BACK TO DAISY'S POV
*****
My mother used to be normal.
You know, the type of mother that reads to you until you fall asleep, ties your hair into cute little pigtails, buys you a new doll when you're on good behavior. She had never been the affectionate type to shower me in hugs and kisses, but still, she cared for me.
"What changed?" Elias quietly asked after I explained this to him, rubbing a soothing circle on my leg.
"As I grew older, her need to protect me became toxic. I don't think she even realizes it, but a lot of the things that she did to me were messed up. For example, when I was younger, my mom had this punishment she often used on me, called The Closet. If I did something wrongâaccidentally broke a glass cup, got in trouble at school, lied about eating an extra cookieâshe'd lock me in a closet for hours at a time. There were a few times she'd forget about me, and I wasn't let out until the next day. I have severe claustrophobia because of it."
Elias looked stunned, before his face morphed into an expression of guilt. "Daisy, I'm so sorry."
"Sorry? You didn't do anything," I looked at him strangely.
He shook his head. "When the guys and I first met you, we thought it'd be funny to lock you in the janitor's closet, and you were stuck in there overnight. I can't even imagine what that must've been like for you. Fuck, the way we treated you, the things I've said..."
Elias rummaged a hand through his tousled hair in frustration. I grabbed his hand and peered at him sincerely. "I've long since forgiven you guys."
"Doesn't make it okay," he appeared angry with himself.
"Of course not, but don't beat yourself up about it, Ellie. It's water under the bridge."
"I don't know how you do it," he admitted, peering at me with something akin to admiration. "I mean, you've got every excuse in the world to be a horrible person. Yet, even when people mistreat you, like that moron Anthony Miller did, you still remain so forgiving."
"I'm not as nice as you think," I sadly spoke. Before he could overthink my words, I cleared my throat and continued. "Anyways, I think it's just easier to forgive and forget, than play the blame game and hold grudges. It's what my mother's been doing to me, and look how much it's damaged our relationship."
"I don't get it, though. What does your mother blame you for?"
"My father's death."
Elias paused, furrowing his eyebrows in thought. "He died of a car crash, right?"
I froze, after realizing I was being caught in my own lie. "Yes, I guess I did say that."
"So, how could that possibly be your fault?" Elias asked, eyes intently boring into mine.
"Forget it. I've said too much," I jumped up from the stairs.
Elias was perplexed by my abrupt change in demeanor. I could practically see the gears shifting in his head. Attempting to distract myself, I approached the pile of broken beer bottles in the hallway, which my mother had thrown onto the floor in her drunken haze. Elias followed after me.
"What are you doing?" Elias demanded, a mix of anger and concern.
"What's it look like? I'm cleaning up after my mother's mess like I always do," I snapped back.
"Stop it, you're gonna hurt yourself," he sharply ordered.
It was too late. I hissed in pain as a shard of broken glass suddenly sliced my palm. I expected Elias to gloatâperhaps cast me his infamous smirk and say, I told you so. However, he immediately crouched down and inspected my hand with worry.
"Let me see," he said.
"I'm okay," I unconvincingly replied, while wincing at the piercing pain I felt.
"No, you're not. Stop pretending like you're always okay, D. You don't have to lie. Not to me." he said, voice stern yet soft. "You cut yourself deep. Have you got a first-aid kit?"
I slowly shook my head, which did not deter him.
"No worries, I've got one at my house. Let's go."
"WhâYou're being dramatic!" I exclaimed, "it's just a cut."
Elias stared at me blankly. "My car is parked out front. If I speed, we can make it to my house in five. Let's. Go."
Sensing he wasn't going to budge on this one, I huffed and followed after Elias.
*****
There was an ongoing tense silence between Elias and me. We were on the upstairs floor of his grand house, in one of the many bathrooms. I was perched atop the quartz countertop, meanwhile he stood in between my legs as he cleaned up my wound.
His eyebrows were furrowed together and his lips were slightly parted in concentration. I peered at his face in wonder. No one had ever been this attentive and caring towards me. While I'd initially been dismayed by his insistence on helping me, I began to realize that I actually liked it.
Or rather, you like him.
"Shut up," I whispered to my intrusive thoughts.
"What?" Elias murmured, distracted.
He briefly flickered his eyes over my face.
"Nothing," I quickly looked away, afraid he'd somehow be able to read my mind. "You must be used to thisâtaking care of wounds, that is."
"Yes, it's almost like I'm a boxer," he sarcastically hummed.
I rolled my eyes at his sassiness.
Just then, my eyes caught sight of a thin cut on his sharp jawline. Before I could stop myself, I used my free hand to gently trace the cut. He froze at my touch and sharply inhaled.
"Does it hurt?" I asked.
"Nah," he smirked after a moment, "you should've seen the other guy."
My lips twitched into a smile and I dropped my hand from his face. Meanwhile, Elias finished securing the bandage on my injured hand.
"All done," he cleared his throat, stepping away from me.
"Thanks," I muttered, before deciding to address the elephant in the room. "Sorry if I was acting weird earlier. It just gets hard to talk about my dad. I'm sure you relateây'know, dead father and all."
"Yeah, for sure," Elias coughed and scratched the back of his head.
Suddenly, it was as if he could not bear to look at my face, as his eyes anxiously darted around the bathroom. A feeling of dejection engulfed me.
"Wow, you can't even look at me," I whispered in disappointment, jumping off the counter and heading for the door.
"What? No," Elias growled and grabbed my wrist, swiveling me around.
I gasped as my small frame collided into his muscular figure.
"Wh-Why won't you look at me?" I questioned weakly. "You're judging me, aren't you? You think I'm crazy, just like everyone else does."
"Stop jumping to conclusions! I swear to you, D, that's not true." Elias raised his voice in frustration, placing his calloused hands around my jaw. As if he could sense my doubt, he desperately asked, "what can I do to make you believe me?"
I nearly melted into his touch. I suddenly took note of how close we were standing as we intensely stared at each other. But still, I wantedâno, I needed him closer.
My eyes wandered over to Elias' soft, pink lips, and I subconsciously began to wonder what they would feel like on mine.
"The other day," my voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, "you made a deal with me; if I made the cheerleading team, you'd owe me something."
Elias took a step towards me. A warm heat emanated off his tall body. I gasped as he suddenly placed his hands on my waist and tugged me even closer.
"A deal's a deal," he huskily agreed, "so tell me what you want, D. I'll do anything."
We were so close that I could feel his cool, minty breath fan my face. Goosebumps began to arise on my arms as I looked up into his dark brown eyes which were burning in desire. Then, I said the words that sealed my fate.
"Kiss me."
And kiss he did.
Without a word, Elias bowed his head and smashed his lips against mine, capturing me into a searing kiss. His tongue darted between my lips, tasting me, exploring my mouth as he held me tightly against him. My hands grasped at his shirt as he deepened the kiss. It was as if the world around us disappeared, and there was only the two of us, lost in the heat of our passion.
We stumbled backwards, and I collided into the bathroom counter. My legs had practically turned into jelly. Without breaking the kiss, Elias shoved the first aid kit onto the ground to make room for me. He then swiftly hoisted me up onto the counter as though I weighed nothing, eliciting a plethora of butterflies in my stomach.
"Elias," I softly groaned against his lips, my hands tangled in his unruly hair.
"Don't say my name like that," he pulled away, eyes darker than usual, "you don't know what it does to me."
I giggled as he began to pepper sensual kisses along my jaw, down my neck, across my collarboneâ
"Elias, open the door! I have to go pee pee!"
Startled, we rapidly tore away as if we had both caught fire. The two of us were breathless, our bodies buzzing with electricity as we struggled to compose ourselves.
"Yeah, coming," Elias panted, licking his now swollen lips.
I jumped off the counter while fretfully adjusting my shirt. Meanwhile, Elias swung the bathroom door open, revealing an innocent-looking Rocky standing in the doorway. He was clad in Spider-Man pyjamas and was holding a stuffed animal. Hardly even glancing at us, Rocky went straight for the toilet.
"Rocky, there are like a million other bathrooms in this house," Elias slowly spoke.
"So?" the eight-year old sassily retorted. Clearly, sass was a running trait in the family.
"So, why'd you have to come use the one I'm in?" Elias asked, voice laced in irritation.
"Because this is the closest one to my room! If I don't pee right now, I'm gonna explode," Rocky dramatically emphasized, hastily pulling down his pants.
"Gross, what'd I tell you about using the toilet when other people are in here? No one wants to see all that," Elias grimaced.
As if he'd only just realized I was standing there, Rocky innocently smiled at me. "Oh, yeah. Hi, Daisy."
"Hi, Rocky. Bye, Rocky," I chuckled as Elias swiftly tugged me out of the washroom, closing the door behind us.
The pair of us now stood in the dark, empty hallway. Elias looked down at me, his eyes shadowed with a hunger-like tint. My breath was hitched as I stared at his attractive features, which were only sharpened by the dim lighting. I was still reeling over the breathtaking moment we'd just shared. Moreover, I needed him to stop looking at me like that, otherwise I was afraid I was going to pounce on him.
Thankfully, Elias cleared his throat and took a step backwards. "I didn't imagine us sharing our first kiss in my cluttered bathroom, only to be interrupted by my kid brother."
I laughed before slowly realizing something. "Wait, you've imagined us kissing?"
"Of course I have," Elias unabashedly said, "I've wanted you for so long, Daisy."
I could hardly believe my ears.
"What? What do you mean?" I dumbly asked, mouth agape.
"Don't act all shocked, D," Elias said, despite the fact that I was not acting. "For months, I've had these unfamiliar feelings for youâfeelings I've never felt for anyone. I tried to push you away... act like I don't care... but I can't deny this anymore. I like you, Daisy."
"Why?" I desperately questioned, searching his eyes. "Why would you push me away, Ellie?"
"Because I was scared," Elias admitted, earnestly clutching onto my hands. "I was scared of how much I wanted you, how much I needed you. I didn't know how to handle those feelings, so I tried to fight them. Yet still, no matter how much I tried not to, I couldn't stop thinking about you. Please, Daisy, say something. I know I'm not the only one who feels it."
My brown eyes widened in shock. I needed someone to pinch me right now, to confirm that this was real life.
Attempting to process what Elias had just told me, I dropped our hands and took a step backwards. His face contorted into one of pain.
"I like you too, Ellie," I said, voice barely above a whisper. "I've been so afraid to admit it, even to myself, but I can't deny how I feel when I'm around you. You drive me crazy, and that kiss just now... it was like fireworks went off inside me."
Elias' face broke out into a pure and joyful smile. It was such a stark contrast to the usual scowl he bore. Without warning, he picked me up and began to spin around. I squealed as a feeling of pure bliss enveloped me, and I knew that this was just the beginning of a fiery passion which would consume us both.
Unfortunately, fire often results in complete catastrophe.
*****
QOTD: would you rather have no eyelashes or no eyebrows?
AOTD: no eyelashes
So much progress was made in this chapter! I rewrote this chapter like a million times, I really hope you guys enjoyed. Please don't forget to press the little star at the bottom and leave me a vote!
Love, Emmanuela
04/12/2023