Chapter 17: The Slow Passing of Time

Chapter 17: The Slow Passing of Time

Kelby hummed quietly to her iPod, her body relaxed as she lay on the roof outside of her window. Even though she despised the song now filling her head, she kept it on repeat. Every word reminded her of Aaron and how much fun she’d had with him and she refused to forget it. She hadn’t spoken to him for nearly a month and still she could not get him out of her head. Opening her eyes, Kelby stared up at the stars, wondering if Aaron had moved on, found another girlfriend to torture with his effortless seduction. Kelby heaved a sigh, climbing to her feet and grabbing a branch to the tree outside her window, easily swinging back into her room. Grabbing her car keys off her desk, Kelby snuck out to the garage, starting her Camaro and pulling out of the driveway. She hoped her father hadn’t heard her leave, her eyes glancing at the dark window of his bedroom before she sped away to the place she could not keep out of her mind, the Von Erich Mansion, Aaron’s home.

Staring up at the dark mansion, Kelby shivered. She bit her lip, trying to decide if she wanted to get out of the warmth of her car and go up to the huge double doors. Instead of listening to her better reason she pushed the car door open, climbing out into the dark driveway. She scanned the front of the house, everything silent in and around the house. Taking a deep breath, she moved toward the door, her eyes on the upper floor windows.

Aaron felt his stomach tighten at the sight of Kelby shivering outside. He could feel his entire body reach out to her, his desire for her getting the better of him as he watched her, confused and cold in the front steps leading to the doors of his home. He stepped closer to the window, hoping to catch her attention. As if she’d heard his mind calling to her their eyes met, liquid emerald meeting dark chocolate. Aaron sucked in a breath as they shared only a second before Kelby turned on her heel, running back to her car and pulled away.

“No!” Aaron whispered, pressing his hand to the glass. He fell to his knees, furious that he’d startled her. “Kelby.”

XXX

“God, you’re such a coward!” Kelby cursed angrily to herself as she drove away, still shivering. “He was right there and you ran away!”

Pulling out a cigarette, Kelby lit it furiously; sucking in the nicotine that she knew would calm her nerves. She pulled into her driveway, turning the car off and just sat. Puffing the cigarette, she slammed her head back into the seat.

“How could you be so stupid,” she muttered, shoving her car door open and stomping on the half smoked cigarette. “He could have killed you.”

XXX

Aaron roared into the library, his strangled cry startling Chase who sat in his usual armchair by the window. The Elder prince jumped to his feet at the agonizing yell coming from his brother, curious about the sudden outburst.

“Aaron?” he asked cautiously as Aaron grabbed a pillow from another chair across the room, pressing it over his face and yelling into the fabric. “Isn’t that a bit childish?”

Aaron’s green eyes glared at Chase over the pillow as he slumped into the chair. Chase placed his hands on his hips, waiting for an explanation.

“She was here,” Aaron growled.

“What?”

“Kelby was here!” Aaron roared, throwing the pillow at his brother.

Chase caught it, nearly ripping it in half as he clutched it in both hands. “Did you say anything to her? What about Kira?”

“No, I said nothing. Kira was not with her either.” Aaron grumbled. “I must have startled her. She saw me in the window and ran away. She wanted to speak to me so much and she ran.”

Chase shook his head, resuming his seat in the armchair. His mind drifted to Kira, a pained expression contorting his face as he tried to find her. He had watched her from the shadows for nearly a month, furious that she’d decided to move forward with her life, accepting Bobby as her new boyfriend. He knew she was unhappy, her thoughts constantly wondering where he was right at that moment. No matter how much he desired to tell her he had been right there the entire time, he kept to the shadows, controlling his rage and jealousy knowing eventually she would come to her senses.

Aaron laughed, distracting Chase’s thoughts and he turned to glare at his brother.

“You’re such a hopeless romantic,” Aaron chuckled, receiving a pillow in the face courtesy of his brother.

“So are you, in your own way,” Chase replied before leaving the library, Aaron’s eyes glaring holes in the back of his head as the doors closed behind him.

XXX

Miserable. The one emotion Kira seemed to feel the most when she was with Bobby. No matter how much she forced herself to pretend that she liked him more than just a friend she never felt comfortable when she was with him. She knew Bobby was ecstatic that he finally had her, knew that he felt triumphant over Chase. But no matter how happy she knew she was making Bobby, she never felt the same. But she sucked it up and stayed with him, knowing it was safer than loving Chase.

Kira shifted her weight uncomfortably as she lay against Bobby trying not to disturb him as he watched Blade: Trinity. She had to laugh at the vampires in the movie, knowing Chase was nothing like them. A sharp pain took her heart at the thought of Chase, she missed him more and more every day. Bobby pressed his lips to her hair, squeezing her arm as she shifted her weight again, unable to stay comfortable. Just as she thought nothing would save her from the awkward night her cell phone rang. Instantly, Kira jumped off the couch, answering the call as she made her way into the hall.

“He—” she began but Kelby cut her off.

“Kira, I messed up.”

“W—okay? What happened?” Kira asked, breathless from surprise.

“I went to the mansion just to try and get my head straight, you know?” Kelby said, her voice shaking. “I saw him, I saw Aaron in the window and I freaked and left. I feel so stupid! I want to see him so bad, Kira! It’s been a month and I just—I can’t keep him out of my head!”

“I know,” Kira tried her best to sound soothing. “I know exactly how you feel, Kel.”

“I thought you were happy with Bobby?” Kelby sounded surprised.

“I fooled you too didn’t I,” Kira laughed, lowering her voice and glancing into the living room where Bobby sat waiting for her. “No, Kel, it’s not the same. I miss Chase’s cold skin, those huge hands… I’ll spare you the details but he just doesn’t compare. But you know we can’t see them. We could end up dead, Kelby.”

“But it doesn’t bother me, Kira! I don’t care that he’s a vampire anymore! He can suck my blood, ear me limb from limb as long as I get him in the end!”

The familiar ache began to seize Kira’s heart and she bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears. She knew exactly how Kelby felt and there was nothing they could do about it but move on.

“Kelby, please, just forget about it,” Kira pleaded, combing her hand through her hair anxiously. “They’ve probably moved on, so we should too. I mean, even if it’s not satisfying with Bobby all the time I still grin and bear it. We have to at least try. What about Mike?”

Kelby broke into sarcastic laughter, “I’m sorry, Kira, but I don’t think that will work out. We tried it once and it just didn’t...”

“Well try again; a new boyfriend might be the perfect distraction.”

Resigning, Kelby sighed, “Fine, we’ll see how it goes.”

“See, I bet you feel better already,” Kira smiled, trying to keep the agony from her voice.

“A little bit yeah,” Kelby admitted. “Thanks, Kir.”

“No problem, I’ll see you later.”

Kelby agreed and they said their goodbye’s, Kira frowning as she stuffed the phone back into her pocket. She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly before forcing a satisfied smile onto her face and returning to Bobby. He opened his arms for her and she snuggled up to him, kissing him gently before resting her head on his chest. Before she knew it she was asleep listening to Bobby’s breathing.

XXX

Kira awoke the next morning to birds chirping and a hard chest under her ear. She sat up quickly, glancing down to see Bobby asleep, his shirt ruffled where her head had been. Smiling, she eased herself off the couch, placing a kiss on his warm lips as she shouldered her backpack and inched toward the door. Bobby let out a groan, grabbing her arm before she could escape, his eyes flickering open.

“Hey,” Kira forced herself to smile at his sleep-filled eyes.

“Hey,” Bobby tugged her arm, pulling her back to him so she sat on his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her lightly. “Where are you headed?”

“Home to shower and change and then I’m going to spend the day trying to play matchmaker with Kelby and Mike,” Kira informed him.

“Is there room for one more?” he asked, nidging her playfully.

Kira had to fight to keep the grimace from her face. Bobby refused to leave her alone in public for more than ten minutes and it had begun to get on her nerves. Instead of complaining, Kira nodded, “There’s always room for one more. We’re meeting up at the park around one, I’ll see you there.”

Kira pushed herself off Bobby’ knee, readjusting her backpack. He watched her disappear from view, the front door closing with a snap as she left the house. Heaving a sigh, Bobby got to his feet, he knew Kira felt smothered by his constant presence, he could see it in her eyes but he knew if he left her alone he would lose her to Chase. Shaking his head, he made his way upstairs his thoughts straying to the two vampire’s he had declared war on the moment they interrupted Kira and Kelby’s lives.

XXX

“Why is Bobby coming?” Kelby questioned again as Kira helped her curl her hair, outfits strewn over nearly every surface in Kelby’s bedroom.

Sighing, Kira rolled her eyes, “Because he thinks I’ll go running off to Chase if he leaves me alone.”

Kelby growned, her chocolate eyes annoyed, “You know, I love the kid, but lately he’s just been so overbearing.”

“Tell me about it,” Kira mumbled, sticking a bobby-pin in Kelby’s curls to keep the strands out of her face. “There, all done, you look beautiful.”

“Have you ever considered being a stylist?” Kelby admired her figure in the mirror. She whirled around in the black dress Kira had chosen for her, the fabric decorated with small cherries, a matching choker around Kelby’s neck.

“I aspire to write, Kel,” Kira reminded her, glancing over her meager appearance behind her dazzling friend.

“Well, I think it’s your turn for a little makeover,” Kelby grinned, rooting around in her closet while Kira waited in the middle of the bathroom, her arms folded over her chest.

“I made this a couple weeks ago. It looks a lot better than those unflattering t-shirts you wear,” Kelby said, her voice muffled as she dug around the top of her closet. “Ah! Here you go,” she pulled out a neatly wrapped box, the paper decorated with WWE symbols.

Kira studied the box, curiosity in her eyes as she weighed it in her hands. “You really didn’t have to make anything for me, Kel. I’m not that special.”

“Just open it!” Kelby ushered her and Kira groaned, ripping the paper off and pulling the box open.

“Oh wow,” Kira pulled out a black halter dress, Batista’s “B” sewed onto the left breast, his sun tattoo enlarged on the back. The skirt flared out, stopping just above Kira’s knees. “Thanks Kel, it’s amazing.”

“I knew you’d love it!” she beamed. “I just wanted to thank you for being there for me. I’m glad the measurements aren’t too far off.. I had to go from memory, but I’m glad you like it.”

Kira grinned, not shy about changing in front of her best friend. She practiacally jumped out of her clothes, pulling the dress on to admire it in the mirror.

“It brings out those curves,” Kelby poked her in the sides and Kira jumped, her cheeks flushing red. “I bet if Chase were still around he’d be drooling.”

The smile disappeared from Kira’s face and she bowed her head, “Yeah, if only he were still around.”

Kelby quickly realized her mistake and out on a peppy attitude, mocking the cheerleaders in tier high school. “But! On the bright side, you have Bobby to absolutely ogle over you now!”

“Yeah,” Kira sighed, glancing out the bathroom window. “WooHoo.”

Before Kelby could say more someone knocked on her bedroom door and both girls jumped, peeking their heads around the frame. Bobby and Mike stood in the middle of the messy room, Mike with his hands in his pockets looking slightly uncomfortable while Bobby looked right at home.

“You two ready?”

“Uh, yeah, we’ll meet you in the car,” Kira nodded, grabbing her purse and shoving Kelby’s into her hands. She waited for the boys to leave before stepping out from behind the doorway, pulling her hair out of the ponytail and running her fingers through the tangles. “Let’s go before we get into trouble.”

XXX

Chase growled as he followed Kelby’s Camaro to the park across from Silent Hill High. Bobby would not keep his hands off Kira and her discomfort made him even angrier. He watched as they lounged under a large oak tree by the playground and frowned when Bobby pressed his lips to Kira’s forehead for the thousandth time. He smirked, coming up with a plan and pulled out his rarely used cell phone. He dialed the only number he knew and waited, crouching behind the tree as the other line rang.

XXX

Kira jumped at the feel of her cell phone vibrate in her purse. She pulled it out, confused at the private number on the screen. She shrugged, connecting the call, pulling away from Bobby to gain a little separation.

“Kira Snipes, speaking.”

“Kira,” that familiar, soothing deep voice greeted her ears and, had she been standing, she would have lost her footing.

“Chase?” she gasped, Bobby’s eyes instantly snapping to her face, his hand tightening around hers. “Why are you calling me?”

“I need to see you,” he said almost desperately. “This may sound pathetic, but I can’t get you out of my head.”

Kira bit her lip, afraid to admit anything while Bobby listened to every word of her conversation. She tried to yank her arm away but he held fast, his eyes locked with hers. “Chase, I really can’t talk right now. I’m sorry.”

“I know, Bobby won’t let you alone. He’s smothering you because he’s afraid of losing you. His thoughts are so frustrating, Kira. I’m here, in the park. Meet me behind the bathrooms, there’s an exit out the back of the womens’ room, I’ll open it for you.”

“Fine,” Kira resigned, trying to ignore the soaring feeling in her stomach. “Goodbye, Chase.”

Bobby jumped on her the second she disconnected the call, his questions coming a mile a minute. “That was Chase? What did he want? Is he here?”

The annoyance Kira had kept pent up for a month finally boiled to the surface. She refused to hold it in any longer and felt horrible for unleashing it with Kelby and Mike watching, but she could not take it anymore. Jumping to her feet, Kira ripped her arm from Bobby’s grip, her entire body shaking with anger.

“Bobby! I’m so tired of your constant presence, your nagging, your questions. PLEASE, just leave me alone. Your insecurities are KILLING me and I really can’t take it anymore. I’m sorry, but I can’t keep pretending that I’m satisfied with you, because I’m not. I’m sick of you! Now please excuse me while I use the bathroom, somewhere you can’t follow!”

Bobby gaped at her as she stomped off toward the bathrooms, her long hair blowing in the breeze. Kelby stared in amazement, shocked that Kira could come up with such rage for such a calm, collected person. She excused herself from the boys and followed her friend, hoping she had a good reason for her outburst.

XXX

A/N: Hey there everyone, thanks for reading. Although this chapter is a bit long.. I feel like it’s dragging. This story is, sadly, coming to a close, however, if it ends how we planned, there will be a sequel in order. Both Jess and I hope you enjoyed this installment.

Until next time!

Serephena and Juggalette Jess