HAPINESS?
CHAPTER 4: CRAVING
Percy had looked everywhere Anna. She was so troublesome, and even after being with her for 3 whole years he couldn't predict her next move. He felt extremely lost and confused in Magix. He had just been walking in circles for the last half an hour. He turned around the corner or Barnaby Street and leaned over his knees to catch his breath. He stayed in that position for sometime breathing deeply and slowly. He recalled why he had just run a marathon and then sighed
"Troublesome women" but couldn't help the smile that pulled at the end of his lips.
FLASHBACK
He and Anna were on the train to Magix, and Anna being her usual bubbly and cheerful self, hadn't given a single moment of peace to Percy.
"I can't believe he made you come to guard me, I'm not a two year old child, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself" She huffed crossing her arms and pouting. Percy just sighed and thought about how troublesome this trip was going to be.
"Geez Anna that's like the hundredth time you've commented on how old you are" He grumbled hoping the girl would realize he didn't care about her and her overprotective daddy problems.
"Hmph! If I'm such a pain why did you agree on moving your lazy ass and coming with me, its not like I want you here either" she snapped back.
"I move my lazy ass cause I need money and babysitting you pays extremely well I'll have you know" he let out, clearly lying about his true intentions. He knew he cared for her and she was his best friend and this banter was how they showed their affection for one other. He enjoyed upsetting her and seeing her pout and get frustrated. He loved how he could play with her emotions to get desired results but he would never let her know how much he enjoyed her company.
"Fine is that all our friendship means to you! Am I just your pay cheque Perc" Anna said overdramatically ready to stomp away. As she got up, Percy pulled her hand causing her to fall onto him.
"Just sit down before you cause others problem, troublesome woman," He hissed, She smiled at him, she also enjoyed how she could get his lazy personality to move because of her.
"So are you looking forward to socializing with the boys at Red fountain" Anna asked Percy in a teasing tone, she knew how he hated socializing as he thought keeping friendships were troublesome, actually Percy found everything in general troublesome.
After some time they finally obtained silence. Percy knew the reason he had been asked to escort her here. He knew his real job was to ensure that Anna never interacted with her ex boyfriend. He felt his anger rising at the thought of the guy who had broken her heart; he wondered why she still held on to her lingering feelings. Troublesome, he thought, but he knew if he ever caught the bastard he would make him pay.
"Hey Percy I have to go to the bathroom" She said getting up, Percy promptly got up too. "Perc, I am going to the bathroom, what's the worst that can happen, I can fall into the pot," Anna said sarcastically hoping to get her bodyguard to back off.
He sighed, she really was a handful. "Fine, but don't ask for my help incase you do."
The second she left the bus stopped at the 2nd last station Magix square, their station was next and he really hoped she wouldn't cause trouble de boarding on time. As the bus started to move again he saw her standing outside his window sticking her tongue out before she disappeared into the crowd.
It had become quite late and Percy had just about given up. "I hope you happy cause your fathers going to kill me" he grumbled. He was about to head back when he heard loud music coming from around the bay area. He thought checking that out would be his best chance, cause he knew how much Anna loved those stupid things called parties. He sighed "Troublesome" before slowly dragging himself towards the awful sound.
When he reached there he didn't see her and had almost left when the desolate blond sitting by the fountain caught his attention. If there was one thing that he could say was his weakness, though in this case it was the only thing that energized him, it was good-looking women. Percy never had steady relationship, he found those troublesome, but he had many flings with random women, those were fun and exhilarating and never required him to do much, usually his hormones did all the work for him.
He made his way over to her "Why isn't a beautiful girl like you dancing with someone"
Stella turned around and her gorgeous, fierce gold eyes looked straight into Percy's stormy grey ones. Stella couldn't help but notice Percy's beauty. He was a tall, tanned brunette with gorgeous sharp features and a muscular body. The guy somehow reminded her of her missing boyfriend.
"I'm kinda waiting for someone, I mean it's our three year anniversary party but he couldn't care enough to be on time, and I have no idea why I'm waiting. I mean it's the only thing I can technically do but its frustrating and I am totally rambling" Stella finished sort of embarrassed at her sudden outburst.
Percy hadn't been expecting that, but he found it refreshing and couldn't help but laugh. He had to admit the girl was drop dead gorgeous and wondered how a guy could make her wait. Then the fact that she was taken registered, however that only made it more interesting and worth the trouble for him.
"Laugh, laugh all you want. You don't even know me but you still know how I've become. Me who was once the coveted prize every guy sought is now waiting out here for a guy" Stella continued, her anger and frustration becoming clearly visible.
"How the mighty have fallen," Percy said sarcastically. "Want some liquid courage." He asked pulling out a small flask he always kept with himself for when found the world to troublesome. Stella promptly grabbed the flask and gulped all the contents. "Whoa, easy there that was a lot of vodka." Stella ignored him and took the last sip before continuing her rambling.
"And what would you know, Ya maybe we had a small fight over I don't even know what, but isn't it obvious I would be angry if I found gifts for another girl in his closet. And instead of apologizing, what does he do? Yeah, that's right show up late for our anniversary" She huffed.
"How about you dance with me cause you're clearly not having too much fun sitting here and thinking about your boyfriend" Percy suggested.
"I'm sitting here telling you about how much my life sucks cause of a stupid fight with my boyfriend, how stubborn I have been and how angry I am and you hit on me!" Stella said getting up, Percy just shrugged his shoulder and Stella continued "Hell yeah I want to dance with you"
Stella grabbed his hand and led him to the dance floor and they started dancing, Stella didn't care anymore! She knew what happened with Brandon was partly her fault, but she certainly didn't deserve this, she certainly did not deserve being stood up on her FREAKING 3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Fine if Brandon didn't care anymore, Stella didn't see a reason for why she should either. She had had enough of her falling all over Brandon only to receive half hearted love, if he could do this to her, she could certainly dance, intimately dance, with another hot guy.
Stella turned her back to the guy and grinded against him and Percy having no shame encouraged her by responding desirably to her forward actions. The other girls noticed Stella's self-destructive behavior.
"Stell I know your upset but you have a boyfriend" said Bloom in a comforting voice to Stella. Stella just ignored Bloom and continued on.
"Stell don't do this, we know you'll regret this in the morning. Brandon is a great boyfriend and you shouldn't forget that" said Musa coming towards Stella.
"Ya he's so great, he couldn't even show up to his own three year anniversary party" She yelled frustrated by all the questions and the influence of alcohol made her feelings more intense.
The girls weren't going to give up so easily, and Brandon's specialist friends vouched for him again and again till Stella exploded "Problems getting here, maybe, but why couldn't he call or text me, or is having problems using a phone too!" She stormed off towards the refreshment table and Percy followed, while the others just stared at her.
Percy followed her and stopped her from having more alcohol. "Whoa, I think you've had enough" He said maneuvering the glass out of her hand.
"Now you're going to rain on my parade too," Stella said reaching for the cup.
"I thought I told you I would help you enjoy your waiting time, I'm not sure you enjoy puking unless ofcourse you have a sick sense of enjoyment" he said.
Stella laughed. "Your funny" she let out turning to him. "So what do you propose we do"
Before Percy could suggest anything Layla was on the mike "Guys grab a girl and girls take your men and proceed to the dance floor with a piece of news paper. The rules are simple every pair has to stand on the paper and whenever the music stops they have to fold the paper in half, whoever steps off the paper is out. Also the winning couple gets tickets to the Wanted concert next weekend and remember guys no magic"
Percy pulled Stella to the dance floor. "I'm guessing you and your boyfriend and you can use make up date tickets," he said.
"What if I don't want to waste them on him" Stella hissed standing on the piece of newspaper. "So would you prefer to take me?" Percy asked as they started swaying to the music.
"You'll have to give me your phone number for that" said Stella putting her arms around his neck. "Maybe you should listen to your boyfriends side of the night before hitting on me," Percy suggested hoping to help her make amends with the missing boyfriend. He could tell she cared a lot for this boy and he didn't know why he felt it was the right thing to do was to nudge her into forgiving her assy boyfriend...Troublesome.
Percy despised his strong conscience; it totally worked against his lazy nature. Stella studied Percy with scrutiny "Geez I just don't get boys! You hit on me and now you tell me to make nice with my boyfriend" She said frustrated.
"Hey I don't know what you see me as, but when you wake up tomorrow morning I don't want be in your bad books" Percy said spinning Stella around. Stella scowled. The game continued for some time.
""What am I supposed to do if he says he forgot or didn't want to come?" asked Stella.
"Ask him why?" Percy offered, not being an expert on relationships, his longest being the one with his guitar.
"Hahahahaha" Stella laughed hysterically; "if only it was that easy," Stella sighed.
"It can be, if you make it," Percy said "Just tell him exactly what you feel, and trust me the alcohol makes that easier"
"Shut up and just dance with me already" said Stella. Percy didn't try to give her any more advice. He knew he had to get back but he was enjoying himself. He found this realm more intriguing than his own.
"Let her enjoy herself, Brandon doesn't deserve her" said Layla to the rest of the girls who were debating on what to do.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Brandon knew he had screwed up big time. He had asked Sky to go buy a nice piece of jewelry for Stella. That was the good thing about dating Stella; she accepted anything that read expensive and fashionable. Brandon had once given her a thoughtful gift but she had never worn the heart necklace, so Brandon stopped putting in much thought into them.
Brandon had driven his leva bike at full speed, but there had been many technological glitches and he was running extremely late. He was nervous as he approached the area wondering how he would deal with Stella, but when he got there he had a completely different emotion wash over him.
Before he had anytime to decipher his feelings the round dance started. A random girl approached him and then every two counts of eight his partner changed, however his eyes followed Stella. Was he jealous seeing Stella laugh and dance with another guy? Was he hurt she hadn't waited for him? Was he angry that Stella had gone to another guy instead of being sad over his not being present? The thing is Brandon didn't know, all he knew was he was to blame for what he saw. But part of him also knew it was also Stella's fault for never taking the initiative or admitting her mistake.
Finally Stella was next to being Brandon's partner. As Stella saw Brandon she looked away, she was about to leave when Brandon gripped her hand and pulled her into a dance position securing her by strongly gripping her waist.
"Dejavu huh?" Brandon questioned. Stella didn't say anything she just buried her head into Brandon's chest and inhaled his familiar scent. Oh! How she loved that scent. She saw Percy smiling at her and she just smiled weakly. She wanted to be angry at Brandon but just seeing that he had actually come temporarily washed away all her anger and insecurities.
"You dancing with another guy to get me jealous, me being aggressive and then you know how it goes" said Brandon pulling her closer to him.
"Ya except back then you loved me." said Stella softly. Brandon heard her and he didn't know why but he didn't immediately deny the fact that they might have fallen out of love. Recently as his past came back he started feeling that his relationship with Stella was falling apart slowly. He still cared for her greatly, he felt strong emotions but it wasn't what he had known as love. He wondered if he actually knew what love was.
Stella sensed his hesitation. She didn't want to ruin their reunion so she let it go for the moment. She wanted to hold onto every little fiber of their relationship that was left. "So you were jealous?" Stella said flirtatiously. Brandon laughed at her. Both of them knew this was fake, and that killed them. Both of them knew all the had left was and empty shell of a relationship but neither was willing to breach the topic. Maybe they had grown accustomed to fake happiness and internal misery.
"Hey meet me behind the fountain in 10 minutes I have something for you" Brandon whispered to her before leaving the dance floor to go collect his gift from Sky.
A tear rolled down Stella's cheek and she thought silently to herself Why couldn't you say those three words, why Brandon...
Stella waited at their appointed spot; each minute seemed to drag on forever. She finally heard his footsteps. She turned around without any excitement or emotion and faced him with nothing but emptiness. She didn't know why but her emotions were a mess, they from one to another in a matter of seconds. The alcohol was just bringing out her inner turmoil to the surface.
"Stell I know I screwed up big time and I know you have every reason to be angry but you have to admit you also screwed up a bit. But the thing is everyone screws up and we need to look over the screwed up things cause if we were stuck over everything screwed up lets face it we wouldn't have lasted 3 years" said Brandon. Stella knew that what Brandon said was right and she was ready to move past this temporary loss of connection they had had the last year but she still needed to know he loved her cause if he didn't was there any point trying to save a ship that was already half sunk.
"You know I care about you a lot Stell and this is from me to you for this very special day" He took out a lovely emerald ring and slid it onto her finger. Stella had now reached an angry peak. She stared at the ring being slipped onto her finger, it had no meaning or sentiments attached to it, it was just another ring you found at a jewelry store.
"Why can't you love me?" Stella asked bitterly, her voice more hoarse than usual. The question took Brandon by surprise, and he just stood there speechless, staring at her not knowing how to respond to her.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Queen Marion and King Oritel walked through the palace of Eraklyon. They had been quite surprised when King Erendor had called them, summoning them to Eraklyon urgently. The Dominian royalty rushed to Eraklyon presuming the worst but upon reaching the lovely planet they were more confused than ever. Everything seemed perfect, there was no destruction, no evil energy and everyone seemed to be having a great time.
As the pair made their way to Erendor and Samara's chambers they wondered why their old friend had summoned them.
"Ah! Marion and Oritel, how have you been? Its been so long since we met face to face hasn't it" Samara greeted her guests warmly. The same however could not be said about her husband. The King of Eraklyon sat on the table with a serious expression and was the least bit bothered with niceties.
"Samara you can continue this later, we have business to discuss Oritel" Erendor said coldly. Samara was not very pleased with her husband's behavior, but didn't say anything seeing the aggression in his eyes. Oritel nodded and the four sat down at the table.
"Let's cut to the chase now, I called you here to discuss marriage. I wish to tie our kingdoms together through having my son ascend the thrown with your daughter as his queen" Erendor said. His indifference towards the topic should have been a cause for alarm.
"Erendor are kingdoms already have a very strong alliance, bound together by our friendship, I do not think marriage is necessary as yet" Oritel said trying to be as political as possible.
"Also aren't Bloom and Sky a bit too young to make such a commitment. I know they are in love but marriage is completely different shouldn't we atleast wait till they complete college" Marion said knowing her daughter was not ready to leave her world behind and commit to the duties of being queen.
" You seem to have misunderstood me, I was not offering you a choice in the matter. Your daughter will marry my son" Erendor said fiercely.
"I think they have a right to take the decision regarding this. We are no one to force or oppose their marriage" said Oritel, shocked by Erendor's behavior. For all the years he had known Erendor he had known him as a King who didn't lose his cool no matter what and that calmness was what made him a great leader. He knew Erendor's rash actions were governed by a strong sense of threat but Oritel was not going to give up his daughter to assuage his friend.
"Satan's spawn is running lose and the only way to stop it is by having Sky ascend the throne, and you want them to make a choice" Erendor lashed out
"Erendor you are behaving paranoid and there are no threats to this realm at the moment. I will not hand my daughter over to just cause of some silly premonition," Oritel said, his temper slowly rising.
Erendor regained his steely expression and then said, "Fine have it your way. Sky will get married and I wonder how your daughter will feel when she realizes she isn't the bride" Erendor got up and left the table, leaving three astonished people behind.
"I'm sorry I knew he was keen on getting Sky married but I never knew he was so hell bent on it. I think its best for you both to leave and don't worry I will talk to my husband" Samara offered her comforting words before escorting Marion and Oritel out. She then went to her chamber's where her husband was looking out of the window as if watching over their entire kingdom.
Samara gently placed her hands onto her husbands shoulder. "Erendor I know you want Sky to ascend, but don't force him into marriage that will only make him bitter towards us"
"It's the only way I have left Samara. It's only thing I can do" the King muttered while holding his wife's hand.
"I don't know what this problem is and I wont ask you to tell me, but I believe in you and I know we'll find a way around it," She said kissing her husband's cheek and embracing his strong muscular frame. He embraced his wife but lacked the confidence she had.
I wish there was another way, I really do, and even if there was this is the best solution with the least painful outcome...
He had known for a long time this problem would eventually arise, but he thought he had finally rid himself of this haunting crime when he had taken those step years ago. But just like a ghost it had resurfaced and haunted him night and day.
If only that guy hadn't been so weak.
IN THE PAST
A young man of about 25 sat at the bar counter, holding a glass of malt in his hands and staring at the golden liquid wondering how it could be so divine yet so bitter.
He relished as well as despised the loneliness he felt on that raining night. The bartender passed him his third glass and he drank the contents slowly enjoying the burning feeling of his throat.
"Rough day?" The bartender asked. Business had been slow so the bartender had nothing better to do than strike up a conversation with the tortured soul in front of him.
The young man laughed in a bitter way "You can say that, how about a another one eh?" The bartender knew the man should stop, but he was making money and he needed every cent he got. He swiftly poured more liquid into the glass. Just then the doors opened and this vision in red walked in. Her beauty wasn't awing, but there was this mysterious aura around her. She seemed to draw both the men in.
"Can I take that seat?" She asked in a seductive voice. The young man didn't say anything but gestured for her sit down.
"What is a women such as yourself doing in this part of town" the bartender asked while passing her a glass of vine.
"Lets just say I got bored and thought I would explore a little, but I never thought I'd finding something... something so interesting" she replied elusively.
"You have a lot courage don't you?" the bartender said.
"Courage?" the young man laughed, "It's called foolishness! Girls like you doing things on a whim and then complaining later. You will wake up tomorrow morning regretting the fact that you ever adventured here."
"I never regret my actions, cause I think through everything I do and I do everything for a reason," she said moving closer to Brandon.
"Oh and I'm guessing you were moving closer to me for a reason as well?" he said smugly.
"Well you see I always get what I like" she said, "And right now I sort of fancy you"
The young man was lonely, bitter and lustful. The girl didn't have to try very hard to get what she wanted, but what did she want is the real question.
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I was thinking of making this my last long chapter and then making the chapters short, like 1,000 words each? Is that a good idea or should I stick to this length?
Hope you enjoyed it. Let me know if you liked Percy and if he should stick around. Or should he just blend into the background?
Help me improve my work and the story by reviewing and giving me constructive criticism.