Edmund
I was eight years of age when determined to the core I took an oath to never date a girl again. Not until I was in university and the one I would prefer would be an experienced woman who has better judgements when it comes to petty conflicts, unlike the immaturity of the young girl who broke my innocent little heart by breaking up. Reason being I was way too lean for a boy and tall as a twig.
Dealing with my first ever break up was another thing, but the insecurity that she had slapped me with kept me going. Like a fuel I worked tirelessly until there was no niche for anyone to drag me down. With each day I grew more stronger, confident and level headed till I learned to laugh at those naïve dilemmas and emotions.
Breaching the unwritten contract of self vow when I was seventeen, I dated Amanda Kennedy ,an aspiring actress with soaring demands in Hollywood for purely business purpose. It ended even before we realized we actually dated. The paparazzi got what they wanted and the movie we featured her in became a huge hit.
A couple of such platonic relationships later I was done. Though my acting skills improvised a mile with all the practice, I always felt the lack of genuine happiness In my life.
Though I had everything that is basically the dream of millions, a group of friends whose got your back, minus Lee since I love my spine way too much and he kind of depends on other people for survival, the luxury of having a work that I enjoy. There was this pit of something unmentionable emotion that always kept me from feeling entirely contended. That was until she came into the picture.
An ideal picture of the girl i longed for was the one with kindness, who valued the bond of family and had unconditional love for humanity and herself. A simple girl with morals, the typical image of a lady from high society. As lame as it sounds, I know I was a simple boy with goals and aspired an equally simple life despite the field I worked in.
You can say that I was quite surprised when I found myself thinking about the girl who stumbled out of the bed screaming and putting that sarcastic little mouth of hers in the most unladylike way.
Carrying her small frame in my arms after she fainted was another story, it took me one whole night to squeeze the self blame out of my system. She was just so fragile, like the most delicate glass sculpture. when I felt the extreme need to protect after I realized what was going on in the academy which had quite the reputation when it came to students as such, I tried my best and failed like a disaster.
I don't even want to recall the day back. It was too afflictive.
And then I saw her shrug away the previous day as if nothing happened. I saw the burning fire behind those grey storm. Like she wakes up every day to a new life and a new fight. Yes, she was fragile and ethereal. But stronger then anyone I know from inside.
And even after my confession to which she reacted in the most predictable way possible for a girl who was way too unpredictable, I was willing to wait with the knowledge that I was falling deeper by the passing day.
Elaine was like the beautiful aesthetical piece of treasured art and I wanted to be that one good critique who has her all figured out.
"Do you guys usually move around the world for birthday celebrations?" snapping back to present situation I look at the girl who I had been religiously pondering about. When we boarded the lee's private jet in the morning she shuffled to the last seat, and I being the desperate man I was, followed her to the back.
"Not really. But Lee is an exception" she nods pressing herself back to the window and curiously gazed down. She has been doing that for the most part of the journey. We did caught on a much required naps in between. But my mind was too focused on holding me nerves back.
"Are you alright?" though her soft concerned laced voice calmed me down a bit. The landing announcement through the intercom gradually did the job of ruining the moment.
From the corner I could feel her eyes on me as I did my best to appear collected, but we are talking about some one who has the eye of an eagle and mind of a scholar. So my attempt went futile when she reached her conclusion.
"You are afraid of flying" there was a hint of that sweet smile as she stated, I looked at her. The big placid grey eyes meets mine.
"Everyone is afraid of something" at that the corner of her pink lips curves into a humoring smile.
"You quoted Four" she rolls her eyes as I chuckle knowing really well the act of cheesiness I tried to extract from the situation. But groaned mildly when a turbulence passed by.
Fixing my gaze on the front I began to count, it was suppose to help. Suppose to help because as soon as I was in five a small hand uncertainly touched the back of mine. Though it was hesitant at first, like a sudden gust of air it interlaced with my large ones.
Tilting slightly I saw her stare out of the glass, her smooth brown hair framed her side as the rays of light from evening out accentuated her flawlessness. My gaze falls upon our entwined hands with a smile. With one thought I leaned back on my seat. This was my definition of perfect.
I don't remember ever feeling such fuss of disappointment on the landing of flight. Contrary to it, I considered myself to be the happiest boy on the planet for a second everytime it happened so. And I only have Elaine to blame for it as she got up dusting her khaki jeans from the sneaky crumbs from the cookies she had munched, and with a heavy heart shared with me.
When the initial bite melted in, I knew why. Delicious was as understatement. When asked she informed that it was sent from home.
"Thank you, but I think I can carry them myself" I raised my brows as she tried to tug back her travel case once I unloaded them from the cabin compartment.
"Okay" smirking I let her pull them back from my grasp until she sighed.
"What do you feed on? Titanium flakes and mercury shakes?" I laugh as I slide her over her backpack that suspiciously weighed more than normality. So I retorted with her kind of language.
"What's in there? Iron bars?" pouting she stares at me. And I did all in my power to not think about how appealing those lips were at the moment.
Before she could say something a large bag dropped in upon the seat in front of us. Followed by the sound of recklessly luggage being dumped over.
Alex stood there with his jaws clenched and his black louis Vuitton bag in dead grip. He throws one of it at his buff , tall and constipated looking body guard and the other one to the one beside him. They were in uniform with professional Bluetooth pieces latched to their ears. Though they were compatible enough to be deemed as wrestlers, the flick of fright that occasionally passed over them at Alex's uncalled actions was quite evident.
What can I say, He always has had that effect.
"We should get going" I gesture Elaine to move as I watch her space out again. An unfamiliar amount of irritation surges in me as I glance back at Alex's retreating form. He was my best friend, a brother in disguise. I've known him even before I could remember my own existence.
But he grew up to become someone who was so difficult to read, that now even I can't grasp the intentions behind his next move. It wasn't that bad till last year.
I know I should've stopped him. For god sake he was drunk and I was the sane one. But before I could act it was too late. But entirely blaming himself for it was his choice. i tried my zenith to break through those walls of ice he had built around him, but a person can only maneuver if the host has the desire to be mended.
Then he left. He left us, his life, and everything he ever knew to god knows where.
And when he returned there were no walls around him. Heck, what were the reliability of a cloak to hide something when he wasn't the same person anymore.
He was not the Alex who egged the shoes of the girl who broke his best friends heart, the one who taught me how to tie a shoe lace when he himself wasn't aware of how to, the boy who gifted me my first teddy to the last of a Lamborghini when I received my diving licence.
I don't even know this Alexander White anymore and it was one reason for me to stand against him when it came to Elaine.
Though I know their first encounter didn't went well, but he has no right to treat her the way he does. Like one day he woke up and decided to hate the person that walks into him accidentally. And he needs to cool down before I loose mine.
"Thank you" she says again as we check out. Apparently me carrying her bags was a pretty big deal in her eyes.
"If I hear you utter one more Thank you, it will be you that I'd prefer to carry then these bags" smirking I watch her mouth part open in shock as she narrows her eyes at me.
"You are way to flirty today. What's gotten into you?" grumbling she looks at the floor as we step out feeling the humid air of city pollution to see Lee pestering Clarissa to step in the limousine as she hands him over her handbag before getting inside. Though we had assistance in order to help us with belongings. Hailey and Clarrisa's gears had them all occupied. They might just drag out their Jacuzzi if it was a technical possibility.
Elaine frantically waved at Riley and her brother who awkwardly stood as Hailey got in. Alex was no where to be seen, probably supervising some sweat breaking errands to those hulk of body guards that he seems to tag along with wherever he goes out of campus.
When Elaine took a step towards the limo I stopped her as a sleek black Mercedes parks beside us.
"What?" she asks as her nose pokes out in confusion.
"We are not going with them" I declare as I opened the passenger door of the car for her to get in as the driver runs out to me, handing me the keys. When she frowns at me I continue.
"Remember I told you that I'll take you somewhere once we get some free time for us" she nods slowly as eyes lingering over the car probably recalling our short conversation after she accepted Lee's invite. "How does Tate's modern gallery sound?"
I watch as the spark in her eyes intensifies as she grins at the name. It was the lack of filter in her features when she feels the immense gratefulness and surprise is something I wish to be the reason behind every single time. Tate was the modern art hub that was one of the leading tourist spot for someone who holds substantial passion for art. And with Elaine, I knew I was never going to go wrong with it.
"Gracias" she chirps slightly jumpy on her feet as I frown chuckling.
"You said I can't say the word in English. But never mentioned that Spanish was forbidden too" innocently batting her lashes she smiles at me as I laugh. This girl was something else entirely.
"Get insi-" Before I could complete my sentence a flick of white shoved past between us, startled we gave Alex the space he needed until I realized that it was him who now sat shot gun. If that wasn't enough he pulled the door shut while we stood contemplating the lunacy of the moment for a few seconds until he rolled the window down and tucked his elbows out as he looked up at me.
"Who is driving this thing? I don't have all day" though I wanted to bang my forehead graphically against a wall, I settled for a prolonged what the hell stare at him before I heard Elaine take the back passenger door and slamming it close once she was in.
when I was sure I won't endup ripping the steering wheel once in the drivers seat, I drove.
"where are your body guards?" I ask him as he looks up from his mobile, irking me more by the minute at his intruding actions. We both were aware of the drastic change in our relationship once he came back, the hollowness only stretched to breaking limit when he started being as Ass to Elaine.
"Fetching me a world map and strawberry dorritos" the edgy smirk radiates off him as I take a turn.
"There's no such flavour as that"
"That's the point"
"why bring them here only to trick them" I sigh, typing in the gps. The mechanical voice echoes under the compact vicinity of the cars atmosphere. From the rear view mirror I saw Elaine glued to the window taking in the rich and modern cultured building and street of London.
"It's fun this way" he mutters resuming his concentration back to his mobile.
"I'll drop you by the guest villa"
"Where are you off to?" Not taking his gaze off screen he asks. But the subtle twitch of his pinkie showed that he was very much interested to know about out plans.
"To Tate's"
"The museum?"
"Yes"
"I'll come" at that my head snaps in his direction. The car swivels a bit at my ruptured attention.
"What?" I ask again. Hoping it was his way of joking around. But then I realize it was Alex I was talking about. Like a magnet my vision picks over the reflection of Elaine and to my surprise I witnessed her burning holes at the back of Alexs head. And for a second it even scared me.
"I don't have anything better to do. So let's check out this lame place. And focus back, we are driving at the right side of road." With that said I gave up on the argument after I was ascertained that I can't throw him out of the car or vice versa.
I was indeed too much of a gentleman at times.
And I learned that hard way with thorns and slimey volcanos on top when Alex somehow made sure that even the most magnificent of masterpiece look like a local store rusty unsold entity. By that I mean_
"My little sister ashley does it better"
"The nose is way too crooked"
"Why the hell someone would want to see a giant spider sculpture again?"
By the end of our survey trip the guide was red with bottled up curses to the point of looking like a distraught pressure cooker.
And there was also an accidental way when Alex somehow made himself a home in between me and Elaine. He never budge from his position.
Not to forget the deep thoughtful frown with his fingers holding his chin up as he analysed a work before bluntly insulting it and looking at either of our directions to see if we agree.
But when Elaine brushed all his negative aura combined as she intently listened and admired them while inserting her own knowledge into the said descriptions, the guide was quite impressed. Facinated enough to not throw Alex out.
It baffled me at times when the curiosity of Elaine leads her to things so dark. She was well aware of few of the most gruesome historic events and present world conditions then most of us do. And yet she has the innocence of a child. The way she takes things literally when she's nervous or blushes so easily just amplifies my need to call her mine.
Once out Elaine left to get some hot dogs from the one of the numerous stalls out, shocked might I add when I mentioned that I've never have had a street food in my life. She muttered something along that my whole life was a lie. Then she geared up to give me a taste of what I was missing.
"Why are you doing this?" I ask him when she's out of ear shot. His blue eyes held an essence of amusement as he looked at me crossing his arms.
"Doing what?"
"You know what" I press it, running thin on patience as I watch him angle his gaze at me blankly before sighing.
"I am protecting you" he deadpans as I chuckle in disbelief. A wave of frustration passes through the air as I peek a glimpse at her as she lists her order to which the worker doubles over.
"You want to protect me from her?" Running a hand through my hair I sigh audibly.
"No. Not from her" with a twitch of his lips he discards my analogy as if it was stuporous in itself.
"Then who?" Thinning my mouth to stop the brewing questions as we both feel the shift of our conversation as Elaine walks back with three wraps and a box of fries.
"Thanks" I grin at her taking a bite which was surprisingly addicting.
"Welcome, and yeah merci for taking me to The Tate's. I had a great time" she smirks as I shake my head grinning wider, ignoring the way Alex coughed from behind us probably to ruin the moment.
But it got too much reaistic when his fits of it never ceased until he turned read in face. Frowing I watch him half run and half jog towards a nearby stall and grab a bottle of water, chugging it down as if his life depended on it.
"What's wrong with him?" I softly grumble to myself as Elaine snorts, a hint of naughtiness gleaming in her eyes as she tracked Alex who walked back in our direction. Glaring profoundly at the girl beside me who instead of cowering normally under such a hostile gaze like anyone would, sneakily smiled.
And then I joined her when it became quite clear as to what she has done.
"You did it on purpose didn't you?" He growls at her when she bats her lashes taking in a fry in to her mouth, I lost it.
Before she could prompt out an equally sarcastic response a choatic celebration of street entertainers juggled over the busy street with mascots raging from tigers and dragons to little kids dressed as cosplays of popular characters. The merry sound of gleeful music took over as bright lights bathed the mid evening, which was almost Turning dark.
It was like an early Chinese new year. Only that it was not.
Beaming unnaturally I encourage Elaine when one of the friendly panda mascot acknowledged her, tugging her wrist to join them in their fun. Few passerby contributed and hesitantly Elaine stepped in.
When the kids dressed as angels with wings circled her I found my heart race with something that wasn't possible for a fitness freak like me. When she giggled imitaing a small trail of human train with them rounding a dragon, I was at lost.
The flushed redness of happiness on her cheeks and the hue of innocence that she was, it was the sight of an angel.
Unconsciously my eyes diverted to Alex for a second, but it stayed glued to him as I watched him stare at Elaine. It wasn't just anyother way one would look at a person or a stranger. It was raw, intense and something that alarmingly mirrored mine. It was longing.
Then a ghost of a smile curved at the corner of his lips and it was then the realization dawned upon me like the cold bucket of water.
He never meant to protect me from Elaine. Because it was him he feared of.
Alex was never stable with emotions. He ended up much in more complicated mess, taking down with him the ones he wanted to protect the most.
And it wasn't obscure anymore. Everything had been right in front of me. His rage, his recklessness, his indifference and his jealousy.
He likes her.
It was sharp, it hurted to admit it inside. But it didn't took me an ounce of deception or doubt to decide between my best friend and Elaine.
She was the pusrest of light and he was the darkest abyss that would consume her as whole.
And he don't deserve her.
I take one last selfish glimpse of her as she twirled, before I think back to it again. This wise an octave more determined.
He don't deserve her.
But I do.
***