I didn't know what to do. Demetri or Marcus? Adoption or no adoption? Vampire or no vampire? With all these thoughts going through my head, nothing sunk in. I couldn't concentrate, but all I could think of was my life was so much easier before the party, before the Volturi. Before Marcus.
Of course, there'd be the bullying again for being a foster kid, and I'd have to do a lot of questioning with Police when I returned. Did I miss the home? Jeanie? The others? There seemed only one option at the time: leave and never come back. So this afternoon I packed a bag of clothes and left the Volturi without a note. What more could I do? My other possessions would have to stay there for a while until I could think of something to do with them.
Again, it seemed like a good enough idea then, but now, I'm not too sure, as I'm now laid on a park bench, wearing a tracksuit, my hood up to block out the cold, the wound on my arm is killing and my feet are numb and freezing even with my shoes on. The wind is howling and I don't even know what time it is. Late surely, maybe midnight? One o' clock?
It's fucking freezing. I thought this was supposed to Italy! Surely the nights should be a bit warm, just a little? No? Well I'm screwed. I turn over on the bench and try to sleep, but it's no good. I've been here for ar least four hours, willing sleep to take over, but here I am, something-o-clock in the morning and I'm wide awake and in pain.
Oh Lee what are you doing? Just go back to Jeanie. Say goodbye to Marcus. Say goodbye to everything. I drag my sorry ass off the bench and hobble back through the city, en route to the home. Jeanie won't be pleased about me waking her up at God knows what hour, but at least she'll be relieved to see me alive. I'll miss Liam, but oh well. These thoughts are just too much. I'm not sure how to feel..or care...I just feel weird about it all.
Barely ten seconds into the journey, a car starts cruising up behind me.
Oh shit. What could a car be doing out at this time? Just keep walking and ignore them if they speak to me. That's what I should do. Just keep walking and pretend not to hear them. Keep walking, keep walking, keep walki-
"What the hell are you doing? Why would you leave like that? I love you Lee Corvin!" I turn to the car. Whoever's inside has rolled down the window. I duck down to see the driver. "How do you know my name?" Oh. It's Marcus.
Marcus opens the passenger door and drags me into the car. "Shit," I fall in and try doing up my seatbelt, but he stops me. "You stupid, stupid thing!" He growls. "You worried us sick! How could you just leave us?" He looks upset, angry even. "My life's too complicated right now. I just want to walk away from these thoughts. I don't know how to feel, Marcus! I thought maybe you wouldn't want me anymore because I let Demetri kiss me!"
I slouch in my seat, chin wobbling. "Just cry, Lee." He murmurs and reluctant tears slide down my cheeks.
He tilts my chin and wipes them away. "I will always want you. Always. Do you understand?" He scolds. I nod, blubbering like a baby. "As for Demetri, he and I have both apologised to one another." He says gruffly. "Good," I sob. "Where have you been anyway?" He asks. "In the park. Laying on the bench." I stick my chin up.
"What are you, homeless?" He growls. "You frightened me, Lee. Don't do that to me. I thought you were leaving forever, no discussion." He looks sad.
"I love you too much to leave you. I just had all these thoughts in my head." I lay my head in his lap.
"Poor child, it must be difficult for you. You're so young." He sighs. "Come home, Lee." He coaxes. "No," I shake my head scowling. He starts up the engine, ignoring me and drives off at high speed. "Hey stop the car!" He ignores me, eyes on the road. "Stop. The. Car!" I grab the steering wheel and try swerving the car. He slaps my hand away and I sink back in my seat.
"Are you trying to kill yourself?!" His eyes blaze. "It's not going to make anything easier!" He growls. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" I cry. "It's alright," He softens. "Calm down, Mr Corvin," He smiles softly. "I love you, I mean it." I grab at his arm. "I believe you," He mutters.
"How did you know I was here?" I ask. "Demetri," He spits out his name. "Oh, of course, the tracking thing." I sulk like a kid. "You're coming back with me. But first, you need food." He pulls up outside a pizza takeaway place. "Texan BBQ with a sour cream dip!" I call from the window. "You'll have what you're given!" He replies.
Nevertheless, he comes back ten minutes later with a large texan bbq and a selection of dips. "You're amazing," I take a huge bite. "I know," He smiles. "Let's take you home." He murmurs. "I'm staying here," I mumble through a mouthful of pizza. "You're coming home," He grits his teeth. "You're staying with me. Your place is by my side. I don't care about Demetri's feelings." He grunts.
"That's a bit selfish." I mumble, dipping my pizza in sour cream sauce. "I may be selfish, but it is because I love you," He sighs. "Before I married Didyme, dating was easy. There were no complications, we worked so well together." He shakes his head. "Maybe it's a sign," I point out. "Maybe all these distractions are a way of saying we shouldn't be together." I shrug.
"There's no discussion. I am yours, you are mine. I don't care about signs or distractions. I will have you, Lee. I will marry you, one day. I will die trying."