I'm traveling today, so lots of opportunity to write. I'll be updating a lot today, you are going to be very spoiled.

Chapter 8

William woke up with sunlight streaming through his windows. He felt Lizzie's leg laying parallel to his, his left hand resting on the small of her back. He felt her chest breathing up and down in time with his, her one hand fisted in between their shoulders, the other palmed on his chest. He also realized that he was in pain. He was friend-zoned by Lizzie. The woman he realized he loved, his best friend to, friend-zoned him and didn't even realize it. She nuzzled his chest and slowly opened her eyes.

He tilted his head down and smiled. "Hey." Did you know I want to kiss you?

She stretched full length and smiled back. "Hey yourself." The moment was interrupted by a scratching at the door. Lizzie gasped. "The puppy." She rolled out of bed and ran downstairs, while he laughed softly and went to start coffee.

"Oh, Lizzie. If, only you knew." He shook his head as he started the water.

When Lizzie returned, he handed her the mug. "Black, extra strong." She sniffed and smiled as she took a sip and slid onto the stool behind the counter. He poured his cup, and turned back around. He smiled back at Lizzie, who was staring at him, elbows resting on the counter. Do you know how I really feel about you?

They drank their coffee in silence when the doorbell rang. Charlie started barking and slid straight into the door. Lizzie laughed and went to get it. He turned to the fridge and got out some eggs and slid the eggs onto the counter. He heard Lizzie's mug breaking on the hardwood floor and turned around to see Denny pushing his way into the house. William ran to Lizzie's side.

"What do you want, Denny." William could feel Lizzie tensing up as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Just to ask if you two were planning to attend our high school reunion in a year." William saw the smugness on Denny's face, and felt Lizzie tense even more.

"Well, we just might. But thats none of your concern. Since you won't be there. So please, leave our home now." He gripped her tighter.

He scoffed. "You are always her protector. Always have been, always will be. Fine. I'll go." Denny turned to leave and stopped just before the door. "I just wanted you to know that I had her first." He looked at Lizzie and winked. "You always had a thing for jocks and boys you couldn't control. He's a little different from your normal choice. Kudos for changing." He laughed and looked back at William. "She may be yours now, but senior year of high school, she was all mine. Or didn't she tell you what happened in the boys locker room?"

Lizzie gasped "Wickham?"

"Hey, babe. Why don't you come with me and we can have a party?"

Wickham reached for Lizzie's hand and William lost control. He swung at Wickham and hit him straight in the nose, hearing it crack. When Wickham straightened, William punched him right in the gut and slammed the heavy wooden door in his face. He turned around to see that Lizzie was shaking. He ran to her side and caught her around the waist as she collapsed. He picked her up, carried her to the couch, and rested her head on its arm. He ran back into the kitchen, grabbed a glass of water, and ran back to the sofa. He got on his knees and grabbed the backside of Lizzie's neck as he gently urged her to drink the water. Her eyes fluttered open.

"How did he find me? How does he get my phone numbers? How does he find me? Why won't he just leave me alone?" Lizzie began crying. William put the glass on the floor, wrapped his arms around her, and brought her head to his chest as she curled up in a ball. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to tell her he loved her. But he couldn't. So he settled for the next best thing.

"I don't know, but I promise it will stop. I promise I will stop him." And that was a promise William intended to keep.

AN: GAAH! I promise, I'm not trying to have an angst fest!

Also, I've gotten some stuff about people missing. Don't worry, all will be explained in time.