APOV
I run full force towards Grey Hall, running to try to escape these feelings that chase me. I miss Noah so much but I cannot help but feel that there is something happening between myself and Christian. He's made it perfectly clear how he feels and I've shut him down. It's best that we say good-bye and no longer have these moments alone together. It's much too dangerous for me.
How am I going to explain this when Noah returns. I can't lie to him. I've already mislead him by not telling him the truth about what happened to our parents and in all honesty, I need to open up to him about that as well.
Our relationship is much too important for me to keep these kind of secrets. Noah deserves better than that, much better!
I'm breathless when I reach my room.
Holly is on her way out. "Hey Ana, don't forget about karaoke tonight. You are coming right? It's going to be blast!"
I should go, it would help to get my mind off of Christian.
"Yup, I'll be there."
"Cool! See ya!"
I hit the shower and get ready for tonight.
***One Hour Laters Baby***
I'm sitting at a table with Carolyn, Holly, Mallory and some of the other girls from the rowing team and they are actually being nice to me. I wonder what gives?
"I'm going to grab a flavored water, does anyone want anything? Ana?" Carolyn asks as she stands up.
I look up at Carolyn and smile, that girl has legs for days, "I'm good Carolyn, thanks."
She walks towards the cooler and grabs a few waters, I can't help but watch the boy's team ogle her.
I must have let out a deep sigh because Holly asks me, "What's up 'Kid?' "
I can't help but giggle, "I'm just looking at Carolyn. She's so strong and confident. I wish that I was as secure as her."
"Don't let the picture fool you Ana. Carolyn's had some struggles of her own ya know."
"Oh?" I want to know what Holly's talking about but I don't want to be 'catty' and gossip.
"I'm sure Carolyn won't mind if I share this with you, the entire team knows about it."
"Do tell."
"Well, in case you haven't noticed, Carolyn is black."
I smile and say, "Yes, I know. What does that have to do with anything? She's a strong rower. I've seen her in action, she's a machine!"
"Yes, you know that, I know that. Hell the entire team knows that. It's just that our Coach...well, our former Coach had 'issues' with people of color."
My jaw drops, do people actually still feel this way? Are people really that stupid?
"Oh God, what happened?"
"Well, Coach Hyde tried to...you know, make a move on her and basically it was Carolyn's word against a 'respectable' coach's word."
"Oh no, what happened?"
"Carolyn is a sharp cookie, she had a computer tech friend of hers set up a sting operation and caught him cold! Now we have Coach Angie and she's the best!"
"Wow, that's a lot for me to digest."
"I know, I just thought you should know. We all have many layers Ana."
"Yes," I can't help but think of my parents and my God parents. "I guess we do."
"Ok everyone, let's start the singing!" Captain Tik yells out and the bad singing, cheesy songs and over the top performances begin!
I keep checking my phone in the hopes that Noah will call or text. I've not heard anything from him since that one phone call.
I suddenly have the feeling that Christian is here! My head shoots up and I scan the room. Nope, I don't see him but I certainly can feel him. Oh geez, what the heck is wrong with me? Now I think that I can 'sense' when he's here? Get a grip Steele! I need help! Ugh!
"I'll be back, I'm going to the ladies room."
The girls manage a slight nod as they can't stop laughing and they can't take their eyes off of the boys rowing team, they're singing a mash-up of songs and I have to admit, it is hysterical watching these rowing studs sing and dance to, "Man I Feel Like A Woman, Call Me Maybe and Put A Ring On It!"
I that feeling again, I feel eyes on me. I look around but don't see anyone. This is so strange!
The guys have just finished their performance as I return from the ladies room when a tall good-looking guy jumps on the stage and does the neck shaking finger snap.
He says, "Puh-lease! Let me show you how it's really done ladies!"
Holy cow, this guy is good...too good. He has to be fabulous! My code word for gay. He's got the moves down and wow! He's a great singer and dancer. We all go crazy, clapping and cheering him on!
There's something familiar about him, he's quite good-looking but that's not it. I feel as though I know him somehow.
He starts by singing, 'Barbie Girl' then continues with 'Milk Shake' but he tops off his finale with the pièce de résistance 'It's Raining Men' and he's bloody brilliant!
Team Captain Tik approaches the stage and takes the microphone from our 'visitor' and says, "Ok everyone, that's it for tonight!
"Wait!" The visitor yells and grabs the mic from Tik. "Can one of you strong-looking men or women I suppose help me? I'm looking for a friend of mine. He goes by the name of Jake."
The visitor scans the room and his eyes stop on me. He pushes the mic back into Tik's hand and says, "Banana? Ana Banana is that you?"
"Jose? Oh my gosh Jose!"
"Banana!" Jose squeals and jumps off the stage prancing towards me. "I don't believe it baby! How the hell are you?"
Carolyn smiles and says, "You know this guy 'Banana'?" Carolyn stresses the word banana.
"Yup, we were good friends in pre-school and kindergarten back in Portland. Then we lost touch and moved to Seattle."
"Wait," Carolyn says, "Let me get this straight, you haven't seen him since kindergarten?"
"No, but he recently found me on Facebook and let's face it, Jose is not the type of person you forget!"
I've noticed that everyone has left except Carolyn so I introduce them to each other.
Jose doesn't waste anytime. He gives Carolyn 'air kisses' and says, "Enchanté Mademoiselle Carolyn."
Carolyn replies without missing a beat, "Le plaisir est pour moi."
"Ok guys, can we keep this in English s'il vous plaît?" I say as I smile at my buddy Jose.
"No worries, Banana. I'm outta here." Carolyn says as she struts her stuff out the door.
Jose and I catch up on what we've been up to and I fill him in with what happened to my parents. I cry for a bit but Jose manages to cheer me up.
"So Jose, tell me about Jake. I'm surprised that you're asking for him. He's not gay...is he?"
"Of course he is! Only he won't admit it to himself. He puts on this macho persona and attempts to make his move on any female with a pulse!"
"Jake, The Snake is gay? Would have thought?"
"Well, snake is right if you're referring to his sweet tongue or his long and strong...
"Enough Jose! I get it!" I giggle at him.
"Sorry Banana, but the man has some amazing skills. He has me absolutely, positively dicmatized in every way!
"Dicmatized huh? I must have read that some where because I used that word earlier!" I say as I giggle. "Jake is gay? I'm still having trouble believing that especially after he tried to..."
Shoot! I stop myself. Jose doesn't need to know. Crap, the look on his face says he does know.
"Wait a minute Banana, don't tell me. Did he try to..."
"Yup, but I introduced my knee to his 'Little Friend' and I haven't seen him since. He dropped out of rowing. I believe he's still attending his classes but his rowing career at Harvard is pretty much over."
"Wow, what a shame. I was sooooo looking forward to seeing him in his uni! Oh well. Listen Banana, I really have to go. I met some really cool guys on campus and we're going out for some fun tonight! Give me your cell number and I'll be in touch ok? Toodles Banana!"
Wow! What a crazy day and evening I've had today. I think to myself as I walk to Grey Hall. Grey Hall...could there be a connection to Christian and Grey Hall. His family appears to be quite affluent. Hmmmm...
I dig into my jeans pocket when I realize that I forgot my phone.
Shoot!
CPOV
Well the good news is that the Firecracker never spotted me tonight, the bad news is that I had to sit through some shitty, annoying music and some God awful performances!
What the fuck?! How can people do that? How can they get up and sing making complete asses of themselves. What a bunch of idiots! Although even I have to admit that the final performer was pretty good. He really had a great voice and the guy can dance.
Maybe I'm just thinking this way because I find myself slightly inebriated. I should not have had that last beer. Oh fuck it! Who cares? Who cares about anything?! My sweetheart is gone, she's not mine even though I know we fucking belong together. Life sucks!
I scan the room and notice a piano, it's calling me. What can I do but reply...I take a seat and hit the keys. I play some lame ass tune that has been in my head these many nights that I've been alone, thinking about my sweetheart.
I've been trying to do it right
I've been living a lonely life
I've been sleeping here instead
I've been sleeping in my bed,
I've been sleeping in my bed
So show me family
All the blood that I will bleed
I dunno where I belong
I dunno where I went wrong
But I can write a song
I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart
I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweet
I don't think you're right for him
Think of what it might have been if you
Took a bus to China Town
I'd be standing on Canal And Bowery
And she'd be standing next to me
I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart
I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart
Love we need it now
Let's hope for some Cause oh, we're bleeding out
I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart
I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweet
Holy fuck I was singing! I scan the room, I don't see anyone but I swear I feel Anastasia's eyes on me. Shit! I'm going crazy! Crazy for my Firecracker!
Is that a thud I just heard? I jump to my feet...
APOV
Ah ha! There's my phone! Whew! Now I can head back and...wait a second, what's that sound...is someone playing the piano? I sneak in quietly and holy hell! It's Christian, he's the one playing the piano! Is there anything that he cannot do? I quietly take a seat out of his view while I watch and listen. He plays so well!
Holy moly! He can sing too! Oh good God! It's The Lumineers' song "Ho Hey!"
Gah!
He's slightly slurring his words, could he be drunk? He stresses the word 'sweetheart'...is he thinking about me when he's singing?
No shit Steele! Even you aren't that clueless! What's it going to take to make you see that Christian Grey is crazy about you?!
I shake those thoughts from my head and listen to his voice. I have my elbows on the table with my hands cupping my chin. I swear I'm swooning. I feel faint, his voice seeps deep into my pores, burrowing deep into my soul, piercing me...
THUD!
"Shit!"
I look up and I see Christian smiling down at me. He's boasting the most silliest face splitting grin that I have ever seen. He extends his hand, I take it and he pulls me up.
Drunk or not, the pull is still there.
"Anastaycha! Ferrrcracker, what ya doin' her? Donya godda go be with your, you know...that Mister Goldie fucking Locks?"
"Christian, are you ok?"
"Course m' ok! M' better thank ok! M' fine, I can't fucking feel my heart breaking anymore! It's fucking great! Oh yeah, Goldilocks isn't back yet but you no wanna see me anymore. We still had another week but noooooooo, you no wanna see me no more!"
Holy crap, Christian is wasted! I hate to ask but I need to know.
"Christian, did you drive over here?"
He looks offended.
"Course not! I drinking. That is waaaaaaay to dangerous, people get hurt like that...oh Fuck! So sorry Ferrcracker. Shit."
"No, it's ok Christian. I'm just glad you didn't drive. Let's get you home."
Twenty minutes later after calling a cab, I get Christian to his place and all I can say is 'Wow!' He has a small fully loaded apartment.
I help him to his bedroom which isn't easy since he's not steady on his feet.
"Come on Christian, let's get you to bed." I say as help him.
"Now yer talkin' baby! Let's go." He says as he smiles at me.
"No Christian, we're getting you in bed. You need to sleep this off."
"I'll seep it off way better if you seep wif me, you're my sweetheart! D'you like my singing ferrcracker? I'll sing in front of all those fuckers! I don't care if I make an ass of me, I will do it if you will be mine Ana...be mine Ferrcracker..."
Hiccup!
Christian hiccups and I ignore his comment. He needs to sleep.
I untie his shoes and remove his dress shirt. Oh holy moly. That chiseled defined chest.
"Christian, do you have any pain medication? Advil or something?"
"Kitchen cabinet, third one on the left." He says as he laughs out loud.
I walk away and he shouts, "Remember to come back and tuck me in! I wanna a good night kiss Ferrcracker."
Oh Lord, help me.
I get the Advil and a glass of water. I walk in and Christian is squirming in an attempt to remove his pants. I don't mind, he's more exposed in his uni rather than in his boxers. I put his shoes in his closet and when I return I see it..all in slow "Oh Dear Sweet Baby Jesus Help Me Now" motion!
Christian's 'Happy Trail!' Christian goes fucking 'commando!'
His right hand is on the side next to him and his left hand is dragging down his pants showing the beginnings of his oh so happy trail.
His fingers are on the outside of his jeans grabbing his crotch. His thumb is inside his jeans and possibly touching the tip of his penis...who the fuck am I kidding? Of course his thumb is touching his penis, the man is 'blessed!'
"No Christian! Wait!"
"What's wrong baby, don'tcha wanna see what I have to offer you?"
"No, get under the sheets Christian."
He does so without complaining.
"Uh Ana? Have you ever wanted something so bad but you know...it's impossible, you just can't have it?"
My parents and God parents immediately come to mind and I quickly reply, "Yes, oh God yes."
Christian shoots up and shouts, "Oh God, thank you!"
Boom! He's on me. Crushing my body with his and he's kissing me.
Holy fuck!
I want to break away but I can't. It's as though he's a magnet and I'm steel.
Yes, the irony of that statement is not lost on me!
"No Christian, please." I say as I push him away. "We can't."
Christian sits up from the bed and crosses his arms like a petulant child. He's like a six-year-old before me.
"Why Ana? Why not? S'not fair Ana, you're mine! You belong to me! Why can't you see that sweetheart? Why?"
Oh God, what do I do? I back away from the bed and just stare at him, I have no words. Christian smiles and starts singing, "I belong to you, you belong to me, your my sweetheart!"
Wow, he's really gone.
"Do you like my singing Ana, I can do more than sing if you let me show you baby." He lies down and pats the spot on the bed next to him.
I turn to give him some advil. I really need to get out of here before...
Snoring...Zzzzzz...
Wow! He's out for the count! Thank goodness for that! I leave the advil and water on his nightstand. He'll definitely need it in the morning!
I call for a cab and head back home. This has been a very crazy day! I approach Grey Hall and dig in my bag for my key.
"Hey Ana." I hear a familiar voice call out to me.
It's Noah! He's back!
A/N
I couldn't kill off Noah, I love his character! Just a friendly reminder that in this A/U story, Elena does not exist.
Did you like 'Drunk Christian?' Throw me a bone and let me know what you think.
Cheers,
Rosie :D