Chapter Twenty Five-"Do I have you there for me too?"

~Dedicated to jealous boys~

Chapter Twenty Five-"Do I have you there for me too?"

I was panicking big time while I hid in a cubicle of a toilet. Sure maybe I was overreacting by running into the toilet and locking myself in because I found about my father being Amanda’s father too, but hey I was just an almost eighteen year old girl who was still dealing with the affections of a boy so sue me if I felt like running out of that restaurant screaming like a mad banshee woman and never to return.

Yes I Vivienne Lanter was finally having a mental breakdown over meeting her father for the very first time. Did I really want to meet Edward Williams, the man who had left my mother after learning she was pregnant with me and then he went and had another daughter who was almost the same age as me; could I handle having a man who was absent for so long in my life suddenly enter it now after meeting Jeff and the way he treats Holly?

I bit my lower lip as I stared at the white door in front of me. God this cubicle was small. How did people even pee in here without feeling claustrophobic or scared that they’d get trapped in here forever because I mean how often did you clean a toilet in a restaurant? Sucking in a deep breath, I mentally counted to ten before I decided that I was going to face my fears like a brave girl I should have been a long time ago.

Then as I stood up, I decided against my plan and plonked right back onto the toilet seat and sighed. There was no way I was going out of this cubicle to face Amanda and Edward. Could I ever call him dad? The word sounded so foreign to me, just like the thought of me being a confident blonde who didn’t get bullied for wearing glasses and being a nerd occasionally. I didn’t want to meet my father in the restaurant owned by my best friend’s father.

Oh God, what was I going to tell Juliet? She knew about my father problems but she didn’t know anything about the letter or the meeting. Since when had my life gotten this complicated? Well that’s an obvious Viv. Does making a deal with Sean ring a bell? Don’t be a retard now, you know full well that popularity isn’t the best of things but of course you traded tuitions happily to get back at Matt and now look at you. You’re locked in a cubicle and contemplating eating toilet roll because let’s face it, you’re starving.

“Lanter, you’re in here?”

I snapped out of my thoughts at Sean’s familiar voice and sucked in a breath as I opened the cubicle door a crack and peeped out. Sean had entered the restrooms looking around a bit embarrassed as he checked through the first door. I couldn’t help the small smile that took over my lips as the thought of bad boy Sean Gregory who wore leather jackets and combat boots, looking for me in a dainty looking restroom which I was afraid of living in for the rest of my sad life.

Sean turned away from the first door then spotted me. He raised an eyebrow at me before asking, “Seriously, you’re really going to stay there forever?”

“Maybe,” I replied, “or maybe I’m just going to sneak out the window.”

Sean approached me and after a few minutes of struggling between the both of us, as we fought over who had control over the door, Sean won. He pulled it open and waited patiently but after a few minutes, he realised that I wasn’t going to budge from my spot. Crossing his arms, Sean came to stand directly in front of the door, blocking my way out to the window where my escape lay.

“Okay Lanter, what’s the big deal?” Sean asked.

I squirmed under his gaze then cast my eyes downwards at my shoes then back up at Sean as I answered softly, “That man outside…Amanda’s father…”

“Edward?” Sean prompted.

I nodded then felt my eyes sting slightly as I replied, “Edward is…uh…he’s my father too…”

After a few seconds of silence, I looked up to check if Sean was still there. He had a shocked expression in his eyes then slowly he regained his composure and scanned my face with concern lining his features. I bit my lip again and glanced down at my fingers which were nervously fiddling with the hem of my shirt.

“I didn’t know,” Sean breathed out, cupping my face in his hands.

I swallowed a lump then replied, “Does Amanda know?”

Sean shook his head as he spoke, “I don’t think they do. Amanda just thinks you’re sick and so does Jules.”

I nodded as I continued, “I’m scared Sean, I want to go home. This was a bad idea. I shouldn’t have agreed to meet him.”

Sean dropped his hands to mine as he tugged me out of the cubicle. I looked at the mirror and found that my blue eyes were worried and filling quickly with unshed tears. My mouth was fixed into a permanent frown and my hair looked a mess from me running my fingers non-stop through it. I bit my lower lip again and realised that I portrayed the look of a worried teenager about to mess up her life.

“Relax Lanter, it’ll be fine,” Sean soothed, “If you don’t want to meet him then you just tell me and I’ll take you and Holly home.”

I looked up at Sean and found sincerity filled in his eyes making my insides warm up. Squeezing my hands in his, Sean pulled me into a warm hug. For a while I just let my head rest against his solid body, feeling just for that moment, my worries melting away and that nothing could touch me with Sean’s strong arms around me. I felt protected and safe from anything bad out in the world ready to get me.

“You know when I learnt about my mother, I was scared too,” Sean finally broke the silence.

I pulled away slightly and stared up at his face which was devoid of any emotion. His arms tightened around me as he continued, “She had an affair.”

“That’s terrible,” I whispered, not mentioning that Lily had already mentioned the story to me.

Sean shrugged, “No, what was terrible was the guy she left us for.”

A quick flash of anger flashed through Sean’s hazel eyes before it was gone. I felt my heart clenching as I felt his pain. His mother left them just like my father left my mother and I. We were in the same boat, but unlike Sean, my father was trying to make amends. He wanted to meet me and make a change. He was trying and the least that I could do was try as well. I didn’t have to hide in a toilet; I just needed to man up and deal with my life.

My hand reached out and brushed Sean’s cheek and I gave him a small smile, “It doesn’t matter, you still have your father and Lily for you.”

I felt Sean still under my touch before he leaned into my hand and smirked slightly, “And what about you Lanter?”

“What about me,” I asked dazedly, my senses slowly losing themselves in his eyes.

“Do I have you there for me too?” Sean breathed out.

My lips quirked upwards into a warm smile as I answered, “Of course you do.”

Sean pulled me into a tighter hug and it was the catalyst that started my heart racing and my breathing to quicken. I could feel the goosebumps along my skin and the butterflies that were invading my stomach in swarms. I bit my lower lip, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks as my eyes fell onto Sean’s lips which looked so inviting and alluring-

“Uh,” Sean spoke, breaking away from the hug, “maybe we should go out now?”

It was stupid, I know, but I couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed. Since when did Sean Gregory back away from a kissing moment? He must have noticed my look because he replied, “Don’t worry, straight after this we’ll talk.”

By talk did he mean kiss or talk?

“This is unbelievable,” Amanda breathed out, staring at me then back to Edward, our father.

I sat nervously in the seat opposite of Amanda, who was seated next to Edward. I could see the similarities between them. They both shared the dark brunette hair and green eyes that were a little darker than a forest. But that’s where the similarities stopped. Edward’s face was stronger, his nose more rounded than Amanda’s longer and angular face. I fiddled with my fingers nervously under the table as I watched Amanda’s face turn from shock to confusion.

“But that would mean…” Amanda continued, “…that you and mum got together after Vivienne’s mother and you?”

“Well Mandy,” Edward began but didn’t get to finish because Amanda cut him off.

“You’re such a pig,” Amanda spat, “you left Vivienne’s mother alone but you could stay for mum instead?”

My jaw fell to the ground. My eyes widened and I couldn’t help but stare at Amanda in a new light. She was actually blaming her father and not me? I watched as Amanda smoothed down her dark hair and cast a glance to me, her eyes filled with an apologetic look as she forced a smile to her lips. Standing up, she said a brusque goodbye and left the restaurant where Sean ran after her. Once again, I fought the feeling of jealousy away and looked back to Edward who was now looking down at Holly who sat next to Toby and Juliet at another table.

“You must forgive Mandy,” Edward finally spoke, “she’s just upset.”

I nodded, finding my voice, “It’s okay.”

Edward finally looked at me and gave me a sad smile, “Look at you Vivienne,” he breathed, “I’m finally meeting you.”

I cast another look in Holly’s direction and found Juliet giving me a worried look to which I ignored. I shouldn’t be relying on Juliet right now. This was my own battle and I needed to overcome it whether I wanted to or not. I mean, after all, this was just a silly meeting, not some family get-together. I licked my lips and replied as cheerfully as I could.

“And I’m meeting my father,” I spoke.

Edward smiled warmly as he took in my appearance, “You look exactly like your mother did when she was eighteen.”

I leaned forward, feeling my curiosity heighten, “I’m seventeen, but mum looked like me?” I asked, “She had blonde hair?”

“Well, she had red and blonde hair because your grandparents wouldn’t let her dye it black, so instead she got it bleached,” Edward chortled.

A smile took hold of my lips as I imagined my mother as a rebel and dying her hair all sorts of colours when she was young. I couldn’t help but relax finally, this man, my father wasn’t some monster who ate little children up. He was just a man like any other man was. He was a father and seemed to genuinely care about Amanda and meeting me. If he was going to try and make this work, then I was going to too.

“How did you two meet?” I asked.

Edward smiled as he looked thoughtful and answered, “It was in a café and your mother was working there as a waitress. I was sitting at a table where I could catch her eye and then as she approached me, she tripped and spilt coffee all over my shirt.”

I laughed, “Sounds like me.”

“Why, do you trip a lot too?” Edward asked.

Sighing I replied, “I’m the queen of klutz.”

He smiled then and then finally asked, “Is that your sister?”

I glanced at Holly who Edward looked at and then back at me. I smiled at the little girl who was talking animatedly to Toby who was grinning like a lovesick puppy as he nodded. Then looking back at Edward, I replied, “Well technically no, she isn’t my sister. Figuratively, she’s the sister I’ve always wanted and soon to be real sister.”

“Soon to be,” Edward asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Mum’s getting married to Jeff, Holly’s father after Prom,” I replied.

“Oh,” Edward replied, “I didn’t know that.”

I shrugged, “It sort of sprung on us, but mum was happy.”

“Are you happy about it,” Edward questioned, scanning my face.

I nodded, smiling as I responded, “Yeah I’m happy. Jeff’s a nice guy and he makes mum happy, which makes me happy.”

“You know Vivienne, you’re really growing up to be a wonderful young lady,” Edward commented, “it’s a shame that I’ve missed out on your life for this long.”

There was a moment of silence between us and I realised that this was his way of asking me permission if he could be a part of my life now. Did I want him to be in my life? This man, who so clearly was being nice and asking the right questions, because he really seemed to care. I licked my lips and glanced outside the restaurant where a cab had pulled up and Amanda got in. Sean waved goodbye as she drove off and I turned to look back at Edward who was waiting patiently for my answer.

“You can still be a part of my life now,” I replied finally.

Edward smiled and took one of my free hands in his as he spoke, “You’ve made me a very happy man Vivienne.”

I opened my mouth to reply when Sean suddenly walked in and spoke to Edward in his polite tone, I heard him use with my mother, “Amanda’s gone back to my house. I called Lil and she’s going to stay with her.”

Edward sighed then smiled at Sean, “Thanks, I appreciate that Sean.”

Sean shrugged then cast a glance at me before speaking, “It’s no problem.”

Standing up, Edward smiled apologetically to me as he spoke, “I would love to spend more time with you Vivienne, but I really must go and speak with Amanda.”

“It’s okay,” I replied, standing up as well.

“We’ll talk again soon,” Edward replied, and then pulled me into an unexpected hug.

With that, he walked away, leaving me alone with Sean who was giving me a look which screamed ‘tell me’. I sighed and smiled at him as I spoke, “It wasn’t bad.”

“And that’s it?” Sean asked in disbelief.

“Fine, it was better than I hoped it would be,” I replied, “he was nice and funny.”

Sean grinned, “And this is coming from the girl who locked herself in a toilet?”

I scoffed, “I panicked.”

Sean rolled his eyes in amusement, “That’s an understatement.”

“Whatever,” I replied, “I guess I’ll just get Holly and go home now. It’s been a stressful day.”

“Wait, I can give you a ride home and besides, I told you,” Sean said with a smirk, “we would talk after this.”

“I like your car Sean,” Holly said cheerfully as she sat in the back seat.

Sean smiled at Holly as he replied, “Thank you Holly, you’re a very sweet girl.”

I caught Holly blushing as she answered, “My daddy says that too.”

“Because it must be true,” Sean replied.

I rolled my eyes in amusement as Holly clearly seemed to have developed a crush on Sean. Giggling to herself, Holly continued, “And you have nice hair.”

Sean threw me an amused look before he spoke, “And your hair is very pretty.”

Holly touched her hair, speaking, “Toby says it looked like spaghetti.”

“Toby’s a boy,” I cut in, “they’re always saying things like that.”

Sean shrugged, “I don’t know, I think Toby has a crush on you Holly.”

Holly’s eyes widened as she asked, “Really?”

Sean grinned, “Yeah he does, which guy wouldn’t?”

“Stop flirting with her Sean,” I interrupted, “she’s only five.”

Holly giggled then asked, “Is Sean your boyfriend Vivienne?”

I almost choked on my own spit as Sean began to laugh nervously. After recovering from the shock of Holly’s question I replied, “No he isn’t my boyfriend Holly. Why would you even ask that?”

“Because silly,” Holly replied easily, “you keep smiling at each other and daddy and our mummy always smile at each other.”

A blush rose to my cheeks and I was glad that we had reached my house. There was no way I was answering Holly or going to be able to face Sean for a while. Instantly I hopped out of the car, eager to get away as fast as possible. I helped Holly out of the car and watched as she ran into the house happily. I decided to make a dash after Holly, but was stopped when Sean came to stand in front of me.

“I said we’d talk, didn’t I?” Sean asked.

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

“Do you want to go in or-”

Sean was cut off by the sound of a hooter. I glanced towards the driveway and spotted Dave driving up to the house. I frowned. Why was Dave here? He hadn’t said anything about wanting to see me or anything. Suddenly I felt panic build up in my chest. What if he was here because he wanted to break up with me and tell me that him being with me was just a waste of his time?

Dave got out of his car and I heard Sean mumbling something under his breath before he leaned against his car, watching Dave with a cold, expressionless look. I swallowed, feeling the tension between both boys who were eyeing each other conspicuously. Dave turned to me with a smile but I noticed that it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Viv,” he greeted.

I smiled slightly, feeling Sean stiffen next to me as I greeted, “Dave hi, what are you doing here?”

Dave faked a pout, “What, I can’t see my girlfriend now?”

“No, of course not,” I replied.

Dave grinned then, before he leaned down and placed a quick kiss on my lips as he spoke, “Good, because I came to ask you on a date.”

I smiled, even though I heard Sean snorting, “A date?”

“Yeah,” Dave replied, and then added a little louder, “the things guys do with their girlfriends.”

Noticing Sean finally standing up straighter and throwing a death glare at Dave, I replied hurriedly, “Yeah sure, that sounds great. I’d love to stay and chat but uh, you know busy, busy, busy inside so like bye Dave.”

I turned away and gave Sean a smile, “Bye Sean, see you guys at school.”

Instead of getting into his car straight away, Sean pulled me into a hug and replied in a smug tone, “Bye Lanter, see you later.”

I could feel Dave’s eyes on us and pulled away as quickly as I could, but with the smirk on Sean’s face, I realised that it was just a matter of seconds before either one of them lunged at each other’s throats. So I did the most sane thing I could. I dragged Sean to the driver’s seat and pushed him in with a forced wide smile as I waved at Dave and said goodbye again to Sean who just gave me a look which screamed ‘crazy’.

“Well then goodbye you two,” I said, “I’m going to uhm, pluck my toe hair now,” and with that I bolted into my house.

A/N Hey Geeklings :) It's been another week long wait and I hope you've all survived. The banner to the side was basically the image I got in my head while writing about Dave and Sean sort of fighting over Viv =P So enough chit-chat, what did you guys think? Was it too boring and uneventful? Should there be more smooching between Viv and Sean? Do you think Amanda plucks her toe hairs too? Talk to me Geeklings! :) Remember to vote, comment and spread the word!

Have a splendid Saturday :))

xoxo

Mona-Mae