Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer
This chapter is dedicated to Noble, Fadewind, Bibika94, BellaNessieCullen, Justandsimplyme, Alphabloodwolf, Lsb123, Alexsandra and Skys the Limit 7507
Surprisingly I wasn't tired on the Tuesday, despite the fact Dove had kept me up all night talking about the Darktide books, and other ones we had both read. It surprised me that I hadn't really taken this chance to talk to Dove, I had always found ways to avoid such conversations thinking she would bring it back to our love lives always, but she kept strictly to the books.
Dove on the other hand was exhausted the next day and she conceded that after her morning lesson she'd have a nap, although she reminded me that I wasn't allowed to sleep until this evening at the earliest. I rolled my eyes before going to shower, remembering not to get my hair wet.
Once I was as clean as I was allowed to be at the moment, although nowhere near as clean as I would have liked, I made my way back to the room. Dove had already left and I sighed, realising I could have washed my hair and dried it and Dove would have been none the wiser.
In the past I would have gone to the shower and taken advantage of the fact, but now I could be more practical. I had to keep up the pretence so instead I pinned my hair up as best I could in order to hide the matted blood. My hair looked rather messy, but the addition of a scarf made it look as if it was intentional and I felt ready to face the world.
I stripped off the bedding and was dismayed to see that the blood had soaked through to the quilt itself and I would be unable to wash it at the laundrette. I felt a wave of homesickness as I thought of how I would tackle it at home. Soak it in a stain remover in the big stone basin in the laundry room before placing it in the big washing machine. I would not be able to do that here.
I could but wash the covers and leave the quilt until the holidays. I decided that I could treat it with some form of dry use stain remover and get as much of the blood out as I could, otherwise I would have to buy a new quilt.
I left the room and went to wash my bedding. It seemed a little strange to go to the laundrette without Mal, despite the fact he had only accompanied me twice. It was the fact that I had to employ the stool again in order to pour in the powder and then the fabric conditioner. Not to mention how boring it could be with no one to talk to. I missed his company greatly that morning.
I purchased a dry use stain remover and had enough time to apply it to my quilt before I had to make haste to the university for my afternoon lesson. It went by in a blur and I was soon leaving, hoping to ride the bus back to the dorm building and meeting up with Mal. I almost missed him sitting on one of the benches that lined the walkway to the front of the main building.
"Good afternoon." I said with a smile.
"Alright?" He said with a smile. "How's the head?"
"Much better now thank you." I said as I sat beside him. "Thank you for dressing it."
"No problems Liza." He said.
"You came to meet me." I observed.
"Yeah. We got some things to discuss and I thought you'd rather stroll than catch the bus." He said with a shrug.
"And also?" I prompted for I sensed there was something else.
"How you holding up hunger wise?" He asked. "I know we went hiking the other day, but you lost a lot of blood yesterday."
"It wasn't as much as Dove would have you believe." I stated.
"How did you know she'd spoke to me?" Mal asked in shock.
"It was a guess." I said with a smile. "I feel fine."
"Are you sure? I know we can't go far, but I'm sure we don't have to look far to find any rats or something." He said casually, as if he were suggesting we purchase a latte on the way home.
"Rats?" I said, feeling appalled. "You wish me to feed on rats?"
"Nothing wrong with rats." Mal said firmly. "They're a good find in an emergency."
I was about to ask when he had to feed from rats, but I recalled something Mother had told me once.
"In Volterra." I murmured.
Mal looked sad. I stood and kissed his cheek lightly before taking his hand.
"Let us walk." I said. "It is a nice evening and the fresh air will do us good."
"Ok." Mal said as he rose to his feet. "We could grab some food on the way back then talk in my room."
"That sounds like a good plan." I agreed. "Perhaps we should pig out today and opt for fast food?"
"Yeah." Mal agreed. "A Maccy-D?"
"Why not." I mused. "It has been a while sine I've had food from there."
"Me too." Mal stated.
"Can I treat you to a Big Mac?" I offered.
"If I can treat you to a chicken burger." He replied.
"We buy each other food?" I mused.
"Why not?"
"But what if I choose a more expensive meal than you?" I inquired with amusement.
"Then you can buy me lobster next time." Mal said with a grin and I laughed as I rolled my eyes. "Not that I'd eat it. Never got on with shellfish, they bring me out in a rash."
"Really?" I asked, astounded.
Mal chuckled.
"You were pulling my leg." I said, laughing at myself for believing him. As if a dhampir would be allergic to something.
"Yep." He stated with a grin.
"Oh, I will get you back." I growled.
"Oh yeah?" He challenged.
"Yeah. So just wait and see, boyo." I responded.
"Boyo? You going Welsh on me now Liza?" Mal teased.
"Do you have a problem with that?" I asked.
Mal grinned and kissed my head.
"I like you no matter what." He declared, and I felt elated.
"I will hold you to that." I stated.
"No problamo." Mal said with a shrug and we both laughed as we reached the McDonalds.
We purchased a meal each, paying for each other's orders with an amused air. I bought a desert, something I had never done from a McDonalds before, but Mal did insist on ice cream, it was his favourite. As we walked to his room I found myself reciting an ice cream recipe I had once attempted in my head. The results were appreciated by my school friends of the time. I wanted to make some for Mal to try, a treat for my good friend, although it would have to be in Tregarran since there were hardly the facilities here in Riverside. At least there were hardly facilities here that I would be allowed to use.
It almost slipped my notice that I had thought so casually of home, and after such an upset yesterday? I could not return to Tregarran, at least not for a while. I had to allow my mind to settle once more, and hopefully arrange the trip to arrive there when the hall was empty. Christmas would be good, for Mother and Father would be visiting the Cullen House to meet with Grandmother, Grandfather, Uncle Hunter and whichever of the family happened to be near at the time. Tregarran Hall was bigger than the Cullen House, but that was the main family 'seat' if you like. Tregarran Hall was the abode of the extended family.
The reasons mattered not, for one fact made Christmas the perfect time to return to Tregarran, I would have the house to myself.
Of course the house was almost empty now. At least that is what Tony stated, but how could I trust him? He had sided with Mother and now he had revealed that which I did not wish to know, the cause of my heartache to begin with. I knew that I could not return with Tony there either, I had to have my space, to acclimatise to Tregarran once more before I could contemplate a reunion, should I want a reunion. As things stood at the moment it was looking highly unlikely.
"You're away with the fairies." Mal commented.
I blinked and looked around, realising we were now in his room.
"I was merely pondering something." I replied.
"Something unsettling judging by the conflict on your face." Mal observed as he pulled his burger and fries from his paper bag.
"Actually I was trying to recall my recipe for ice cream." I stated. "It went down a treat with my friends in Olympic Pines. I was contemplating whether to treat you with it or not."
"You'd make me ice cream?" He asked in astonishment.
"Of course I would." I said firmly.
"Oh Liza, you are truly my other half." Mal said rather theatrically as he knelt before me and clasped my hands to his chest. "Forget glass slippers, a girl who can make ice cream wins my heart any day."
I giggled, turning away from him as I felt my cheeks burn despite the fact I knew he was saying it in jest I could almost hope his words were true.
"I'm serious bach, I really like ice cream." He stated, "And I really like you."
I pulled my hands from his and dropped my face into my hands, I felt unable to handle this game. I was happy with Mal as a friend, but we were not at a stage in our relationship where I could jest about our feelings in this way. We would have to be firmer friends before I could fortify myself for his games and not become enamoured by his playful words. The ability to make ice cream was hardly a sound qualification with which to decide on your future mate.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
I could hardly tell him my true worry and I was silent a moment as I sought out a reason. As the moment seemed to wear on and I was on the verge of panic a reason presented itself. It was a reason that should have sprung immediately to mind as soon as our conversation had taken this playful course.
"That may be a good enough reason to you, but there are many more who could make ice cream as good as mine, if not better. Besides, my heart belongs to another, as it was promised years ago." I stated, unable to meet Mal's eye.
"Oh." Mal said, as he backed away from me. "To Simon."
"Yes." I answered.
"Ok." Mal said as he sat beside me. "I guess you can't beat that first love thing. I'm glad you got someone in mind. Someone you can actually be with as opposed to someone who's already taken. I don't know why, but all the best women have already chosen someone else."
"Like Mother?" I asked.
"Like Mother." Mal murmured with a frown, then he nodded. "Yeah, exactly like Essie." He added with conviction. "They all seem to already be taken, although that doesn't stop me liking them. Like that 'black widow' I told you about? She had a mate, but she liked a little extra, I got into so much trouble." He laughed sadly. "I'll never catch a break."
I had no idea what to say to bring him comfort. How could I remedy his problems of the past?
"So Simon." He said before I could speak of anything else. "The love of your life."
"Yes." I said without hesitation now that I had retreated back to the safety of my promise.
"When are you going to get back in touch with him?" Mal asked casually.
"Once I've finished college." I stated.
"That's an awful long time away. Why don't you just go now? I mean you were waiting until you turned eighteen right?"
"You know this." I said.
"Then why wait?" He asked and I could feel his steady gaze upon me.
I looked at Mal unable to voice my concerns fully.
"Sorry." He said. "It's not important now anyway. We have other things to discuss."
"Yes." I said, thankful to be moving on from the subject of my non-existent love life.
"Ok then." Mal said as he took a bite of his burger and I took this as my cue to start eating.
We ate in silence for a minuet before Mal took a sip of his drink.
"How did your sister-in-law become a dhampir?" He asked.
"I have no idea." I stated. "Although I am intrigued to find out. So intrigued that Tony almost tricked me into returning home for a few days." I blurted the latter without thinking.
"Tricked you?" Mal questioned, and I realised I would have to tell him part of it now.
"He pretended he wanted my help and even stated that the family would be away, but then he said something that made it clear it was all a rouse. That is what caused me to throw my phones into the pond." I replied, editing as much as I could.
"Right. Are they working?" He asked.
"I am waiting for them to dry out." I stated, and it was the truth, I had placed them out on kitchen towel with all the components separate, but there was a lot of water and I doubted the phones would work again.
"I hope you don't have to splash out on a new phone so soon." Mal said sincerely.
"No pun intended?" I asked with a smile.
"Oh, it was intended." Mal joked. "But there was something you said last night, about being replaced. What did you mean by that? Do you think Grace will replace you in Tony's affections? Is that what he revealed to you that made you so angry?"
"No." I said with a sigh. "I made a place for Grace long ago."
"Then what is it?" Mal asked, his voice verging on the impatient.
I shook my head and Mal let out a sound of annoyance.
"I really wish you'd confide in me." He said. "I won't turn from you, I promise. I'll hear you out, no matter how trivial some people might find it it's obviously not trivial to you."
"I can not speak of it." I murmured.
Mal sighed. But said nothing as he picked up his ice cream and began to eat.
We sat in silence and this one was uncomfortable. I sought a subject to discuss, but could think of none. I finished my food and stood up.
"I will go and study now." I said softly.
Mal looked at me for a moment, evaluating my reason for leaving.
"If that's what you want to do." He said. "See you on the bus tomorrow?"
I nodded and left the room feeling a little sad. I would have liked to spend more time with Mal, but the conversation was hovering around things I did not wish to discuss. I hoped that by tomorrow he would forget about what transpired on Monday, or at least realise that I really did not wish to discuss it. I much preferred my time with Mal before my family got in the way.
It was complicated.
Since I had nothing to do for the rest of the evening and Dove was nowhere to be seen I thought it best to get some studying done. Besides I had an assignment, I had two weeks to complete it, however I could make some real headway.
Thankfully Mal did not question me the next day and I was happy that he chose to ignore it. I had suspected he would broach the subject once more after our lessons that day, but he kept the topic of conversation purely academic. He wished to make use of the library that night and asked if I needed to use it. I said yes because I had yet to visit the library and some research amongst books was always more enjoyable than having the work done for you by a search engine.
Being at the library had another advantage; it meant that we could not talk. At least not at length about anything that was likely to get heated. It meant that we got back to our former banter and it eased us into the rest of the week.
We had settled back into our previous pattern, which meant that I felt able to ask something of him come Friday. There was to be a fancy dress party at the Union bar and it seemed a good thing to experience. I had been good since cutting my ties with Malcolm and I thought that if we attended the Halloween party it would count as our night out once a month. That seemed fair for we could not spend all our nights in.
"Actually I could do with a night out." Mal said. "Too much studying fries the brains."
I laughed at this.
"Yes, and this is the perfect occasion. A Halloween party with the other students and a chance to dress up." I said with a grin.
"Well if you're into that I guess it's fun." Mal said with a shrug.
"You will dress up too." I stated.
"Me?" He asked in horror.
"Yes. Why not? It will be amusing." I said, still smiling.
"You really want me to dress up?" Mal asked doubtfully.
"Yes." I replied. "You can go as Dracula and I will go as your bride."
"You want us to dress up as vampires for Halloween?" He asked, looking at me as if he thought I was on the verge of insanity.
"Will it not be most amusing?" I enticed.
"It will be, but no one else will get the joke." He replied, still frowning slightly.
"Does it matter?" I asked, placing my hands to his cheeks and looking into his eyes.
"I suppose not." He conceded. "Fine, we'll go as vampires."
"Then we should go tomorrow to buy costumes." I announced, pulling away as I began to make plans in my head.
"I have a lesson in the morning." Mal reminded me needlessly.
"Then I will make my way to college for one and meet you at the door. Then we can have lunch in town before exploring the costume shops." I stated, the plan forming effortlessly as it always did when shopping was involved.
"That sounds great, although I would have pegged you more for someone who would make her own costume." He said, obviously teasing me. He obviously had no idea that I was quite an expert where clothes making was concerned.
"If I had enough time I would have done so, however I will not be able to complete the task by next week, not to mention I lack the room to work within." I stated, answering as if his comment were a serious one.
"Do you need a lot of room to make clothes?" He asked, giving me a curious look.
"Ideally yes. But at the very least one needs a table of adequate height on which to cut the cloth and preferably a dummy on which to shape the garment." I explained in a matter-of-fact way.
"You've made clothes before?" He asked, sounding impressed by this new revelation about me.
"Yes. I even taught the girls in my class to make their own dresses for junior prom the first time I went through high school." I stated the fact, hoping that it did not sound like boasting.
"That's impressive." Mal remarked. "I wouldn't even know where to begin."
"I could teach you when we break for the holidays." I said excitedly. "If you wish to come with me that is. For all I know you may have other plans." I added as I realised I had not asked him to come with me yet, I had merely been assuming it in my head.
"No. No plans at all. There's just been me for a long while now." Mal said sadly.
"Then you will come with me." I said firmly.
"That would be nice." Mal said with a smile.
"Yes, and what a surprise it will be for Mother and Father." I said in delight.
"Sounds like you're ready to make up with them." Mal observed, looking a little pleased.
"I feel that by then I may be able to do so. I will evaluate my feelings at the time, but either way it will be a surprise for them for they often speak of you." I said, sharing more with him now that I knew he was coming home with me.
"They do?" He asked.
"Yes. How do you think I guessed your identity immediately once I knew you were dhampir?" I demanded. "And Father recognised you so quickly on the phone. What did he say to you?"
"Apart from the fact that Grace was dhampir and trying to tell me why you're not talking to your family? He said that Essie's been trying to get in contact for the last ten years." He replied, his face downcast.
"And you question if they talk of you? They would very much like you to return to them." I stated.
"So there's hope then."
"Malachite, you are part of our family whether you realise it or not." I said kindly as I placed my hand to his cheek. "Never forget that."
"Because of my connection to your parents?" He stated as he placed his hand over mine.
His green eyes locked with mine and I was reminded once more of their startling brilliance. I had always thought Uncle Hunter had magnificent green eyes, but they were nothing compared to those of Malachite. I was lost for a moment unable to apply my brain as my mouth answered for me in defence of my fragile heart.
"Of course."
"Great." Mal remarked and I couldn't fathom his tone as he pulled my hand from his cheek, but I wouldn't allow him to break contact completely as I held onto his hand with my own.
"Any connection to you is better than none." I said softly. "It is better than no connection at all."
I was caught by his eyes once more, mesmerised by his very presence. There was definitely a charge to the air and I found my mind wandering to a scenario I had tried to ignore, albeit without much success, where Mal was concerned. Was I brave enough to cross that gap?
What if he turned me down?
I decided it was better to know either way, and I began to stoke up my courage in order to tell him my feelings for him. It took a moment for me to draw un enough breath for every breath seemed difficult to reach caught up as I was in Mal's gaze. I began to lean toward him. Was he leaning closer to me? The air around us was growing heavier and I was certain now that he would kiss me…
There was a knock at his door and I frowned in annoyance, knowing my chance had been stolen from me as the trembling in the air about us disappeared. Mal stood and went to answer the door while I remained sat on his bed caught between anger, despair, and strangely, relief.
"Hi, you said you'd help me with psych." The girl said and I felt the last of my hope fade.
"I'm a little busy right now." Mal said and I felt eyes upon me, envious eyes. "It's family business." He added and I could almost hear the sigh of relief in the girl's mind that I was possibly his sister or cousin. Regardless I was taken out of the potential rival category to this girl.
"I guess we can reschedule." She said with a shrug.
"Yeah. I'm not sure when." Mal said. "You're better off asking someone else."
"Ok." The girl said, and suddenly I knew I was back in the potential rival category, but the girl was delusional if she thought Mal saw me as anything more than a friend. "Well I'll see you around."
"Yeah." Mal replied.
The girl looked as if she would rather stay, but realised she would have to go and so she moved from the door. Mal closed the door and turned back to me.
"You should not neglect other friendships you have forged here for my sake." I stated.
"Like I said, they only want me for my brains." Mal observed as he came to sit next to me once more. "They come to me when they think I can help them with their studying, but do they ever think to invite me for a drink?"
"I thought you wished only to be on hi/bye terms with people." I stated, managing to draw myself into a teasing frame of mind as I sought to forget the moment earlier where I had very nearly embarrassed myself.
"Well what you think you want and what you really want can be two different things." Mal stated, and there was a look he gave me, a very brief look, that suggested he may have been referring to something else entirely, before he continued with his point that pertained to the subject at hand. "I may have come here to earn some qualifications and not to socialise, but then I wouldn't mind going out for half a lager or something once in a while."
"And no one has offered you?" I asked, feeling somewhat outraged by this fact.
"Nope. Only you to the Halloween party." He stated.
"I'm surprised none of the girls have asked you to join them at some point." I ventured, testing the waters where his love life was concerned since he had not mentioned his currant status to me.
"Why would they do that?" He asked with a frown.
"You are an attractive man Malachite." I stated for it was an unavoidable fact that I would still state had I no desire for him.
"Yes. Just the same as you're an attractive woman, but don't you find that sometimes humans seem almost afraid to approach you?"
"Not really." I stated. "Although Dove reckons I have an aura, and you do too. Something that advertises caution."
"Dove said that?" Mal asked.
"Yes."
"Wow. Humans are not usually so good at detecting vampires never mind half vampires." He observed.
"Perhaps it is our ethereal beauty she finds daunting." I suggested.
"Yeah." Mal agreed, then he laughed. "Unless she has a latent power and can sense our kind for what we are."
"Now that would be something." I mused. "But highly unlikely. Even if there were something present what worth would there be in drawing her attention to it? To know why we register as different she would have to know why we differ from her. It would put her in jeopardy. Even if we were to seek permission for her to know the secret the others would find out that she has some latent talent they would wish to nurture it. There is only one sure fire way to increase a human's power."
"They'd vamp her." Mal stated.
"Yes."
"I wouldn't want that for anyone." He said. "Unless it's a real emergency."
"If it is life or death?" I inquired.
"Yes."
"I have often wondered about whether it is ethical to offer a person the chance of immortality when faced with death. Surely in that situation you are likely to take a route you may not have chosen otherwise."
"Well, if they don't like it there are ways to remedy the situation." Mal stated. "And if Dad hadn't posed that very question to Mam as she lay dying, I wouldn't have known her at all and who knows what Dad would have made of me. The thing that killed the love of his existence."
"You are not a thing." I said firmly as I hugged him.
"I know Liza bach." He said as he hugged me in return. "And my parents loved me, but sometimes I can't help wondering what Dad would have made of me if Mam had died."
"I'm sure he would have still loved you because you would have been his link to her." I stated.
"Thank you." Mal said.
"For what?"
"For giving me a different perspective." He stated.
"You had never thought of that before?" I asked, astounded by this fact.
"I've only started contemplating things recently and I haven't had anyone to give me the brighter side. I've just been left with my own mind to brood."
"The is a great sadness." I stated as I tightened my embrace to comfort him further. "You should not be left to feel so alone."
"Well I don't anymore." He said in an attempt at cheerful as he tapped my back.
"You should never have felt that way at all." I said fiercely, hugging him with all my will in the hope to make up for the sadness in his past.
"I know. But a lot of it was my own stupid fault. Through bad decisions I ended up losing touch with everyone I know and now I'm too chicken to reopen channels. Liza, you're lucky we ended up on the same floor." He said and his body moved slightly as he nodded his head.
"Why?" I asked, frowning as I continued to hug him.
"Because if we hadn't well…well this will be you in five years time. Stuck amongst humans, unable to really let anyone get to know you cause it will mean a death sentence for them. Always lying low hoping to never come across a vampire because you can't be certain until their hands are around your throat whether their good or not. Spending a week sleeping in a sewer because it's the one place that will hide your scent enough not for the vamps to track you."
"Oh my poor Mal." I gasped, raising my head before I stroked his cheek with my thumb. "This will never occur again." I said firmly as I placed my hands to his cheeks. "I promise you."
"That's all well and good Liza, but even if you travelled with me now there would be just the two of us. You might hold stock in your family's name, but no vampire will care about that if they have us cornered alone. Especially if word gets around that you're estranged from them. What if we run into the Volturi and word has got back to them? You'd become the perfect leverage."
"The Volturi would not dare touch us." I said firmly.
"Of course they would." Mal said with a snort.
"They would do nothing of the sort." I said firmly. "You truly are out of touch Mal, for the Volturi no longer hold jurisdiction over us."
I finished my sentence, but could not raise my voice above the commotion from the corridor and I doubted Mal had heard me. Besides, there was an urgency to the voice out there that demanded our attention. Mal and I filed out into the corridor and we were surprised to find that no one bar the source of distress was present. I know human hearing is not on a par with that of a dhampir, but there is no way they could ignore her sounds of distress.
Then I realised it was a Friday night and everyone was out drinking. The girl in the corridor had been drinking, that was more than evident, but I think her reason was different to most. Had I not drunk to forget myself? But then I had a friend there beside me to stop me doing anything foolish, poor Sophie had no such luck and that is what led her into knocking hell out of Malcolm's door.
"COME OUT HERE YOU BASTARD AND FACE ME!" She screamed, pounding and kicking the door.
"Sophie?" I said carefully, placing my hand on her shoulder. "It is ten o'clock on a Friday night, I doubt Malcolm is in his room."
"Liza?" Sophia asked, and she turned to me, her face drenched in mascara tears. "They didn't believe me." She murmured. "They thought I was fabricating the whole thing."
"Then I will bear witness." I stated. "He told me with his own mouth that he spent the first night with you."
"But they said it's too late to… Too late to…" She looked over my head, her eyes wide with fright and I turned to see that she was looking at Mal.
"It is fine Sophie, that is Mal Rogers, he is a kind man. He is not that insidious Malcolm Donaldson who…" I said soothingly.
"Please, I don't want anyone to know." She cut me off in a hissed whisper.
"Shall we go somewhere a little less public? I'm sure Dove is out for a few hours yet." I suggested.
"Thanks." She said.
"Allow me to say my farewells to my friend and then we will talk."
"Thanks." Sophie said again and hugged me.
I tapped her back and pulled away from her enough in order to turn to Mal.
"I'm afraid my friend is a bit worse for wear with the drink." I stated. "I will meet you after your lecture tomorrow."
"Ok. But if there's anything I can do for y'all…"
"We'll be sure to call on you." I said with a smile.
"Then good night ladies, I'm gonna catch me some shut eye."
I raised my eyebrows at Mal, trying to communicate that he was overdoing the Texan thing, but it was to no avail. Besides, I could talk to him about it tomorrow, and if Sophie was in any state to question it I would put it down to him being nervous of crying women. No, that would be bad. I would have to think of some other valid excuse that would not make him sound as if he was emotionally stunted.
"Night night." I said and nodded my head.
Mal saluted before he entered his room and I turned back to Sophie.
"I've ruined your night." She whispered.
"Nonsense." I replied. "I was about to head back to my dorm. You heard Mal, he wishes to sleep for he has lessons tomorrow."
"Saturday lessons?" Sophie asked. "Glad I ain't got them."
We walked along the corridor, I held her up beneath her shoulder, but it was grief that caused her to be unsteady on her feet not the alcohol. I heard her stomach growl and I frowned.
"Have you eaten?" I asked.
"I can't." She whispered.
"Sophie, you must eat." I said firmly. "I think we shall go to the bathroom, get cleaned up, then I am taking you to eat missy."
"I just don't want to go out there." She murmured.
"Then perhaps we could have food delivered." I suggested.
"But that's against the rules." Sophie said sadly.
"How about I send Mal to buy us food?"
"But he said he needed to sleep." Sophie pointed out.
"He will do this." I said firmly.
"Why?" She asked.
"Because he is an old family friend and he likes to look out for me." I replied.
"But you didn't recognise him?"
"I had not seen him since we were three. However Mal has a very good memory and I have changed very little. He was looking out for me, my guardian angel when I did not even know it." I stated, possibly too wistfully.
"Ok. Ok I guess some food won't hurt."
"I will phone him." I said firmly, then realised I had no phone as I reached my dorm room. "I will have to use the one in the room." I muttered as I opened the door.
"That's gonna cost a bomb." Sophie observed as she dropped down heavily onto my bed. "Don't you have a cell?"
"I did." I said as I picked up the receiver. "But I thought it could do with some swimming lessons." I added as I dialled in Mal's cell number from memory.
"Swimming lessons?"
"I threw it in the pond because I was sick of people phoning me at all hours." I explained briefly as I heard the ring on the other end.
"Hello?" Mal said cautiously.
"Mal, it is I, Liza. Could you please do me a favour?" I asked lightly.
"Course. What is it?" He replied with out pause.
"Could you go and purchase some food for Sophie and I? I will pay you when you arrive." I said.
"What would you like?"
"Anything, but Sophie should eat."
"Ok. I'll see what I can get. I won't be long." He said.
"Thank you."
"See you in a bit."
We hung up and I turned back to Sophie.
"Did you really throw your cell in the pond because of people phoning you all the time." She asked.
"I did." I replied without remorse.
"And I thought I could get temperamental." Sophie mused.
"Yes." I said carefully as I sat beside her. "And speaking of which, how did you come to be knocking on Malcolm's door?"
Sophie looked at my door in alarm.
"Mal will be at least a quarter of an hour with travelling, let alone how long it will take for the food to be prepared. We have time to discuss this." I stated.
Sophie looked unconvinced.
"Sophie, have I not proven my worth? I have kept your confidence, told not a soul of what happened to you. I did not even say to Malcolm that you felt you were raped when he stated that he spent the first night with you. I wished to leave it for you to decide what you wished to do with the information. I think you can confide in me further."
Sophia nodded in agreement.
"Then please tell me, how is it too late for you to make a complaint?"
"They said it would be my word against his." She said bitterly.
"But his word is worthless, I logged my own complaint. And I am witness to him confessing that he was with you that first night." I stated.
"That's the problem, that I made my complaint the same day as you. I mean they were supportive at first, said they'd look into it. I hadn't heard anything from them for two weeks so I went back today, and I don't know who he paid off, but they're taking the stance that we're trying to defame him. That we're making up lies and spreading malicious gossip." She said, her voice verging on hysterical.
"But I have only told people of my distaste for Malcolm, and I have told no one of your ordeal. Not even Mal knows and I tell him practically everything." I protested.
"And I haven't told anyone anything at all, apart from you and the warden. I was upset that they wouldn't believe me, that they were gonna drop the investigation. So I started drinking and then I got angry. I wanted to drag him down to the warden's office and make him confess." Sophie said angrily as she clenched her fists.
"I doubt that would have worked and knowing him for the slime-ball that he is. I would not be surprised if he then sued you for harassment." I stated, knowing this was a likely outcome, Malcolm was just the type of person to do such a thing.
"I didn't think of that." Sophie said with dread.
"Who does think of the outcome of one's actions when one is angry?" I asked, and realised I was also speaking of myself.
"I just feel so helpless." Sophie murmured.
"We will seek our own counsel." I stated. "The university has no right to dismiss our claims so easily. We will demand a hearing."
"How do we go about doing that?" Sophie asked.
"I am not entirely sure. I may need to make a few phone calls." I said carefully.
"To who?"
"I have a friend who works in law. I am sure he could give me a few pointers." I said, wondering if it was wise to bring Johno in on such a case since he knew me as a twenty eight year old as opposed to an eighteen year old.
"Ok." Sophie agreed.
"And we need to have a few more people on side." I suggested carefully knowing this would be the hardest part, getting Sophie to admit what happened to other people.
"What do you mean?" Sophie asked, sensing full well where I was going with this.
"Would you be averse to telling Mal of what ails you when he brings the food?" I suggested.
"I don't know." She said, her eyes dropping to the floor as she became pale in her apprehension.
"He is a good listener." I stated. "And a good friend."
"I really don't want anyone else to know." She said mournfully.
"But if you wish for Malcolm to be punished then other people will have to know and you can have no better friend than Mal at this moment in time."
"But he's a guy." She murmured.
"I understand." I stated. "Then I will say nothing to him."
"And know you said you'd phone that lawyer friend of yours?" She began carefully.
"Yes." I replied tightly since I realised she was about to deny my help.
"I think I'll tell my parents what happened. Our family lawyer is good and he's based in LA." She said, and it was a reasonable point.
"Perhaps it would be for the best to involve your parents." I stated.
"Yeah. I probably should have told them as soon as it happened. Especially Mom. She's gonna be hurt that I didn't confide in her, but at the time all I could think about was how disappointed she'd be that I was drinking in the first place." Sophie said sadly.
"But the drink was spiked." I protested.
"Yeah." Sophie said. "But I knew it was alcoholic."
"I doubt your mother would have condemned you for a little alcohol." I reasoned.
"She made me promise not to touch any after what happened with my sister." Sophie said with a heavy sigh.
"That was not a reasonable request to ask of someone embarking on college. A caution not to drink to excess maybe, but not a request for total abstinence." I argued.
"My Mom was just worried." Sophie stated.
I nodded.
"Can we stop talking about it now? I just want to eat, wash and then turn in for the night." Sophie asked before I could say any more on the subject.
"If that's what you choose." I replied.
"It is. And will you promise me again that you won't tell anyone about this unless I ask you to?"
"I promise." I said solemnly.
"Not even Mal or Dove or anyone." She added firmly.
"I will tell no one." I promised.
"Thanks." Sophie said with a sad smile.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in." I called and Mal pushed the door open.
"I got you some Indian." He said, placing the bag on my desk.
"Would you like to join us?" I asked.
"Nah. I really should be getting some sleep." He stated. "I'll see tomorrow."
"Yes." I replied. "And goodnight." I added managing to stop myself from saying Malachite.
"Night both." Mal said and went to leave.
"How much do we owe you?" Sophie asked.
"Oh nothing." Mal said. "Liza and I got a favour system going. I buy her this tonight and she'll hire my costume for the Halloween ball."
"You're going?" Sophie asked, although it was merely to be polite.
"Yes." Mal replied.
"As what?"
"Dracula." Mal said with a wide grin.
"Which version?" Sophie inquired further.
"Not any particular one." He stated. "I'll just wear fangs and a cape."
"And what about you?" She directed at me.
"One of the sisters." I stated.
Sophie gave me a questioning look.
"I'm going as Dracula's bride." I clarified.
"You'll synchronise?" She asked with a frown.
"Yes."
"Are you…together?" She asked carefully.
I looked at Mal, waiting for his response, but I could read nothing from his face. I decided he wished to spare my feelings and I should not leave him in this awkward predicament.
"Us? Together?" I asked. "Not at all."
"We're just good friends." Mal stated. "But it's a good way to get rid of unwanted attention if people think you're with someone."
"Not always." Sophie countered.
"That's true." I said. "But who will hassle me when I have a six foot four boyfriend?"
Sophie shrugged.
"But we do not pretend to be a couple." I stated. "Let people draw what they want from the fact we have synchronised our costumes. The truth of the matter is that Mal and I had both decided to go as vampires and when we realised this we thought we might as well have a theme."
"I guess it's no different than when a group of girls match their costumes." Sophie mused.
"Yeah. And I'd like to stay and discus this more, but I really should get to sleep. I don't want a tardy again." Mal cut in.
"Oh yes. Last time you were late." I observed.
"Yeah." Mal said. "It's hard to believe it was only two weeks ago."
"A lot has happened since then." I stated almost in wonder.
Mal nodded.
"Well anyway, goodnight." He said and quickly made his escape so we wouldn't delay him longer.
"He does seem nice." Sophie observed.
"He is." I said firmly. "Shall we dish the food out?"
"Yeah."
We shared out the food onto paper plates. Sophie was quick in eating and I realised she wished to be alone now. I wondered if it was wise to leave her alone but as she was leaving my room her roommate met her in the corridor. She seemed to sense that Sophie needed some reassurance and so took over from me.
I set about cleaning up in the room before I turned in for the night. It was well past eleven by the time I had showered and was laying my head down to rest, but Dove had yet to return. I did wonder if she was spending the night with Dermot, but sometime during the night she returned. I was unsure of the time, only that she roused me slightly as she clattered into the room.
I thought to be noisy in return when I awoke at seven the next morning, but I decided that would be cruel. Instead I made little noise as I collected my clothing for the day and went to shower. Once dressed I brushed my hair and braided it, leaving it wet for I wished to ensure Mal was on time this morning and was not late for his lesson again.
I stopped off at the kitchen first and looked in the refrigerator and was happy to find that there was still some bacon and sausages in the compartment designated to Dove and I. There was also eggs and milk, all bought fresh for the day before. I knew there was flour available and so I set about making some breakfast for Mal and I. Sausages, bacon and pancakes to my own secret recipe. I also made us some coffee, although there was only the instant variety available it was one of good quality.
I then arranged the two plates and mugs onto one tray and carried the breakfast carefully to his dorm. I balanced the tray on one hand as I knocked on the door. There was no answer so I placed my ear to the door. I could hear him snoring. I made my knock louder and as I listened this time I heard the snoring stop. He crossed the floor to the door and pulled it open.
"Liza?" He said, blinking at me from beneath his messy hair.
"Cock-a-doodle-doo." I said brightly.
"Huh?" He was confused, taking a while to come around.
"I have come to give you a wake up call. It will not do for you to be late." I explained cheerfully.
"What time is it?" He asked.
"Half past seven." I said promptly.
"My alarm's not set to go off for half hour yet." He muttered as he scratched at his head.
"I come bearing breakfast." I said, holding up the tray.
"Breakfast?" He asked. "Why didn't you say?" He added as he ushered me into his room.
I laughed as I entered and placed one of the plates and his mug on his desk. Then I took the tray and sat on the airbed and balanced the tray on my lap. I took the precaution to place my mug on the floor near me in fear that it would tumble from the tray.
"Well this sure merits waking up half an hour early." Mal observed as he sat at his desk.
He began to eat, but turned his chair to me holding his plate in one hand while he used the fork in his other.
"How you up so early?" He asked between mouthfuls.
"I have always been an early bird." I stated.
"You didn't have to do this though." He observed.
"You bought food for Sophie and I last night and expected no payment. This is my favour in return." I explained.
"Thanks." He said before seeming to devour the whole of the plate in one. "This is absolutely delicious bach."
"I aim to please." I said with a smile as I sipped my coffee.
"Guess I'll go have my shower now. Err…Do you want to wait here?" He offered.
"I have things to do this morning." I stated. "I merely wished to ensure that you were up in time for your lesson."
"Thanks." He said with a smile. "What are you going to do this morning?"
"Recon." I stated.
"Recon?"
"I thought I would trawl the shops and narrow down the list to make our shopping this afternoon a more enjoyable and less tiring experience."
"That sounds great." He observed with a grin.
"I will go and prepare for my day." I said and stood, collecting everything back onto the tray.
"Then I'll meet you outside the college at one." He said and kissed my cheek as I reached for his mug.
I placed the mug on the tray and had no idea what to do. Instead I nodded my head dumbly and left the room. I was in a daze as I washed the dishes as my mind began to over analyse things. I had to remind myself that he had kissed my cheek before as I had his. It was a friendly peck, nothing more.
I managed to put all such nonsense out of my head by the time I returned to my room in order to style my hair properly. I had forgotten the incident entirely by the time I was looking through the town, finding the shops that would best meet our needs.
My morning's recon worked wonders; we had purchased our costumes by two and that left the afternoon free. Mal and I spent it at the cinema. We studied in the evening until it seemed the perfect time to eat. We had purchased some food to cook this evening since it appeared that most Saturdays the common room was deserted.
It was not true of this week. We had heard the thump of distant music, but had not associated it with our common room. It was a hindrance at times, having such good hearing could hamper ones perception of where a commotion was originating. Especially when you were doing your damndest to block it out.
We decided instead to slip through the party people and eat out. We returned to Mal's room to retrieve money in order to do this. It seemed such a simple plan, get some money, navigate the throng, and eat our food out and retreat to his room.
This plan was derailed almost at the first. I was ahead of Mal, since the press of bodies made it hard for us to remain together. I was sure some regulation or other was being broken, and could the floor support this many people?
"Hey Liza, come dance with us." Frankie said, grabbing hold of my waist and pulling me into a group that included Cheryl.
"Not tonight." I said brightly, trying to extricate myself from the dancing girls. "I am going to buy some food and have an early night."
"You're turning into a killjoy." Cheryl complained as she bumped my hip with hers, and it was a little on the rough side, rough enough for me to give her a wary look.
"I do not wish to party tonight. I am saving all my energy for the Halloween ball next week." I assured her.
"So you're actually gonna have a little fun? Since you got with that other Mal you've become stuck up." She said with a sniff.
I frowned slightly for there had been little contact between Cheryl and I since I had stopped going out every night of the week. She had no reason to come to such a conclusion. I decided that if she thought I was stuck up now she had not being paying attention previously. I decided that it was better to accept her insult and go one better to prove it mattered nothing to me.
"Cheryl dearest, I was always stuck up." I said, holding my chin high, although being so short it was hardly as impressive as if Mother were to do it.
I pushed away from the group and went to head toward the door, hoping I would meet Mal there. My head jolted back and I realised that Cheryl was pulling my hair.
Pulling my hair!
Making it a mess!
I growled and turned, striking out quickly with my hand to land a blow on her sternum that would wind her. She let go of my hair and doubled over, but I realised I was now surrounded by her friends and perhaps hair pulling would have been preferable to the group beating that now seemed imminent.
I pushed my hair back into place and pulled my clothes straight before I met each of them with a look of steal.
"Attack and I will defend myself." I warned.
Frankie was the closest and she seemed to see something in my eye that made her back away from me, but Lois did not follow her lead and she came at me, cat claws flying. I stepped out of the way, putting my foot in front of her so her own momentum brought her crashing to the floor.
"Do not cross me ladies." I said with an amused sigh, before I turned my back on them and walked sedately to the door.
So thronged was the room that only those in close proximity had noticed anything was amiss. When I reached the door Mal was there looking back over the crowd, trying to spot me. I was hard to spot in a crowd and I had to tug at his arm before he noted my presence.
He gave a sigh of relief and we began to descend the stairs.
"Where were you?" He asked once we were two floors down and the music no longer so intrusive.
"I was way-laid by Cheryl." I replied.
"That one who wanted you to party with her last week?" He remembered.
"The one and the same."
"What did she do?" He inquired.
"Invited me to party, and when I declined she accused me of being stuck up. She was trying to antagonise me so I went to walk away, paying her no heed. But she pulled my hair, and that I will not accept, so I winded her." I explained.
"You what?" He exclaimed.
"Hit her in the sternum, thus." I said, demonstrating my movement with my hand. "It is one of the moves Aunt Rose taught me since I am so small. It gives me better reason to best someone."
"And you floored her?" He asked, sounding impressed.
"Merely made her double over in order to catch her breath." I said with a shrug as we stepped out into the fresh night air, so cool and refreshing after the heat and press of bodies in the building. "It was Lois who was unfortunately floored."
"You got two of them?"
"They were only human, and really I hardly touched Lois. She was charging at me, I stepped aside, and she tripped over my foot." I stated, since it was hardly a challenge to have taken them all on, the challenge was to do so and still appear human.
"You are good." Mal observed with awe.
"As dhampir we have to be careful when applying force, so non contact defence is best if it comes to actual blows." I said.
"I guess. But I think it depends." He conceded.
"On what?"
"Well if some human was trying to get at me, even if they punched me or whatever, I'd shrug it off, let it go. It doesn't really hurt. But if they were trying to intimidate someone I love, well I think I'd get nasty then." He said darkly.
"Have you ever got nasty?"
"No. I've never been in that situation, at least with a human. With vamps it's different, they're stronger so you got to be prepared to fight them or they'll kill you, but humans are…" He trailed off with a shrug.
"Yes. Which is why I went easy on Cheryl and Lois, employing the skills Aunt Rose taught me, as opposed to the ones I learned from Mother." I stated.
"Wait, you've actually fought vampires?" He asked, and now he looked even more impressed and I wonder if I should not feel somewhat offended. But then vampires are so much stronger than dhampir that it would be impressive for us to fight one.
"A few. Not as many as you I don't suppose, but I have fought and killed a couple of vampires. Of course I was not alone, I was working with Mother." I paused and felt suddenly sad. "We made ever such a good team, Mother and I, a true mother-daughter tag-team."
"I think…" Mal paused a moment. "I think you really miss your mother. You try to pretend that you don't and stoke your anger back up, but I think you really do miss Essie."
"She is my mother." I murmured forlornly.
"And I think you do want to get back in touch with her, badly. I don't know why you're stopping yourself."
I stopped in my tracks, my mind a whirl. I realised I was fighting hard against Mal's suggestion, but why was I? Was the news truly so bad?
"I will think on it over dinner." I said as we began to walk once more.
We settled for KFC and shared a bargain bucket, although I made sure I had plenty of napkins and wet wipes to hand. By the time we had finished and were making our way slowly back to the dorms, lingering somewhat in the hope that the party would die down, I decided that I would call Mother. Or possibly text her to begin with, perhaps Mal would be kind enough to lend me his phone.
The common room was not as thronged as it had been, but that's not to say that the party had died down. Unfortunately it looked to be going on all night and I was thankful that Mal's room was at the end of the corridor. It was possible we would hear nothing.
I was in a slight daze as I made my way through the people and I seemed to lose track of events slightly. One minuet I was walking in front of Mal, his hand on my shoulder not for us to be separated this time, the next moment I was hemmed in by Gobbo and Trick. I looked around to find that Mal was delayed. It was 'Cruella De Ville' who was trying to get hair tips from him again.
"Well look at you, precious little thing." Gobbo purred, his hand stroking my cheek.
I aimed my knee at his family jewels intending to injure him.
"I don't think so." Trick said, as his hand came out to protect his friend's precious assets. "Mal is our friend and we want to know what you did with him."
"Did with him?" I asked. "What could I have possibly done with him? I have not seen him since he assaulted me. Now kindly step out of my way gentlemen, or I will be forced to report you too. And hopefully you will not have the wherewithal to cover it up as Malcolm did."
"Cover it up?" Gobbo said with a frown.
"He must have friends in high places to silence the warden as he did. Now step out of my way." I demanded.
"You heard the lady." Mal said, looming behind them and his face was like thunder, things about us were rattling.
"Keep out of this." Gobbo said, and he gave some signal to Trick who turned to Mal and before I could shout out a warning, he had punched Mal in the stomach.
It did not have the desired effect, Mal merely glared at him as a low vibration travelled through the floor, something almost like the feeling of loud bass. The light fixtures swayed too and there was the chink of empty bottles as they shook against each other wherever they happened to be placed.
"Earthquake!" Someone yelled dramatically.
"It's only a tremor." Someone else replied, "It's hardly nothing."
The three boys around me ignored the commotion. Mal because he was the cause of the rattling, there was no seismic activity, and Gobbo and Trick because they were otherwise engaged. I wondered how I had noticed, but I decided it was my brain seeking distractions from my predicament.
"You have three seconds to step away from Liza or I'm gonna start breaking some heads." Mal said in a low threatening voice that chilled the marrow of the bone so much it surprised me that Gobbo and Trick did not obey him immediately.
"No." I gasped, not wanting Mal to get into trouble.
"One." Mal said flatly.
Gobbo merely laughed as he squeezed my cheeks.
I kicked at his shin, but couldn't get apt leverage to truly hurt him as he held me to the wall.
"Two." Mal said, still glaring at Trick, who was looking at his fist as if it had betrayed him.
Gobbo leaned in as if to kiss me and I managed to free my hand and I brought it up quickly to connect with his jaw. In that instant Mal said, "Three", and before my hand could connect with Gobbo's jaw Mal moved in a blur, first punching Trick square on the nose, then turned Gobbo by placing his hand on the latter's shoulder, he punched the repulsive brute on the nose too. Mal growled and landed another punch on Gobbo that sent him to the floor.
The boy cowered as Mal raised his fist again, I placed my hand out and caught his wrist as he brought it down.
"No Mal." I said, looking into his eyes as I touched his cheek with my other hand. "You're better than this."
Mal was breathing heavily, the air around us was thick with telekinetic energy thanks to his anger. I was surprised the people gathered around to watch the fight were not floating from the floor.
Mal was still breathing heavily, but he was starting to calm and the feeling of his energy was draining somewhat as he lowered his arm. I smiled at him and he managed a smile in return. A scent registered and I looked down at Mal's fist to see that there was blood present, but not his blood. I glanced down further, feeling my head swim as the scent swam up around me.
So tantalising…
So inviting…
Gobbo looked up, his hand held to his nose, but red seeped between his fingers. I held my breath in order to ignore the scent and the call of the blood, but I was already light-headed. I had to resist the call; I detested Gobbo too much to consider drinking his blood.
My eyes fluttered and I felt my feet leave the floor.
"I got you bach." Mal whispered.
There was something wet against my forehead and I opened my eyes to find an anxious looking Mal watching me. He sighed with relief when I focused on him and tried to sit up.
"Just lie there a minuet." He said. "You don't want to faint again."
"Faint?" I asked.
"Yeah." He replied. "Fancy? A dhampir who faints at the sight of blood." He teased.
I poked my tongue out and he chuckled.
"You should be ok now." He said, taking a damp cloth from my head. "Just sit up slowly."
I obeyed him.
"For how long was I unconscious?" I asked.
"Only ten minuets."
"Good." I whispered. "I'm sorry I passed out, I was overwhelmed. I was trying my hardest not to bite him for the thought of consuming his blood is repugnant to me. Not merely because he is human, although I use the term loosely. Even if I was a carnivore I would not partake in his blood." I said firmly.
"I know what you mean." Mal said with a shiver.
I sighed and moved to the edge of his bed.
"Do you think they'll be a bother?" I asked warily.
"We'll report them if they are. Tonight was an emergency, but if I could have got you out of there without violence I would of, if only to give us more ground to stand on if we reported them." He stated.
"Now they could sue you for assault." I said aghast.
"They could, but they won't." He said firmly.
"How can you be so sure?" I demanded.
"They had a helpless young woman cornered and were showing all sings that they wished to do her harm. They'll just brand me a have-a-go hero instead."
"Possibly." I conceded.
"What shall we do now?" He asked, obviously changing the subject since this was something we would discuss all night if we were not careful.
"To tell the truth I'd like nothing more than to settle down to sleep." I replied.
"Then that's what we'll do." He said, touching my cheek lightly.
I smiled, and then groaned as something essential occurred to me.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"I will be unable to clean my teeth before bed." I replied mournfully.
"You could always use the bathroom next door." He suggested since he realised I did not wish to chance the common room again that evening.
"But…" I protested.
"Just don't think about it. Grab your things and I'll check the coast is clear."
I was still uncertain.
Without waiting for my answer, Mal stood and took up his toiletry bag as well as my own. He pushed my bag into my unresisting hands and without another word he pulled me to my feet and walked to the door. I thought he would peek outside, but he merely stood with his head bowed and his eyes closed. He then pulled me swiftly from his room and into the bathroom; I heard two locks snap shut, his room and the bathroom.
I paused a moment to regain my breath as I looked around the men's bathroom. It was a similar set-up to the ladies, apart from the addition of urinals. If they put a partition around the urinals then they could make it into a unisex facility.
I shook my head and turned to the sinks. I placed my toiletry bag on a little ledge where there were power outlets for electric razors. I pulled my bag down onto the back of the sink and looked at my reflection for a moment. I was slightly paler than usual, but it was nothing a goodnight's sleep wouldn't fix.
I began the process of cleaning my teeth as Mal brushed his beside me. I glanced up at him to find he was grinning slightly as he brushed. I frowned slightly, feeling a little amused although I had no idea what he was grinning about. I rinsed my mouth.
"Is there something amusing?" I asked.
"Nah. It's just weird. Cleaning our teeth together." He observed.
"How is it weird?" I asked.
"Just…" He sighed and shook his head with an amused look. "It's like…just weird."
"As in it is something we have never done together before?" I suggested.
"Yeah." Mal agreed, and I gave him a curious look.
"Or could it possibly be…" I trailed off; I would not say what was on my mind.
"Be what?" He prompted.
"That it is strange to see me in the men's bathroom when it is against the rules of the college and of good etiquette. It goes against my usual stance on decorum." I invented quickly to cover what I was originally going to say, which would have been quoting him from our first day at the laundrette, that this too would be couple territory.
"Yeah." Mal agreed.
I laughed.
"I do break rules Malachite." I whispered. "But I have had no need to in college. Yet."
"Oh Liza bach." He sighed merrily, hugging me to him and he kissed the top of my head. "You don't half say the funniest things."
"I can not help it." I said, hugging him in return, indulging in his nearness for a moment. "I am a comedy genius."
Mal chuckled and it echoed through his chest.
"Shall we return to your room now?" I asked. "There is no point lingering here longer than necessary. People would talk if they saw us emerging from the bathroom together." I added as I pulled away slightly in order to look up.
"Let them talk." Mal said with a shrug.
I was delighted by this, but I had to be careful that I wasn't mistaking a flippant remark for something more.
"But I should hate to give you a bad reputation." I stated.
"No. You're right. I don't want to add masterful lover to my new reputation of being quick with my fists." He said with a grin.
"They were provoking you." I stated. "Everyone who was there witnessed that. They know you are a nice quiet guy, but now they also know it is unwise to cross you. That is not a bad thing."
"I know bach." He said softly and brushed back a strand of my hair I had not noticed had escaped.
"And if you wish to gain the reputation of being an amazing lover, I'm afraid a 'quickie' in the bathroom is rather uncouth and rather diminishes you as a potential mate than add to your potential. You would be seen as a bit of fun, nothing else." I chastised with a playful edge.
"Yeah." He said. "And I'm done with bed hopping. I want a proper relationship built on friendship and trust as well as a good sex life. Something significant." He added and he was very serious.
"That is what I hope for too." I said, wondering to whom he referred and what he would infer from me.
Mal stepped away.
"And you'll have it. Once you get back in touch with Simon." He said with a reassuring smile.
"Yes…Simon." I said, frowning slightly, wondering why Mal had made mention of him as I packed my things back into my toiletry bag.
Then Mal took my hand and stepped up to the door where he paused a moment with his eyes closed. Then he pulled me into his room and the doors shut behind us. I leant against the door of his room deep in thought.
"You ready for bed?" He asked.
"Am I allowed to cwtch in with you tonight?" I asked.
"Why?" He asked.
"Never mind." I said, heading toward the air mattress.
"I don't mind you cwtching in with me, if only for the fact that you used the word." He said with a smile. "But you've only ever asked that when something's bugging you. What's wrong?"
"I like knowing that you are near." I whispered.
"Go on then." He said.
I smiled at him and put my toiletry bag aside before bounding to the bed.
"Don't you want to change first?" He asked.
"Oh yes." I said with a laugh.
I sought out my pyjamas and began to change with my back to him while he changed with his back to me.
"Malachite." I said carefully. "Would you think less of me if I went back on my word?"
"Well it depends on what that word is." He muttered, his voice muffled by his top.
"What if I were to meet someone else and decided that I found him attractive. Very attractive, I would go so far as to say sexually alluring."
"Where are you going with this?" Mal asked and I turned to him as he turned to me, although he averted his eyes because I had paused in changing and was in nothing more than my pyjama bottoms and bra, although my pyjama top was held in front of me at the ready.
"I made a promise to Simon that I would go to him when I was ready, but that was ten years ago. He has moved on since then, more than moved on. I have also asked myself why I did not track him once I reached eighteen, I convinced myself that I was to start college not long after and it would not do to become embroiled in such things. Do you think that perhaps I am afraid that if I meet Simon now I will no longer like him? I am talking of physical attraction, not him as a person." I clarified.
"Only you know the answer to that." Mal stated.
I considered this as I pulled on my pyjama top.
"What if I were to meet someone who I liked as a person and had an attraction to that was much stronger than what I felt for Simon. Should I ignore these feelings and keep my word? Or should I make my feelings known?"
"Liza, I already told you. You can either go to Simon to be with him, even if it's only once so you know whether it is what you want, or you can just forget him and move on with your life. He can't hold you to something you said when you were an infatuated teenager. No one would expect you to. And if Simon is as great as you say he is, he definitely wouldn't hold you to it. If you had made him stay celibate for you, then to go off with someone else now you're ready would be mean, but you set him free, and he's been free and then some. You got every right to not go back to him if that's what you choose."
"And you really wouldn't think less of me for going back on my word?" I asked.
"Liza, you made the promise when you were eight, I wouldn't hate you if you broke it." Mal said firmly.
"Thank you." I cried and I hugged him tightly.
"No problems." He said, tapping my back. "Although, I am wondering if you had someone in mind."
"I was merely asking for future reference." I said carefully.
"Oh. Well you'll let me know whatever you decide." He replied.
"I will." I promised.
"Shall we go to bed now?" He asked.
I nodded and let him go before climbing into the bed. He locked the door and switched off the light before climbing in beside me. I snuggled into him and he placed an arm around me. I felt the comfort of his presence, but there was something I was curious about.
"Mal? Have you anyone in mind with whom you wish to have a full relationship?" I asked.
"Now that would be telling." He said, his voice on the edge of sleep.
"Then I will not pry further for now. However, you can confide in me, whoever she may be. I will help you in any way I can to ensure you have the best life possible. You deserve that my friend." I whispered and reached up to kiss his lips.
I pulled away a fraction, but lingered, for if he kissed me now, if he kissed me…
I doubt I would make love to him, at least not tonight, but I would seriously consider it for the future, the very near future. There was a comfortable yet thrilling place at Mal's side and I wished to occupy it, but I was certain he did not want me there since he did not kiss me in return.
I settled back against his chest and he began to snore softly. It was comforting being so close to him and I would rather be his friend than nothing else. I drifted to sleep in a comfortable frame of mind, hardly allowing his rejection to become an issue for I knew I would sooner be his friend than to not be a part of his life.
I did not awake to floating furniture that Sunday and Mal was particularly happy for this fact. He really did see it as a form of telekinetic incontinence, and I thought him silly for thinking so. I decided not to voice this opinion again and merely congratulate him on his dreamless sleep. We visited the laundrette as usual; although I had to make certain I did not see the mess in the common room by having Mal guide me while I walked through with my eyes shut. After we had ironed our clothes we spent the rest of Sunday in a rather lazy fashion. We mused on nonsensical ideas and it was nice to allow my brain to simply wander.
A lazy Sunday rolled into an uneventful week that seemed a blessing in all the drama of late. The week was uneventful, well apart from the Friday night, the night before Halloween, when Mal and I made love.
…
Unfortunately, it was only a dream…
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Gemma x