kissed her neck and collar. She sighed contentedly, and suddenly the clock chimed midnight. She jumped lightly and he sat up. She frowned at him, and he smiled, pulling her up to sit next to him.
"It's late, and we'll have to be up early tomorrow. We should go to bed." His voice scarcely held the hint of coldness that it usually did. She sighed inwardly; it was a start. She nodded, and they both stood. The pair made their way upstairs in silence. At the top of the landing Kai indicated that his room was in the opposite direction.
"Well… goodnight." she said, turning to go.
"Hillary." he said to her back. She faced him again,
"Yeah?" He smirked,
"I guess after tonight I'll have to dump Miss Hart then." she grinned back and nodded,
"It'll be our secret."
96730697386789326783693578406376
A/N: I know... WAY TOO LONG before I updated, but what with exams and culminating projects I got a bit sidetracked, and then had a bad case of writer's block, if you even believe in that. Anywho, i do hope it was to your liking. As always, if there's anything you would like to see in the coming chapters PLEASE LET ME KNOW! i want to hear your ideas (i.e. plot suggestions, more ation between any couples, etc.) and if not, then i hope you like the next chapter! Please R&R! Till next time!