"Rose," I groaned. "Save it, I don't care."
"Oh wait, I know," she said. I heard excitement in her voice and frowned. That was never a good sign.
"What?" I asked, pouring the sauce into the pasta and grabbing two plates and setting them on the table.
"I'll call you later," she said.
"What? Rose!" I sighed when the line went dead. I chucked the phone aside and served us both helpings and grabbed the forks when I heard him come in.
"Here," I said, pushing a plate toward him. He gave me another nod and I followed him into the living room but grabbed the remote control before he could.
Ha, TV is mine. I am not watching another boring documentary on some stupid war in the 1800s. I turned it on and found a movie on some channel and sat back to enjoy.
"Did you make this?" he asked, breaking the silence.
"Yep, why?" I asked. Crap! I forgot to ask if he was allergic to anything. He rubbed the back of his neck and opened his mouth just as his phone rang.
I was going to take that as a compliment since Mr. Ego found it hard to speak. I took a taste of mine and choked. Okay, maybe it wasn’t a compliment. I looked at the pasta in my bowl; it looked okay but tasted like absolute crap.
Maybe I should stay away from the kitchen. I dumped mine in the bin and started cleaning up. I hoped he didn’t eat all of that.
I cleaned up and was drying the plate when he walked in with his.
"What was that about on the phone?" I asked. Let's see if he could try and make a conversation.
"Work," he said.
Okay...that was a start.
"Well, do you want to go to a movie?" I asked. He checked the time and shrugged.
"Okay. Get ready in ten. I'll go grab my stuff." The last word was barely out of his mouth before I started running upstairs. Yes, movies!
Now I felt like a teenager again, sneaking off in the night to see a movie with –
I stopped, finding myself thinking of that memory. It should be gone from my system by now. I grabbed a jacket, since I know he would never offer me his, my wallet and phone, and went back downstairs.
Darius came down dressed again in casual clothes and I tried not to drool. Why are some people just genetically advantaged? It never made sense.
"Let's go!" I said, giving him a huge smile. I walked past the car toward the gate when he called out.
"Aren't we taking the car?"
"No! It's only a ten-minute walk," I said. He shrugged and caught up with me, which was easy given that he has longer legs than me.
It was a very quiet walk and I opened my mouth too many times and closed it without uttering a word. I don’t know what to say and how to start a conversation.
"So... beautiful weather, eh?" I asked, glancing up. He looked at me with his green eyes sparkling and chuckled with a shake of his head. I smiled. That was definitely a start. I don't think I have ever heard him chuckle. It was soft yet masculine and did funny things to my stomach.
"Yea, if you like the smell of wet ground," he said. I didn't realise what he was saying till it started raining.
"Aw crap," I muttered. His laughter trailed behind me as I broke into a small jog, his footsteps echoing close by. I broke into a full sprint as I raced the last corner and into the building. A few people turned to look at me as I came in gasping and panting. Darius followed seconds later looking more like a model than me, who was a disheveled mess.
I rolled my eyes as I went to the counter and ordered the movie tickets. That was the thing about small town cinemas: they only had a movie running each week and today was some random movie. Grabbing the tickets, I motioned for Darius to follow me.
"Do you want popcorn or drinks?" he asked as we entered.
I shook my head. "No, thanks. I don’t really like popcorn." I grimaced to prove my point. He shook his head, a small smile on his face as we stepped inside the theatre, both our faces getting covered by darkness.
I located vacant seats and wrinkled my nose. Great, some stupid tall guy was sitting in front of my seat. And next to me was a group of teenage guys eyeing me. Hormonal boys.
I sat down with Darius beside me and I sat tall, trying to see past the head in front of me.
It wasn't that bad. I could pretty much see 90 percent of the screen but my eyes seemed to zone in on the bold head and how I wanted to bash it right now.
Why can't tall people get the back seats or something?
The movie started and the last bits of chatter died down. I nearly took the guy’s popcorn next to me and chuck it at the screen when I realised it was an old black and white movie. Great, just my luck.
It wasn't even an hour in and I was already bored. I looked around at Darius who seemed to watch the movie with interest. With a deep sigh, I slouched in my chair. My eyes felt heavy and the theatre was warm, making me fall asleep instantly.
Something or somebody stepped on my feet and I opened my eyes and sat up. Where am I? I looked around and realised I had fallen asleep. What a shame....that looked like an amazing movie.
"Is it over?" I asked, yawning and stretching in my seat as much as it would allow. Darius raised an eyebrow and I stopped mid–stretch, turning back and sitting down.
"No, interval break," he said.
"What? Since when do we have interval breaks?" I muttered. They would be so handy in normal movie places, especially when you were busting to go to the toilet but the best scene was on.
"Right, I'll be back then." I urgently needed to pee-pee.
I got up. All the seats to my left were with the high school boys and they must have gone or left so it was easy to walk without falling over someone's feet.
I walked past the drinks area and to the bathroom. Washing my face, I stared in the mirror at my sleepy eyes. I really needed to get a good night’s rest. There are only four more days for Darius and I to bond and so far it was not in any progress. One second he was all nice and then he was like a cold-hearted bastard the next.
I walked back to my seat, passing the teenage boy who let out a slow whistle. I shot him a glare and he winked back. I sat back down, taking off my jacket. It was getting a bit too hot in here.
The movie continued and I tried to concentrate on the movie and not on the teenager’s hand that was inching way too close to my armrest. I moved toward Darius more. I kept my eye on the guy and glared at him but he seemed not to notice as he leaned a bit more to my side.
I was ready to confront him when Darius stretched his arm, draping it over the back of my seat. The teenager looked at the hand and moved away and I bit my lip trying not to smile or show that I noticed as I watched the movie.
As much as I tried to concentrate on the movie, my eyes kept drooping and I felt my head sway. Did you ever have those moment when you want to sleep on the train or the bus and the movement kept making your head droop and you got embarrassed? That was what was happening now.
My head kept drooping and swaying and I kept opening my eyes, trying to concentrate. In the end, I gave in and closed my eyes, leaning back into the seat. It was warm and hard and I pulled up my jacket.
I had to say, these seats smelled damn fine. The cleaners did a good job.
Chapter TWELVE
6 Months Ago
Walking into the shop, I looked around at the rows and rows of white dresses and stopped. Why does someone have to wear white? I mean, it signifies purity and innocence but when you think about it, what is so pure about a marriage?
That being said, it was only family members invited, and just about another twenty or so people, so why does this wedding need to be so lavish?
"Hello. Can I help you?"
I turned around to see one of the sales representatives smiling. Another assistant was behind her holding a bottle of champagne and glass and I looked back at my mother with her private assistant going through the dresses.
"Um..." I said, looking back and forth. I looked over at my mother who pulled out a long white dress with a trail probably bigger than the ai
sle itself and a corset that looked like it was going to make me four sizes smaller.
"Yea, do you have any dresses in orange?" I asked with a smile. Orange is such a nice color, so bright, so orangey, so...bright.
Isn't it a lovely color?
Present Time
Something shook me. It wasn’t an earthquake. And if it was, too bad I was going to sleep right through it. I was way too comfortable to move. There was a rougher shove and I groaned. Okay, maybe this wasn’t as comfortable and I slowly opened my eyes, waiting a few seconds for my eyesight to adjust.
"Wake up, sleepy head," I heard a voice say. I blinked back the sleep and stared into a black sleeve shoving me and I glared at it, making it go away with my stare.
Only then did I realise that the sleeve I was staring at belonged to a body, the same body I was using as a pillow. I sat up straight away, putting as much distance between us as possible and rubbing my head. Actually, I’d rather be in that earthquake.
"Is it over?" I asked awkwardly, surprised that he even let me lean on his shoulder.
"Yes."
Darius stood up while I groaned and leaned back into the seats that were too soft now. Damn, that was the best sleep I had gotten in ages. I yawned again. I felt his shadow over me and peeked to see that he was standing with his arms crossed over his broad chest.
"Still sleepy? You just slept through the whole movie," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"A girl needs her beauty sleep, okay. And it wasn't the whole movie, more like the last five minutes," I said with yet another yawn and a wave of my hand.
"Oh really? What happened in the movie then?" he dared, propping himself against the seats behind him and crossing one ankle over the other. I was just waiting for him to lose balance and fall backward; it didn’t happen.
I closed my eyes and waved a hand. Darius grabbed it and effortlessly pulled me up like I weighed nothing. The sudden movement made me squeal. I opened my eyes to tell him off when I came face to face with his chest.
"Eh, the random cliche?" I asked, looking up. His green eyes stared down at me, his eyebrows knotted. I only just realised how close we were. I could even smell his cologne or whatever it was. I stepped away first and walked down the aisle.
"Or was it about monkeys and a planet?" I asked, yelling over my shoulder. That was the last black and white movie I watched before. I had fallen asleep on someone else's shoulder. I shook my head and tried to erase that memory.
I heard him chuckle as we both hit the pavement for the walk back home.
"What's the plan for tomorrow?" I asked as I placed my hands in my jacket pocket. It was freezing and I was grateful I had brought my jacket.
"What do you want to do?" he asked. I shrugged as I looked up at the bright moon. The clouds looked gray in the sky. There were a few stars here and there you could see between the clouds.
"Snorkeling?" he asked.
I shot him a look. "Seriously? I just went!"
"Well I didn't, so let's go again," he said. I shrugged. I did have a good time last time, apart from one thing.
"As long as you don't book the same guy as last time," I muttered.
"What?" he asked.
"Nothing," I sang, walking faster. "Hurry up. I am starving and I might make food when I get home," I said, looking over my shoulder. I saw the glint of his teeth as he smiled and walked faster home. Damn, I was hungry.
Dinner was quick and quiet, which really meant opening a packet of chips and eating them. Yep, we were so healthy. Darius left and said goodnight, which was a first, and I went over to the computer to see what we can possibly do.
I was Googling things when I remembered we were in Melbourne, and apart from the fashion, food and culture of this town, what else is famous? Football, of course!!
I quickly Googled possible AFL matches and nearly screamed when I realised my team and a rival were playing tomorrow night! Only the tickets were nearly sold out. Grabbing my purse and the credit card number, I went away booking the few seats that were left. Thank god I managed to snatch them.
Of course, they were double the price of normal seats but whatever, this was amazing. Wait, maybe I should have asked Darius first.
Saving the page, I ran upstairs two at a time and rushed to his room, opening the door.
"Dar-"
He wasn't there. Oh crap, which was his room? I walked down from the empty room past mine and opened another door. There he was!
"Darius."
He turned around staring at me as I leaned against the door.
“So I was thinking AFL tomorrow. It's much more fun. Unless you follow a team, then I can look it up."
"AFL?" he asked.
"Footy, ya bone head," I said. "Have you never been to a footy match?" I asked, crossing my arms.
He shook his head and I gasped in disbelief. "How very patriotic of you. Well then, after snorkeling or whatever, football it is. Actually, it's pretty fun. I used to hate it till I watched it live. The atmos-"
"Can you give me a moment?" he asked.
"Why?"
He raised his eyebrows and I looked at him. It was only then that realised he was wearing a towel and his hair wet, just out of the shower.
"OH MY GOD, WHY THE HELL ARE YOU NAKED?"
"My eyes! You idiot." I screeched, turning around and in my haste slammed into the wall instead. Grabbing my head, I rushed out of the room without closing the door and I swear I heard him laugh at me. He could have told me he was in the shower or something.
I leaned against the door shaking the image – or at least trying to – from my mind and sighed as I walked back to my bedroom. Horrible image. How did I not notice him standing there in only a white towel wrapped around his bottom half?
I shuddered, going into my room and making sure my door was looked. I flopped onto the bed without bothering to change. I was just too tired.
Chapter THIRTEEN
6 months ago
The look on my mother's face when I came out in the horrible orange color was priceless. I was just waiting for her to faint. She didn't, but it was damn close when she fanned herself, yelling at the shop assistants for picking such a hideous dress.
I turned around in the mirror, smiling. Wow, I really think orange is my color.
"Ivory, get down here and try this on," she said, looking away like I was hideous and holding out a massive princess ballroom puffy type dress with pink ribbon. I grimaced.
Damn, I hate pink. But being the 'good' and 'obedient' daughter I was, I grabbed the dress and marched into the trial rooms. My phone vibrated and I looked down on the seat where I have placed it and picked it up as I unzipped myself.
Can we talk?
I didn't even need to see whom it was from, I knew. Switching off my phone, I leaned against the wall, the cold seeping into my back.
"Can we talk," I whispered to myself. With a scoff, I muttered, "Like hell we can."
"Ivory, show me," asked a voice from outside and I sighed, pulling on the dress. I was starting a new 'life' now. It was best I had cut all threads, just like the extra thread that was hanging from the bottom of the dress.
Present Time
The breeze was warm but calm, bringing with it the smell of the fresh ocean towards me. It ruffled my ponytail, making it stroke against my skin. The sand was warm and sharp against my feet, tickling my skin. I opened my eyes smiling.
Now this is my idea of relaxing.
I turned around and frowned upon seeing Darius still unpacking the damn car. I shook my head as I walked back to give him a hand.
“What’s taking you so long?” I asked. His eyes narrowed as he looked at me and he went back to taking out the massive beach ball I placed in the car.
“Why do you even need this?” he asked, chucking the ball in my direction. I grabbed it mid-air and hugged it to my chest. Is he joking?
With all these people on the beach, a game of friendly beach volleyball is a must! He closed the car’s trunk
and I helped him carry the bags to a sunny yet shady spot near the trees. I spread the towel on the sand and plonked down, pulling things out of the bag while Darius looked out into the ocean.
“You going to surf?” I asked. He shook his head, awkwardly sitting down while brushing the sand off his jeans. I stifled a laugh. Who the hell wears jeans to the beach? But from the looks he was getting, I’m sure no one minded him in his faded blue jeans and white top. Every girl walking past us, young and old grandmothers, were giving him the eye.