At last! My finals are OVER!!!! -happy dance- I just want to thank everyone for being so patient with me fir the past few weeks! I'm sorry I haven't updated very often. But! I made this chapter very long and fluffy for everyone and there's a little surprise at the end! xD Well, actually, not so much as a surprise as a long-awaited scene. And yes, the much-anticipated party chapter is here! I'll shut up now so you guys can read it.
Disclaimer: -sulks- No... -pouts-
Chapter 9.
The week seemed to pass abnormally fast for Elizabeth. Her relationship with Will was progressing quickly as well – Elizabeth had gotten up early every day for the rest of that week, picking out what to wear purposefully and brushing her hair much more than usual. She checked the mirror before she went to her morning classes, which was something she had never done before now. She found herself to be smiling more when she was with Will, and less anxious than she usually was. It seemed impossible for her to worry when she was in Will's presence.
She brushed her hair slowly, making sure there wasn't as much as a single tangle in it. Tonight was the night of Will's birthday party. It was 7:30 now, and it started at 8. Rachel was trying on different outfits in front of a mirror in her closet, occasionally asking if a certain top fit he right or if Elizabeth thought she looked better in blue or green. Elizabeth, thankfully, had picked out her outfit –she was even surprised at herself for thinking ahead that far- three days ago. She was wearing a long maroon skirt that was slightly ragged at the ends that accented her tan and a simple white tank top. She didn't want to go too fancy; it was only a birthday party, after all. She had a pair of strappy black heels and the shell necklace she had worn when she first met Will. She had towel-dried her hair, so her natural waves had been brought out.
"Whoa…" A voice at the door said. Elizabeth turned from the mirror to see Angela looking at her, openmouthed. She was wearing sweatpants and a black T-shirt, claiming earlier that night that she had too much studying to do to go to a party.
"What?" Elizabeth asked, worried. She shot her reflection a frantic look, checking for food in her teeth or a tag sticking out.
"It's nothing, just… you look different without 20 books over your shoulder," Angela said, sitting on her bed with a textbook propped open.
"Good different?" Elizabeth asked hopefully. Rachel laughed, finally turning away from her own reflection. She was wearing a pair of ragged, ripped-up jeans and a simple black shirt. She had put a large amount of eyeliner and mascara on, though the result wasn't entirely unappealing.
"Great different," Rachel assured her. Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief and smoothed out her skirt again.
"You know…" Angela said thoughtfully, "I've never seen you so nervous and so worried about your appearance. Might there be someone you're hoping to impress?" She asked mischievously. Elizabeth blushed. She had not told anyone about her feelings for Will, though she was hoping they weren't too easy to read.
"Well of course there's someone she wants to impress," Rachel snorted. "She's had a thing for Will ever since she met him."
"What makes you say that?" Elizabeth said defensively, even though she was a little scared on the inside. Had her feelings been that easy to spot?
"Please, I've seen the way you are with him. You can't stop smiling when you're around him, and you're either totally spaced or brooding and pensive when you're not. Oh, but don't worry," Rachel added, seeing the frightened look on Elizabeth's face, "he's completely oblivious. He hasn't ever been the most aware when it comes to things like this. I remember when he was in high school, and it wasn't until about five girls asked him out that he realized that they were interested."
"Huh…" was all Elizabeth could say. She was relieved that he hadn't noticed, though some small part of her kind of wished he did – after all, she was never going to be able to pluck up the courage to ask him out; she knew that for a fact.
"Just so you know…" Rachel added slyly, "he's not exactly repulsed by you, if you know what I mean."
"Hm?" Elizabeth asked. Rachel rolled her eyes.
"Wow. You're almost as oblivious as he is. Look, I've known Will longer than you. He always used to be really quiet, and kinda sad. But ever since he met you, he's been the exact opposite. This is the happiest I've seen him in a while," Rachel explained. Elizabeth couldn't help but smile; she suddenly felt very warm.
"We better go. Remember, there's bound to be alcohol there, so stay away from Jack. My brother tends to…" Rachel started. She seemed to struggle for words for a moment, and then smiled apologetically.
"Well, Will would probably beat him to a bloody pulp if he went into his… drunk phase with you," Rachel said. Elizabeth couldn't help but giggle. She always liked the idea of overprotective guys.
"See you guys," Angela said as Elizabeth and Rachel left the room, waving, never lifting her eyes from her textbook. Elizabeth kept smoothing out her hair and skirt on the way to Will's dorm room.
"Relax," Rachel said as she pushed the door open. "Will doesn't care about appearances, anyway. You could be covered in mud and he would still say you look great," Rachel assured her, rolling her eyes. Elizabeth laughed nervously and looked around. It was a large, spacious room with three couches up against the walls. A table with chips and punch stood innocently in the back, though as soon as Elizabeth saw Jack standing beside it, grinning, she reminded to herself not to go over there. Banners and streamers hung by the ceiling, and a large white banner was displayed at the back of the room with "Happy Birthday, Will!" written on it. Elizabeth checked the clock in the corner of the room – they were 5 minutes early.
"'Ey, Elizabeth," Jack said casually, walking over from the table. She smiled.
"Hi, Jack. Have you spiked the punch yet?" She asked. He raised his eyebrows in mock hurt.
"Elizabeth Swann! To even think that I would do such a thing is preposterous!" He declared. Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.
"Yes…" he admitted, hanging his head. Elizabeth laughed. Rachel gave her brother a disapproving look.
"You're lucky I don't tell Mom and Dad," she said. Jack snorted.
"Please. Remember in eleventh grade so drunk that I thought Dad was a clown and Mom was a piece of furniture? I was grounded for, what, a week?" Jack said.
"Yeah, I remember that night, because I had to drive and we got pulled over," Will said, walking out of the double doors Elizabeth supposed led to the rooms.
"Will! Happy Birthday!" she said as soon as she saw him. Will smiled.
"Hey, Elizabeth. Thanks. I'm glad you came," Will said earnestly. Elizabeth smiled.
"Of course I came!"
Will opened his mouth to say something, but the doors behind Elizabeth, Rachel, Jack, and Will opened and hordes of people came streaming forward.
"Happy Birthday, Will!" they chorused. Will looked confused for a moment, and then rounded on Jack as someone turned on the stereo and switched the lights.
"Jack! How many people did you invite?!" He asked furiously. Jack waved his hand and said "look, I know it's more people than you had in mind-"
"Our entire year is here!" Will interrupted in indignation.
"The more the merrier! Now, if you excuse me, I do believe I see a very pretty lady by the punch bowl…" Jack said. He winked.
"Jack, I'm going to-!"
"Ta!" Jack called over his shoulder, sauntering over to the girl.
"I'm going to kill him…" Will muttered. Elizabeth laughed.
"Right, well I see Tammy. I'll see you guys later," Rachel said, smirking at Elizabeth as she squeezed in between two people and made her way through the extremely crowded room.
Someone had turned on the stereo and a fast song Elizabeth didn't know started playing. Soon, the massive room had turned into a dance floor.
"Um… let's go over there…" Will murmured, nodding at the edges of the people dancing. Elizabeth agreed; she didn't really feel like dancing. If it was a slow song, however…
"Oh! I just remembered! Your present…" Elizabeth said, grabbing a small box out of her pocket. She handed it to Will, who was smiling.
"You didn't have to get me anything," he said. She pulled a face.
"Of course I did! What kind of friend would I be if I came to your birthday party… well, alright, Jack's party that happens to be on your birthday," she laughed, "Without bringing you a present?"
Will smiled and tore off the dark blue paper. A tiny white box was in his hand, and he fumbled with the tape for minute to get it open. In the box was a long black string with pearly, jagged triangle on it.
"A shark tooth necklace…?" Will asked. Elizabeth suddenly felt very stupid and could feel herself go red.
"Yeah… Um, didn't you say the other day that you've always wanted one…? I-I mean, if you don't like it, you don't have to wear it or anything-"
"Who said anything about not liking it? I'm just surprised that you remembered!" Will laughed, fastening it around his neck. Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. Indeed, Will had told her three days ago that when he was little, his family would go down to the beach every year and collect shells. He explained that he always looked for shark teeth instead of shells so that he could one day have a real shark tooth necklace.
"I'm glad you like it. I found it last night, and it's a good thing, too, or I'd have looked like an idiot, standing here with not present," Elizabeth laughed. Will looked surprised.
"You mean you went out and found this? I thought you just bought it at one of the stands around the beach!" Will said. The academy was only located about half an hour away from one of the Caribbean beaches.
"Will Turner, that is most insulting! To think that I would be so cheap…" Elizabeth sniffed, kidding. Will laughed.
"Well, if it i'nt… hic… Will 'n Lizzie…"
Jack swaggered over to the two of them, obviously drunk out of his mind. Elizabeth could smell the alcohol on his breath from where she stood.
"Jack, maybe you oughta cool it with the liquor for now…" Will cautioned.
"I'm fine! Sober 's the day is long… Lizzie!" Jack said, turning to her as if he had not seen her since just then. She looked at Jack sternly.
"Will's right, Jack. You're drunk."
"Oh, well if bloody Will said it…" Jack started. "You know, I still remember that morning when 'ou 'forgot a paper'…" he snorted, rolling his eyes. His gaze became unfocused as he held onto a table for support. He shook his head like a dog trying to rid its ears of water, then eyed Elizabeth lustily.
"You know, you're pretty hot…" he said, taking a step closer to her.
"Jack!" Will said, grabbing his friend's arm firmly.
"Wot?" Jack asked innocently.
"You're drunk. If you're not going to go to bed and sober up, then at least go and hang out with all the other drunks!" Will said, dragging Jack away from Elizabeth, his face angry. She giggled to herself, remembering Rachel's words earlier.
Will returned a moment later, looking weary. "I'm sorry about that… You've heard how he's like when he's drunk, and well… there you go," Will said, still looking angry.
"It's okay. It's not like it exactly breaks my heart to be told I'm hot," Elizabeth joked. "It just has to be by the right person…" she added thoughtfully. Will looked uncomfortable.
"Well, you know, you are-"
"Hey, guys. Having fun?" Rachel asked, sliding in between a boy and girl. Elizabeth shot her an annoyed glance that she didn't seem to notice. Why did she have to walk up right then?!
"Yeah, just talking. You?" Elizabeth asked after a moment. It wasn't Rachel's fault her timing sucked, after all.
"Same. I would dance, but John's not coming," Rachel said. John was Rachel's boyfriend. Elizabeth had only met him once, and he was nice.
"Aw, that sucks, why not?" Elizabeth asked sympathetically. Rachel sighed.
"He has a huge test in statistics on Monday… Said he was going to pull all-nighters this weekend," Rachel said resentfully. Elizabeth gave her a sympathetic look.
"But don't let my sob story keep you guys down! Why don't you two dance a little? This is a party, after all," Rachel suggested. Elizabeth and Will immediately began muttering excuses that they didn't dance.
"Oh, come on! You only live once!" Rachel said, pushing them into the mob of dancing people. She mouthed 'you're welcome!' to Elizabeth and disappeared behind the crowd.
I'm going to kill her. Murder her… Elizabeth thought to herself. Will scratched the back of his head, obviously uncomfortable. Just then, one of Elizabeth's favorite songs started playing. It just happened to be a slow one.
"Wanna dance?" Will asked abruptly. Elizabeth looked up at his face; he was smiling awkwardly.
"Sure."
Get a load of me, get a load of you, walkin' down the street and I hardly know you… hardly know you… it's just like we were meant to be…
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Will's neck and felt his hands on her back. They revolved on the spot slowly and Elizabeth realized that she couldn't look anywhere other than Will's perfect, mahogany eyes.
Holding hands with you when we're out at night, got a girlfriend, you say it isn't right… and I've got someone waiting too…
What if this is just the beginning? We're already wet and we're gonna go swimming…
Why can't I breathe whenever I think about you?
Why can't I speak whenever I talk about you?
It's inevitable, it's a fact that we're gonna get down to it, so tell me…
Why can't I breathe whenever I think about you?
Elizabeth felt like she was in heaven, dancing here in Will's arms. She inhaled deeply, breathing his scent.
And then the sprinklers went off.
Various screams issued from the mob of people and the lights were flicked back on. Standing at the front of the room, holding a megaphone and looking absolutely livid, was Dean Beckett. Professor Norrington stood behind him, looking just as furious.
"Everyone, go back to your rooms! You people know the rules! NO ALCOHOL on school grounds!"
"But Professors… there's no –hic- alcohol here…!" Jack called from the back of the room. The girl next to him, apparently plastered as well, giggled.
"Mr. Sparrow! In my office, NOW!" Dean Beckett roared.
As everyone filed out of the room, groaning and complaining, Elizabeth let go of Will reluctantly.
"I guess I have to go…" she trailed off. Will was looking down, blushing.
"See you," he said, not meeting her eyes. Elizabeth's shoulders sagged as she walked away, but she turned back after a few steps.
"Will?" She asked hesitantly. Will looked up as she walked over to him.
"Hm?" He asked. Elizabeth waited a moment, unsure, then looked into his eyes. Making up her mind, she stood a little taller and kissed him intently. He opened his eyes, surprised, then closed them and returned the kiss in earnest, holding her close to him. She broke off after a moment and smiled.
"Happy Birthday."
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HUZZAH! Their first kiss! I hope I didn't screw it up for anyone! I was actually really nervous for this chapter. I've never been really good with writing this kind of fluff... I hope this was good, though! Please review and tell me what you think! (Though I really don't have to ask - you guys are awesome when it comes to reviewing!)
Speaking of reviewing, here are my thank-yous! Sorry again for not putting them in last chapter!
Norwegianchick101: Hehe, it wasn't very good. Fun to laugh at, though. But you were right - that's the movie I was basing my cheesy scary movie off of. xD Hope you liked this chapter!
orlysluv: xD There ya go! Was this enough fluff for you:) I was going to wait to do the party chapter, but I just felt so bad for making everyone wait because of my finals! Thanks for reviewing!
raindropsX: Poor Will, indeed :'( Just wait until I give you guys the final piece of Will's background story. It's quite a tear-jerker, let me assure you! xD Hope you liked this chapter.
Phoenix Feather Queens: Thanks so much! You've been one of my many extremely faithful reviewers; you have no idea how much I appreciate that!!
blonde-gal: xD So am I. And yeah, I felt kinda bad for making my last chapter so emo-tastic. But! This one's extra-happy, to make up for it!
wolfgirlami: Me too! I'm glad that I kept Jack's uncanny knack of knowing everything from the movie. It's one of my favorite qualities of his! Thanks for reviewing!
hsmgirl14: Thanks! Hope you liked this chapter!
williz: xD Me too. Once, I saw a movie where the blood on the person's arms was two different colors. And not on purpose, like one arm was dried blood and the other fresh or anything, it was just that cheesy. xD Thanks for reading!
liz3386: Can you guess what Elizabeth's profound moment is going to be yet? xD And thanks!
RBDFAN: Yes, it's very sad indeed. :'( Thanks for reviewing!
apocalypse cabaret: Thanks so much! It's nice to know I haven't lost my touch xD
Volume-5: xDDDDDDDDDDDD Was that fluffy enough for you? I hope I wrote the party well! Thanks for reviewing!
Jennibur: I love making Jack make things awkward. He's just so good at it :D Hope you liked this chapter!
EpisodeSkywalker: Yeah, I hated the ending of AWE at first, but then I thought about it and was like "WAITAMINUTE he only has to do it for ten years..." xD I'm a little slow.
Nexlei: Thanks! Jack's such a hard character to write; it's nice to know I'm not screwing him up too badly. xD Hope you liked this chapter!
peachtarts: Thanks so much! I hope you liked this chapter xD
Brightshadow 5: -stares- HOLY...! It's you! -scratches head- Hehe, sorry for kinda letting my other fic die... :D I'll probably update that... sometime... I think... Anyway! Thanks for reviewing!
SavvyPirateLove: -breathes in relief- Thanks! I dunno, I just wasn't very satisfied with my last chapter... But! I'm glad you liked it! xD I hope you liked this chapter! I made it extra-happy and extra-fluffy!
nikkitan89: Thanks! hope you liked reading this chapter as much as I liked writing it :D
Alrighty! The next chapter is coming soon, I promise! Thank you to EVERYONE who reads this, even if you don't review. I appreciate you guys! Bye! -waves-
Peace!