Chapter 18
Deja vu
Elizabeth stared intensely at her painting, wishing she could pin point the one flaw that made her feel so uneasy. The student art exhibit was in two days and her nerves were shot. She had been in the project room all day, adding a color then moments later removing it. Something about her piece still made it feel unfinished. She let out a long sigh, running her fingers through her hair. To be honest with herself, nothing in her life lately had felt right. With Will in New York she found sleep eluding her at night and her patience running rather short. Even though she had told Will it didn't bother her that he would not be at the exhibit, it still was a huge disappointment. His doctor had referred him to a Neurologist in New York who had strongly recommended he stay with his father until his last follow up visit. Unfortunately this was the day after the art exhibit. She thanked God everyday that Will had recovered so well, but secretly despised that he was going to miss this crowning achievement in her life. That combined with the lack of sleep, made her quite intolerable. Anna had made that quite clear to her today when she dropped her off. As the day light started to fade in the room, Elizabeth took a small step back hoping that maybe distance would bring her more perspective. She then heard the classroom door shut. Quickly turning around she saw Jeremy slowly making his way across the room. Her breath caught in her throat, after Anna and Jack told her it was Jeremy who was behind the picture she had kept her distance. In fact, after assuring her they had destroyed all evidence; Elizabeth had kept a large distance from Jeremy. The thought that he had watched her and Will that day in the hotel room was greatly disturbing.
"Jeremy?" She questioned as she quickly scanned her tools for anything sharp, settling on a putty knife. Jeremy watched her pick up the tool and smiled,
"Liz there is nothing you need to fix on your piece it is perfect." Elizabeth flashed him a nervous smile,
"I didn't hear you come in."
"I was watching you worry needlessly. Your so cute when you worry." Jeremy smiled, and looked nervously to the floor.
"Have you talked to your friend Anna?" Elizabeth took a small step back, once again favoring more distance.
"I have, she is well." Jeremy flashed her a confused look,
"Did she tell you anything…I don't know... concerning?" Elizabeth took another small step back,
"Do I have something to be concerned about?" Jeremy shook his head in frustration,
"Well, I ran into her at the Pearl last week, and she shared some interesting news about you."
"About me?" Elizabeth replied, turning around quickly to scan for another exit, and then focused back on Jeremy. He quickly closed the distance between them,
"Elizabeth I know you are hurt and confused right now, I have been looking for you all week. I want to help." He looked sincerely at her, she was almost trembling.
"Jeremy I am fine," she quickly looked at her watch, "but I need to get going Anna is picking me up any minute." Jeremy let out a frustrated sigh and took her hand firmly in his,
"Elizabeth you don't have to pretend, I know about Will. It was I who sent you the picture. Don't you see! That cheating bastard doesn't deserve you!" Elizabeth quickly pulled her hand away and dodged behind a nearby chair,
"Jeremy you're scaring me please leave."
"What! Liz no, it's not like that. Will is the bad guy here not me!" He tried to approach her again only to have Liz take off across the room. She sprinted for the door, only the row of chairs she forgot to notice quickly impeded her way. Running her thigh into the side of a chair, she lost her balance and fell hard to the floor. Her wrist was now throbbing and she could feel the large bruise on her thigh. She attempted to stand but her exhaustion paired with the sharp pains in her wrist and leg slowed her tremendously. Jeremy was quickly at her side, and placed a hand on her shoulder preventing her from standing.
"Liz you need to just sit for a moment, your hurt." He started to rub her back, and she quickly tried to scoot away.
"Jeremy leave me alone!" She sharply replied, her voice heavy with fear. He grabbed her leg, preventing her escape.
"Liz I'm not letting you leave here until you hear me out!" The look in his eyes sent an icy chill down her spine. He looked down to his hand which was holding her securely on her upper thigh. His breathing was raged; he looked back to her a small smile on his face.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Claimed a loud deep voice from the door way. Jeremy shot to his feet while Elizabeth screamed loudly,
"Help me please!" Anna was by her side seconds later while Jack stood protectively between them and Jeremy.
"You've got this all wrong mascot." Jeremy stuttered as he took a few steps away from Jack.
"Do I?" Jack retorted closing the distance between them, "Appears to me that you are the only thing wrong in this room." Before Jeremy could say another word Jack punched him squarely in the mouth. The strength of the blow knocked Jeremy to the ground.
"Jack, Liz is hurt!" Anna stated, ignoring Jeremy's painful moans. Jack quickly walked over to Anna and helped Elizabeth to her feet. She started to cry, not from the pain, but from the thought of what almost transpired. Jack picked her up into his arms and started to carry her out to the car. Anna walked over to Jeremy, who was still on the floor, and kicked him hard in the groin. He doubled over in pain,
"Think of that the next time you even think of messing with my friend." She then walked out of the room, dialing the campus police on her phone.
"What do you mean he attacked her!" Will screamed into the phone, pacing the living room of his father's penthouse apartment. Bill Turner watched in anguish, from the moment Will had answered the phone he had been in hysterics.
"I will not call down! My girlfriend is in the emergency room!" Bill could hear Jack from across the room trying to reason with him on the other line.
"She is not fine, she's hurt!" Will exclaimed, his voice breaking with emotion. He sat on the couch,
"Can I talk to her." Bill knew the answer before Jack could even explain it.
"Well tell them I am her father or something!" Will shouted obviously not happy with Jack's explanation.
"What time did he get there?" Bill felt a familiar twinge in his stomach. He felt sorry for Weatherby; it was not long ago he was in the emergency room with his child. He looked at the clock, it was almost midnight.
"Jack I just need to know she's ok." Will sat back on the couch again, placing his head into his hand.
"That bastard, when I get a hold of him!" Bill watched as Will started to run his hands through his hair, he could tell his head was starting to bother him.
"Good for you he deserved it!" Will exclaimed as he abruptly stood again.
"William sit down!" Bill snapped. Will looked to him and sat back down on the couch.
"What!" Will exclaimed, "what are they saying?" He stood again.
"William!" Bill warned, but Will just held up a hand to silence him.
"Why won't they let you take the cell phone in?" Bill crossed the room and placed a hand on Will's shoulder.
"Just call me back the moment you hear anything!" Will hung up the phone and pulled away from his father..
"What the hell am I doing in New York!" He exclaimed walking over to the large window that overlooked the city.
"You are here because you need to heal." Bill calmly replied, sitting down onto the couch.
"He hurt her…" Will stuttered out, his emotions getting the best of him. He pressed his head against the cool glass, "I'm suppose to protect her. I could have stopped him."
"You can't be with her every moment William. All you can do is love and cherish her everyday. You can't protect her from life."
"She's hurt, and scared…and I can't be there for her." He humbly replied, looking out over the city.
"She knows you would be if you could." Bill replied, standing and walking over to his son. "Besides, her father is there now and you would be in the same position as she was a few weeks ago." Will looked curiously to his father,
"Sitting in the hospital waiting room." Bill chuckled, "you might as well be waiting here instead." Will turned back to the window,
"I still don't understand why we can't just leave right now." Bill sighed,
"Will you know it doesn't work like that. We need a scheduled time slot for the runway and this isn't a family emergency."
"She is my future wife father!" Will retorted angrily.
"Yes, but her injuries are minor, she will be ok. I can't rearrange hundreds of flights at JFK for this William. By the time we get there she will be asleep at home in bed. I am happy she is not considered an emergency." Will looked to his father, the pain in his eyes made Bill's heart sink.
"I just want to hold her, and tell her how much I love her." He practically whispered. Bill smiled and took his son into his arms.
"In two night's time William she will be yours to have and to hold forever." Will nodded and slowly pulled away.
"Now how about some medicine for that headache of yours." Will smiled at his father, wondering how he was able to read him so well.
I greatly apologize for the delay on updating! Things have been so crazy lately. Just a heads up, we are nearing the finale of this story. Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter-reviews are loved and appreciated : )
