I carefully tread down the halls taking extra care not to hurt my foot again. It's been about two weeks of nothing but lying down and sleeping and I'm about to go insane. As if I hadn't already; Gray has been fawning over me hand and foot. It makes me sick! My cheeks flushed with embarrassment recalling every time he tried to hand feed me. It's not like my hands are broken you numbskull!
"Ah, Miss are you -,"
"I'm fine, thank you." I assured immediately with a forced smile hurrying by before it crumpled into a sneer. Stupid Gray going around and telling the other workers to keep an eye on me...I slipped through Nightmare's door and deftly shut it behind me. I'm happy I was able to avoid Gray the entire day. But I'm sure he's found out that I'm out of bed already and is probably hunting me down.
"Bah! Open you stupid door!" Nightmare cried yanking back on a door with all his might.
"Door's not opening?" I asked walking up to him as I critically analyzed the problem; the hinge is too tight.
"Yes...," Nightmare sniffed hanging his head in manly shame. I chuckled and lightly slapped his cheek as I reached into my pocket.
"I got it - huh?" Where's my wrench? Nightmare perked up for a moment as I dug through my pockets. I reached deep into my pockets before a mind numbing pain pricked my chest. Ah...that's right. It's at the amusement park. Along with my violin...and my clothes...and my money. Ugh this sucks... It hurts, actually. Not only does my pocket feel so much lighter but my chest feels...empty almost. I'm hardly of any use here because of my skill set and I don't have anything that I've earned here with me. I literally have to start all over. My throat thickened before I shoved aside my pains. Bear with it, Jackie. I can do this.
"Jackie, how many times - Jackie?" Gray's voice, before fierce, asked meekly. I shook off my pain trying to puzzle together a strong face. But most of all...I need to get some clothes that actually fit me. All of the workers here are tiny in every area that I'm literally spilling over with abundance.
"Gray, why don't you go out with Jackie and buy some new clothes? And some tools and other things while you are out?" Nightmare suddenly spoke up. I stiffened as I looked over to him. Ah, he heard me...
"No. I can't let you do that." I countered with my stinging pride. I'm not going to let them dump a bunch of money on me. I'm not even going to be here that long! As soon as the Amusement park is back I'm shipping myself right back to home sweet home. My heart sunk. But even Nightmare doesn't know when that will be which means I'm stuck here for a while...poop.
"Why not?" Nightmare asked, honestly perplexed as he listened to my reason in both mind and voice.
"Because I'm dirt poor. I don't have any money to pay you back with and -,"
"Nonsense. I don't want you looking like that for the meeting." He pointed out gesturing over the over washed clothes. I grimaced.
"Meeting?" I asked. A meeting...? For what?
"Gray can explain later~ Gray, I can trust that you'll pick out some appropriate attire for her?" Nightmare asked with a sweet candy smile.
"Of course." He answered. I slyly glanced over to mama bear. Oh gosh this is going to be an awful day.
‡
"How about this one Jackie?" Gray asked holding up a rather frilly and high collared dress. I internally cringed at the choice unable to tear my eyes away from the horror before me.
"Ah, that's not really my style...oh! Hey, what about these?" I said with gleaming eyes as I pulled out a pair of black dressy pants. I held them up to my waist; they're the right length at least so that's good. Normally I have to hem pants to fit.
"Pants? Don't you think a skirt would be more appropriate?" Grey asked, perplexed as he looked over my choice. I grinned picking out a pair of high heeled flashing red shoes and a white top with a black jacket.
"Wait just a minute." I teased slipping into the dressing room. I don't like skirts; I can't move as freely as I can with pants. Normally I don't even like dressing up but I do know one thing; I'm absolutely smoking in clothes like this. I pushed back the curtain and stepped in front of a mirror liking what I saw. The pants fit nice and snug on my hips and butt while my jacket smoothly hugged my skinnier waist. I should be thankful for an hourglass shape that's for sure. My eyes narrowed at the lumps of flesh peeking through the deep slit shirt. Hm...I don't like it this low.
"What do you think Grey?" I asked looking his way. His cheeks were tinged with pink as he looked away busying himself with a close by clothes rack.
"It's I-Interesting, I suppose." He muttered, clearly unimpressed with my selection. Wow, that's all the reaction he has? How...disappointing. My eyes ran over a nearby rack spying a nice looking sleek black tie. Huh. I bet I could pull that off too. I slip it off the rack along with a fake pair of glasses, looking myself over in the mirror. Oh this is definitely a winner alright.
"Jackie?" A voice asked, startled. I looked back spying Elliot's eyes running up and down, clearly thrown for a loop at my attire. I grin and adjust the fake glasses cockily showing my stuff.
"What do you think Elliot?" I playfully mocked. What? He's acting as if he's never seen boobs before. Although...I glanced over another rack eyeing a just as nice white blouse with a higher top. I think I would prefer that one though.
"You look amazing!" He cried, examining every angle as he looked around. "You don't even look like an engineer; you look like a mafia woman!" I chuckled at his reference and reached out for the white blouse. I jumped as someone caught my hand making me look up.
"My my...I suppose in the right clothes even a swine can look appetizing." Blood Dupre teased as he pulled me closer.
"Ah, Blood...still just as annoying as ever." I growled, irked but still basked in Elliot's compliments. I do look good in this but it's nice to hear it every now and then. I glanced over Blood's shoulder searching for a fuming Alice coming to tear me away from 'her man'.
"Blood, where's Alice?"
"It seems that she is at the Amusement park for the duration of this shift." His mood immediately soured as he looked away, both worried and annoyed that his toy wasn't around to play with him.
"How?! Why is she at the Amusement park?!" I shout, dumbstruck. Why was Alice able to stay at the park and I'm not?!
"She went to go visit you but before she could leave the lands shifted." Oh gosh...he's clearly upset.
"Lucky." I growled under my breath, pouting. This sucks...UGH! What I wouldn't give to trade places with her!
"So, as recompense, spend the day with me. A foreigner is a foreigner and interesting, nevertheless."
"Sorry; I'm out with Grey." I said, pointing back over to the empty isle. Huh? Where did he go? I looked around for him spying Grey at the counter talking to a faceless sales clerk. Is he buying something after all?
"Well, he doesn't seem very interested now does he?" Blood sighed hooking his arm around my waist. "If he were a true gentleman wouldn't he be right here beside you such as I? Wouldn't he be saying 'my, you look quite ravishing in that outfit' or along the lines of such a nature?"
"True...," I trialed off glancing over the oblivious Grey. He's been a little...distant since we went out. Does he not even want to be here?
"If he were a real gentleman...wouldn't he be paying attention to you in general? It seems to me that he's not really interested in the young Miss. And I-,"
"Alright, you win. Fine. Just let me get changed and -
"No; Elliot will take care of it. Besides, you look so beautiful in those clothes that it would be a shame to see you out of them." Ugh, Blood's pulling out his charms again.
"I should really -,"
"Think of it as a gift, then. It's true I haven't been paying much attention to this rose, being preoccupied with another, that I've neglected you. So please, accept my apology?" He purred kissing the back of my hand. I pull it from his grasp as sigh.
"Fine." I agreed casting a last glance over to Grey who was still speaking to the woman over the counter as Blood wrapped his arm around my waist leading me out of the shop. Well, with it like this at least Grey can go back to work rather than spend a boring day with me.
‡
"Now, what was it that you wanted?" Blood suavely asked, pretending to know what he was looking for as we looked over the great wall of metal objects blood never looked twice at.
"A wrench. Something like my older one that I can use and just have to carry around with me." I clarified running my practiced eye over the too many to count wrenches. So many...with my older wrench at hand I've hardly even looked at the newer versions they've come out with. I have to admit I'm very impressed with the size ranges.
"Which one do you fancy, dear?" Blood asked blindly running his eye over the price tags. I looked among the selection pulling out an adjustable wrench that was on sale. Huh...not bad. I flipped it between my fingers liking the fluid motion it had along with it's lightness.
"I like -," I began before the wrench shifted in my hand changing to a pistol. My eyes bulge as I drop the thing like a hot rock, gawking at the fallen object. "G-Gun? It's a gun?" I asked, shocked.
"Of course it is. Most of these are, dear." He explained, thoroughly intrigued by my reaction. I hesitantly pick up the weapon, stiffening as it shifted into a regular wrench. Forget it; I'm not going to carry around a gun with me at all times.
"Aren't there any that are just a normal wrench?"
"Well, yes but those are ridiculously cheap and-,"
"That's fine. I just want a regular wrench. That's all." I turn to leave the dangerous isle before Blood's arms shot around my waist, pulling me back in as he pushed me up against the wall.
"My dear...you are quite pale. What is it about guns that make foreigners so uneasy?" He asked, deeply engrossed in his thoughts, "are they hated in your world?"
"No...not hated. Some people love them while others don't." I tried to worm myself out of his grasp but he readily countered my attempts and held me snug.
"Now why is that?" He asked, cocking his head to the side.
"Well, guns are used to kill people. Some people like to kill and others are against it."
"Ah, that's right. Foreigners have no replacements." Blood noted tapping his chin.
"None." I said successfully freeing myself as I scuttled to another section. He easily kept pace, pestering me with questions as I finally found a black and silver wrench similar to my older one. The metal is sturdy but light, ideal for carrying around and such. I still have my picking tools but not my wrench. I pause as a thought dawned on me. Grey was the one with the money. Oh gosh. I placed the wrench back onto the pile of others and swiftly walk away before Blood could see my desire for it.
"You are not buying anything?" He asked, puzzled as I exited the store.
"None of them really caught my eye." I lied still stuck on that black handled silver one. It was really nice and was at a good price too. I'll have to remember it's here and come pick it up some other time. Blood's eyes soften as he took to my side, escorting me down the sidewalk.
I glanced over to the man as he walked closer to the road, clearly the more dangerous side to walk on. He's surprisingly chivalrous. I can see the attraction that Alice has to him considering where she came from.
"I'm impressed, Blood. You're more of a man than I thought you were." I teased aloud watching his reaction. He glanced over startled to hear me speak.
"And what impression were you under?"
"Truthfully?" I asked hesitating on voicing my personal opinion. He's been surprisingly nice to me today and I don't want to ruin it. But, at the same time, I want to tease the mafia man a bit.
"Could there be anything else but the truth?"
"Well, I always thought that you were haughty, ignorant, selfish, intolerable, sly, manipulative, cruel, and, above all, a playboy. Which I still think you are." I noted tapping my fingers according to each number. His smile only grew as he took the insults in stride.
"I've been called much worse, dear." He chuckled, amused by my insults. I nervously piddled along happy that I didn't piss him off. Well, that turned out much better than I thought. The sky turned to night as we rounded the corner with Clover Tower coming into view. My heart, surprisingly, sunk as we approached. Boo~ we're done already? I was actually having fun today.
"I bid you a good night, dear."
"Yeah. Ah, and Blood?"
"Hm?"
"I had fun; we should do this again some time." I offered continuing through the gate with only a glance back. I'm kind of embarrassed to say it to his face but it's the truth.
"Really? Well then...should we not make this rare event a little more memorable?" He asked as he whipped me back, slamming my back against the wall as his fingers grabbed hold of my chin.
"Bloo-," I began as he lips warmly melted over my mouth. A shiver ran up my spine from the startling contact as his hand expertly cupped my cheek, sliding his other hand freely over my side and to my hip. He moved with poise and experience as he lightly breathed over my mouth before lightly sucking my lower lip. W-What the heck...? I held absolutely still, unsure how to respond to his quick and adept moves. His teeth grazed my bottom lip before he pulled back with a satisfied smile, leaning into my ear.
"You're reaction is weak but that was quite pleasurable, my lady. Let's do it again sometime, huh?" He teased thumbing my stiff lower lip. I blinked twice before realization hit me.
"But you have Alice." I said slowly and unsurely. Wait...kiss. He just kissed me. As in, full lip contact. Alice...is his girlfriend but he kissed me. I peered over Blood's innocent smile as he pulled back tipping his hat off as he slightly bowed, as if congratulating himself on a performance well done.
"I was bored so what's wrong having a little bit of fun every now and then? Don't be shy, dear. If you ever feel lonely...come and see me. It's always interesting having a foreigner at my estate." He smoothly offered slipping into the night without a look back. My lips tingled warmly from the contact as I fluttered into the building hardly able to keep on my feet. That felt very...strange. Not bad per say but...strange. Have I betrayed Alice? Of course not. Blood was the one who...well, yeah, and I didn't kiss back.
But I didn't pull away either.
Guilt prickled my chest as I ghosted down the hallways. Oh man...why didn't I pull away from him? I'm not going to lie to myself; it was warm and, strangely, more so comforting than romantic. For me, anyway. But again, why didn't I pull back? I don't have feelings for the Hatter. Not like that at all. That attention was...nice? Warm? What could name this strange emotion? I hastily stuffed my thoughts away as I peeked into Nightmare's room spying him lazily and unproductively tapping his pen against his paperwork.
"That's not going to get any work done." I said, slipping into the room. Nightmare lazily glanced up before slumping on his desk pretending to be too tired to do anything.
"Boo~," he whined lying down as he pretended to sleep. His head shot back up as he looked me over. "you look good."
"Thanks." I said automatically. Well, at least someone at Clover Tower told me that. I sighed before a troubling thought occurred to me.
"Hey Nightmare, how was Grey when he got back?" I asked, anxious. Was he shocked or hurt that I left him? Or, does he even know where I went?
"Grey? Ah...he's been blocking me all day. I have no idea." He pouted. Oh gosh...that's not good. I wonder if Elliot told him?
"Told him what?" Nightmare asked as his interest piped. I hesitated before spilling the beans.
"Well...while we were at the shop Elliot and Blood came in. And then...well, I left with Blood." I said just beginning to realize how stupid and selfish I was. Wow...I just up and left Grey all by himself at the store. That was very rude of me.
"You left Grey to go with Blood?" Nightmare asked, dumbfounded. I guiltily casted my gaze to the floor.
"Yeah...I need to go make it up to him or something." I said. No, why should I? He was being a wet rag the entire day! Hardly even paying attention to me and lost in his own little world...ah. I glowered over to Nightmare who kept his steady gaze locked on me. Uh oh...
"So, you left because he was ignoring you?" Nightmare asked tilting his head, "that's...surprisingly childish of you, Jackie." He teased with a grin. I cringed back as my chest took the full brunt of his insult. Yeah...it really was mean of me to do that. Man...this sucks!
"Master Nightmare, your coffee is ready." Grey's voice piped up as he walked into the room. My head shot up eyeing him as he came towards me.
"Ah, Grey, I -,"
"Ah, Jackie. Did you have a nice day?" He asked with a pleasant smile. Huh? He's...not upset?
"Grey?" I asked, reaching out before retracting as he stepped past me. Grey...he's not even going to ask what I did or where I was? He's...not going to say anything about it? My fragile heart constricted tightly as he completely ignored me, tending to Nightmare's desire for coffee. Does he not care at all? He's not even concerned in the least about what happened?
I bit my swollen lower lip as I sauntered towards the door mending my wounded pride. Ugh...this is terrible. I don't even know what to be feeling right now. Rejected? Neglected? This sucks...huh? I patted my right pant pocket feeling something weighing it down. What's this? I slipped out the black handled silver wrench as my eyes bulged. What the? When did that get there? Ah...Blood must have slipped it into my pocket when he kissed me. Was that why he did that? As a distraction so he could -
"BLOOD KISSED YOU?!" Nightmare shouted as his eye popped open, slapping his hands against the table in shock. I jump and spin around, frozen like a dear in headlights as I gazed over the incubus, horrified. Why would he scream it out loud?! Grey's mouth parted as his eyes ran over my body searching for any infractions.
"He did what?!" Grey cried, astounded as he smiling facade crumpled. Embarrassment and chagrin flushed my cheeks as I quickly turn and darted out of the room. Why would you scream that out loud?! Now Grey heard you and what I - of w-what Blood -! I couldn't even think of anything to throw back at Nightmare as I hurry down the hall wishing to be buried alive in the deepest pit Wonderland has. Of all people Grey would be the last I wanted to know about that -!
"Jackie! Did he hurt you?!" Grey's infamous line demanded as he caught me shoulder, forcing me to look at him. Dang it! Of course he catches me just as I'm about to reach my room. Just my freaking luck -!
"Of course not!" I fierily spat slapping his hand away. I stiffened from my own rage and reaction as Grey looked startled at my deflection but shook off the shock much quicker than I did.
"You're lip is swollen -! And...are those teeth marks?!" He cried, horrified as he slid his thumb over it.
SLAP.
My hand stung as my mouth popped open from my sudden lash out. Hit him...I just hit him. Why? He's only concerned for me; right after he learned that Blood kissed me. Was he not even worried that I vanished on him in general? Grey remained frozen too shocked to even react to the attack.
"Why would you care?!" I venomously hissed unable to reign in my rampant emotions. I need to get out of this situation. I'm freaking out! His hand clasped my wrist making escape impossible.
"Because I'm concerned for you!"
"Yeah, after you learn that Blood...that he...y-you weren't even concerned that I left in general?!" I flared unable to sputter out what Blood did. He kissed me; so what? I don't care about that. What I care about is Grey's wish washy emotions ending me on an emotional roller coaster. But why...does he affect me this much? Why do I even care about what Grey thinks? I shifted back into my door frame retreating into my room as Grey followed still trying to make heads and tails out of my anger.
"Of course I was! I nearly had a panic attack when I turned around and saw that you had vanished!" He vehemently countered.
"Prove it." I irrationally demand.
"P-Prove it?" He asked, irked by my demand.
"Yes, prove it! Prove that you were actually worried about me! I swear - I feel like you don't care about me at all sometimes, Grey! You didn't even look twice at me when I asked for your opinion and you turned your back and - and-!" I stuttered unable to control my emotional tirade. I'm just so frustrated -!
"Ah...I see. You were insulted that I didn't compliment you on your outfit so you went with Blood who actually gave you some attention." Grey's voice dangerously lowered as he closed the door to my room trapping me inside. My heart jerked painfully as he locked the door, snatching my tie and yanked me forward all in one motion. I grasped his wrists as I gazed at his predatory eyes with wide eyes.
Mama bear is back.
"G-Grey?"
"No no, you are right. I've been much too selfish. Hatter even went off and bought you a nice little present, didn't he? I thought you were going to let me buy you a wrench." He snorted a chuckle as he loosened my tie slipping it off to reveal the milky flesh beneath. My heart pounded hard as I looked into his eyes. They've...changed. They look hard and deadly, not soft and gentle. He lightly tapped my chest shoving me onto my bed as he shrugged off his coat and began to work on his own tie, rolling up his sleeves to his elbows. "Why don't I show you just how much you drove me crazy, Jackie?"
"Grey -!" I started before he roughly snatched my jaws forcing a hard kiss. I yelped under his strength as he slammed me to the bed roughly deepening the forced kiss. An electric jolt shot down my spine as his tongue lightly slid over my lower lip. I shoved against his immovable shoulders clawing at his arms. He lightly growled under his breath as his hand slid from my jaw to my throat lightly squeezing as he messily disconnected our lips, nipping hard the skin on my collarbone.
"Ouch -!" His other hand pinned my hands above my head leaving my unprotected body free to explore. He shifted on the bend, biting the white fabric and ripped some buttons off as he opened the areas up. He readily moved down biting between exposed area.
"OW! Grey, that hurts! Get off!" I kicked the air struggling to break free from his grasps. A dark chuckle slipped past his lips as he leaned into my ear.
"I thought you said to prove how much I missed you?" He cruelly remarked. A wave of hysteria rolled through my body as his tongue slid from my chin to my ear. Grey, why are you doing this -?! I gasped as he bit my ear drawing blood.
"Grey, you are hurting me! Get off -!" I shrieked with a trembling voice. Grey sucked in a quick breath, pulling back as he gazed at me with wide, frightened topaz eyes. Blood touched his lips as he stiffly examined the damage done. He jerked back, leaping off the bed as he smacked against a wall, holding his horrified part mouth.
"J-Jackie... I-,"
"GET OUT!" I spat throwing a pillow of him as I held my bleeding ear. B-Bit me...he really bit me. And pinned me down and kissed me and - and -! "JUST GET OUT!" Grey slipped out the door without hesitation as he slapped it shut behind himself. G-Grey...tears rolled down my cheeks as I curl into a violated ball clutching my ear even though my chest hurt the most from the frantic sledge hammering pounding away in my chest.
It hurts -!
‡
In Jackie's defense, she was feeling lonely without Grey so, unconsciously, she wanted Grey to give her attention and since he didn't do anything and Blood came in, she was confused and didn't know what to do. I'm trying a new technique here do you think she's a whore or do you think she's just a lost girl trying to sort out her puzzling emotions? 10 REVIEWS as usual for the next~~~!