In Between Love and Hate
Author's Note: OMG. Somebody's review to this story managed to make me smile even after the problems that I'm currently having. I'm really so, so sorry for not updating this one.. But you, whoever you are, this 'Guest', hey you really made not just my day, but my year. Thank you, thank you!
Hmm. Actually, I really planned on not continuing this one because my confidence dropped when no one has been reviewing (there are some, but not yet enough to satisfy me ) Made me sad, but here I am again, posting another chapter. This one is dedicated to this 'Guest', who really made me happy! Thank you again and belated happy birthday!
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar. James Cameron does. All I have is my pen and little notebook wherein I write every story that my imagination creates, no matter how it sucks.
Chapter Three:
"You know, the heroine looks kinda like you,"
Grace snapped her head to fix him on her brown gaze, curious to what he meant. It was 9:00 at night and the rain was still pouring outside. After having their breakfast, Grace and Miles both agreed to have a movie marathon, only taking a break when its time to eat. At this point in time, they're watching a classic sci-fi film released sometime in the late 19th century, during which science-fiction was slowly establishing itself in the movie arena. "I'm not quite sure about that," she said, grinning as she grabbed the bowl of popcorn from his stone-like hands.
"Yeah, you bet!" he paused for dramatic effect. "Look into those eyes. Mysterious, yet very defiant." Miles reached for the remote control, roaming his hands around the surface of the couple couch that he and Grace slumped in. It felt a little awkward, though. Because he kinda touched something private on her, and he felt her shiver a little.
Recollecting the concentration on his rather intricate mind, Miles finally caught the remote control. He pressed the pause button and pointed it into the LCD, gaining a better look of the heroine's face. He smirked. "There... See? She looks like you!" he chuckled lightly and turned to look at her face. She was so beautiful. Brown eyes and all. "W-What is her name again?"
"Ripley," she replied, and then added, "Why are you still here? Why haven't you gone home yet?" Grace crossed her arms.
"Because I called your dear brother Trajan last night and told him that you're sick. And then he asked me to look after you until you're fine," he replied with an evil grin that somewhat irritated her, but in a good way. "So..." he smiled that boyish smile that almost caused Grace to melt in her seat. "Here I am,"
"I'm fine now. There's no need for you to stay."
"But you're still weak, Ms. Augustine. Trajan will be mad if he discovered that I left you here while you're still not able to manage yourself. "
Grace pouted, a very cute one that Miles almost bursted out laughing. "Thought maybe you were worried about me that's why you never left," she said in a mocking voice, but her brown eyes widened when she realized what she just said. 'Stupid! Stupid!'
"Of course I'm worried about you," Miles said with a soft look in his face, then turned his attention to the movie again. "My, my, she's a really great actress."
Was that true? He's worried about her? "D-Do you have a family? They're probably waiting for you to come home,"
His attention was caught by her question.
Family.
He has one, before. But that was only until a tragic accident happened to his parents. He was 14 years old then, and he was not yet aware of the danger that exists in this seemingly rude and cold world. "I don't," he breathed. "But I have a little sister named Elizabeth. I call her Liz."
Grace blinked twice. "What... What happened..?"
Miles fixed her on his blue gaze, and then he smiled. "I was 14 years old when both my parents died, leaving a baby girl to me; my sister, Liz. We were once a happy family- you know, happy moments and always together at dinner time? Sunday bonding, and the like," he paused, the smile disappearing from his face, turning it to a cold, stone look. "Then that changed when we discovered that my mother was having an affair, and that my baby sister has a different father. My own Dad killed her, right before he committed suicide by blowing his head out."
Grace was shocked. Who wouldn't? They just met... And yet, the presence of this man triggered and gave birth to something inside her heart. For the first time in her entire life, and, other than Trajan, a man confessed something so confidential to her. They just met...
And he was… He was crying.
As she followed the trail of the first tear that came out his eye, it was as if she wasn't in control of her own self when she ran her fingers on his face, brushing the tear away.
He watched as Grace touched his cheek, and then kissed him on the lips. It was a kiss that Miles would not dare trade to anyone, for he knew that her lips and kissed should only belong to one man.
And that was... Him. Well, maybe.
There goes the feeling of having his lips pressed against hers again. She could feel the pain he has in her heart, and all she wanted to do was to erase the pain and make him feel loved, that he's not alone in carrying the problems of the world in his back. Because she's there. Grace is there.
As the sweet yet passionate kiss deepened, Grace felt Miles pulling her towards him, her fragile body felt so weak against his muscled strength. They laid in the couch with her over him, but Miles shifted their position so he was above her, never breaking the kiss.
When he lifted his marble lips from hers, she was more than ready to protest but then she felt his breath trailing down the smoothness of her skin, down her throat, her delicate collar bone...
Grace just couldn't help but to close her eyes and moan softly, the sensations that his kisses brought was too much for her.
But then... Abruptly... Suddenly...
He stopped.
Grace opened her eyes and found him staring at her; his face was so near to hers that she could almost smell his breath. And then she spoke. "Thank you for staying with me. I know that I'm not that fun to be with, but Miles," she smiled. "Please know that I'm grateful."
Miles, on the other hand, was too drawn to looking at her mesmerizing brown eyes and was also busy with inhaling her scent, that his answer came late. All he managed to do was to make a salute. "At you're service, Ma'am." he paused and blinked twice, thinking of any other words to say. "Grace, you just have no idea of how with you here made up my day. For that I'm also grateful." he chuckled. "This should mean we're already friends now, aren't we?"
Grace laughed, echoing the whole living room. "You're serious? You saved my life twice and took a really good care of me when I got sick. You even shared something about your past! Of course we're already friends."
"Did... I hear it right? You said we're boyfriends?"
Grace raised a brow and crossed her arms. "What? No! I said we're friends! F-R-I-E-N-D-S!"
"Oh yes you said!"
"No!" she yelped and slapped his shoulders.
He chuckled. "I was just kidding,"
There was silence. For a moment, they both turned their attention to the movie that they're watching, and either didn't care of how close they are from their seats now. More than just 20 minutes ago, they were both on the either side of the couch, inches away from each other.
"You know," Grace broke the silence. "I want to ask... Have you ever been inlove..?" She would just wish that he wouldn't notice that she was blushing, but she really liked to know. "I mean, don't get it the wrong way. I was just... You know, curious...
Remember when you called me the other night, she was there right? You were with a girl and she called you 'baby'. I don't know if she's your girlfriend or what... But I think she really is because given your-" 'awesome looks and appeal I wouldn't think you don't have because you are so handsome and kind even though you're a bastard!' She would've continued and said those things had he not pressed his finger on her lips to shut her up.
"You were just asking if I've been inlove, and now you're talking about something like me having a girlfriend. Come on, that girl wasn't my girlfriend or what. Told'ya she was just my friend..." he grinned, then bursted out laughing. "I don't have a girlfriend, but of course I've been inlove once, Grace. What a question,"
"W-With whom?" she asked sheepishly, and she saw that quick smile that flashed in his face. "With whom, Miles?"
"Well I was young and immature when I first met her," he turned to face her. "Why do you ask?"
But instead of giving him an answer... "What does she look like..?"
Miles chuckled and tried to remember the face of the little girl that he had fell inlove with. He closed his eyes.
"Miles! Miles! Where are you?! Oh boy, your Dad's coming and you need to take a bath now, young man!"
Little Miles chuckled lightly as he watched his Aunt Socorro tracing him down. Despite her old age, she still agreed to take care of him while his parents are away for a business trip.
When he saw that the old woman has already gone back to their house, he started to run fast, heading to the forest. It probably was the last remaining lush green forest in that part of the country, because the others have already been washed out by humanity's unstoppable progress.
Once he's entered the forest, the midsummer's wind sent a warm breeze to his skin. It was surely the greatest thing that he'd ever felt, of that he's certain.
As the little boy walked through the tall bushes, he heard some kind of a singing voice. He wasn't sure where it came from, but he followed the music until he ended up in a small clearing.
In the middle of the clearing, a little girl held up a shovel and dug hard into the land. Beside her was a bag of seeds, he was not quite sure what kind of seeds are those.
But what caught his attention most was the little girl. She wore t-shirt, a rubber shoes, and a dirty shorts. She has rosy cheeks, cherry red lips, a shade of chocolate, hazel and muddy brown eyes, and a short, bouncing red hair. Miles felt his heartbeats faster than its usually normal pace. "Hi!" he finally said as he walked through the clearing, heading towards the little girl. "What are you doing here?"
The little girl snapped her head and stared at her strange visitor. He didn't look familiar. "I'm planting,"
"Yeah I know you're planting. But why?" he tucked his hands on the either side of his pockets and walked closer.
"Look, can we now stop with the twenty questions because I'm really not in the mood."
"I can help you," he grabbed the seed bag and pulled the shovel from her. "A girl like you doesn't have to do this. I'll only make your hands dirty." he smiled at her. "Now, let's start planting! What kind of seed is this?"
She stared at the blonde boy. Never had she seen him before, but it is still a comfort to know that despite humanity's hunger to cut trees, there is still an open-minded boy who could help her plant a tree, though in a very simple way.
Days have gone by, but there is no single moment that they'd not escape reality just to meet in the woods and plant more trees. It has become his hobby for the whole month he stayed in that place and, admits it or not, it was really fin, relaxing and somewhat intoxicating.
But Miles had this feeling and thought... That what if he's doing it alone? What if she is not there with him? Would it be as much fun if she wasn't there?
He ran the moment he caught sight of her bouncing red hair, dimpling as he hid the flowers on his back. When he reached her, she just smiled at him and stood. "Flowers for my princess,"
She crossed her arms and made a face. "What's that for?"
"Isn't it obvious? I wanna give you some. Or do I still have to tell you that you're as pretty as these flowers?" Miles saw her pout. "Oh, don't give me that face! I tried my best to pick these flowers without my aunt knowing it!"
"You didn't have to."
"I just want to make you happy,"
"Happy? Where do you think those poor butterflies and bees would get nectar? If you didn't pick these flowers, there would have been nectar for the poor animals that need it."
Miles scratched his head, brushing his hands on his blonde hair. "Geez. What a lecture. Is that all that I can get after all the efforts I exerted to see you? I mean, I tried to escape my aunt to come here. I even missed snacks to see my princess."
She smiled, unable to hide the happiness that his very words brought. "Do you really want to make me happy?"
He nodded, eyes glowing. "Yes, ma'am. I will do anything to please you,"
The girl chuckled and gave him the shovel. "Then come here and help me plant!"
Miles frowned, but he still grabbed the shovel from her. "What is your dream in life, anyway?"
The redhead spun around to face the high mountains. They looked gorgeous. "I want to see a clean and green world. No air pollution, no endangered species, just clean surroundings. Everyone must be disciplined when it comes to Mother Nature. I also want to teach kids on how to care for the environment and of course, their culture," she turned again, this time to face him. "I want to preserve every beautiful thing that my eyes can see."
Of course, she understood what she meant. Mankind has no concern for the Earth anymore. They can't do even the simplest way like throwing their trash in proper places. And because of industrialization, the natural treasures of the Earth are slowly dying. "But... Don't you have plans on having a boyfriend? Falling in love? Stuffs like that?"
"Hmmmm. Boyfriend," she aimed down and walked towards the lake. Miles followed. "If I'd ever have one, he should be an environmentalist like me."
"That's all?" his eyes glowed.
She nodded and turned her attention to planting again. "Yes. If a person knows how to conserve nature, he is aware of everything that happens in his surroundings and he's also disciplined. He doesn't have to be handsome, not really my type. Nor does he need to be someone who is academically intelligent."
Miles grinned and took a step beside her, picking the shovel that he dropped. "Is that what you want? You have to go nowhere to see him! I'm here!" he started digging the soil. "Do you want to plant in every part of the world? We can do that! We can even plant in the balding head of my uncle!"
"You're overreacting," she sat beside where he stood, and then glanced up the blue sky. "You must put love when you plant. They have feelings too,"
"Well then, those plants must also feel how much I love you."
"Don't you have any dreams? You know whenever we're together; you only bluff you feelings for me."
He stared at her face for a minute, thus making her blush. "All I want is for you to say yes."
"Say yes to what?"
"To be my girlfriend."
She laughed, voice like chime bells swaying with the midsummer wind. "Be serious, dummy. Besides, I don't even know your name. How can you be my boyfriend?"
Oh, yes. They have never exchanged names. For them, it doesn't really matter as long as they got along with each other. But there were times when he was feeling tempted to ask her what her real name was. He tried to ask her once, but she didn't say it. She only said that hers is the ugliest name in the world, and that she didn't really like to be called with that name. So he came along.
Miles shrugged. "I want to be a Marine, but I still have reservations..."
"Do the thing that makes you happy and do what you believe is right. Follow your heart because it will lead you the right path."
He smiled because she cleared some reservations in his heart, leaving a trace of calmness in his persona. He never knew that a young woman like her would be such open-minded, so aware. "I'm going home next week. I just don't know when... Or how I'd be able to go back here. Wouldn't you miss me?"
Her eyes widened with shock, sadness evident in her now cloudy irises. "W-Why would I ever miss you? Guess things will be better because no one will be bugging me anymore!"
Miles stood up and brushed the dirt off his pants. "So it's okay for me if I look for another girl? I'll send you a picture of my girlfriend once I had one," he said naughtily.
"Why, you! You're willing to forget me and look for another chick?! Don't you ever dare to-"
"Why are you so jealous?" he said in a mocking tone. "I though you said I'm just an irritating maggot who always stalk you in the middle of nowhere?"
She pursed her lips. She wanted to deny she was jealous. But the thought of him in the company of another girl kills her. "You are indeed an irritating maggot! You won't ever find a girl as beautiful as I am!"
She was about to walk out when Miles grabbed her wrist. "I was just kidding. You know I won't lay my eyes on another girl. Just you," he paused for dramatic effect, and then smiled. "So, are you my girlfriend now?"
"YES!" she yelped and stepped forward, then she suddenly realized what she said when he heard his victorious yell of accomplishment. "Wait..." she shouldn't have said yes. She was just bluffing a while ago.
"No more buts, you're my girlfriend now." Miles hugged her from her back.
She didn't protest. She was inlove with him. But she was holding back because he's leaving. He aroused emotions in her she couldn't control. "Just don't ever play games with me. You should be faithful and loyal to no one, only to me. Got it?"
"Yes. All I want is to make you happy and be the man that you want me to be. I swear I will love you forever. These trees," he spread his arms and turned around. "mountains and flowers are witnesses of my love."
She pinched his cheeks. "I want to believe you,"
"You should," Miles kissed her forehead. "This is my best summer. I promise that every summer, I'll wait for you here. And the next time that we see each other, I will introduce myself. And you will, too. Even though you say that your name is the ugliest one in the world, I would swear to you, your name, whatever it is, will be the most beautiful tone to my ears."
Miles opened his eyes.
But when he did, he just found himself staring at the woman who he knew as Grace Augustine.
"What does she look like, Miles?" Grace asked.
It took Miles a minute before he answered her query. He blinked twice, then again... And again..."She's pretty of course... Cute. Charming. I dunno... She put a smile on my face... Whenever I see her." Miles just smiled.
So that was it! :) I reread this one again before I post it. And then I realized that this one is like.. the best chapter for me (of all 3)
This chapter is dedicated to 'Guess' and "xxxxxxxxxx'. Thank you so much for your reviews that really made me smile. I also dedicate this one to my favorite Geometry teacher, whose name I used for Miles' little sister. Hi Ma'am Liz! :)
Nyehe. Please review guys!
- EyeCandy16