Chapter fourteen: Hard to get.
Monday didn't hesitate in flying past, and before I knew it... It was noon on Tuesday. Already I had received four messages from my mother asking if things were alright and if Alec had made an appearance. He had, yes; but I hadn't seen him since. Even though he had a good enough reason to be hidden - you'd think he'd show some sign of being there, right? Little hints. Small glimpses of his figure hidden away for only me to see? But no. I was left in the dark just as much as everyone else who was oblivious to his presence. Except I had the knowledge that he was there... Somewhere. Watching like the creep he was deep down!
For the fifth time of the day, my cellphone went off. Currently, we were sitting in the College cafeteria going over plans. My anxiety levels were at an all time high, especially after Gary's little... Announcement. Boy, had that come as a huge surprise. But, after our little talk... I'd agreed to play along. I don't know why, or what compelled me to do so; but I did. When a friend is in need - you do whatever you can to help him. And Gary wanted help to keep Charlie from latching on. Thus... I was now apparently Grays 'secret-now-out-in-the-open' girlfriend.
The anxiety continued to kick in as I flicked through my recent text messages.
Are you okay? - Mom.
I probably would have groaned if I wasn't surrounded by the group. Last night had been a nightmare. I was almost positive he was watching me, so that didn't help sleeping matters. To top it all off I was sleeping in the same 'house' with Charlie who I was positive had a warrant for my head out. It was safe to say I didn't get much sleep last night.
"You okay, Ren?" Gary caused me to jump with the small whisper into my ear. I quickly snapped my phone shut and nodded. Looking up, I noticed it wasn't just him who had noticed my little... Phase out. Finn had his icy blue eyes on me also as he chewed on an orange slice.
Okay, Renesmee. Play it cool...
"I'm fine." I squeaked. Oh god. I squeaked. Kill me now, God!
Finn raised an eyebrow, while Gary practically mimicked his actions.
"I just... Haven't been away from home before. Without my family." Although that was practically true, that wasn't at all what was bothering me. Not in the slightest, despite the fact it would probably be safer to be around my family anyway. "My mom's just... Adjusting. I guess I am too. Ha..."
Gary gave a nod, taking that as enough. He turned back to eating. Why couldn't Finn be like him? Gary didn't ask questions. He didn't give me judgey little eye contact when I gave a reasonable explanation. But Finn was doing all of the above and more.
I felt like squirming on my seat.
"So there's a party tonight, but it's the Gama's doing that one." Charlie was saying. "Their parties are never as good as Alpha's, isn't that right Finn?"
Finn's eyes moved off of me; he had no choice but to look to Charlie. Although I presumed that the preppy little redhead didn't like me much, I really liked her in that moment. She god those curious and intimidating eyes off of me! Hell, I was happy to scream that I'd class her as my best friend in that moment in time!
I slowly began to poke at the omelette I had picked with the tip of my fork. Why I picked this, I didn't know. I wasn't all too hungry especially with this growing feeling in the pit of my stomach - knowing that he was around somewhere watching.
No doubt he would be frowning at the fact I hadn't eaten a smitch of food. I could just picture his frowning features and his stern words telling me to 'eat up.'
I sunk lower into my seat a little; as if he were right above me. Like a child being scolded, I picked up piece and maneuvered it to my mouth. That should keep him happy.
"Yeah. Though, we've cleared it that our party's gonna be on Thursday. Starts at seven, goes on till dawn." Finn nodded in agreement with Charlie. "Course, everyone here's invited. I've got Grant fixin' up the fliers as we speak."
"Fliers?" I piped up a little wide eyed. "Why would you need fliers?"
The attention turned to me.
"To get the word out, so people come." Charlie laughed. Each of them had a point of disbelief in their eyes. As if they couldn't understand as to why I'd ask that question. Well, it was simple. I was a small town girl; if someone was having a party... The word got out and people came that way. There was no need for fliers.
"Char," Finn shook his head. He was the only one who didn't seem to be judgmental on it. Weird, considering that's all I felt from him beforehand. "She's not had a college party yet. She's still adjusting. Give her a break."
Charlie's giddy laughter died to a complete halt the moment Finn practically ordered her to shut up. My assumption on him being the ring leader was right. But it was a little strange. He was older than the most of us, and yet he was happily sitting with us. Didn't it look bad if he were to sit with a bunch of soon-to-be-freshmen? Sure, this week might be the acceptance; since he could merely say he was showing us around and stuff; but apart from that... Didn't he give a damn about his reputation?
For some odd reason, he struck me as the sort of person who didn't. Perhaps that was why he had this 'cool person' reputation? Because he just didn't give a damn what anyone else thought of him? Oddly, that reminded me of someone else...
Someone who was still MIA! Honestly, if this continued; I was going to have a heart attack with all this stress.
I gave Finn a thankful smile in return to his quick defendants. What he did in return caught me off guard. Completely and utterly. He winked.
He winked at me. Me! I was tempted to look over my shoulder to see if there were some other girl; but if I did and there was - I'd look like a nosey idiot. If there wasn't, and he was indeed winking at me; I'd like like an idiot for looking for another girl. Either way, I'd be seen as an idiot.
Instead, I just sunk down into my chair and stared at the plate of food. "So if the party is on Thursday, that only gives us a day to prepare."
From what I gathered, Finn's house and Charlie's worked alongside one another. If anything, Charlie's must've been the female accomplice to his house. I couldn't help but compare them to Footballers and Cheerleaders. Expected to be together, always around one another, always attending one anothers parties. But then a thought struck me...
Did I want to become a... Cheerleader, metaphorically speaking?
A flash of Brittany's face echoed through my head. When I had only known her as the Queen of Fork's high. The girl everyone looked up too, that the spotlight was always on. Always having to be perfect; always being saw as the golden girl. I had no doubt that it was a lot of work. Having to live up to everyones expectations, never getting to be yourself due to the 'clicke.'
If I was to stay with this group, with Gary, I didn't want to lose who I was. I wanted to stay as myself; no changing. I wouldn't allow myself to change.
—xXx—
She wasn't sure what it was; but recently... Alec wasn't so terrifying to be around. Of course he still held that aspect of fear - to which Delilah was sure she'd never be able to get rid of - but at least she could stand to be near him, speak to him even.
And now, they would live. Despite the fact she was betraying her creator, her sister even, it was establishing the life of her other siblings. They wouldn't be damned to the same fate the rest of them were. They'd get out of this alive... Hopefully. She just had to hope and pray that Lilianna didn't catch on.
Which was turning out to be a lot easier than what she'd expected. Lilianna was clueless when it came down to the Volturi. It was as if she didn't even care they were there. She must've felt superior; because of Scott. If he was around, they all were safe. The Volturi would never be able to find them. They'd never get the chance too. Scott was smart. He knew how to keep them away from them; by doing the whole 'taunting' thing he had done five months ago.
Damien didn't say much on the matter of the Volturi. Ryan wasn't interested in these 'royal' vampires. The way he saw it was 'we all eat outa the same artery. There's no difference between us.' Shay... If she had an opinion, she didn't voice it. Or couldn't voice it. Her speech lessons were coming along drastically. Whatever Damien was doing, it was working. Delilah was aware that she could say 'Dame' which was halfway to saying his name. But she still insisted on calling him 'Sloth.'
Delilah had saw the say she looked at Damien a few times. She knew that look well enough to pick it out without even knowing individuals now. She had seen it with Scott and Mary countless times. She saw it when Scott spoke of Mary, or vise versa. She saw it when Lilianna talked about Alec. And more recently and unsurprisingly... She saw it when Alec spoke about Renesmee. He might try to seem like he isn't phased by this break up... But he is. She knew it. She herself had been broken once. She had put up walls to protect herself and refused to let anyone know what was going on inside; but she knew it was all just a sham. Alec and herself were alike in some ways. Especially when it came to guarding themselves. Never believing anyone would be able to get past their walls; and yet it happened when they least expected it.
Alec had let Renesmee in. Delilah had let her new family in. And although Alec may believe he had lost Renesmee, it was obvious to her that she had never really been lost to him. She had seen the way Renesmee had looked at the Volturi guard member. That look wasn't something that would just die out over something like this. It may seem as though it was over, but Delilah was willing to say otherwise. All it needed was time, and the flame would burn brighter than before.
She knew it.
Just like every other day, Delilah had lost track of the time. From what she could tell by the light outside, it was coming up to the evening. The sky was turning a subtle orange as the sun shared its final few hours with the sky.
Although she had only met with Alec the prior day, she found herself oddly... Excited for the next time. She had promised she would be there in two days with a report on how things had gone with Lilianna - which didn't give her much time to work with. But despite that, she was determined she was going to do this. She was going to find out what Lilianna had in store for them and she would try to postpone it. After all that her coven had done to Alec, to Renesmee, she owed them this.
Lilianna was downstairs, doing her usual 'separating' act. When she would come back up, it would be with 'new family members.' From what she could tell, Lilianna needed the numbers. Not for the Cullen's, since there weren't that many of them. But because of the Volturi. Her brief time in the castle, she had been amazed at the amount of people in cloaks. Amazed at the many people displaying the Volturi's symbol around their necks. That was the coven they were building their numbers for. She was all but certain about that.
Strangely, Lilianna hadn't asked one of them to go down there with her. Usually she would have. Be it herself, or Scott, or even Damien for that matter. Instead, she had instructed them to stay put and do not come down there. With that order, they had no choice but to obey. Ryan had noticed something, and pointed it out to Delilah in idle chitchat.
Usually the cries from the attic could be heard. Those who were turning screaming for death, crying for the pain to end, and moaning as the ache moved to their throat. But recently... There was nothing. Delilah couldn't help her curious nature, so she had gone up to check and when she had her suspicions had been correct.
There was no one up there. Just dry pools of blood on the floor, scattered ashes, a few broken floorboards and dust -whether they were actual dust or ashes also, Delilah wasn't too sure. She was paying more attention to the fact there was no one in the attic than what was.
This was the perfect opportunity, wasn't it? She could say to Lilianna that she'd noticed there was no noise and ask why. Question after question, until Lilianna cracked and told her. But first, she just needed to wait until she ca-
The basement door opened and Lilianna came out; followed by... One other person. Just one? Out of the seven that had been taken down there previously?
Delilah cast a glance to Ryan, sitting beside Damien. He shared a look with her, sighed and looked away. He never did like it when people didn't make the cut. In a way, he figured they all had a value. Even the untalented ones, but Lilianna thought different. She didn't care for those who didn't have an ability. They were worthless in her eyes.
"Veronica!" Lilianna's voice bellowed out, calling a young girl out from them all. She was front and center within seconds. With Lilianna, you couldn't keep her waiting. Everyone else turned their heads away - probably expecting that Veronica had broken the rules and was about to be punished. Delilah felt like she too should probably look away, but she couldn't.
"Look after Belle for me."
Belle.
The girl behind Delilah was exactly that. A young girl. She couldn't be anything more than sixteen. Although her face was pale white, Delilah could see the remainders of what probably were freckles. Her piercing red eyes were wide and scared - just like everyone else who had come out of that basement. Things would get better kid, Delilah thought. Just give it time, thing'll look up.
Veronica nodded her head swiftly and put a hand out for the girl. Belle reluctantly took hold of it and was lead off into the house - out of Delilah's sight. Lilianna spared a look around; her eyes finding Delilah's for the smallest of seconds before she tore them away again. She let out a large sigh and went on walking; straight out the door.
Delilah quickly took her chance. She took on after Lilianna, hurriedly patching her pace out the door. They were in the forest by the time she caught up.
"Lilianna," she said once she was at Lilianna's side. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Can it wait? I'm going out." And here Delilah was positive that Lilianna had gotten past the stage of wanting to leave without Scott. She didn't dare question it though; nor did she spare a second thought to it.
"I suppose. It was just something to do with the attic." Delilah stopped walking. Lilianna stopped also to turn around and look at her.
"What about it?"
"I couldn't help but notice there wasn't much... Noise coming from up there anymore."
Lilianna quirked an eyebrow. "So?"
"So... Is that it?" She asked. "No more adages to this family?"
The word 'family' felt vile on her lips. This wasn't a family anymore. Delilah couldn't help but feel that it never really was a family to Lilianna. They were all just some ploys in her sick agenda to get Alec back. And as wrong as it was, Delilah didn't view these new people as family either. Her family remained with the original people. Mary, Scott and herself. Of course she cared about the other three who had recently been added to their little clique. They were the only ones who were really accepted as one of them by the others. Mary adored Damien. She obviously had a history with Ryan, and well Shay? All the effort put into helping her... You couldn't help but see her as one.
"Don't worry about it, Delilah. I'm taking care of things." Lilianna sighed. She turned again, and began to walk off once again.
"Lilianna!" Delilah quickly called out. Lilianna stopped in her tracks once again.
"You know you can talk to me, right? Tell me things?" Delilah said. "I'm here for you. We're sisters, after all."
There was a long pause. One that filled Delilah with anxiety and dread. She didn't like it when things were left silent. It meant things were being thought. She never had been one to deal with people thinking about her; because she wasn't entirely sure what the could be thinking.
Lilianna slowly turned once again, and stared at her with dead eyes. "You're here for me?"
Delilah nodded her head quickly. "Always."
Lilianna's lips pursed in thought once again. Oh god, Delilah thought. She must've saw through that lie! There was no way in hell that Delilah would openly want to go out of her way for this cause. It had been apparent from the beginning she couldn't care less about this Alec ordeal. Lilianna knew that better than anyone.
"Fine." She nodded. "Come with me. We'll talk."
Lilianna gave a smile towards Delilah. One that Delilah was amazed that she could even do. It was full of hope, and love. She really did view her as a sister, didn't she? Suddenly, she felt bad for what she had been doing behind this girls back; but she quickly reminded herself she couldn't afford to feel bad. She was doing this for her true family. All five of them.
Delilah returned a fake smile, and swiftly moved to her side. There, the pair took off. Wherever they were going, Delilah didn't care. She was going to do this. She was going to get this information, postpone whatever Lilianna was conjuring up, and she was going to give Alec a fighting chance.
Or she was going to die trying.
Lilianna moved with grace and pose through the trees, and eventually over the rooftops of the city. If she went too far, she would wait until Delilah caught up before starting on again. Delilah wanted to ask where they were going. God did she want to ask, but she knew it wasn't the time. They would get there and she would find out then. But when she came to a stop on a rooftop, Delilah was beyond confused. She made no attempt to go on, nor did she make any attempt in telling her what they were doing.
She was just standing there. Motionless. Oblivious. Emotionless.
It was moments like these that Delilah found awkward most of all. Mainly because she never had any idea on what she should say. Sucking in a breath, she decided it was best to bite the bullet. Get it over and done with. Like ripping off a bandaid. Fast and painless.
Delilah parted her lips to speak; but Lilianna beat her to it.
"You were awfully distant for a while." She started out with a fact. "What I'm trying to understand is why... And why you've suddenly come out of it."
Well that question was easily answered. It was because the person who had promised to end her life didn't want to kill her anymore. She was safe... Sort of. She wasn't in any real danger when it came to Alec anymore. But of course, she couldn't say that to Lilianna. That would no doubt not end well.
But... She couldn't lie. She just wouldn't tell the whole truth.
"I was in a bad place. I missed home... I was scared that we were so close to the enemy-" It felt weird referring to the Volturi as the enemy again; because as each day past... It was turning out they were exactly the opposite. It was her coven, it was Lilianna, who was the enemy. Not the Volturi. "To have gone from being in a small area... To a big castle right under Alec's nose... To this? This... Well, chaos of vampire's in our home... It got to me."
If Lilianna had something to say, she wasn't saying it. She just continued to stare on while Delilah rattled on. That didn't mean she wasn't listening, because she was.
"I think it got to all of us. Just... In different ways, really."
"You think the others are chaos?" She suddenly said, tonelessly.
"... For some part. I just... I get why you have them. But what I don't understand is what we will do with them when we are done here."
"We end them." She turned, setting her eyes on Delilah for the first time since they were out. "They serve no purpose to me other than the numbers. They're not my family."
Delilah pulled up all the inner strength she had. "And what are we? Scott? Mary? Me?"
Lilianna stepped closer to her. Delilah fought the urge to move away.
"You're the only family I need. Even the other three... They are not important to me. Just you. Just Scott, and just Mary."
She began to feel her airways close around her. The want to choke out was overwhelming her.
"You... Want to kill Damien and Ryan? Shay?"
"They are just numbers."
"But... But we care about them. Maybe not the others, but those three we do care for. Mary looks up to them.."
"She will get over it." Lilianna shrugged.
"Scott's made bonds with them."
"He doesn't need friends when he has a family." Again, she shrugged.
"I care about them."
This time, she didn't shrug. Instead, she stared into Delilah's eyes intensely causing her skin to crawl. The corner of her lip curved while she inhaled through her nose.
"No... You care about one more than the others." She settled.
Delilah felt numb.
"You have that look. That same look I get..."
Oh no.
"A past with Ryan means nothing in this life, Delilah." She sighed. "He's changed. He might not seem like he has, but you will see it in time."
"He's the same as I've always remembered him." Delilah quickly defended.
"And if I do let them live? You realize we will become a family. I won't agree to any relationship between you and your brothers."
Well, that wasn't what Delilah was really asking. If anything, she hadn't really ever thought of Ryan in that sort of way. He had always been the one she turned to. He had always been the one she spoke to. He was her best friend. She'd never thought of him in a... Relationship type of way. Until now. Now that she had said it, she couldn't help but think about what could happen. What it would feel like to be... In love. Like... Alec and Renesmee.
"I don't need a relationship to be happy. I just want him... them to live." Delilah decided. If having a relationship with someone was what she had to sacrifice for them to live, then so be it. She would much rather them be there for the rest of her life than have a short time together and then for them to be killed. She already had to survive two years without Ryan, and now that he was back in her life... She didn't think she could lose him again. He was her rock. He always had been.
"I'll take that into account." Lilianna nodded. "If you are willing to give up that just for them, I may be willing to give up the small family I'd set out to make."
Relief flushed around her. If it wasn't for Alec pushing her to talk to Lilianna, to get close to her, she wouldn't have found this out. Found that she was going to turn against her own creations once she's 'won.'
"Thank you." Delilah bowed her head. "There's one more thing..."
"Yes?"
"You've... Left people alive down in the basement. Ones that aren't talented. You usually kill them. Why?"
Lilianna parted her lips to talk, but nothing came out. Her eyes narrowed; and before she even uttered a word she took off running. Leaving Delilah confused, and a hell of a lot scared. What the hell was enough to actually scare Lilianna off? Nothing. Not that there was anything that Del- wait.
In a quick hurry, Delilah took off after Lilianna. Using all her might and speed combined. She found Lilianna perched on top of a church. Her hand against the bell, and her eyes straight ahead.
Delilah came up behind her, and set eyes on what she was looking at. There, just down in an alley was Alec and Jane. Whatever they were talking about, Lilianna was trying to hear. Desperately. Delilah could make out idle hushed tones, but nothing too clear. Thank god.
"That is your reason why I've kept the unwanted ones alive." Lilianna replied in the same hushed tone the twins were using.
"Them?" Delilah whispered back. "But why?"
She already knew. But she needed this information from her, to clarify her suspicions.
"As much as I love being close to him again, Delilah..." Lilianna's voice trailed off into a dream like state. She really was hooked on Alec, wasn't she? Poor kid. "Them being here isn't good. It means somewhere... They've noticed something. We can't move in on Renesmee's family until they are gone."
She knew it! She freaking knew it!
"So... You're going to use the untalented ones to drive them off?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"I was deliberating either tomorrow, or tomorrow night."
Holy crap. So soon?! Okay, Delilah. Remember what Alec said. Think of something. Postpone it. Oh, god! She couldn't think. The adrenaline was rushing through her immortal body. She wished she could be as cool and collected as Damien. She wished she could think up something on the spot like Ryan. She wished she could at least do something!
"Something wrong, Delilah?" Lilianna was looking at her now.
"Uhm... Well, do you think that's such a good idea?" Delilah asked. Okay, think of somethin- Wait! She had it! "With them here... It could make your job a lot easier."
Delilah could see her interest spike. Her eyebrow quirked up with her curiosity. "Explain..."
"What do the Volturi do best? Execute lawbreakers. Who do you want dead? The Cullen's. From what I can tell, they're lingering around the Cullen's a lot. They've gotta suspect them in some way. All we have to do is give a gentle shove and they'll be convinced it's them. And once they've taken care of the Cullen's, we can then move in on the Volturi. Kill two birds with one stone, sorta."
"And how do you suppose we do that?"
Delilah sucked in a breath. "We use the untalented ones. By the looks of it, they've not made any contact in confronting the Cullen's yet. Meaning they're probably still investigating. I say we wait until they think they've gotten the answer, and use the untalented ones to push them to the Cullen's."
"And how will we know when they've presumed they have the answer?"
"I'll keep an eye on them." Delilah volunteered. This could be the perfect scenario for her to get out of the house and meet with Alec. "And when I think they've gotten far enough; I'll tell you."
Lilianna was hesitant. There was concern flickering within her rich red eyes. Was she worrying? Worrying that they might find her? Well, of course she was. It had been Lilianna that had caused Alec to want Delilah dead - of course, Lilianna couldn't tell her that.
Delilah decided to take the chance and twist the knife deeper. "It's not like he wants me dead or anything. As far as he knows, I could just be a passerbyer."
Lilianna looked away quickly and held her breath. She was debating on telling her. Delilah could see it. But despite how hard it would be for Lilianna to tell Delilah what she had done, Delilah knew better. Lilianna wouldn't do that. It was too much of the right thing to do and so far; Lilianna didn't do the right thing.
"Alright. You watch them, and report to me every night. If you wish you can take Scott with you."
"I... I might just do that." Delilah nodded. "But I want to start it out on my own."
"Very well. You start tonight. For now, lets get back to the house." Whatever Lilianna had come here for; she hadn't told Delilah. She presumed it was to pick a place to let the untalented ones free. She nodded her head, gave a smile and watched as Lilianna took one last look to the twins and then went off running. She copied the actions, and stared down to Alec.
She had done it. She had managed to postpone it. She felt pride with herself. And oddly, she hoped he would take pride in her also. Shaking her head, Delilah ran on after Lilianna.
—xXx—
I wasn't entirely sure how the time had gone so quickly. After all, it felt like it was only five minutes ago I was struggling to eat that damn omelette; and now here I was being walked back to the house, with the girls also in the house, by Gary, Finn and a few others that were in his house.
Charlie had made no attempt at getting close to Gary... So far. I could still see the lingering eye contact she would give him. It was obvious she was envious; but there was nothing to be envious for. Truth be told, I stood in the same boat as she did. If anything, it wasn't me she should feel threatened of stealing him. It was Finn! He stood more of a chance than what I did. Of course, if I were to tell her that... Gary would no doubt have a complete and utter bitch fit. He was quite talented at those.
Where had the day gone? We were eating lunch once minute - due to sleeping in late - walked around the campus to get ourselves a little more acquainted with what was on offer; Finn took us to his house and gave us the 'grand tour.' He wanted to make sure we knew where everything was, since that would be where the parties would be held. Or party, should I say. Different houses had bagged different days, to which mostly everyone went to all, and Alpha's was on Thursday. They were known to be the party central; so Finn warned us to expect it to be overflowing with people. Charlie had put down for being the Friday party, but that was more of a 'come-down' from the big one we all expected Finn to throw. None of them planned on going to any other parties.
They had a reputation, and their reputation and loyalty remained to their house. It seemed the girls were the same. Their loyalty was to the Alpha's. So in a way, we were their groupies, more or less.
I wasn't quite sure how I felt about that prospect. Sure, I wanted to belong somewhere. But being someone's groupie? That wasn't me at all. I was far too stubborn and independent to even consider bowing at someones feet and lingering on their every word. Even with Alec - despite how I had breathed in everything he said or did as if it were my oxygen - I was myself throughout it all. I was stubborn. I did things for myself. I voiced my opinion.
Already, I could see that some of my statements were taken a little strangely. The fact I was willing to challenge whatever I needed too. The mere reaction from Charlie when I asked about the fliers proved that it wasn't common for anyone to question Finn. I couldn't help being a naturally curious pain in the ass.
"You know what's been bothering me?" Charlie eventually spoke up. She turned and began to walk backwards, since she had been walking ahead. I figured it was down to the fact I was walking next to Gary, and he had taken my hand. It didn't bother me, since I was so used to it. But it wasn't as harmless as it once was. Now people thought we were an item. A 'thing.' Our harmless handholding wasn't seen as innocent anymore. It was taken in a completely different way.
"That guy that came to us yesterday. What was his name again, Ren?" Oh, as if you can't remember his name! I could see it in her eyes. The daring twinkle, the challenging glint. She knew his name full well; but I stated it anyway. If she wanted to get at me, she would need to try harder.
"Who, Alec?"
"Yeah, him. Where is he?" She crossed her arms over her chest, still walking backwards. It was wrong of me... But I kinda hoped she tripped.
I shrugged my shoulders. "Alec comes and goes as he pleases."
Boy, that was the understatement of the century.
"So he's around here somewhere then?"
"Probably. If he hasn't gotten bored of things already." Which knowing Alec, if he wasn't here for security reasons, he probably would have grown bored and left already. Actually, there was no proof that he hadn't gone due to being bored. I was as clueless as Charlie was at this stage.
"Oh." She pursed her lips and turned again. That conversation was easy enough. I was actually glad to be off the topic of Alec, because despite the fact we were 'friends' it still hurt to talk about him. It still hurt to know we were actually over. But I would get there. I had lived five months without him, thinking that he hated me. And although those months were probably the worst of my whole existence, knowing that he didn't hate me now; it would be easier. Right?
"Does he know about you and Gary?"
Wrong. So, so wrong. If he didn't hate me now, there was a chance he could. Especially now. Although it wasn't set in stone on his reaction on this, I was worried that it wasn't going to be good. I expected that it wasn't going to be good.
"No, he doesn't." Gary answered for me, after he probably felt my hand tighten and the hesitence in answering.
"Hm," Charlie said in return. "I wonder how he'll take it."
That question had been the exact same thing I'd been thinking over and over since Gary had straddled me in on this faketationship.
"He should take it fine. It's not like they're together anymore, Char." Finn scoffed, getting his imput in on it.
"I suppose." Charlie agreed, just like I knew she would. Whatever Finn said was final for her. She would always agree. I shot Finn a thankful glance; and he returned a sheepish flash of his teeth and a simple wink. My hand tightened around Gary's as my stomach flipped.
What Finn had said though... It was true. Alec and I weren't together anymore. He said he didn't want to be with one another because 'I deserved better' - whatever the hell that meant. So he shouldn't react badly to this. He didn't have a right to. Well, okay... Maybe he did, but he still didn't. He had been the one who said no to me. We were friends, that was it. He couldn't expect me to pine after him forever, could he?
The door to the house came up, and I was overpowered with the rush of tiredness. Of course I wanted my own dorm more than anything; but these were the rules. There were those people who decided against the dorms and went into sorority houses. This was the experience for that, and I had got dragged into that. Just because I got dragged into it, didn't mean I was going to apply for the house when I officially enrolled.
Charlie, and a few of the other girls ran on ahead after saying their final goodnights. I sheepishly leant up and gave Gary a gentle kiss to his cheek, that caused an unwanted uproar of 'awws' from the others in the group.
"Hey, Ren?" Finn's voice called, causing me to stop in my tracks after the girls. I peered over my shoulder to him. He was standing there, hands in his pockets. "Can I have a minute?"
"Uh, sure I guess..." I bit into my lip, watching as he waved off the others; promising to catch up in a second.
Okay, Renesmee. Keep it calm, he just wants to talk. Nothing wrong with a friendly conversation...
He faced me again, that childish; boyish smile on his face. A breath, mixed with a weak laugh exited his lips while he waited for his - though, I guess I should say 'our' - friends to be out of earshot. Once they were, he looked over his shoulder; just to check, and turned his luscious eyes back to mine.
He didn't say anything. He just stood there, looking at me, smiling.
"So, what's up?" I mused, merely wanting to get out of this situation.
Oddly enough, when Alec used to just stand and look at me, not saying a word, I wouldn't feel like this. I'd be happy just to look right back at him, relishing in the silence; having a non-vocal conversation with just our eyes. But with Finn... It felt totally different. It felt strange, and it felt new. It wasn't red eyes looking back at me, nor were they violet. It was a rich sky blue.
It might be a good thing. Experiencing things that weren't Alec. Being put in situations that I had been in with Alec, and not feeling the same thing. But I couldn't help but wonder if I'd ever stop comparing things to when I had been with that walking overdose of anesthetic.
"I just wanted to apologise for Charlie," he said. "I mean... She can come off a little strong, I know. But she's harmless."
She was harmless. To me, anyway. I nodded my head, about to open my mouth to answer when he continued.
"She's had a thing for Gaz' for a long time now." He explained, though he really didn't have too. I knew all about this already. "Somewhere, deep down, I guess she hoped he would realize he wants her."
Not ever going to happen, Finn.
I nodded, keeping my mouth shut.
"And well, you and him... It's obvious it'll trigger something with her." He cleared his throat. "So, if she say's anything... She doesn't mean it. She's a nice girl."
"You don't have to apologise for her, Finn." I finally cut in. "I'm not one to take things to heart anymore."
Boy, was that true on more than one thing.
I wasn't a kid anymore. Little things, little comments didn't get to me anymore. Not like they once had. If I were to get cut up about every little thing someone said; I'd be continuously upset. It didn't matter what people thought of me, nor did it matter what people said about me. I didn't care anymore. I didn't care about a lot of things. My main goal in life was to live, and get over the boy I had given my all too, and given up everything for.
Finn nodded his head and shuffled his feet.
"I don't... Usually do this sorta thing." He chuckled, giving a scoff.
"Me neither." I admitted with a friendly smile. He just smiled back, and the silence continued.
"If that's all, I really should get to bed... I'm tired."
"Well, there was one more thing." Finn quickly spoke up, all signs of playful, awkward and sheepishness gone. "You and Gary... It's not true, is it?"
Oh, crap. I hated lying. I hated it more than anything; all because of what lyin had cost me. I couldn't think of an answer. I couldn't think of something that could get us out of this. Gary, what the hell have you gotten me into!
"He's gay." Finn said abruptly.
I couldn't find words, other than: "No he's not."
"I saw a picture a while ago of him and some guy... It sorta explained a lot."
"Explained a lot? What do you mean by that?"
Finn frowned. "He's my friend, Renesmee. I just wanted to know if it was true, so I could warn you about this so you wouldn't get hurt."
I gave a small smile. He wanted to warn me, if I didn't know? That was one of the nicest things someone had wanted to do for me in a long, long time.
"Thank you. But there's no need." I nodded. "He's not gay. I won't believe it until he tells me himself. Truthfully, I think he's just in the relationship with me to get Charlie off his back."
"I figured." Finn laughed. "But I can't help worry about you. If he... Is, then you'll get hurt."
"I'm a tough girl." I shrugged. "I've handled a lot worse than him and Charlie combined."
"Like I said, she comes on strong; but you can't knock her for trying."
"That you can't."
I shared his sense of laughter, though I wasn't sure if it was due to the fact my nerves were doing back-flips, or because Finn wasn't that much of a bad guy. Sure, he had the style of one, the reputation to boot, and the overall cockiness the typical college bad-boy would have; but under all that... He was oddly charming. My track record on men kinda showed I had a small thing for charmers.
Comparing him to Alec again, and the mere thought I was thinking of him once again, ruined my mood. I was tired, I was on edge because of this whole Gary/Renesmee thing, I was nervous because of the look in Finn's eye when he looks at me, and now I was pissed off because he still hadn't shown his face.
"That... Isn't the only reason I wanted to know if I'm honest, Ren." Despite my mood, Finn's words caused goosebumps to appear on my skin with the way my nickname rolled off his tongue. So easy and casual, yet completely and utterly sensual.
"Oh?" I felt that was all I could muster to get out at the moment.
"I was kinda hoping it wasn't true for a different reason. You're... Different from all the other girls I've been with." He shrugged. "It's kinda... Cool."
I couldn't help myself. I wasn't entirely feeling all 'friendly' anymore, and I wasn't able to stop the words before they came out.
"Why? Because I don't throw myself at you?"
Lana was one of those many girls that pined over Finn. Gary had explained it once, and I could sorta see why. Despite this whole reputation Finn had going on; he was a good catch and he was secretly a good guy deep down.
Although I knew that came out a lot bitcher than I had intended, Finn laughed.
"I guess that might be one of the reasons, yeah." His hand rose up and brushed the back of his neck. "But you can hardly blame me."
I wanted to test the waters. "Why can't I?"
Finn stepped closer, and if I was able to move; I should have stepped back. His ice blue eyes zoned in on mine, and I felt as though he was peering into the depths of my soul.
"We're human, after all." Well, you are. I'm only half. "And we all want what we can't have."
Finn's words spoke the truth. I knew that better than anyone.
I swallowed down a lump forming in my throat and tore my eyes away from his.
"And when we get what we want, we figure out we didn't really need it." I mused; keeping my eyes on the floor.
"Sometimes," Finn's hand found under my chin; forcing me to look up at him. "Sometimes that can be true. But what if... We find out that we did need it; and our want for it increases."
I could hardly breathe.
The corner of Finn's mouth tweaked up, and slowly he began to lean in.
Finn was going to kiss me. Okay, Renesmee; if this is happening, remember to breathe. You're not a kid anymore. This doesn't have to be a big deal. No big drama like what you did with Al- Alec. No.
I turned my head away quickly. The thought of Alec pulled me from my subconscious slumber, and allowed me to think clearly. Although I was right, it didn't have to be a big deal... I was also wrong. Just because I wasn't a kid, and I could kiss whoever I wanted now - it didn't mean I wanted too. I was still very much trying to get over the red eyed demon roaming around somewhere, and the last thing I wanted was to be locking lips with probably one of the hottest human beings I had ever laid eyes on.
His lips meshed with my cheek, and he let out a large sigh against my skin.
"Hard to get?" Finn whispered into the crevice of my ear.
"Something like that..."
He pulled back and grinned at me once again. Boyish, charming and heartwarmingly beautiful. "I like a good challenge."
I was blushing; obviously. But, I refused to let that show.
"Goodnight, Finn."
"Be my date for the party?" He asked as I backed away from him.
"I'm Gary's date."
"Be mine instead."
"Go catch up to your boys, already."
"I'll take that as a yes!"
"I never said yes." I walked up the steps to the house.
"You never said no either."
I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
"You're just making this all the more enticing for me, Roo."
"Goodnight, Finn." I repeated myself and closed the door.
A hand rose to my face and felt the burning of my skin. No doubt I must've looked like a bright red tomato; but for some reason... It felt good. It felt nice to be... Wanted again. Wanted in that way. Although it wasn't from the boy who I believed would want me forever, it was nice.
I walked up the stairs, ignoring the few remaining girls sitting in the main room talking and made a beeline for a empty room. If I could get in before any of them, then I could lock the door and not let any of them in.
Around the middle section of the stairs, my already racing heart began to beat a little faster. I wasn't entirely sure if it was real or just a figment of my imagination; but I was positive there was the smallest lingering scent of cinnamon coming from the room right in front of the stairs.
Could it be?
I wasted no time in finding out the answer. Rushing up the remaining steps; and straight into the room ahead; the door slammed open and I burst into the plain, yet girlish room. Two single beds - that had been pushed together, a few posters littering the wall, sparse furniture here and there... But other than that, I was the only one in the room.
Then my eyes caught hold of the window. Wide open.
Carefully, I walked slowly over to it and peered out. I had to be careful. There were vampire's out there that had sworn war on my coven and myself. The only signs of life outside were the silent lights, the rustling of trees in the wind and the smell of the clear night air.
Click.
I spun around quickly as the door closed and was locked shut.
A pale white hand retracted itself from the lock, and returned it to the dark clothed side of the individual. A violent set of sunset orange/red eyes were on me, while full lips were in a firm line.
"Alec..." I managed to breathe out.
"Care to explain a few things?" He ignored the whole greeting. "Now."
By his tone, I knew I was in trouble.
A/N:
Dundundunnn. Leave a review, tell me what you thought?
If y'all get me to 1,414 reviews, as soon as I'm finished this next chapter - which will be today - I will upload it straight away.
Good luck, not that you need it, take it easy and I love you all.
-C.H