^^^Dedicated to @KingMasonn whom is my amazing spammer buddy! Thanks for the new round of spam. It made me smile. =D I will be paying you back soon though with some of MY awesome button smashing skills. #likeaninja =P
And I was your first fan, now I’m the first to dedicate to you as well. I’m just cool like that. XD No thanks necessary. ;P
Also to @pa0liX for the incredible banner on the side! Thanks sweetie! <3
Christy’s POV
My head was pounding and I was having a really hard time trying to figure out why I was so damn cold and why my bed felt like concrete. Cracking my eyes open I squinted against the bright light that was for some reason filtering down upon me and took in my surroundings.
The view consisted of a whole lot of trees…
Suddenly the night before came rushing back and the memory of why I was out here lost to begin with.
James.
It was all because of James.
Pushing myself up to a sitting position I held still for a moment at the head rush I got that kicked the pounding in my head up another notch. Reaching up I felt around my head where the pain seemed to be radiating from and felt a rather large bulge protruding from my forehead.
That was gonna look attractive. I could just envision the multitude of colors that were conglomerating around it like my own personal rainbow.
Fuck rainbows.
Scowling, I stood up wavering slightly, likely looking like a homeless drunk with my dirt covered clothes, filthy hair that I could feel twigs in when I passed my hands through it and my incredibly unsteady gait.
‘I was definitely someone to write home to mom about right now,’ I couldn’t help but think sardonically.
Turning in a wobbly circle, I tried to catch sight of something that didn’t consist of bark and leaves.
No such luck.
Seems I’ve had zero luck since I came to this place though, just a shit ton of drama. Perhaps transferring wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all…
Trudging my way in a random direction I tried to think of all the crap I had learned about moss over the years. Guess I should’ve paid better attention as I couldn’t for the life of me remember anything that was even remotely helpful. And this is also when I realized, outdoorsy I am not.
Note to self: take a crash course in survival skills.
It would likely come in handy, like now.
Kicking around some pine cones a bit viciously, I mentally berated myself for being dumb enough to get myself into these ridiculous situations.
What 18 year old gets themselves lost in a forest right next to their campus?
The answer to that question? Quite obvious really.
Me, moi, and this chick.
Next time I toss around the word asstard I’ll have to keep in mind that I now fit in that category as well.
Hell, I may be the queen of all asstards right about now.
Stumbling over the pine cone I had just kicked (because I’m oh so graceful that way) my eyes lit upon what looked like a building straight ahead. Doing a mental fist pump, I corrected my balance and rushed ahead.
My tummy was grumbling and I was in definite need of a bathroom, and not just for cleaning up. I was pretty sure if I tripped one more time my bladder was going to betray me and cause me a whole lot of embarrassment.
Wincing at the thought of showing up anywhere with wet pants and smelling of urine to top off my already less than stellar appearance made me flat out run to the finish line that was the building before me.
Slowing down a bit from my mad dash in hopes of looking somewhat dignified, I walked up to the building that upon closer inspection looked rather deserted.
Stomping my feet, I tossed my head back and couldn’t hold back the frustrated scream that ripped through what seemed to be my whole being before vacating my mouth and reverberating against the empty building that stood before me.
Closing my eyes I took several massively deep breaths to calm the burning inferno that was raging inside me, threatening to consume the tenuous hold I still had on sanity.
Who ever said breathing exercises helped would be wise to stay out of my way. Or perhaps I just wasn’t doing them right. I did seem to be a bit of a fail at almost everything lately.
Standing there scanning my surroundings while attempting to calm myself with thoughts of flowers and butterflies, I finally said screw it. My bladder was screaming at me and peeing outside was not on the top of my to-do list.
Stalking up to the door I grabbed hold of the knob and turned it fully expecting to be met with resistance, so the fact that it swung open without a hitch had me falling in head first only to be stopped by decidedly solid wall. Only this wall felt rather fleshy and as far as I’m aware most walls don’t let out an ‘oomph’ upon impact.
Looking up hesitantly I was met with a pair of green eyes, a rather attractively chiseled face and some very soft looking longish blonde hair. Too bad the guy also looked to be about 30. Damn. He totally could have taken my mind off of James…for a few minutes at least.
“Er, sorry for busting in here on you. You see I may have gotten myself lost in the woods last night and I really was just hoping to use the bathroom in here, and it looked deserted so I thought maybe no one would notice…” I ended rather lamely. I had such a way with words.
“It’s fine,” he smiled as if to reassure me. “I was actually heading outside to investigate a slightly maniacal sounding scream. Any idea who or what that may have come out of?” He asked, his eyes twinkling in amusement as his lips twitched as he suppressed a smile.
Squirming slightly I shifted my eyes away knowing I looked more than a little guilty. “I haven’t a clue…perhaps it was some poor creature in the forest that got hurt or was in the process of being eaten,” I hedged.
“Ah, I thought as much,” he agreed, but I could hear the humor in his tone and knew he didn’t buy any of the drivel I had just spouted. “Name’s Brody by the way. And the bathroom is over there.” He pointed to a closed door just beyond where we were standing. “Feel free to wash up a bit. There are towels in there, and a lock on the door. Unfortunately I’m all out of clothes for the fairer sex, so you’ll have to make do with what you have. I’ll be in the kitchen, which is right back there,” he pointed to a narrow hallway. “When you’re done just head back and I’ll have something for you to eat. I suppose you’ll need a ride as well?” He asked arching a bushy blonde eyebrow.
Nodding my head and trying to process everything he had just said, I couldn’t help the expression of utter disbelief that must have been plastered across my face at this one man’s kindness.
Until the thoughts of him being a serial killer bombarded my mind.
Scooting my way around him and feeling rather rude, I made a beeline for the bathroom and quickly shut and locked the door. I pressed my ear against it for a moment to make sure he wasn’t being a creeper, and was satisfied after a few moments of listening that I didn’t hear any heavy breathing coming from the other side.
Logically I knew I should have made a break for it instead of opting for a bathroom, but I desperately needed to go and I could definitely feel some creepy crawlies trying to make my scalp their new home.
Shuddering I stripped down, quickly did my business and turned on the water in the enclosed shower. I sighed blissfully as I got it to the right temperature, hopped in and felt it rain down upon me. I could feel it working out all the kinks and soothing all the bruises and abrasions I had received during my decidedly sucky excursion last night.
As I washed away all the dirt and watched a few creepy crawlies drown before sliding down the drain, I smiled at the thought of finally being clean again.
After I realized the water had begun to cool I begrudgingly turned it off and stepped out grabbing a towel, all the while hating the thought of donning yesterday’s clothes again. But it was either that or run around in a towel in front of a man I didn’t know.
Yeah, yesterday’s clothes win hands down.
Drying off I crinkled my nose in disgust before slipping on my undergarments and then sliding into my jeans and t-shirt.
I did a quick search for a brush and came up empty. Finger combing it is then.
Spying some mouth wash in the corner on the counter, I made a grab for it and poured some in my mouth making sure not to touch my mouth to it. Swishing it around in my mouth for what seemed like eons I finally spit it out and felt a tad bit more human knowing that my breath was no longer capable of knocking out an elephant.
And finally I realized I couldn’t avoid looking in the mirror anymore. Taking a deep breath I shifted my eyes to it and flinched as I saw my forehead.
I was definitely right when I predicted it would look like a rainbow. Though it was a rather putrid looking one…
The bump itself looked like someone had inserted a ping pong ball beneath the surface of my skin.
Yup. It was pretty freaking attractive.
Doing another quick sweep of my face I noticed a few scrapes on my right cheek as well as on my forehead, but they didn’t look too bad. Then again, the ping pong insertion in my forehead may just be distracting enough to make them not seem so bad…
Shoving away from the mirror I deposited my towel in the hamper next to the door and gave myself a quick mental pep talk.
It seemed pretty safe to say this guy wasn’t going to kill me since he had plenty of time while I was in the shower and there weren’t any Hitchcock moments.
Pulling open the door I peeked outside and was hit full on by the blissful smells of eggs, bacon and coffee. My stomach let out a definite battle cry at the thought and smell of food, which in turn had me speed walking down the hall Brody had pointed out earlier and towards the food that was just waiting for me to devour it.
Halting in the doorway to the kitchen I watched as Brody set two plates on the table next to two cups of coffee. Making my way to the table I smiled hesitantly. How does one repay someone, a complete stranger at that, for this much kindness?
Staring at the food for a moment and holding down an internal battle to not just dive into the food face first, I forced my eyes away and looked at Brody trying to convey with my eyes just how thankful I truly was.
“I can see you thinking and you don’t need to thank me. I like to think I’m just doing as anyone else would for someone in need,” he said looking uncomfortable under my gaze.
“Well, I’m thanking you anyways. Just let me know if there’s any way I can repay you in the future. And my name’s Christy by the way.”
“It’s nice to meet you Christy. Now eat up before it gets cold and I’ll drive you to wherever you need me to.”
Smiling gratefully I delved into my food, probably looking like a cokehead getting his first fix after going a day without.
As my stomach began to expand and the prior urgency to shove as much food in my mouth as fast as humanly possibly began to wane, I took a look around me curious about what this place was.
On the outside it seemed to be abandoned and looked to be an old office building. On the inside though it was clearly undergoing some construction and had a homey vibe to it.
“So what exactly is this place,” I blurted out, as usual my mouth winning over manners.
“Eventually this will be a safe house for women and children in need of one. But please don’t say anything about it. Its location is only meant to be known by those who need it and the clinics and shelters I give the information to on it. The less people in the community who know about it, the less chance of the abusers learning of it and coming here and starting trouble,” he explained.
“Well I think what you’re doing is a very noble thing and I promise I won’t tell anyone. And if you ever need anyone to help out around here I’ll be more than happy to volunteer some of my time,” I offered, hoping he would take me up on it. My heart was already going out to the poor souls who would no doubt be coming here to try to escape their old life in hopes of a new and better life.
“Thank you Christy. I’ll keep that in mind,” he replied, smiling and looking as beautiful on the outside as he no doubt was on the inside.
* * * * *
“Thanks again for the ride and everything else,” I called and watched as Brody saluted before driving off in his beat up old truck.
Shielding my eyes from the too bright sun I watched as his truck faded into the distance before turning and making my way to my dorm.
As amazing as my morning had turned out, all things considered, I was more than ready to get another shower and properly brush my hair and teeth. And just the thinking about clean clothes was about enough to make me drop to my knees in pure bliss while worshipping each and every clean item of clothing I possessed.
I should’ve known that my return wouldn’t go as smoothly as I had mapped it out in my mind though.
Before I even reached my room I felt a hand grip my shoulder and spin me about. Looking up my green eyes clashed with a pair of abnormally blue ones. Not that I needed to see the color of his eyes. The jolts of electricity that were shooting through me and short circuiting my mind were more than enough to clue me in on who it was.
“Where have you been,” he forced out through clenched teeth. I could see the tendons in his neck bulging out as he tried to keep his tone level.
“That is none of your concern,” I shot back, beyond pissed that he would have the audacity to question my whereabouts when he had no right.
“Oh but it is,” he ground out before pulling me through an open door and slamming it shut. “Everything about you is my business,” he said slowly, enunciating every word as if talking to an imbecile.
Feeling my temper beginning to spike I attempted to side step him only to have his grip on me tighten slightly.
Without warning, his lips slammed down upon mine and all further thoughts dispersed. All that was left was the texture of his lips on mine, the subliminal taste of his tongue against mine, and the eternal shockwaves that electrified my being every time we touched.
I was beyond rational thought.
I just needed him and everything else, all the complications and hurt, could wait just a while longer.
Just a little longer until I had my fill of him…
~*~
Hola my lovelies!!!
SO first off. I’m so so so so so so so so so sooooooooooooooo sorry this took so long!!! >.<
Forgive me? *massively pathetic puppy eyes*
Life just kinda went to shit for a while there, but it seems to somewhat be getting back on track to not so shitty. =D
Second. I’m going to try really hard to update more frequently again. No promises, but as I said, life is getting a bit better and writing this didn’t seem like I was pulling teeth for the first time in a long time. So yay?
Third. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to all of you who have stood by me and continued to support me!!! You have no idea how much it has meant to me! You guys truly are amazing! =D
And last but not least, thank you to all of my friends on here who have put up with TONS of whining from me lately, and helped me through so much crap even when I was sure I was going to sink in it never to be found again. I love you guys. Never doubt that. And I’m here for you always. =)
So, enough of my ramblings.
Please be sure to comment/fan/vote. It’s all very much appreciated. =D
~ Erin <3 xxx