Hi guys :) So this chapter was requested by two readers who wanted the last chapter from Will's POV :) I hope you enjoy it ;) The next chapter will be posted shortly. BTW, this chapter contains Incident hints, heehee ;)
Anyway, the dedication today is to someone who votes and provides intelligent comments that I love responding to ;) I'm glad you're reading this book and I hope my writing doesn't disappoint you in the future :)
*Geek Boy*
My breath caught the moment my gaze latched onto Ellie Kent.
Her golden hair spilled down her shoulders and past her waist in perfect ringlets. She wore a white tank top over a high waisted red skirt that stopped mid-thigh. Above that she wore an adorable leather jacket that made her look like every bit of the miracle she was.
She was beautiful.
Her eyes widened slightly as she looked at me.
Warmth flooded my chest.
Just...wow.
"Hey," I said, my voice slightly breathless.
Her face warmed. "H-hi," she stuttered.
She was so adorable.
I smothered a chuckle.
I couldn't believe she was here. With me.
"Come in?" I offered.
Tentatively, I took her cheer bag. Then I intertwined my fingers with hers. That familiar jolt of electricity ran up my arm, speeding up my heartbeat. Her fingers were so small and delicate, fitting perfectly in mine.
I tugged at her fingers gently, gazing at her from beneath my lashes to see her reaction.
I never wanted to force her to do anything, even if it was just walking into my house. I wanted her to make the choice.
She stepped in front of me and I inhaled sharply. That familiar scent of fruits danced through the air.
Goodness, she even smelt beautiful.
I reached an arm behind her, shutting the front door.
Reluctantly, I peeled my eyes off of her face as I turned to lead her into the kitchen.
The entire time my heart pounded in my chest, echoing in my skull. Memories of yesterday flooded my mind, making it hard to breathe.
It didn't help that I could feel Ellie's gaze sending prickles of electricity down my spine.
Breathe, Will, just breathe.
Tutoring. You're tutoring her today.
I'd already prepared all the textbooks we needed for today. I'd spent most of last night planning out what I'd be teaching her. From the first tutoring session I'd been able to grasp where Ellie was in her understanding of calculus.
I placed Ellie's bag on the couch nearest the door before leading her towards the kitchen island.
"We should work on chapter 3 today, since you struggle with differentiation," I said.
I led Ellie to a high stool, smiling as she hopped onto it. The slightest blush touched her cheeks and I was struck with the overwhelming urge to reach out and caress her face.
Wow.
Reluctantly, I released her hand. My fingers felt instantly vacant.
I walked around the island, sitting opposite her. Any closer and I might not be able to remember what Calculus was, let alone how to teach it.
I peeled my gaze away from Ellie, my eyes touching the books splayed out between us.
"Alright, so Chapter 3 discusses the basics of powers and algebraic equations. I think doing this chapter will provide you with more foundation knowledge so we can move on to functions and the more difficult questions. For example, when working with powers, there are several basic rules."
I glanced up, looking to Ellie for confirmation when she didn't respond. "Ellie?"
She almost jumped, her eyes widening.
I frowned. What's wrong? I wanted to ask.
"Do you understand it?" I asked.
Maybe I'd been explaining everything too fast. Stupid Will. What kind of tutor was I if I couldn't even tell if she understood the material?
"Was I going too quickly?" I asked, concerned.
Her gaze fell to the table and she gnawed on her bottom lip.
I felt worry crush my chest. Was she ok?
She still stared down at the table. "No, you weren't," she mumbled. "I'm sorry."
I frowned.
Sorry? What was she sorry about?
She shot a quick glance at me.
"Sorry?" I repeated.
"The truth is..." she bit her lip. "I didn't want to study today."
I frowned. I'd thought...
"I just really wanted to see you," she said softly, blushing.
Wait, what?
For a moment I just stared, surprised.
Ellie Kent wanted to see me?
When she'd asked to see me on Saturday she hadn't been referring to tutoring?
Darn it, I'm such an idiot.
She glanced at me once before burying her reddened face in her hands.
She was so adorable.
Warmth filled my chest. I laughed.
She glanced up tentatively and my smile widened at her surprised expression--wide eyes, faint blush, parted lips.
Could she get any more adorable?
"OK," I replied. "We'll continue later." I shut the books, placing them at the end of the island.
Excitement coursed up my spine. The question that I had been pondering for so long nudged at my mind.
Girlfriend.
When should I ask her?
It seemed weird to bring it up now.
Nerves coursed up my spine. I stood quickly, needing to move.
What would she say? What if she said no?
I headed towards the fridge, remembering The Sweet Plaza snacks she'd forgotten in my car last night. I smiled at her. "Would you like the milkshake and cookie dough from last night? You left it in the car so I kept it in the fridge."
I frowned. The cookie dough was probably stale and I doubted the milkshake would taste the same.
"It might not taste as good though. I could go to The Sweet Plaza now and grab you some more?"
If I drove quickly, I could be back in half an hour with freshly made food.
Her eyes widened, the shift in her expression snapping me out of my daze. "You kept them for me?" she asked, her voice slightly breathless.
I grinned. "Of course." Why wouldn't I?
I took The Sweet Plaza takeaway bag out of the fridge and removed the contents, placing the cookie dough and milkshake in front of Ellie.
I frowned. Maybe I should go buy her something new after all? They looked nothing like how they'd looked last night.
I parted my lips to offer to buy more food again, but the sound of her voice permeating the silence stopped me.
"Thank you," she said softly. Her lips stretched into a dazzling million watt grin.
Any breath escaped my lungs.
Wow.
I inhaled sharply, glancing away from her beautiful face as I tried to blink away the daze. I struggled to remember what I'd been thinking about before her smile had emptied my thoughts. Dazed, I headed back to my seat.
Breathe Will.
My gaze returned to her. My lips twitched as red permeated her cheeks. She nudged at her milkshake as she bit her lip.
Goodness, she was beautiful.
And this beautiful being wanted to spend time with me.
It was unbelievable.
I leaned forward, balancing my elbows on the table. Â "So, what did you want to do?" I asked.
Her eyes bounced between mine and the table. She sipped her milkshake, her eyelashes fanning against her cheekbones as she gazed down.
Her face reddened when she spoke, and I resisted the urge to caress her face, to feel the heat of her skin. "I wanted to talk to you. I thought we could get to know each other better." In the process of those two sentences, her face had hit a new shade of red.
She was so cute.
I grinned and she blushed again.
Correction, she was too cute. Too cute.
"Ask away," I replied.
Her gaze honed in on the table and she began gnawing her bottom lip again. My fingers twitched. I imagined rubbing a hand down her back, calming her nerves.
So creepy Will.
Finally, she spoke, "What's your favourite colour?"
Simple. "Blue."
Aquamarine blue to be exact. The shade of Ellie's eyes.
For years I'd stared at those beautiful eyes, the way they darkened based on her emotions or lit up at different periods of the day. In the morning, at six in the morning when she'd seen me jogging, the shade was arctic blue, later it darkened to sapphire, in the afternoon it was a darker cerulean blue and in the evening, when I'd seen her at the festival, it descended into a molten azure.
Ellie's eyes were my favourite kaleidoscope. The most beautiful jewels that could ever exist.
She blinked up at me. "Why blue?"
Because that's the colour of your eyes.
My lips pulled up into a smile. "I'll tell you one day," I murmured.
Hopefully, one day when I could prove to Ellie that I was worthy of her attention, she'd find it sweet, not creepy.
She paused, staring up at me with wide eyes, before she continued, "O-ok," she stuttered. "So..." she bit her lip. "What is your favourite number?"
"Fifteen," I replied.
The fifteenth of October at 2:29 pm. The day I met Ellie Kent.
"You'll tell me one day?" she asked, her lips  twitching in the cutest amused expression.
She could read me so well.
I nodded.
I watched as her dainty fingers swirled her milkshake with the straw.
"Okay..." she replied. "Favourite subject?"
I grinned. "Maths."
As geeky as it sounded, maths was logical, and that made it simpler than other subjects. In maths there were rules, there were prerequisites, unlike the chaos of my life where things refused to follow the rules.
She paused before she asked the next question. "Future job?" she asked.
I hesitated.
James's face popped into my mind--his exhaustion, the sadness in his gaze.
Medical Research.
My mother would never approve.
"I'm not sure," I replied finally. "Something in science or maths. Something I can use to help people." I glanced up at Ellie, taking in her innocent gaze.
I wanted to tell her. Not just about the job, but about why. About everything.
In that moment, I wanted to tell her so badly.
"Maybe medical research," I finally pushed out.
Even just saying the words out loud was an effort. I couldn't imagine how difficult it would be to tell her about The Incident, to taint the expression in her eyes.
To see her look at me with the disgust that sometimes stole my mother's features.
To make her hate me.
I gritted my teeth, looking away from her.
"Favourite hobby?" she asked a few moments later.
I blinked out of my daze. That's harder to choose.
Seeing Ellie smile. Kissing Ellie. Watching Ellie cheer. Watching Ellie blush. Holding her hand. Watching her smile as she ate. Drawing Ellie.
I grinned at the memory of that million watt grin. If I could spend my entire day watching her smile, I would be in paradise.
"Pass," I responded.
She blinked rapidly before biting her lip and moving on. "Second favourite hobby?"
Ellie. Ellie. Ellie.
"Pass," I repeated.
She giggled, and the sound simultaneously froze me and stole the breath from my lungs. The peal of laughter washed over me, creating a haze in my mind.
Goodness.
"Any hobbies you can tell me about?" she asked.
Besides seeing you? There isn't much.
I frowned as I thought about it.
Finally I spoke, my voice quiet, "Photography." A mixture of pain and happiness tore through my chest. "And drawing," I finished, nearly choking the last word out.
Two things my mother used to love.
An image of a Colorado mountain flashed through my mind, making my head throb.
I didn't want to think about this. Not now.
Ellie's voice broke me out of my daze. "Really?" She bit her lip and excitement sparkled in her eyes. "C-can I see some of your work?" she asked.
I froze.
No way.
I stared down at the table, feeling heat burn my face.
I had no idea how she would react if she saw them.
The majority of my sketches featured Ellie, with dozens of renditions imitating that first smile seven years ago. And then others, drawings of moments when her appearance had been emblazoned in my mind. The first time I'd seen her cheer at eleven, watching her play soccer with her father at ten, watching her lashes brush her cheeks and her hair cascade over one shoulder as she did an exam at fourteen...
I'd drawn her almost every day for seven years.
My face felt warm.
She'd probably think I was a creep.
"Soon," I said softly. Tentatively, I reached for her fingers. Electric sparks ran up my hand. Her fingers were so small in comparison to my own. I glanced up, catching her gaze. "But not today, okay?" Please?
She nodded, looking dazed.
Tentatively, I touched my lips to her palm, feeling my heart rocket at the small contact. The scent of her skin was intoxicating, a sweet candy like smell that clung to every inch of her flesh. It was her hair that carried the familiar fruity smell.
"Next question?" I murmured against her palm.
She didn't respond. I studied her hand, taking in every twist of a vein, the lines of her palm, the way her skin reddened beneath my lips.
Goodness, even her hands were beautiful.
She finally spoke, her voice breathless. "Why do you like me?"
My heart stopped.
My eyes widened.
My heartbeat started up again, this time pounding a loud rhythm in my chest. An unfamiliar heat burnt my face.
Breathe, Will.
I stared down at her hands. Slowly, I trailed my finger down her pinkie finger, watching the skin redden, then her index, then her middle finger...
Finally, I glanced up. I parted my lips.
Here goes.
"Because you're brave, and strong, and kind."
For years I'd watched her defend bullying victims. I'd seen her sacrifice her time to save others. She was strong, and had a charisma that I'd only ever seen once before. When she spoke, people listened. Simply her presence could shift a room. It was amazing, though I'd fallen for her because of something more. Because, unlike the one other person who held a similar charisma, she had no idea that she had so much power over others. And even if she knew, I doubted she would have cared.
I bit my lip.
You can do this.
I took a deep breath before continuing. "You're loyal, and you protect those you care about. You're determined, and sweet, and forgiving. If someone hurts you, you forgive them almost instantly. You never hate people. And you don't let anyone bring you down. You're smart, and talented, and beautiful."
Every word was an understatement, none of them enough to even begin to describe her. She was loyal to a fault, I'd watched her stick by her friends in every circumstance. Even when one of her best friends, Gemma Henderson, constantly got into trouble with the school, she was there to defend her despite the risk to herself. She was self sacrificial and brave in a way that awed me, in a way I could never understand. How could someone so flawless, who had everything, be so willing to throw away her benefits for others?
And the depth of her forgiveness... It was as if she didn't even notice if someone hurt her. I'd seen it so many times, heard some girls talk about Ellie behind her back. As if they could find a flaw in her perfection. And she would overhear them. For a moment, I would see hurt flash in her eyes. But then the next day she would be fine, grinning kindly at the person who had offended her.
She was just so amazing.
"But you're still modest, and shy, and adorable."
You mean so much to me, and you make me feel so many unfamiliar emotions. Beyond anything I've ever felt before. Since the first day I met you seven years ago my heart has belonged to you. I think about you constantly. I love watching you smile because I desire your happiness in a way I've never wanted anything before. I still can't believe you like me and I will never understand what you see that makes me worthy of your attention. Despite that, I want to stay with you, I want to make you smile, I want to make you laugh. I want to make you happy.
"You're not like anyone I've ever met," I continued. "I can't understand you."
Ellie Kent was beyond any logic I could ever muster up, and, for the first time, I loved the fact that she made my life illogical. I loved the beautiful chaos that ran rampant in my heart whenever she was near. Â I didn't even mind the confusion, or the pain, as long as I could see her looking at me, staring up at me with the kind of affection no one had ever given to me before.
As long as she was with me, I was happy.
Ellie Kent, I l...
"And the more I see you, the more I want to."
I felt breathless from the confession.
Ellie didn't speak, her gaze rapidly falling to the table. I watched her skin grow into a dark red as she bit her lip.
She  didn't glance up at me for a long time.
I frowned, concerned.
I caressed her fingers in an attempt to calm her nerves. "Ellie? You OK?" I asked softly.
She didn't respond for a long moment, still not looking at me.
Worry constricted my throat.
Had I made her uncomfortable?
Finally, she nodded, but still avoided my gaze. "C-can I ask you another question?" she mumbled.
Internally, I exhaled with relief. She was OK. "Sure, what do you want to ask?"
She paused before asking the question. "Where did you live before you moved here?"
I froze.
It was as if any warmth leeched out of my fingers, leaving me suddenly freezing.
Mountains. Laughter. Screams.
My fingers fell away from Ellie's.
Jed. James.
Pain.
I switched it off, my emotions, my feelings, shoving the memories into the back of my mind.
"Colorado," I responded.
I got to my feet, hating the sensation of fear running up my spine. I strode over to the fridge.
I need to get out of here.
The room's too small. I'm suffocating.
I plucked out a bottle of water, barely paying attention a I drank it in an attempt to chill the heat boiling in my chest.
Smoke.
I remember how thick the smoke was.
Abruptly, I can't breathe.
I shut my eyes for a moment, clearing my mind. You're imagining it Will. It's not real.
Guilt.
The guilt smothering my lungs was real.
Breathe.
Ellie.
Ellie is here.
I returned to my chair. Ellie was staring at me, her expression concerned.
I'm sorry, Ellie. I'm so sorry.
It had been so long since I'd remembered everything so vividly. Was it because Ellie was here? Was it because I was opening up to her in a way I'd avoided doing with anyone for the last seven years? Was it because Jed was coming here in mere weeks?
It seemed the closer I got to her, the worse the pain was becoming.
I was trusting her.
And that scared me.
I realized Ellie was still watching me.
I don't want her to be  worried.
I forced a smile, attempting to comfort her.
It must not have worked because she stared down at the table, her fingers clenched around her milkshake.
I'm ruining this.
Pain lanced through my chest.
I made Ellie upset.
What was wrong with me?
I needed to do something.
Change the subject.
"My turn?" I offered.
She glanced up, her eyes wide. "Huh?" she asked.
"Can I ask you questions?" I elaborated. I attempted a smile.
She nodded quickly. "Y-yeah." Her eyes were wide, glittering with...hope?
She was just too cute.
I felt the muscles in my face slowly begin to relax.
She blushed and my heart fluttered back to life.
What was I doing again?
Oh, yeah, questions.
"What's your favourite colour?" I asked.
She bit her lip. "Green."
I smiled. "Your favourite number?"
Her face reddened. "15," she said softly.
The same as mine. Weird. Why did she like that number?
"What's your favourite subject?" I continued.
"Cheer," she replied.
"What job would you like to go into?" I asked.
She hesitated this time, pursing her lips as she gazed down at the table. "I'm not all that sure either. But," she glanced up at me. "I want to help people too."
She was so sweet. Sweet, and kind, and perfect.
"Alright, so what's your favourite hobby?"
She blushed. I watched as she bit her lip, avoiding my gaze. "Dancing and Cheer." She hesitated. "I like sports too, like basketball and soccer." A blush stole her cheeks. "But don't tell my mother that. She'll murder me."
She also liked baseball, hockey and football, though soccer was her favourite.
Ellie used to play a lot of sports. I could remember all the times I'd passed the local park as a child and lingered there, watching Ellie play sports with her father and, sometimes, her sisters. It had become one of my favourite things to do, watching her play, until she'd suddenly stopped coming four years ago.
The memory of her skidding across the grass in baggy shorts and a loose mud stained t-shirt, her ponytail whipping behind her, her sweet face covered in mud, her eyes sparkling, warmed my heart.
"Why do you like it?" I asked.
She bit her lip, and my gaze fell to her mouth.
Darn.
"Sports are really..." a small furrow appeared between her brows. I resisted the urge to reach over and smooth it out.
Stop being creepy Will.
"Really freeing," she continued. She moved her hands, making cute little gestures. "When I'm cheering and dancing I feel free too, but not the same way." Her eyes met mine. "Besides, cheer and dancing are the two things I'm actually good at."
Not true.
She was exceptional at cheerleading and dance but I'd seen her play soccer. Talented was an understatement. And that was excluding all the other things she was amazing at.
"I don't think that's true, Ellie. The part about you only being good at those two things. You're very talented." I brushed a hand down her cheek, internally sighing at the sparks of heat that ran down my arm.
I loved touching her skin.
Her gaze fell to the table, her cheeks reddening. "T-thank you."
"I'm only being honest," I murmured back.
I paused.
There was one more question.
My heart pounded.
"Then..." I began.
Why do you like me Ellie?
I hesitated, my emotions a mix of curiosity and fear. Despite how desperate I was to hear her response, I knew she didn't feel as strongly as I did about her. The idea of hearing it out loud, confirming how differently we felt about each other, scared me.
Why did she like me?
Still, it didn't matter. No matter what she said, if it came from her, I would be happy.
You can do it Will.
"Ellie, why do you like me?"
There was a beat of silence.
My eyes widened as I took in her burning face. I was making her uncomfortable.
I'm such an idiot.
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." I caressed her hand, attempting to comfort her. "I can move on to the next question if you want?"
Despite my statement, my heart sunk.
I was right. She didn't feel the same way. At least not as strongly as I did.
I knew that. But why did it hurt so much?
Suddenly, she shook her head. "No, l-let me, please."
I blinked in surprise.
She took in a breath.
"I've always admired you," she said softly.
My lungs stopped functioning.
She stared down at her fingers, twisting them around each other. "You've always been such a kind person," she murmured. "Ever since I first met you, you've been selfless and self-sacrificial. You give up things you want for the benefit of your friends. You never betray anyone you care about. And you work so hard, never giving up no matter how difficult the task. You're smart, and strong, and I can tell you'll achieve great things. But you're never arrogant and you're never cruel. You protect people that you don't even know."
My heart had stopped beating.
"And when you smile..." she took a sharp intake of breath. "It's like the entire room lights up."
I couldn't breathe.
"You always hide your emotions, so no one ever sees the real you. They don't see how sweet and kind you are. When I'm with you, I forget everyone and everything." She dragged in a breath. "You make me want to be a better person."
I couldn't speak.
My heart was yet to beat again.
I couldn't breathe.
Was she talking about me?
She couldn't be. It was impossible.
My heart pounded back to life.
She'd said all of that about me?
I didn't believe it. The person she was talking about, it wasn't me. It couldn't be.
Just...wow.
I was so lucky. The luckiest person on the planet.
I had to respond."Thank you," I finally murmured.
I couldn't look at her. My face was burning and I struggled to hold back the smile that wanted to rip across my face.
If she felt like that, then maybe... Maybe she would say yes.
Maybe if I asked her to be my girlfriend she would say yes.
My heart pounded faster.
Breathe, Will.
"I have one last question," I finally said.
She glanced up and our eyes locked.
Her eyes were wide, her lips were slightly parted and the remnants of a blush lingered on her face.
I traced a finger down her chin, watching her blush in response.
Goodness, she was adorable.
You can do this Will
"Ellie..." I began softly.
"Yes?" Her voice was breathless.
Here goes.
"Will you be myâ"
The words cut off when her gaze shifted to something behind me.
Ellie blinked rapidly, then her eyebrows furrowed, a cute frown growing on her face.
Her eyes returned to mine. She looked confused.
"What's wrong...?" I turned to see what had caught her attention.
I froze.
And that was the moment when my life stopped.
*
So....I hoped you enjoyed that chapter. If you ever want a chapter from a different point of view, feel free to comment and tell me :) It might slow down the updates slightly but I'll try to write it, and if I can't I'll tell you :)
So guys, did you like the Incident clues? What are your latest theories? Do tell ;)
If you liked the chapter, please vote/comment/share :D The next chapter will be updated shortly, it just needs to be proofread and improved ;)
God bless
xxx
Yemi Everest