Chapter Thirty-"Anything for my Vivienne"

~Dedicated to being confident~

Chapter Thirty-"Anything for my Vivienne"

Have you ever had that gut wrenching feeling that made you feel so sick that you weren’t even sure if you were going to be able to wake out of bed? That was how I felt and partly it was because of Dave and the other part of it was that I had to explain to my mother on how my ‘date’ with Dave went. Overall, I was a mess. I looked ill; my skin was pale and had a slightly green tinge to it. My eyes were sunken in and my lips were slightly dry. And yes, I still had my glasses on from late night studying just to keep myself distracted.

I yawned just as my door opened, revealing my mother who looked brighter than the sun itself. She smiled widely at me and I couldn’t help but notice that she was glowing from the inside. Her cheeks were rosy and her eyes bright with cheerfulness. Her short hair looked more chestnut than its usual brunette colour and her movements were graceful. Pulling me into a smothering hug, my mother pulled away and stared at me with a smile so huge that for a second I had to wonder if she was high on some drugs.

“Oh Vivienne,” my mother breathed, “isn’t it wonderful how we all found love?”

I forced a smile to my lips and nodded as I replied, “Yeah…love and all that…stuff of like…uhm mushiness?”

My mother seemed undeterred by my lack of answer as she continued, “Jeff was such a sweetheart. We spoke about everything and anything,” she sighed before staring out of my window, “he’s perfect Viv.”

I smiled a genuine smile. This was what I wanted for my mother; to be happy when I was gone to college. She’d have Jeff and Holly there and I would be as far away from Redwood as possible. I wouldn’t have to see Dave ever again or Amanda seeing as she has taken such an interest in him. Amanda could have gotten any guy she wanted; after all she was model pretty with her long legs and slender frame. She was absolutely beautiful.

“I’m glad mum,” I finally replied, “You deserve love.”

My mother nodded gratefully before she turned the spotlight onto me, “And what happened between you and Dave, you did use protection right?”

“Mum!” I hissed, heat flooding my cheeks.

Chuckling, my mother replied, “Oh you know I’m just teasing Viv.”

I rolled my eyes at her but couldn’t help the small frown that took hold of my lips. My chest ached slightly and I smiled up at my mother to try and force away any sadness that seemed to linger on my features but like always my mother knew me better than I seemed to. Her face took an expression of concern before she took my hands in hers and smiled softly at me.

“What happened sweetie?” she asked.

I bit my lower lip slowly before I sucked in a deep breath and answered, “Dave cancelled our date.”

“Oh don’t worry honey, guys do that all the time,” my mother hurriedly replied.

I shook my head, causing her stop as I replied, “No mum,” my breath shuddered slightly, “he cancelled the date an hour after I sat at the restaurant alone through a text.”

“My poor baby,” my mother cooed as she pulled me into a warm hug then whispered, “I have a jackhammer in my car, do you want to go to his house now and we’ll-”

“Mum,” I cut her off with a small smile, “Thanks but I think I’ll manage fine.”

“Well if you say so,” she answered sounding slightly disappointed, “but if you do change your mind, you just let me know.”

A small smile formed along my lips as I spoke, “Thanks mum, you’re the best.”

“Anything for my Vivienne,” my mother replied before she pulled me into another hug.

After showering and getting presentable for the day, I found myself strewn across the couch watching NCIS. The show somehow made me want to join the police department and even better, become a spy and take out all of my enemies in one go. Although the sadistic idea hugely appealed to me especially when I thought about Dave, I decided against it. I wasn’t going to get hung up on Dave Peterson. If he cancelled our date then it was his loss. I was completely fine on my own.

It was the buzzing of my phone that interrupted me from my internal pep talk. I quickly stumbled off of the couch in search for my silver phone before I located it, hidden behind a bowl of Cheetos. Laughing embarrassingly to myself, I realised that I was alone in the room and that the only people who could judge my lack for keeping phones safe was the criminal on TV. Pushing away my hair from my face I frowned the caller ID, which read Dave.

Debating on whether to cut the call or not, I accidentally pressed the answer button and froze. My eyes widened as I stared at the screen which revealed each second ticking by with Dave on the other side waiting for me to speak. Glancing around again, I mentally slapped my forehead as I remembered that I was indeed alone. Sucking in a breath of courage, I pulled to the phone to my ear.

“Hello,” I breathed out, my voice sounding slightly unstable.

“Vivienne,” Dave greeted, “I was hoping to talk to you.”

I nodded before realising that Dave couldn’t see me. Swallowing, I replied, “Yes, about?”

“About our date,” Dave answered, “well the date we never got to go on.”

“Oh,” I drawled then laughed slightly sounding hysterical, “it’s completely fine Dave, things come up and I understand fully-”

“My mum’s in hospital,” Dave interrupted me.

My voice died out on my tongue as I stood there in my lounge, completely silent. If it wasn’t Dave who cleared his throat on the other side, I would have forgotten that I was on the phone talking to him at all. I ran a hand through my hair before I began to pace around. Suddenly feeling guilty for even considering my mother’s offer on her jackhammer murder, I swallowed a lump then took a deep breath. See Viv, he had a perfectly logical explanation for cancelling on you. There’s nothing to worry about at all.

“Oh my God,” I breathed out, “Is she okay?”

I heard a few voices in the background before Dave replied, “She was in a car accident. The doctors said she’ll be okay but she’s,” he audibly swallowed, “pretty bad.”

“Which hospital is she in?” I asked as I switched off the TV.

Dave answered, “Redwood Hospital.”

“I’ll be there soon,” I replied.

“Vivienne, we need to talk-”

“We can talk when I get there,” I cut him off.

I arrived at the hospital in a record of fifteen minutes. Yes I could drive but I unfortunately we could never afford a second car and mum always used the one we had for work so I was stuck with taking the bus everywhere I went. Smoothing down my blonde hair, glad that I had finally gotten new contact lenses, I walked into the hospital. Unlike most people who had horrible memories of the hospital, I had none. In fact, never being to the hospital for anything major, I actually found the place quite new to me.

Deciding to ask the woman who sat at the front desk about Dave’s mother, I began to walk towards the wooden desk and stopped short when I spotted Dave approaching me from the cafeteria. I couldn’t help but notice that he looked tired with heavy eye-bags under his blue eyes. His skin was pale and it looked like he had spent the night in the hospital.

“Dave,” I greeted with a sympathetic smile, “how are you?”

Dave sighed, then guided me towards the small seats at the far end of the hospital as he replied, “I’m fine.”

“And your mother,” I asked, remembering the well put together woman.

“She’s been better,” Dave answered, “she’s got a cracked rib and a broken leg.”

My eyes widened, “What happened?”

“She was driving home from her office and,” Dave glanced away before speaking, “a truck lost control before it crashed into her car.”

“That’s terrible,” I empathised, “But she’ll be fine right?”

Dave nodded before he took a deep breath and turned his attention back to me. Smiling slightly he spoke, “I’m sorry about cancelling on you like that Viv.”

I shook my head as I protested, “It’s fine Dave, really, if I was you I would have done the-”

“No you wouldn’t Viv,” Dave interrupted, “you’re too nice for that.”

Frowning, I replied, “Dave, it’ll be okay.”

“While I sat here in the emergency room, waiting to hear about mum, I was thinking a lot,” Dave replied, changing the topic, “and I thought about us.”

Is he going to ask you to Prom now Viv? Because that would be incredibly insensitive to his mother’s condition but on the other hand it’s extremely romantic right because despite his mother, he’s still thinking about you! Calm down now, just breathe and keep up with that understanding composure Viv. Now look him straight in the eye and smile slowly.

“Yes,” I prompted.

“I think I fell for you ever since you came to The Dance all dressed up,” Dave replied, a small smile taking hold of his lips as the memory clearly shone in his eyes before he continued, “and for a while, you were that girl.”

I frowned, as I replied, “I am that girl.”

Dave looked me dead in the eye as he corrected me, “No, you ‘were’ that girl.”

“What are you saying,” I asked, feeling confused and slightly nauseous.

“You’ve changed Viv,” Dave answered then offered a small smile, “and yes I admit you’re more confident and,” he touched my hand lightly, “even more beautiful than I thought you could have gotten but…”

I drew my hand away and bit my lower lip before repeating, “But?”

“But I’m in love with the old Vivienne,” Dave replied, “and you’re not her anymore.”

It felt like I was being punched in the gut as I sat there and scanned Dave’s face. But despite how long I stared at his features for any sign of being pranked, I could tell that he was being completely serious. Dave Peterson was in love with the old Vivienne, the girl who still wore geeky glasses and dressed up like a nun in practice. He liked the girl who depended on someone to make her feel complete and honestly, I was definitely not her anymore.

“So you’re breaking up with me,” I asked in a small voice.

“Come on Viv,” Dave replied, “would it be such a bad thing?”

I sucked in a breath as I stood up and blinked away the tears which threatened to form, “If that’s what you want.”

Dave stood too and reached for my arm, but I pulled away, shooting him a cold glare.

“Don’t touch me,” I snapped.

A look of hurt flashed through Dave’s eyes as he replied, “Viv please, I didn’t mean-”

“Send your mother my wishes on her recovery,” I cut him off.

Ignoring his protests, I spun around and marched out of the hospital and began to make my way to the bus stop. As I stormed along the road, I yanked out of my phone and dialled a number I knew off by heart. After a few rings, the familiar voice of Juliet answered just as I had spotted the bus stop. It was there that I finally let the tears to roll down my cheeks.

“He’s an asshole,” Juliet snapped as she slammed her hand on the counter.

I cast a glance at my friend who looked angrier than a tsunami about to hit. Her green eyes were set into a permanent glare at anything she looked at and her mouth was curled into a cold sneer. Her hands balled into fists as she began to pace around my kitchen then gave another groan of frustration before sighing and looking at me with an expression of empathy.

“Do you want me to get my stash of chocolates and action movies?” Juliet offered.

I managed a smile as I replied, “No Jules, but thanks and anyways, aren’t you supposed to be asking the guy of your dreams out?”

Juliet blushed slightly, all signs of anger being replaced with a look of nervousness but in a second it disappeared and Juliet frowned as she replied, “No, my best friend needs me more.”

I shook my head as I smiled wider in encouragement, “No Jules. Honestly I’ll be fine.”

“But you were crying,” Juliet retorted.

“Don’t all girls do that after being dumped,” I replied.

Nervous laughter left Juliet’s lips as she glanced at her fingers, before replying, “Uh…no?”

I smiled again before repeating, “Seriously Jules, I’ll be fine and besides Chris won’t be waiting forever.”

Another blush crept onto my best friend’s cheeks as she giggled like a nervous school girl that I rarely ever saw in her. Flicking her hair over her shoulders, she stood straight and took a deep breath in before she made her way towards me and pulled me into a large hug. I breathed in her comforting scent of vanilla and what smelt like pizza before pulling away and smiling widely.

“You go get him Jules,” I beamed.

“Thanks Viv,” Juliet breathed, a small smile taking over her lips, “you know, it’s never too late for you and-”

“Hey look, it’s past five already,” I interrupted Juliet.

She laughed slightly before winking at me and left. Sighing in relief, I couldn’t help but let my mind wander to what Juliet had suggested…

I was surprised when I opened my door to reveal Sean standing before me. He was clad in his usual jeans and leather jacket, along with his signature combat boots. His midnight hair had been pushed back, messily away from his forehead causing his hazel eyes only to stand out more against his face. I couldn’t stop myself from mentally checking him out, even though I forced myself to keep my cool composure.

“Sean,” I greeted, “what are you doing here?”

Sean grinned at me before he spoke, “What, can’t I visit my favourite, little tutor?”

Standing aside, so that Sean could enter I replied, “I’m your only tutor.”

“True,” he replied as he walked towards the kitchen where my mother was.

Turning to the new voice in the room, my mother smiled widely as she greeted Sean, “Sean honey, it’s been ages since I’ve seen your fine face.”

“Mum,” I groaned.

My mother chuckled, “I’m just joking Viv,” then she cast a glance at Sean, “She never understands my jokes.”

Sean smirked at me, “Neither does she with mine,” he replied.

“I’m right here you know,” I said loudly.

My mother grinned, then asked Sean, “Will you be staying for supper?”

“I’d love to but,” Sean answered, “I was here to ask Vivienne if she would like to come over to my house for supper.”

“Well I don’t see why she can’t come,” my mother replied, then gave me a small smile, “she really needs to get out of the house after-”

“Yeah, mum’s right,” I cut off my mother and ignored Sean’s curious look, “I’ll just get changed and we can leave.”

Changed into a simple pair of jeans and a black, laced shirt I sat in Sean’s car as we drove to his house in silence with only the sound coming from the radio. We passed a few of the trees which looked maroon in the evening sky and I glanced up towards the sky which had begun to glitter with a few stars. I was interrupted from my stargazing by Sean. He cleared his throat and cast me a look that screamed ‘tell me or die’.

“So…” I began, “how’s life?”

Sean snorted, “What happened Lanter?”

“Nothing happened,” I replied, feigning innocence.

“Seriously,” Sean retorted, “did it have something to do with Davey boy?”

I swallowed before I decided to just tell Sean what had happened.

“We broke up,” I finally answered.

Sean’s eyes were a mixture of emotions, making them hard to decipher. Instead he returned the attention back to me.

“And you’re okay?” he asked.

Leaning back in my seat, I sighed, “Maybe…well I suppose I will…”

“He didn’t deserve you Lanter,” Sean expressed, “after all how many times has he made you doubt yourself?”

I chewed on my bottom lip as I mentally agreed with Sean then shook away the thoughts as I asked him, “Why did you want me to come for supper?”

“Good change of the subject,” Sean commented; a small smirk tugging at his lips before his tone became more serious before he continued, “it’s my mother.”

“Your mother,” I repeated.

“Yeah,” Sean answered before clenching his jaw, “she wants to see me and Lil.”

I sat up straighter, “And you want me to come…”

“I want you to come because,” Sean replied slowly, “I don’t know who else would be able to stop me from punching the douche she’s bringing along.”

Sean’s mother was surprisingly pretty to what I had been expecting. Actually, I really don’t know what I had been expecting. I mean, after hearing about the way she left Sean and Lily especially to have an affair with a guy slightly older than her own son, I pictured her to be much wickeder than she turned out to be. There weren’t any haggish wrinkles or pointed teeth or the grey hair and hunched back I supposed I imagined she would have.

Teresa Bell, who looked more like thirty than her mid-forties had long brunette hair that was curling at the ends slightly. Her eyes were almond shaped and were a light grey colour. Her lips were painted a rich, wine-red colour and she wore an elegant yet simple mauve cocktail dress. She was beautiful, mirroring Lily’s appearance with just a slight hint that she was older.

Next to her stood a tall, muscular guy with shaggy brown hair and although was broad, he paled in comparison to Sean’s physique. He was handsome I’d give him that in his slightly formal shirt and jeans along with his inviting green eyes that seemed more emerald than olive green. He held onto Teresa’s arm protectively and cast Sean a look that from what I knew was more like a threat and that was when I knew that I was staring at Lance, Sean’s former friend. I glanced up at Sean and noticed that his hands were balled into tight fists.

I reached out and took his hand in mine, before squeezing slightly. He frowned, before glancing down at me and then at my hand in his and slowly his body relaxed and he gave me a thankful smile. I returned his smile and followed him as he walked up towards his mother who looked even more beautiful up close. I couldn’t help but notice the large ring on her finger and one on the same finger on Lance’s. Suddenly, I realised why Sean wanted me there to stop him from punching the daylights out of Lance.

“Sean,” Teresa greeted with a sweet smile, “you’ve grown into such a handsome man.”

Sean shrugged before replying, “This is Vivienne,” he gestured to me.

Teresa’s gaze fell onto me and her smile widened although I could tell that she was trying her best to hide her hurt as she spoke, “Vivienne, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Teresa and this is my husband-to-be Lance.”

I managed to smile politely at Lance as I greeted him, “It’s nice to meet you.”

I heard Sean snort as Lance replied, “The pleasure’s all mine.”

It was Doug who interrupted the tension as he approached us with a smile and spoke, “Vivienne, I see you’ve met Teresa and her,” Doug frowned slightly before resuming his composure, “fiancé Lance.”

“Yes I have,” I answered then cast a quick glance at Sean who looked ready to kill, “and thanks for letting me join you for supper.”

“Nonsense,” Doug bellowed cheerily, “you’re part of the family now.”

I noticed the way Teresa cringed and tightened her grip on Lance’s arm before smiling as I spoke, “Thanks.”

“Come on everyone,” Lily interrupted, looking as though she wanted to join Sean on the killing path, “supper’s ready and the sooner we eat it, the sooner the night will be over.”

Supper had been cleared away for dessert and the tension in the room was stronger than it had started with. Sean had long since disappeared from the table with the excuse of needing the toilet, leaving Lily alone to glare at her mother at every smile she sent Lance. I felt sick at the affection Teresa showed Lance, wondering how she managed to sit there with the man who used to be best friends with her son at one stage. After a few minutes of Sean not returning, I excused myself from the table.

Frowning as I tried to remember the way Sean had showed me to the small balcony on the roof, I found the door which was slightly ajar. Slipping in, I walked up the small steps until I had reached the tiny balcony where I found Sean leaning against the railing as staring out into the lights of Redwood. He looked up as I approached him with a scowl plastered against his lips. His hands were balled once again into fists and seemed ready to pounce.

“Everyone’s waiting for dessert,” I broke the silence.

Sean turned back to staring at the town lights before replying, “If I sit there for another hour, having to watch them carry on like nothing’s wrong, I swear, I will snap his neck.”

I reached out and took his hand in mine before offering him a warm smile, “Just try to be nice.”

Sean raised an eyebrow at me before he replied, “Why should I Lanter?”

“Because,” I answered in a matter of fact voice, “she’s your mother and no matter how bad things get, she’ll always be your mother. You can’t change that.”

A muscle in Sean’s jaw ticked before he grumbled, “When did you get so bossy?”

I shrugged, before replying, “After realising that I’m not the same old Vivienne I was before.”

Sean studied my face for a moment, anger still swirling in his hazel eyes. He glanced down at the door which would ultimately lead him back to his mother and Lance and then shifted his gaze back onto my face. He leaned closer until our faces were merely inches apart. I found my mouth going dry as my eyes locked onto his, causing tiny sparks in the pit of my stomach to go haywire. My knees felt wobbly and I couldn’t help it when my eyes flew down to Sean’s lips.

“I’m sorry,” Sean spoke softly, “I shouldn’t have asked you to come Lanter, especially with you and Dave.”

I touched Sean’s face and smiled slightly, “You heard my mother; I really needed to get out of the house.”

A small smirk tugged at his lips before he whispered, “There’s one thing I’m not sorry about though…”

“What’s that,” I asked.

My answer came when Sean pressed his mouth against mine. My body went slack against his, as he pressed his hands against my jaw, moulding my mouth against his. I leaned forward, my hands resting against Sean’s waist as I pulled him closer to me until our bodies were pressed up against each other. Everything swirled out of focus and all I could pay attention was kissing Sean.

Suddenly I felt my body go hot with each place Sean touched me and the only thing that kept playing over and over in my mind was that this was the best kiss I’ve ever had. I let my hands run up Sean’s muscled body until they were resting against the nape of his neck before I stood up on my tippy-toes and leaned closer. I wanted more but I knew that I shouldn’t. Slowly, I pulled away for breath and watched as Sean’s mouth quirked up in amusement.

He reached out and stroked my cheek as he replied in a husky voice, “The great part about your break up Lanter,” he grinned slightly, “is the fact that I get to kiss you without having to worry about sharing you.”

A/N Hey Geeklings! Yes I know, I'm vile for not uploading any bonus POV's today but to be honest, I had no time at all. From babysitting my little brother and sister to trying to understand my other sick brother who just got home from having his tonsils removed, I've had no time whatsoever. But on the plus side, I shall upload it tomorrow! Okay, more importantly, what did you think about the chapter? Did you forgive Dave? Want to kick Lance? Have a BFF like Juliet??? Tell me your complex teenager (adult and kiddie too) thoughts! Remember to vote, comment and spread the word!

xoxo

Mona-Mae