OMG! I'm finally back.
I've been staying in my parents' house for the last two weeks to celebrate the holidays. I've been dying to post but everytime I sat down to write, something new came up or I ended up getting frustrated with myself for not getting it right. I tend to write and rewrite and change the lines once or twice before I publish anything. And then when I'm done, I just refuse to read it all from beginning to end cuz it just messes with my head and I want to erease the whole thing and start over. End of story: I just can't be pleased.
*the chosen 5*
ChelseaStoryAddicted-50shades- I'm so very glad u've devoured all eleven chapters in one go. It's so amazing to me how people can get immersed in a story I've created. I hope u continue to review, as I always welcome newcomers.
Caterwaul- Decisions indeed! I think every bad boy wants a good girl to be bad just for him, and every good girl wants a bad boy to be good just for her. It's the way the universe works.
escalagirl- Reading at the office... how naughty! I love your profile picture. K-Stew's my ultimate girl crush!
Hmommy- Thanks for the praise. I'm very meticulous when it comes to the way each chapter is structured, and I'm glad it makes things easier for the readers.
Theheavensheart180- I'm forever thankful for your support of me as an author. That's what I want my future to be and it's great people like you that make me want to pursue my dream.
Now, ladies & gentleman... Chapter 12
ANA'S POV
Saturday morning, I awoke to an insistent pounding on the door of my bedroom. I'd only been sleeping for about an hour according to my nightstand clock. Groaning, I placed my feet on the floor and winced as the cold from the tiles chilled my toes. I immediately stepped into my fuzzy bunny slippers and dragged my sleepy self to the entrance of the room.
I opened the door only to be pulled into a bone-crushing hug by a rather disheveled-looking pair. Mia and Kate were still on their pjs, with their hair looking rather uncombed and absolutely zero make-up adorning their faces. Kate pulled back only to manage a watery glare.
"Anastasia Rose Steele, where in the living hell were you?"
"I..."
That's when Mia stepped back, while still keeping her hands on my shoulder, inspecting me at arm's length.
"You had us worried sick. No one knew where you were. We assumed you had left with Jack since you guys were seen together and then you were nowhere to be found."
I felt a shiver climb its way through my spine at the sound of his name. When I had arrived home after Christian had dropped me off, I'd taken a much needed hot shower and snuggled into the sheets of my bed, only to involuntarily fall asleep willing myself to forget the events of last night...well, at least part of it.
"What do you have to say for yourself?" Kate crossed her arms, not managing to sound as intimidating as she probably would have hoped, since the look of relief was still dominantly coloring her face.
I looked down, feeling guilty for not having a response to my obviously worried friends. What was I supposed to say, really? Oh, why yes, Kate. I stupidly drank a mysterious alcohol beverage at the party and then got myself into a situation I surely couldn't handle. And Mia, did I forgot to mention how I spent the whole morning snogging your brother? No, Kate, not Elliot. I meant the one with the wicked tattoos and the irresistible messy hair.
I bit my lip and looked up at them, only managing two words. "I'm sorry."
"The hell you are!" Kate grabbed my hand pulled me to the bed where she and Mia accompanied me on top of the comforter. "You tell us what you've been doing for the last dozen hours or we're never leaving this bed."
I had a feeling Kate wasn't joking around, so I decided the lesser of two evils would be to give them an edited version of the chaotic recent events.
"Um, well... When I got to the party, I thought I'd just spend the whole night with you guys. Obviously, that didn't happen. So when I lost sight of you, Kate, I sort of managed to wander around to the kitchen. There, I encountered...Jack...and we started drinking. Then everything got out of control and next thing I know I'm puking on the backyard and... and..." I closed my eyes, knowing that I wouldn't be able to lie and look at them in the eyes. "I don't really remember very well. Someone from the party must have been nice enough to drive me home after I passed out drunk."
I shrugged, hoping that they wouldn't call me out on my lousy explanation. When I opened my eyes, I saw Kate's guilty expression looking at me with concern.
"Oh Ana, I'm so sorry! I should have stayed with you. None of this would have happened if I hadn't wandered off. I'm such a horrible sis..."
I hugged her close before she had the time to finish her senseless rambling. It wasn't her fault, I was the only one responsible for all the shenanigans that went on last night.
"Shhhhh...Kate, you have no reason to blame yourself. I'm the one who should have searched for you guys better, instead of drinking aimlessly."
"Girls..." Mia intercepted, "Can't we just agree that it was all a misunderstanding and move on to what's really important?"
"And what might that be?" Kate questioned, raising an intrigued eyebrow.
Mia turned towards me and smirked before starting to speak in a suggestive low voice.
"Ana, you mentioned you and Jack..."
"NO!" I quickly answered, knowing where her question was leading.
"But you said you were drunk and don't remember anything...those are usually the key factors!"
"I said no, Mia." The finality in my voice must have been clear since for the rest of the morning the topic of Jack didn't come up.
CHRISTIAN'S POV
After my much desired long hot shower didn't have the slightest calming effect on the spiderweb of thoughts in my head, I decided to go to my place. The one destination where I knew I could always find comfort. It was decided then, I would go to the cemetary.
Hastily, I pulled on a wrinkled t-shirt I found on top of my desk chair and made my way out of the room, the keys of my motorcycle at hand. While I was descending the stairs, I decided I couldn't wait any longer and pulled out a cigarette from my back pocket, proceeding to lit it up with my lucky zippo lighter.
"Hey! No smoking inside the house!" I heard Elliot boom from the living room. I swear, it's like he can smell them from a mile away.
I walked to where he was launching, splayed out on the leather reclinable sofa. He had a video game controller on his hands and his thumbs were going at it like crazy on the two little motion buds. He was cursing under his breath and his eyes were trained on the screen like it was the single most fascinating thing on Earth. I sat on the identical sofa that was placed next to him and made a show out of inhaling the intoxicating smoke coming from the fag and purposely blowing the gray cloud his way.
"Dude! What the fu..." His words were cut out by his continuous coughing.
"Pussy." I murmured while I reached forward and smashed the end of the cig on the crystal coffee table.
He glared at me after putting his game on pause.
"That wasn't funny." He said through gritted teeth.
"Really? You should've seen it from my end." I smirked as I leaned back and folded my arms behind my head while I raised my feet to the coffee table. "You know, I was going to go out and have a smoke somewhere else, but seeing as my presence is so gracefully welcomed here at the house, I opted for a little brotherly bonding."
He turned towards me and lifted his eyebrows in surprise. "I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or just plain ol' high."
I shrugged. Truth was, I started to doubt my secret place was of any help when it came to Anastasia. What happened this morning had been plaguing my mind since I left her at the Kavanagh's.
I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. This worrying shit was getting out of hand, and I needed another smoke like there was no tomorrow.
"Okay, what's with all the brooding? Is someone having girl trouble?" He laughed at what he thought was a joke.
However, when I stayed quiet, his eyes widened in shock and an even greater laugh erupted from his gaping mouth.
"You!? Christian Grey!? Let me guess... Samantha's not sucking you right?"
I punched his bicep with a little more force than necessary and watched in satisfaction as his upper body swayed.
"Shit, man! What the fuck? I was just joking."
"Fuck off!" I spat at him.
"Well, if it isn't Samantha then who? At this point, I've lost count of how many girls you've hooked up with."
I scoffed. "That makes two of us."
"Is that it? You don't remember who you screwed last night?"
"I didn't screw anyone last night!"
"And that's a problem because...?"
"It's not a problem, it's just... ugh! You wouldn't understand."
He sighed. "Maybe I don't. I don't get how you can just switch from girl to girl without ever developing feelings."
I groaned and rubbed my face on my hands. I really needed that smoke.
Elliot let out a surprised gust of air and scratched the back of his head. "Don't tell me you have developed feelings for Samantha."
"Of course not!" I growled.
"Fine, you don't have to tell me. But just know that someday, you're gonna have to stop fucking every girl you meet. We only have so many females in Montesano."
Just as I was about to tell him to mind his own damn business, the doorbell rang and we both immediately stiffened.
"Mom and Dad?" I guessed as I swallowed hard.
"Most likely." Elliot muttered as he got up and disappeared through the entrance of the foyer.
I quickly grabbed the cigarette I had left on the crystal coffee table and hid it inside my pocket. I listened carefully to the sound of the front door being opened and the distant sound of welcome greetings, followed by the click of heels against the tiles of the foyer and approaching echoing laughs.
"Christian, darling!"
My mother's voice made its way to me and I immediately stood up from the couch and straightened my clothes. It was no use of course, my shirt was so wrinkly it looked like I'd worn it for centuries and my jeans had certainly seen better days. I sighed, resigned that my general appearance wouldn't get any better, and ran a hand through my hair, which was so messy my hand only got half-way across my scalp before it got stuck within the knotted roots.
"Shit." I cursed before removing my hand from the rat's nest on my head.
That's when Grace entered the living room threshold, followed by a grinning Carrick and Elliot with their arms draped over each other's shoulders.
"Oh Christian, my dear boy. How I've missed you!" Grace ran ever so graceful in heels to where I was. She knew better than to embrace me in a hug, so instead, she gave me a kiss on each cheek and stepped back to take a better look at me.
I almost groaned as she took inventory of my physical abandon. When she raised her eyes to my face, she lifted one eyebrow and asked, "What happened to the rest of your piercings?"
"Gone." I said flatly.
"Wonderful. They made you look like a culprit."
"Wouldn't want people to have the wrong impression of me, would we?" I smirked sardonically.
She shook her head disapprovingly and turned to Carrick.
"Honey, aren't you gonna greet Christian?"
He instantly left Elliot's side and extended a hand to me.
"Son." He stated as I offered him my hand and we shook. I nodded in acknowledgement while looking him straight in the eye.
"Oh, what a load of bull..."
I followed the familiar annoying voice until my eyes landed on Mia, leaning against the wall. As soon as everyone became aware of her presence, she hugged our parents and proceeded to push everyone to the dining room, where she made sure to monopolize the oxygen with her constant babbling.
And as I sat there, with my elbows resting on the shining dark mahogany table, I felt my mind wander away to conjure up images of soft brown curls and luminous blue eyes. I wonder what Anastasia's doing right now.
ANA'S POV
"So what's up with the exorcist voice, Ana?"
I glared at Ethan from across the table. We were having a nice lunch on the patio. Mr and Mrs Kavanagh were at work and they had left us kids to fetch for our own during lunch. Kate had ordered Chinese from the local delivery place and we currently sat munching on our noodles while enjoying the nice breeze ruffling the trees in the backyard.
"Maybe I'm practicing for Halloween. You know, it's just around the corner." I said, mentally begging for a change of topic.
"Mmm, I don't think so. I believe you blowed someone so hard..." His words were cut out by the tossing of some slippery hot noodles on his face.
"Shit! Kate, what the fuck was that for?" He whined, bringing a paper napkin to his soaked features.
"No dirty talk on the table!" She growled before going back to her take-out box.
I noticed she was quieter than usual and the look of irritation in her eyes was evident, at least to me. Mumbling profanities under his breath, Ethan grabbed his food and chopsticks to storm inside the house. Once I saw him close the double french doors I placed a gentle hand on Kate's arm.
"Kate, is everything alright?"
She kept her gaze down for a moment, then slowly raised her watery green eyes to look at me with the saddest expression I'd seen her wear so far.
"Oh Ana. It's Elliot and I... we're just not the same anymore."
"What's wrong?" I frowned, seeing a lone tear cascade down her cheek before she hurriedly wiped it away.
"I know it's my fault. Lately I've just been so moody and then last night I saw him talking to Gia..." She shook her head and wiped another tear that had managed to escape "...They had dated before and I just became that pitiful insecure little girl I used to be, and lashed out at her. I made a scene and Elliot got mad at me and now..." She couldn't end her sentence as her emotions got the best of her and she covered her face with her hands.
"Kate, listen to me. You're not pitiful, you're the strongest most confident girl I know. And it's true, we're all insecure at times, but we can't let our own shortcomings affect the people we love." I paused and breathed to gather my words. "Elliot loves you. I'm sure you know that by now, and he would never lay his eyes on another girl. You gotta trust him and know that whatever happens, love can conquer all."
She nodded and wiped away at her eyes with both hands. Then without another word, she pulled me into a tight hug, finding comfort on each other. Kate had become much more than a friend during my stay at Montesano, we were sisters, and sisters took care of each other.
CHRISTIAN'S POV
I was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. I'd just placed a joint in my mouth when the unwelcome sound of insisting knocking interrupted my relaxation time. Groaning, I walked over to the door and opened it just the tiniest bit, keeping the hand with the weed inside in case it was Grace or Carrick. Of course, I had no such luck as I came face to face with the devil's spawn itself.
"Mmmm... will you look at what the cat dragged in." I smirked.
"Shut up!" Mia pushed her way inside the bedroom and I reluctantly closed the door behind her.
As she passed my stereo, she turned it off and jumped on top of the covers of my bed.
"What the fuck crawled up your ass?" I spat.
"Please Christian, I can't talk about Jesus when you have Nine Inch Nails singing about fucking me like an animal."
I raised an eyebrow. "What the hell does Jesus have to do with anything?"
"Everything." She smirked. "Tomorrow you're going to church."
I snorted. "Ok, you've officially lost your wits."
"I'm serious. You owe me for not ratting you out and I say you're going to church."
I folded my arms in my chest and glared at her. "This doesn't make any sense. What's in it for you?"
She sighed. "Tomorrow's Sunday and Mom said she'd like the whole family to go."
"Well you can just tell her I declined her gracious offer."
"Christian!" She whined. "If you don't do it for me, then do it for her. Think about how happy it'll make Grace to have everyone there."
"Fine!" I grunted resigned, taking a long drag from the forgotten joint in my hand and letting it out.
Mia grinned widely and jumped off my bed. "Thanks Christian."
"Fuck off." I muttered as she pecked me in the cheek.
"Oh, stop being such a grump." She giggled and ruffled my hair.
Mia sent me one last wink before disappearing my room. Seems like I could never get a fucking break.
It's gonna be one hell of a Sunday morning! Hehehehe
More ChristianxAna coming up!
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Until next time,
Laters Babes!