Chapter 13-15: His Decision (Chris's POV)
***This is an original fic of Chris’s POV that matches Chapters 13-15 of my TF Adaptation Series (listed as 1-15a in my masterlist)***
Masterlist - go here for other chapters and related original fics
Disclaimer: The following are fics (adaptations from actual game chapters AND original works) to Choices: The Freshman and The Sophomore stories. It is a fictional adaptation. I do not work for Pixelberry Studios, the game developer or own the rights to the characters Chris Powell, Nicole or any other IN GAME character. All of the ORIGINAL characters, storylines and events were developed for my adaptation of The Freshman story.
Comments: I enjoyed playing Choices The Freshman… and then I found this awesome group of people and their works - I’ve loved it all, very much so. Deciding that I wanted more interaction than the options allowed, I’ve gone through the first book, chapter by chapter (omg painfully slow) to follow the story (95-99% I’d say) and add to it as I felt would benefit. Now I am doing the same to Book 2 as well.
Basically, I wanted to include certain things that weren’t really full fic worthy, adding more substance to the story. However, I did add some full size fic moments also… some are included in cannon chapters and some are their own full chapters in between. I wanted to see MC and Chris through their freshman year… with more angst, fluff, sweetness, real life and overall detail. So, if you like that pairing then you’ll be satisfied, otherwise sorry James & Kaitlyn fans lol. I even added some parts from Chris’s POV, so that we have a chance to see what he’s thinking, knowing what she experienced.
NSFW moments in future chapters - Mature Readers Only Please
Paring: MC x Chris
POV: ~Chris~
Chris’s POV - Picks up after Enough Is Enough
(covers 2 days/48 hrs almost exactly)
*****Chapter 13*****
~Chris~
“Chris…“ She lightly gasps, clearly still asleep but somehow also aware.
He lets out a small sad groan. “You’re killing me. Do you know that…” He whispers as he tucks more of her hair behind the other ear. “You win, MC. If you want me around, I’ll be be here. I’m not going to fight anymore.”
She snuggles closer to him at the words, making him wonder if the action was related. He effortlessly stands with her in his arms, her entire body wrapped securely in her blanket and his arms. Chris takes his time crossing the roof, examining the trauma to her face, frowning as he takes it all in. As he creeps down the stairs he holds her tight, not wanting to let anything happen if he misses a step.
When he enters the living room he finds it empty still, letting out a sigh of relief. He doesn’t want anyone to see her like this, worried it would upset her more. Not that he was ashamed of her emotions, her cries, but he knows she’s tapped out and probably unable to handle anything else tonight.
It’s pitch in the hall, but he follows the same path as he did before, turning into her room and softly closing the door with his long leg as his hands remain solid around his precious cargo. He pauses for a moment, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness, the room illuminated only by the moonlight bleeding through the window. Once he moves towards her bed, he leans over and smoothly lowers her onto the mattress. He notices that the bed isn’t made, and she was already in some type of PJ pants. “You tried to sleep but had to run a little more first, didn’t you…”
As she unconsciously adjusts to laying on her bed, he reaches for the covers, pulling them up to cover her exposed legs before he sits down behind her on the edge of the bed. He turns at his waist, reaching over her shoulders to softly grasp her hair, once again tucking it behind an ear. He studies her face in detail, this time delicately running his fingers across her cheek, stroking the swollen flesh.
After a few minutes of studiously searching her closed eyes he turns away from her, his body slumping slightly as he sits there, reflecting. His eyes shift around the room slowly, taking in everything MC. His eyes land on her lamp, and even in the dark he can see two faded, extinguished glow bracelets. He reaches over and grabs them, knowing that the tiny chain is half his. A small smile crosses his lips as he spins them between his fingers.
After a few moments he quietly stands, making sure not to disturb her. He places the bracelet chain back on the lamp where he found it and turns to check that she’s tucked in before he heads to the door. As he opens it and turns to leave, he glances back at her one last time and whispers. “Don’t give up on me MC.”
Chris enters his room and strips, his undershirt and boxer briefs damp with sweat from all the running he did earlier while he searched for MC. He pulls open his top dresser drawer and digs for a new pair. Before he closes the drawer he pushes some of his underwear to the side and pulls an item out to inspect it.
A sad smile crosses his face as his hand spins two different faded glow bracelets, also linked together, around and around in his hand.
The Next Morning……
Chris is laying flat on his bed, his eyes trained to the ceiling, studying the shadows that are slowly creeping across the dim surface. He turns his head and looks at the alarm clock on his bedside table. It’s 5:30 a.m. He sighs.
He has been awake since he left MC in her room a few hours before. He can’t get what she said outside the hospital out of his head. She blames herself for everything. For ruining their friendship, for ruining his friendships with the rest of the suite, for falling for him.
At least that's what it sounded like she was implying while not actually saying it. She told him that she missed him, automatically assuming that he didn't miss her in return.
“She has no idea…” His chest tightens as he groans.
When he thinks of last night, his stomach clenches. He feels sick. She wouldn't let him speak, not that he really knew what to say. Chris pinches his eyes shut with his fingers as he remembers how he didn't say much, that he locked up. He reached for her, doing the only thing he could think of at the time, and she jerked away from him, as if his touch would burn her. He can still see her face when he tried to touch her everytime he closes his eyes.
There was a point before, where she clearly wanted him to touch her, and he felt euphoric when he did. Then everything got… weird. He gets it now though, but the feeling in his stomach makes him worry that it might be too late. His mind keeps running through that short period of time, trying to decipher what happened. What it all means.
He thinks he heard her ask for ‘mercy’ at one point, the memory making his chest ache even now. In fact, he was sure he heard it, as he recalls the song she was listening to on repeat when he found her on the roof. He sighs again.
When she took off into the dark, Chris was screaming internally. He knew he didn't want her to go, was worried about her leaving like that, but he just… let her go. But only because she asked, no, begged him to leave her be… for mercy. Chris clutches his chest as his face turns down in a grimace. He sits up and reaches for his water bottle, hoping somehow that a drink of water will ease the pain in his chest, but he knows. There’s only one thing that can help him, and he has no right to it. Especially now.
He recalls searching for her for over an hour and how anxious he became. He has had his fair share of anxiety, especially over the last year and a half, but this was different. Chris had never been this worried about another person, not before last night. He thinks he knows why.
He grabs his phone and looks at the unanswered texts he had sent just a few hours prior. Knowing that MC won’t see them until tomorrow. He wonders how that will go over.
‘Hey’
'Where did you go? Let me give you a ride home’
'MC? Please answer.’
'Are you still in the park?’
'I’m here, please tell me where you are…’
'Okay, I’ll shut up. Just let me take you home.’
'MC, you’re making me worry…’
'I get it. I know I screwed up. You can make me pay for it tomorrow, okay? You love your friends, don’t make them worry anymore. Let me take you home?’
'I assume you’re not going to respond at this point… I just want you to know that I’m sorry. We all care about you. Please be safe. I’m still in the park. Near the gazebo if you need me’
Then the final text.
'I’ve been burning, yes, I’ve been burning
Such a burden, this flame on my chest
No insurance, to pay for the damage
Yeah, I’ve been burning up since you left’
The last text was a piece of lyrics. Chris remembers searching for it as he sat on a bench, surrendering to his worry. It was from Sam Smith's Burning. It described how he was feeling perfectly. He rubs his chest as he reads the words again.
He puts his phone down and stands, walking to his door. He quietly opens it and looks across the hall, verifying that her door was still shut and secure, just like he left it. After standing there for at least 5 minutes, Chris closes his door, but not all the way. He leaves it pushed to, cracked just enough so he can hear when the door across from him opens. He shuffles back to his bed, dropping on it with all of his weight face first.
Chris actually starts to fall asleep but it is quickly ruined. He doesn't get deep enough before he’s abruptly woken by an all too familiar nightmare. He’s in a black space with only a single illuminating light. His feet are bare and cold once again, and as he runs he sees a figure in the distance. He calls but the person never turns. The ground transforms beneath him, sucking him down into the abyss. As he reaches towards the figure and it, no she turns.
For the first time since he’s started having this dream many, many years ago, the figure has a face. MC turns and looks at him with deep sadness. He claws at the thick, wet sand that threatens to swallow him whole. He digs his hands into the ground, finding it now more like glue. But he manages to get closer to her, yet she turns her melancholy gaze away from him before she fades completely, leaving him in total darkness. He lurches up from his spot on the bed, his body covered with a thin layer of sweat. Chris focuses on breathing for a few minutes, the same way he always has after having one of these nightmares, before finally laying back down on his pillow.
Sleep never comes.
It’s now 7:17 a.m. Chris leans up, glancing towards his door as he hears noise in the hall. He waits, listening for any identifying sounds. A cough. Tyler. Chris rolls onto his back.
Another 30 minutes or so passes, he thinks, before he hears someone else. The door is too far away from his tho, and he can tell from the ‘hey’ Tyler softly says from the living room that its Abbie. He rolls onto his side and stares at the door. It’s not long before he hears Zack stirring next door, opening his own door soon enough. He can hear as Zack hesitates outside Chris and MC’s doors tho, making him wonder if Zack was going to knock on one of them. His curly haired friend moves on though after a moment, joining the other two in the common space for a few minutes before they all leave. Chris thinks he hears them mumble something about coffee before hearing the suite door open and close.
Irritated, Chris sits up on the edge of his bed. He tries to decide what he's going to do if she does come out, suddenly realizing he’s sitting there in nothing but boxer briefs. He frowns and stands up to dig a shirt out of his dresser. As he pulls it on, he thinks he hears a door opening, so he pauses, the shirt halfway over his head, the neck stuck on his ears. When he hears soft footsteps he yanks the shirt down quickly and moves towards his door, listening intently. He recognizes the bathroom door closing softly and he sighs. It’s her. It has to be.
He opens his door and peeks his head out, looking down the hall towards the bathroom. He hesitates until he hears the shower start. After a minute of standing in his doorway, Chris walks towards the front of the suite, pausing at the bathroom door. He hears music start to play faintly. She must have taken her phone with her, making him wonder if she read the messages yet. The music is slightly upbeat, nothing like what she was listening to hours before on the roof.
Chris stands there for a moment, just listening to the song, trying to identify it. It hits him suddenly. Her shampoo. He leans both hands on either side of the doorframe, closing his eyes and breathing deeply. He lets out a slow breath of air as he finally feels calm for the first time since leaving the hospital. She's okay, she's going to be okay.
‘If you stop screwing with her…’ He chides himself.
He shakes his head and removes his hands from the doorframe. Taking one last deep breath, he turns back to his room. As he closes the door behind him, Chris suddenly feels very tired. He turns and falls backwards onto his bed, not even bothering with the covers as he feels very warm once again as he drifts of to sleep with images of MC shuffling through his mind.
That afternoon, Chris, MC and the rest of Kaitlyn’s suitemates return to the hospital and check with the receptionist. Brandon was able to swing by and pick up Zack and Tyler in his car and Chris had offered to take Abbie and MC in his Jeep. He studies MC’s face as she contemplates his proposal, apparently not fully comfortable being in such close quarters with him now. He tries to hide his frown.
Thankfully Abbie is interested in going with him though, having never been in a Jeep before. She calls shotgun and jumps in the front as MC silently and with some apprehension, climbs in the back. As they drive to the hospital, Chris and Abbie chat about school and the quickly approaching Winter Break. His eyes are mostly on the road, but any other time they are on his rear view mirror, searching MC’s face.
She shows little expression during the entire trip, her head stays turned and looking outside as they drive. He takes a deep breath and slowly sighs, trying not to draw Abbie’s attention if at all possible. They finally make it to the hospital parking lot with Brandon pulling into the next spot over right behind them. MC jumps out before Chris even manages to put his Jeep into park, making him clench his jaw as he frowns a little at her hasty exit.
A few minutes later, a nurse fetches Kaitlyn from her room on the overnight ward. She meets them in the waiting room, looking bashful but healthy.
Zack bounces up from his seat. “Kaitlyn!”
Abbie gives her a warm smile. “Long time no see.”
Kaitlyn blushes and looks at her feet momentarily. “Hey, guys…”
She gives them a small wave before she walks over to MC. The others turn away to give them some space. Chris glances over to them once, his eyes searching MC’s face, making sure she's going to be okay. They talk privately for a while, so Chris keeps his attention focused on the rest of his friends, joining in on the conversation of what they could do this afternoon and evening. The idea was a full on suite hangout. Strength in numbers.
He glances back over once more when he sees the other two move towards the group and hears Kaitlyn speak. “Let’s go.”
The pair rejoins Chris and the others, discussing how to get home and their options for the day. Chris’s eyes flicker towards MC often, feeling the need to check on her frequently, but not wanting to get caught staring and make her uncomfortable. When the group gets outside they discuss who goes in which car. Chris watches as MC tries to figure out a way to get herself into Brandon’s, but Kaitlyn ruins her plans by running towards Chris’s Jeep.
Kaitlyn was beyond excited to get in, having always wanted one herself. She calls out to MC, telling her to hurry up and climb in with her in the back seat. She hesitates but only for a second, as he knows she will do anything for her friend. During that moment however, her eyes meet his. For the first time since she ran off last night.
Chris feels butterflies in his stomach, but only for an instant before it bottoms out, making him feel a little nauseous when she quickly looks away. He knew she might be awkward around him after last night, but this was way worse than he thought it was going to be.
Everyone climbs in and Chris backs out once he hears that all buckles have clicked. He takes his time backing out, using the moment in the rear view mirror to see her face once more. MC has been turned talking to Kaitlyn but happens to look up then, locking eyes with Chris in the mirror.
He doesn’t break eye contact as he tries to convey his feelings with only his eyes. It seems to work for a moment, but then she turns back towards Kaitlyn as if nothing happened. Chris stays quiet the entire trip home, his mind rolling through many things as he chews on the inside of his cheek.
Back at the suite, everyone helps Kaitlyn through the door and leads her to the sofa.
Kaitlyn had been trying to fight them but was now just about to give up. “Guys, I can walk, you know…”
Abbie gives her a peculiar look. “We know! We just… we were so worried about you, that’s all.”
“Aww, Abbie…” Kaitlyn smiles.
MC closes the door and joins the others. Kaitlyn and Zack microwave a big bag of popcorn for everyone.
“So, what’s the plan?” MC asks the group. Chris studies her as she walks into the room, closer to him.
“Horror movie marathon, duuuuuh.” Kaitlyn laughs as she takes a seat on the sofa with a huge bowl of popcorn.
Chris looks at her cautiously from his spot on the old armchair. “Shouldn’t you be taking it easy? A horror marathon sounds pretty stressful.”
Abbie quickly nods from her seat next to Kaitlyn. “Yeah, why don’t we do something more relaxing?”
Kaitlyn laughs at them all, patting Abbie on the shoulder. “This is how I relax!”
Tyler’s face goes blank, with a mild hint of creeped out as he walks in from the kitchen with a handful of sodas and water bottles, handing them out before settling in the beanbag chair. “Now that’s scary…”
MC smirks at Kaitlyn from her other side, the end of the sofa closest to Chris’s chair. “Can I just say that this is going to be the best night ever?”
A smile creeps across Chris’s face as he watches her. Her smirk makes him smile. He remains quiet as they banter back and forth, just enjoying being with them all. He feels relaxed and content. He’s really missed this. Connecting with friends. His mind briefly wonders what his friends Ryan and Ethan, his best friends from Cherryfield, are doing right now.
Kaitlyn bounces in her seat, clapping her hands with each word for emphasis. “I know! I love love LOVE horror movies!”
“Whyyyy?! there the worst!” Abbie cries out as she slumps back into the sofa, clutching a pillow tight.
Tyler looks at Abbie sympathetically from his spot on the ground near her legs. “Yeah, can we vote on this?”
Kaitlyn snorts at them both. “Hey, it’s kinda still my birthday. I make the rules!” She laughs maniacally.
Abbie barely suppresses a shudder. “Fiiiiiiine.”
One and a half movies and three bowls of popcorn in, Tyler and Abbie watch through their fingers while a cheerleader creeps through an empty locker room on the screen. MC and Kaitlyn are almost grinning at the screen, apparently enjoying the horrible horror movie.
Chris is grinning too, but not because of the movie. He hasn't been watching the screen much at all actually. He’s grinning because of the expressions that flash across MC’s face. They have been very entertaining as she and Kaitlyn have been cheering at the villians for their creativity and jeering the victims for their extraordinarily bad choices. His cheeks are starting to hurt from being in the same cheerful position for so long. He doesn't care.
Tyler tries reasoning with the character again. “Please don’t go in there… just go outside and call 911 or something! No, no, no, no–”
Just then Chris’s phone rings, making Tyler jump out of his skin. “Ahhh! Silence that thing, dude! You almost gave me a heart attack!”
Chris swallows hard, trying to calm himself, being more startled than anyone else. Not only was the phone in his pocket and he had forgotten all about it, he also forgot about any previously planned obligations. Really, he had forgotten about everything else besides this moment. Well, not everything. Chris looks around the room apologetically, his eyes lingering on MC’s as he begins to get up from his spot.
“Sorry, sorry… it’s Becca. I’d better take this.” He inwardly groans. He had completely forgotten about Becca. His irritation was growing at being interrupted. Moments ago he was very happy hanging out with his friends. More importantly, hanging out with MC. Now, that serenity has been destroyed.
Abbie bites her lower lip, immediately feeling the tension. “Should we pause the movie?”
Chris steps into the kitchen to talk to Becca before hearing Abbie’s question, his voice hushed as he answers his phone.
“Hey Becca. What’s up? Uh, yeah…” He almost sighs.
“I’m on my way.” He glances back towards the group of friends, all trying not to listen. He feels his chest tighten when he locks eyes momentarily with MC and involuntarily reaches up to rub his sternum.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I got caught up. The roommates and I are watching a movie.” His eyes trail over MC’s once more and she looks away quickly. Becca asks him a direct question. “Yeah, everyone’s here… okay, okay. I’ll be there soon.”
This is not at all what he wants to do right now. Or… ever. He instantly realizes.
He sighs deeply as he hangs up, walking back into the living room. “Sorry guys, Becca needs me. I gotta go.”
Zack awkwardly meets his gaze and then looks down at the popcorn bowl in his hands. “Uh, okay. Bye, Chris.”
Chris gives them all a small apologetic smile while he stifles his true reaction to this interruption. “See you all later. Feel better, okay Kaitlyn?”
Kaitlyn picks at the blanket in her lap. “Yeah… sure.”
Chris turns and heads out the door, softly closing it behind him. As soon as he hears the click he just stops and stands there, his arms straight down by his sides, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turn white. He closes his eyes for a moment before he comes to a decision. He quickly runs down the stairs and heads to his Jeep. He’s ready to get this over with.
Once he pulls up to the Kappa Phi Sigma house Chris lets out a huge rush of air. It wasn't a long drive across campus, but it didn't need to be. He knows what he is going to do, what he is going to say. He just has to actually do it.
He sits in his Jeep for a few minutes as past memories from his senior year run through his head, letting Chris question himself. He wonders if he is doing the same thing he did senior year. If he was about to turn Becca into another… He immediately stops his train of thought before he digs himself into a hole. He’s worked too hard to remove himself from mess he left back at home.
Chris shakes his head and mumbles to himself. “No… This is not the same.”
He always knew he didn't like Becca like… like that. But Becca knew it too, he had made sure of it. They had talked many times and he explicitly told her he wasn't looking for more. It didn't stop her from trying though, but she knew. So many times he corrected her, corrected the girls at the Kappa House, corrected Kaitlyn, even MC. But he let it go too far, for too long.
He takes in a deep breath. It’s time to fix everything. He just hopes he’s not too late.
He gets out of the Jeep and heads inside. Chris hasn’t had to knock to enter the Kappa House in a long time, and that thought alone makes him frown. He’s become too comfortable here. That's why everyone started making assumptions. He shakes his head and walks into the living room. Some of the Kappa girls wave at him and grin. They immediately tell him Becca is in her room so he thanks them and heads upstairs.
Once he reaches her door, the double white doors with the jewel encrusted ‘B’, he pauses. He knows Becca will be fine, that she can handle it. Eventually. He knows how she feels about him, or at least how she appears to feel about him, but he's made himself clear since he arrived at Hartefeld that he did not reciprocate the feelings. He never confided in her like he did his suitemates, but she knew he was still fresh out of a relationship, and not interested in starting another yet.
He takes a deep breath and knocks on the door. It only takes seconds before the door flies open, Becca standing on the other side.
“Chris! Finally… I thought you forgot all about me.” She flashes him her trademark smile and grabs his arm, pulling him into her room before she shuts and locks her door. He doesn't miss that last part and sighs.
He tries to start right away, like ripping off a bandaid. “Becca, look we need to--”
But she immediately cuts him off, in typical Becca fashion. “Okay, we need to hurry. We only have what… two days.” She sighs dramatically and lets out a huge huff of air.
“We should have done this sooner. But with Kaitlyn and all…” She stops and frowns before looking at Chris, seeing his face. “I’m sorry... How’s she doing?”
Chris looks down and nods. “She's alright. Good even, I think. They are all keeping an eye on her right now. MC won't let anything happen to her.”
At the mention of MC, Becca stiffens. He can see it without even looking directly at her.
“MC…” She mumbles.
“Yeah. Becca…” He takes a deep breath and looks her in the eye. “We need to talk.”
She spins around and her eyes narrow as she looks at him. “No. You’re not going to do this, not now. Not two days before the formal.”
He closes his eyes and shakes his head. “Becca, listen. You knew what this was. You knew how I felt… about you.” He opens his eyes and looks at her as her face twists into a deep scowl. “And about MC… you've always known.”
He lets out a weak laugh as he drops down on her small antique sofa. “Probably better than I ever did...”
Becca crosses her arms and turns away from Chris. “You can’t do this.”
“Becca, I’m sorry.” He runs his hand through his hair. “I never wanted you to get hurt or anything. I’ve tried to tell you multiple times that--”
She scoffs and spins around on him. “Who says I’m hurt?” She narrows her eyes at him, daring him to say otherwise.
He frowns as he looks into her eyes, but he doesn't call her bluff. This is her defense mechanism. He’s learned this much about her over the quarter. “Okay. What do you want me to say?”
“Nothing. I want you to leave. Now.” She walks to her door and quickly unlocks it before holding the door open and pointing her perfectly manicured finger out into the hall, accompanied by her glare.
Chris frowns and slowly stands. He turns and walks towards the door, hesitating for a moment to see if she will look at him. When she doesn't he sighs as he walks out. She barely waits for him to cross the threshold before slamming the door behind him, so close that the hair on the back of his neck stands up in alarm.
He blinks as he tries to calm his body’s natural reaction to the close call. “If only Ethan were at Hartfeld… He would have never let me be such a dumbass.” He hisses before letting out a weak chuckle as he heads downstairs.
It is later now, dark even. Chris isn't sure where to go, he just knows he isn't ready to go back and face his suitemates yet. He is sure that he will want to talk to MC immediately, and that everyone will question why he's back so soon. Neither of which he is prepared to deal with yet. He needs time to think. Time to plan.
Chris gets in his Jeep and drives. He doesn't know where he's going at first, but he doesn't really care. He just drives, eventually ending up two-thirds of the way to Boston before he notices the signs. He laughs to himself. Chris was driving towards Ethan, one of his two best friends from high school, without even realizing it. He contemplates turning around and going back, not wanting to drop in unannounced, but instead calls Ethan instead.
His friend answers the call on the second ring, making Chris smile at his devotion to their brotherhood. “Hey Chris! What’s up man? Getting ready for Winter Break?”
Chris laughs. “Hell yeah, you ready to whip those guys into shape?”
“Yeah, I can't wait to run some freshmeat around.” Ethan laughs deeply into the phone, making Chris smile even wider. “That's not really why you called though, is it?”
Chris shakes his head. He is always amazed at how intune Ethan is with him and their other best friend, Ryan. Ethan is always aware of what was going on, how they are feeling, what they need, everything. Not that he or Ryan didn’t return the sentiment, but Ethan always knows.
“Actually, I’m just outside of Boston…” Chris fades out, hating to just drop in on his friend like this.
“No shit. Hell man, lets get something to eat. I’m wasting away.” He laughs, knowing thats total crap since he never stops eating.
Chris calls him on it. “Right, Ethan ‘the human vacuum’ Clark, is starving…”
He hears his friend snort on the other side of the line making him laugh. “We all know that’s Ryan’s M-O, don’t saddle me with that.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll be there in probably… 20 minutes.”
They say bye and hang up. Chris feels instant relief. Ethan will help him figure this all out, then he can go back to Hartfeld and fix everything.
Hours later Chris finally arrives back on campus. It is now a little after 1:30 a.m. and he is exhausted. Between the talk with Becca, the drive to and from Boston, and the time he spent with Ethan, Chris is drained. But he has a plan… or at least part of one. The rest depends on MC.
Chris parks near the dorm and gets out, deciding to take a walk around the quad to relax a little before heading up. That and when he pulls up he checks the windows of their suite for lights, and MC’s is still on. He stands there for a few minutes, hoping it will turn off, but instead he sees movement inside. Shadows dance across her sheer curtains, indicating she is still awake.
So he take a walk.
He goes the long way around the quad, then cuts through the center, pausing for a moment at a very familiar statue. As he stands there looking at it, he recalls his first day at Hartfeld. The first day he met MC. Or the first day she knocked him on his ass rather. He starts laughing then, suddenly remembering something Ethan had said to him just over a year prior.
“How does he always know…” Chris mumbles to himself as he starts walking again, shoving his hands into his jean pockets.
He walks around the football field, then the administration buildings, hoping that the extra mileage would give everyone time to go to sleep. When he gets closer to the dorm he looks up at their suite again. This time her light is off, her window dark. He takes a deep breath of relief and heads towards the stairs.
When he enters the suite he notices some shapes on the sofa. He carefully steps closer, finally able to make out Abbie, Tyler and Zack all curled up on the sofa together. They have blankets draped over them, but there is no MC or Kaitlyn around. A small smile crosses his face, knowing that they probably covered the others and went to bed. So he does the same, silently creeping down the hall and into his room, hoping no one hears him as he softly shuts his door.
The next morning….
Even though he came in late, Chris is up early the next morning. The suite is quiet, as he expects at such an early hour. He changes into a pair of shorts and one of his Hartfeld team shirts before slipping his running shoes on. Even after all the talk with Ethan last night, and time to think during the drive, Chris’s mind was still reeling. He needs to go for a run.
He makes quick work of it, taking the same path around campus that he has so many times before. The same path he took with MC so many months ago. He smiles as he recalls the memory. The way she easily beat him with her long legs, the way he made up some god awful story about a bee attack to scoop her up and steal her victory. Then when they were against the building… her taste when he kissed her. Chris shakes his head and turns back towards the dorm. He has work to do, hoping he can refresh his memories of MC with new ones before too long.
He rinses off and gets dressed, noticing many of his roommate's doors are open, but they are nowhere to be found. Everyone except for one that is. He grabs some fruit from the bowl on the kitchen counter and picks up one of his school books before taking a seat on the sofa. He has a plan, but it does no good if he never actually sees MC.
After a while Chris hears some movement down the hall. MC enters the shared space and her eyes find his almost immediately. He looks up from his textbook, his beautiful blues peering through his bangs as his head is still tilted towards the book in his lap. She quickly turns her head away and moves towards the kitchen to fix herself some cereal. Once she has her food she strides through the room and up to the roof, avoiding the burning gaze Chris was staring into her back.
He sighs, accepting that moment as a failure. Chris waits, knowing she will have to come back down eventually. After a while he decides he needs another one of his text books and runs down the hall to his room, not wanting to miss her. It takes him longer than he thought to dig out the correct book from the pile on his desk. When he makes his way back towards the common space he hears someone in the kitchen. He knows who it is before he looks up.
MC enters the kitchen, beginning to load the dishwasher with dishes from the overflowing sink. Just as she turns to place another plate into the dishwasher a warm calloused hand takes it from her, the fingers softly running across hers before gripping the plate.
Chris stands there as she looks up, directly into his eyes, a small chagrin smile crossing his lips. “I’ll load, just hand them to me after you rinse.” He offers.
She stares at him for a moment, making his chest tighten, but he holds her gaze, unwavering in his assistance. He reminds himself that he has a plan, as she narrows her eyes and looks away for a moment. Chris almost gives up but she suddenly rinses another plate and hands it over to him. He lets out a small sigh of relief, finally feeling like he might have a shot at this afterall.
They work together in silence like this until the job is done. As he closes and starts the dishwasher, MC wipes off the counter, removing the splashed water. He throws away some trash on the counter and decides to leave her be as he goes back to his abandoned textbook. He didn't want to push her, knowing that she has limited interest in hanging out with him right now.
Chris lowers himself to the sofa and flips through his book, his eyes flicking to her so quickly that it's unidentifiable, before his focus goes completely on the subject in hand. He tries not to watch, but does exactly that as she shakes her head and walks towards the table, opening her own textbook. He notices that it’s the same one he himself has open.
The pair stays in the shared space together for over an hour before their quiet is disrupted. Kaitlyn, Abbie and Zack enter the suite door, laughing about something. When they see MC and Chris studying they apologize and head up to the roof. Chris occasionally glances over towards MC, just to verify that she is still there as she is being extremely quiet. He shakes his head and tells himself to focus on the pages in front of him.
Eventually the three come back downstairs, ready for some lunch. Kaitlyn and Abbie convince MC to join them for lunch, a girls day in a way. Chris watches as they laugh and plan what they want to eat, the possibility of shopping or something after. He can’t help the smile that slowly creeps across his lips. She was happy again, something he wishes he could see all the time. He hears a quiet clearing of the throat and slowly turns his head to face the chair next to him, the opposite direction of the girls in the dining area.
He swallows, realizing he has been caught staring at the girls. As he turns to face his accuser, he finds Zack eyeing him suspiciously. Chris shakes his head and looks down, a surrendering smile across his lips as he sighs. He knows what Zack isn’t saying, and he agrees. What is he waiting for….
The girls head out and the idea hits him. He turns to Zack. “Wheres Tyler? We should go out for some lunch too… get out of here for a while.”
Zack gives him a warm smile as he tilts his head. “Not a bad idea.”
Chris smiles. He’s definitely missed his friends.
The pair heads out and meets up with Tyler, who just finished a gaming session with his group at the library. They walk off campus and find a nearby sub shop to eat and hangout for a while. They talk about a lot of things Chris has missed over the quarter from all the time he spent away. It’s awkward at first, but eventually they falls into the familiar rhythm that they used to have, his friends accepting him back as if he never left them.
*****Chapter 14*****
Later that afternoon….
When the guys get back to the suite they only beat the girls arrial by ten minutes. Chris goes back to his spot on the sofa before they arrive. Zack joins him while Tyler goes to his room. When the suite door opens he can’t stop his eyes from shooting up and searching for hers. She never looks in his direction though, and he frowns when she disappears down the hall. Abbie and Kaitlyn shut themselves in their rooms as well, leaving Zack alone with Chris.
After a few minutes MC reappears, but only briefly before she grabs her things and heads out the door without a goodbye to either of them. Zack notices and sighs.
Chris picks up on it and looks at his smaller friend. “Whats up?”
Zack shrugs. “ It’s just…nothing. Nevermind.” He grumbles.
Chris frowns, knowing Zack is keeping something from him. “Come on Zack, what is it? Is it MC? What has she told you? Tell me.”
Zack snaps is head towards Chris. “Look, Chris. I like you, a lot. But we’re reaching my limits here. I love MC. I adore her. You have no right to demand anything of her, or any of us for that matter...” He sighs, shoulders slumping from embarrassment at his reaction.
Chris’s shoulders fall as well before he slowly nods his head and speaks softly. “I know.”
“You need to be honest with her, with yourself.”
“I know… I’m trying, but she wont--”
“Then you're not trying hard enough, Chris.” Zack interrupts him, his own blue eyes fixed on Chris’s.
“What do you mean?” Chris’s brow furrows as he thinks about everything he's done, what he's doing now.
“You’ll figure it out. You're a smart guy, just listen.”
Chris looks at him for a moment, trying to fully understand the meaning behind his friends words, before finally looking down at his hands and nodding. He has to figure this out. The two eventually split up and head to their individual rooms. Chris paces in his room for a while, thinking again about Zack’s words.
He lets out a huff of air in frustration and turns towards his guitar. Snatching it up he turns back to his bed, setting the instrument across his lap as he sits down. He absentmindedly plays different songs that he's learned over the years but eventually stops on one particular song by the Eagles. He begins to play the intro chords before softly singing the lyrics to himself.
“Every night
I'm lying in bed
Holdin' you close in my dreams
Thinkin' about all the things that we said
And comin' apart at the seams
We try to talk it over
But the words come out too rough
I know you were tryin'
To give me the best of your love”
Chris grimaces, knowing how true those words really are. He pauses to take a slow deep breath before he continues.
“Beautiful faces
Loud empty places
Look at the way that we live
Wastin' our time
On cheap talk and wine
Left us so little to give”
He kicks his shoes off and leans back on his bed, still lightly strumming the chords of the song.
“The same old crowd
Was like a cold dark cloud
That we could never rise above
But here in my heart
I give you the best of my love”
Chris shakes his head slightly, feeling a slight prickling at the corner of his eyes. He clears his throat and continues.
“Oh, sweet darlin'
You get the best of my love
….You get the best of my love
Oh, sweet darlin'
You get the best of my love
….You get the best of my love”
He stops playing all together for a moment, raising his right hand to run through his hair as he stares up at the ceiling. His jaw clenches a few times as he thinks back over the quarter. He starts singing softly without playing.
“I'm goin' back in time
And it's a sweet dream
It was a quiet night
And I would be alright
If I could go on sleeping”
Chris places his hands back on the guitar and gently strums the strings.
“But every morning'
I wake up and worry
What's gonna happen today
You see it your way
And I see it mine
But we both see it slippin' away”
He stops himself before finishing the last part of the song, his fingers falling from the strings, making an awful sound in the room. Chris lays there for a while, his eyes focused past the ceiling, past the roof, into the sky he can't actually see.
When he hears noise outside his room, Chris leans his head up, his ears focused on the sounds. It was coming from the living room, which meant she was back. He quickly and quietly gets up and drops his guitar on the bed before moving towards the door. He hesitates as he listens, making sure he wasn't hearing things.
Chris is sure its her when he hears the soft footsteps hesitate down towards their doors and pause in front of them. He reaches for the handle and yanks the door open instantly, causing the vision in front of him to turn at the noise.
He stands in his bedroom doorway, a small weak smile on his lips. “Hey, MC.” He searches her face as she stands there silently for a moment, like a deer caught in headlights.
She blinks and gathers her thoughts, realizing she isn’t saying anything, making the interaction very awkward. “Uh, hey… Chris.” She gives a small wave and quickly turns into her room, trying not to meet his eyes again as she shuts the door, missing his face fall in disappointment.
He stands there for a moment, his hand still on the door, now gripping it tight. Chris looks down at the floor, clenching and unclenching his jaw. Everything he’s trying isn’t working. She doesn't want anything to do with him.
Slowly he turns, leaving his door open this time, knowing that she's just across the hall. He returns to his bed and picks up his guitar. He stands there with it, gently playing with the strings as he looks out his window wistfully. He closes his eyes as he continues to play, determination setting in. He's not going to give up. Not now, not after everything that's happened. He knows he’s screwed up, possibly costing him the best thing in his life, but he's not giving up.
Coach Madison taught him that. Last year when he was struggling with everything, Coach jerked him back to reality. His friends and family had helped also, but Coach was the sting he needed to get his focus back, and he hasn't forgotten. Zack’s words run through his mind again.
“Not trying hard enough…” He mumbles to himself.
Chris turns and sits on the edge of his bed facing his open door, slowly playing with the strings on his guitar, his ears and eyes trained towards her closed door across the hall. He’s not done trying. Not even close.
After a few minutes her door opens, and much to Chris’s surprise Zack appears, holding the door open for MC. He quickly forgets seeing Zack in her room, the question of why fading as his eyes search for MC’s. She glances up, finding Chris’s door open. Her eyes drift further into his room, seeing him sitting on his bed, his guitar across his lap. As her eyes continue their journey, they find his. Chris is watching her, his head lifted in her direction since the moment the door opened. She quickly breaks the connection and turns down the hall with Zack. Chris doesn't miss the empathetic look Zack briefly throws his way before he disappears down the hall too.
Chris stays there for quite a while after hearing the suite door close behind them. His eyes are focused off into some far distance as he strums the strings randomly. His mind is elsewhere as he absentmindedly plays.
Some time later….
MC and Zack are gushing about something as they enter the suite. She’s totally distracted with her conversation with their curly headed friend to notice Chris in the living room. He sits up straight from his relaxed position on the sofa as he watches her pass through. He immediately sees that she has a long dress bag in her arms. It’s mostly opaque, but part of the dress is peeking out under the bottom edge. He tries to get a better look at it as he watches the pair cut through the suite.
Chris’s mind goes into overdrive, searching his memories for anything he may have missed that would clue him in about the new dress. He knows the Hartfeld Formal is coming up and he swallows, it hitting him for the first time that the dress may be for the dance. And that MC probably has been asked to the formal by someone, possibly someone he knows. His chest tightens at the thought, turmoil swirling inside him.
He stays in the living room for a while, hoping his other roommates would join him at some point. He’s finally rewarded with Tyler’s presence, giving him a friendly nod as he joins Chris on the sofa. They hang out for a while, watching TV and joking about different things they see in commercials. Chris realizes how much he missed doing this. How much he missed his new friends.
At five thirty, there is a knock at the door. Chris stands to answer it after he and Tyler shrug at each other, obviously clueless at who it could be. However, before he can take a step towards the door, Zack comes flying out of the hallway and quickly opens it first. From his position in the living room, Chris can’t see who it is. Tyler leans over, trying to get a better view, but he too cannot see around the open door.
Zack grins at the guest and turns towards the hallway, yelling towards the bedrooms. “MC! Your date is here!”
Chris blinks, stunned at Zacks statement. Tyler looks from Zack to Chris, a question across his face, receiving only a shrug and a shaking head from the quarterback. Chris’s face turns pensive as he stares at the door, the anticipating building.
Zack steps aside and gestures for someone to enter. Chris’s eyes focus sharply on her ‘date’ as they enter. Much to Chris’s surprise, James Ashton steps inside. He’s dressed in a nice formal suit, holding a bouquet of roses in his hands.
MC enters the living room moments later, her eyes trained to James as she crosses the room, unaware of the other occupants. Chris slowly lowers himself back to the sofa, his eyes appraising her dress as she floats towards the door. He feels a lump in his throat as he thinks about how beautiful she looks, knowing she’s about to go on a date. With James. He slumps back onto the sofa, his eyes still watching, now laced with a sadness… and something else. He realizes what it is after a moment. Jealousy.
MC smiles at James and gestures to the flowers. “What are these for?”
James shakes his head slightly, pretending to be put out. “Can’t I do something nice for my 'fiancée’?”
Tyler raises an eyebrow and slowly looks at Chris, whose face is twisted in confusion. He immediately wonders what all this 'fiancée’ business is about. Zack watches his tall muscular friend from his spot in the kitchen, his eyes boring into Chris’s. Feeling the hole being burned into him, Chris finds Zack’s gaze and holds it for a moment. He sighs and shrinks back, turning his eyes from everyone, focusing on the TV. He tries to ignore their conversation, but their proximity in the small suite makes it impossible. He clenches his jaw as he watches her out of the corner of his eye.
She scrunches up her nose and taps her chin with a single finger. “Hmmm…”
“They’re a thank-you. For agreeing to do this for me.” James hands the flowers to her.
“They’re beautiful.” She gladly accepts and turns to the kitchen, handing them to Zack as he reaches for them to put them in water.
“So are you.” James pauses, a startled look crossing his face at the sudden admission. “…er, that is to say, you look very nice.”
Chris shifts uncomfortably from his spot on the sofa. He couldn't agree more with what James just said. But the fact that James is saying it, and not himself is slightly alarming to him. He starts to wonder if he’s too late. He searches MC’s face for any helpful information that would let him know.
MC tries not to blush, or make eye contact with Chris, finally realizing that he and Tyler were on the sofa, become increasingly interested in her interaction with James. “James, was that a compliment?”
“It was just an observation.” He smirks.
“Come on, admit it. What do you say? Youuuuu think I’m prettyyyy. You wish we were engaged for real.” She tries not to laugh as his normal composure fractures from her playful ribbing.
His eyes widen as he chokes on his words. “What, I–”
MC lets out a soft laugh at his flustered reaction. “Relax, I’m teasing you.”
James shakes his head. “In all honesty, MC, you are breathtaking.” He gives a small smile before looking a way briefly.
Chris feels his stomach bottom out as he hears James’s words. James wasn't lying, but that only made Chris feel worse.
“And I’m sure my parents will be very impressed.” James holds out his arm. “Shall we go?”
Chris watches her smile at his compliment. As they head out the door his shoulders slump as he falls further into the sofa, his frown deepening. He glares into the TV, but notices movement near the door again, causing his eyes to flick up. He finds Zack looking at him as he shifts the flowers around. Chris’s lips become a thin tight line as he stews.
He only sits there for a minute before suddenly jumping up, causing Tyler to jump next to him, before he speeds to his room and slams his door. He rips his shirt over his head and tosses it on the bed before unzipping and yanking his jeans off as well. He throws them blindly behind him as he digs through his dresser, finding a pair of Hartfeld athletic shorts and one of his compression tees. He quickly dresses and snatches up his sneakers, not spending the time to even put them on. He has to get out of here. He needs to run. Now.
He flies down the hall, passing a confused Zack and Tyler as he yanks on the door, hearing it finally shut after he's many steps down the stairs. It takes only seconds for him to reach the ground floor, moving through the double doors as if he was blocking an attack on the field. He starts running barefoot until he gets a little distance between himself and the dorm.
Chris finally slows and eventually stops as he approaches a bench. Sitting down, he swiftly pulls on his socks and shoes, needing to continue his run. He can feel the pressure building inside and needs to get it out before he’s no longer in control. The moment he ties the last lace he bolts from the bench. Chris runs multiple laps around his usual path, adrenaline pumping through his body. He knows he's going to be sore from it, but he doesn't care. His lungs burn as he forces himself to run further and harder.
After many laps Chris is still struggling. It’s never taken him this long to calm down when he runs. He shakes his head as he staggers, his legs starting to turn into jello after an hour of abuse. As he passes the dark football field he takes a sharp turn and heads inside. The gates are locked but he knows how to get in.
He finds his usual thinking seat in the stands and drops into it with an exhausted “Oomph”. He stretches back, filling his lungs with as much air as possible over and over again, until his breathing finally slows. He runs his hand through his hair and rubs the back of his neck, believing he finally has leveled out again. Chris bends over at the hips, resting his chin on his hands as he folds them across his knees, staring at his shoes.
He briefly looks at the time on his FitBit, wondering how long MC would be out tonight. He forces his eyes shut as he pinches them between his fingers, suddenly realizing that she might not come back. He quickly shakes his head, knowing that couldn't be true. She wouldn't do that, even if she liked James, she wasnt that type of girl. Chris knows this.
Sure, she kissed him back on the very first night of the quarter. “But that was different…” He mumbles to himself as he sits back straight, looking into the dark field.
He wrings his hands together, gripping them tightly, one then the other. Rinse. Repeat. He shakes his head again. Yes, even though they had kissed after only knowing each other for a few hours. No, he knows that she feels differently about him. Or at least she did. He feels the pit that is forms in his stomach when he starts to wonder if she really has moved on.
Chris closes his eyes and takes a long, slow, deep breath, concentrating on not letting the dark anxiety creep back in. The memories are still there, this situation similar enough to drag them up to the surface. He stays there for what feels like hours.
Eventually he stands. Still looking out into the dark field, he flexes his neck down, facing the ground to try and relieve the tension that has built up with a slow stretch. He takes his time walking back to the dorm. Once he enters he finds everyone else in the living room, so he collapses on the single arm chair to distract himself from his own thoughts. Thankfully they leave him alone for the most part. It has been a very anxious evening for him as he tries to pretend otherwise around his friends as they hang out in the suite together.
One by one they all go to bed, Zack being the last to leave him alone with his thoughts. He doesn't miss the way Zack has been staring at him all night either. He’s thankful for the new solitude as he heads to his room to grab a clean set of clothes before shutting himself into the bathroom.
Once he finishes rinsing off, Chris drags himself into the kitchen. He reaches into the fridge for a gatorade, already feeling how sore he is, making him laugh softly to himself as he sits on one of the barstools. The closest seat to the suite door.
*****Chapter15*****
It’s late, making his mind run through multiple scenarios as to why MC had not yet returned. He can’t make himself go to sleep. Not until he knows she’s back, until she is home. His mind shuffles through all the possible scenarios for her night. Some were of her having the best night of her life, leaving with James and not coming back to the suite, making his stomach turn at the thought. The scenarios range from that, all the way to something more ominous occurring.
Before he can travel further down that dark path, he hears something at the door. Recognizing the sound of keys Chris jumps up. He takes a breath, collecting himself before gently opening the door faster than she can point the key at the lock. Her eyes widen with surprise as they slowly rise to see what force is at work. Her hazel eyes meet piercing blues once again. Chris doesn’t say anything, his face displaying raw relief as they look at each other. He steps back, giving her room to enter as he gestures for her to come inside.
“Oh, Chris…” MC starts as she stands there stunned for a moment. “I thought everyone would be asleep” She says softly as she finally enters the suite.
He gives her a small smile, feeling his body finally relax for the first time since James knocked on the door hours before. “I uh, I couldn’t sleep I guess. Just been watching some TV.”
“Sorry, I was trying to be quiet when I came back.” She frowns as if she has failed.
As he quietly shuts and locks the door behind her, Chris turns to watch her as she leans in and smells the flowers James had brought her earlier. He just stands there, studying her face as she closes her eyes and enjoys the smell of the roses. A small smile creeps across her face, causing him to grow a small one too, his chest becoming tight at the same time.
He takes a few steps into the living space, moving slightly closer to her by doing so. MC finally opens her eyes, blinking a few times like she has become lost for a moment. She turns and faces him, suddenly remembering that she isn't alone.
Chris looks deeply into her eyes, unmoving as he speaks, his hands jammed into his jean pockets. “James was right.”
She looks at him confused, prompting him to continue, his voice even softer this time. “What he said earlier, about you looking breathtaking tonight…”
He sees MC suck in a breath and lean back on her heels, somewhat stunned by his words. Chris lets out a small laugh, almost mockingly towards himself as he turns his eyes away from her and starts moving towards the hallway. As he passes her, he speaks again, his head down slightly, his eyes are kind and attentive as he quickly looks to her’s again.
“Yeah… he was right.” He clears his throat as he tears his eyes away, still moving towards the dark hallway. “I hope you had a good time. Goodnight, MC.”
He quickly shuffles down the dark hallway and into his room, trying to swallow the thick feeling in his throat while pushing back the burning sensation behind his eyes as he closes his door.
The next morning…
Chris has another restless night. The nightmare returns. This time the same as the last, with MC in the place of he previously unidentifiable person. He wakes often, making himself go through he routine of calming down and eventually falling asleep. It’s like this for most of the night, making him more exhausted than all the running. Eventually he gives up and just lays there awake.
He turns his head and looks at the time. Everyone would be walking soon if they weren't already, so he decides to get up and get dressed as well. He isn't going to be getting any rest if he lays there anyways. When he open his bedroom door he finds the one across the hall still shut. Luckily for him, it opens almost instantly.
Chris watches MC as she floats out of her room, her eyes never looking in his direction, making his heart fall a little. She looks beautiful, even wearing a casual tank top, button down combination thrown over a pair of worn in jeans. He wants to reach out and wrap his arms around her, to smell her hair, but he resists as he hovers inside his room. His eyes look at her with a little bit of hope, but a lot of regret and sadness as she heads towards the kitchen.
He steps out of his room and watches as she grabs an apple, quickly washing it before she collects her things. She moves so quickly that Chris doesn't have had enough time to join her in the living room before she’s out the door. His gaze still focused on her as she slips through the threshold.
Chris figures she's on her way to Professor Vasquez office as he frequently wants something from her, usually keeping her fairly busy and stressed all the time. He hates that. Watching her have to struggle to stay at Hartfeld when she has worked so hard to get here. He’s always been shocked that she did not received a scholarship for her running ability. She was quick, and she had stamina, making her unstoppable.
His mind wanders through past memories and images. Her long legs and her even breathing as she focuses down the path. The determination in her eyes as she crushes anyone who tries to keep up with her.
He smiles. The first genuine smile to cross his face in days.
He decides then, the moment she comes back from Professor Vasquez’s office, he's going to tell her everything. He was being honest when he told her weeks before that he was falling for her. No more hiding, no more waiting. Zack was right. Chris is listening now.
Unfortunately for him though, she doesn't return anytime soon. He spends the entire day hanging out in the suite or on the roof. He realizes after a few hours that she either didn't go to see the professor, or she did and is now doing something else. With someone else. His thoughts drift to James, the tall, dark, and handsome senior that she had started hanging out with more an more over the quarter.
He frowns, knowing this is all his fault.
It’s finally becomes dark out and everyone goes to their rooms for the night. Chris can admit that he had a good time hanging out with the rest of his suitemates, but they never had his full focus. His thought were always on MC, wondering what she was doing, if she was okay, and when she would return. He doesn't give up though, once again lingering near the suite door for over an hour or more.
He doesn't hear the key as it enters the lock, his eyes focused directly on the ground as he paces. MC pushes the door open, her entire person exhausted. She immediately stops after taking only a few steps inside, finding Chris close by with an anxious expression as he takes a few more steps, unaware of her presence just yet.
She softly clears her throat, trying not to startle him as she attempts to quickly pass by. He looks up instantly, his eyes latching onto hers. “MC…”
Startled by his close proximity as she walks further in to shut the door, she takes a step back. “Chris!” She looks at him, noticing something isn’t quite right. “Are you alright?”
His brow furrows as he runs his hand through his hair, taking a slow breath as he gains the courage to speak.
“I…” He swallows hard, keeping his eyes on hers. “I ended things with Becca.” He pauses for a moment, gauging her reaction to his admission. “Whatever that was… It’s over.”
He watches as she blinks a few times, trying to process what is happening. He knows he's caught her off guard this late at night, but he can’t wait any longer. She is about to slip through his fingers and he has to do something. Now.
“You did?!” She shakes her head and looks at him with confusion.
Chris’s shoulders are tense as he clenches and unclenches his fists. “I made a mistake, MC… I thought I was protecting you by staying away.” He looks down and closes his eyes before he continues.
“But I only ended hurting us both. I’m just hoping it’s not too late to make things right.” He runs his hand through his hair again, this time stopping at the nape of his neck, rubbing nervously.
“So… I’m here asking if you’ll take me back. For good this time.” He raises his handsome blue eyes back to hers, waiting. Hopeful.
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Jeez this will be long, but thank you:
1: is there a boy/girl in your life? Girl but it’s complicated/we aren't together
2: think of the last person who hurt you; do you forgive them? I told them that I did to ease my heart, but I’m not too sure/I didn't forget
3: what do you think of when you hear the word “meow?” cute cat
4: what’s something you really want right now? To go home
5: are you afraid of falling in love? To the “wrong” person/I’m afraid I can't fully fall
6: do you like the beach? YES! I’m an Island girl :)
7: have you ever slept on a couch with someone else? Yes
8: what’s the background on your cell? A picture of my friend’s fave Irish beach and then lauren Jauregui
9: name the last four beds you were sat on? mine mine mine and mine
10: do you like your phone? I could use greater memory, but grateful I even have a phone!
11: honestly, are things going the way you planned? They never
12: who was the last person whose phone number you added to your contacts? My friend Ali cause snapchat too lit
13: would you rather have a poodle or a rottweiler? rottweiler because poodle’s fur often mats easily :(
14: which hurts the most, physical or emotional pain? Emotional
15: would you rather visit a zoo or an art museum? ART MUSEUM fuck zoos
16: are you tired? Always
17: how long have you known your 1st phone contact? Probably would be my parents haha
18: are they a relative? More/less
19: would you ever consider getting back together with any of your exes? No. We’ve all diverged and I’ve no sexual attraction towards them anymore. We’re past closure!
20: when did you last talk to the last person you shared a kiss with? March
21: if you knew you had the right person, would you marry them today? Yes
22: would you kiss the last person you kissed again? Idk
23: how many bracelets do you have on your wrists right now? None because I hate jewelry (apart from earrings)
24: is there a certain quote you live by? “I am still learning”-Michelangelo
25: what’s on your mind? Sleep and how tf am I going to study
26: do you have any tattoos? Nope
27: what is your favorite color? Equally green and pink
28: next time you will kiss someone on the lips? Spontaneity! No idea!
29: who are you texting? Currently texting “thank you” to everyone who texted me today!
30: think to the last person you kissed, have you ever kissed them on a couch? LOL no
31: have you ever had the feeling something bad was going to happen and you were right? YES. Always
32: do you have a friend of the opposite sex you can talk to? Daniel :)
33: do you think anyone has feelings for you? I am certain of one girl, that’s all that I know lol so I’d say no!
34: has anyone ever told you you have pretty eyes? YESSS especially since I’ve got brown eyes, I retain that compliment :)
35: say the last person you kissed was kissing someone right in front of you? I wouldn't care!
36: were you single on valentines day? Yes
37: are you friends with the last person you kissed? Nope
38: what do your friends call you? Savage, Zaddy, Em haha
39: has anyone upset you in the last week? Nope
40: have you ever cried over a text? yes ugh
41: where’s your last bruise located? Side of my knee cause I like to drop to music beats intensely smh
42: what is it from? Above^
43: last time you wanted to be away from somewhere really bad? NOW
44: who was the last person you were on the phone with? My family
45: do you have a favourite pair of shoes? Probably my “white” converse but they haven't smelled the best since Pride ‘17 lol
46: do you wear hats if your having a bad hair day? No, I wear them on good hair days rip
47: would you ever go bald if it was the style? NO
48: do you make supper for your family? Nope
49: does your bedroom have a door? Two doors:)
50: top 3 web-pages? Tumblr, Facebook, Youtube
51: do you know anyone who hates shopping? LMAO YAAA like she hates malls/shopping
52: does anything on your body hurt? My back
53: are goodbyes hard for you? very but I get over it
54: what was the last beverage you spilled on yourself? Coke
55: how is your hair? Natural rn
56: what do you usually do first in the morning? Stretchhhh
57: do you think two people can last forever? Yes, but with obstacles and forgiveness
58: think back to january 2007, were you single? Probably since I was 8
59: green or purple grapes? GREEN, but idc
60: when’s the next time you will give someone a big hug? Probably today
61: do you wish you were somewhere else right now? yes
62: when will be the next time you text someone? After I finish this
63: where will you be 5 hours from now? In the same place #Boring
64: what were you doing at 8 this morning. Getting ready to grab breakfast before my exam
65: this time last year, can you remember who you liked? Definitively
66: is there one person in your life that can always make you smile? Yes. A blessing
67: did you kiss or hug anyone today? nope
68: what was your last thought before you went to bed last night? That I need to fall asleep!
69: have you ever tried your hardest and then gotten disappointed in the end? YES my life
70: how many windows are open on your computer? Two which is relatively a low for me
71: how many fingers do you have? 10
72: what is your ringtone? generic iPhone ringtone
73: how old will you be in 5 months? 19
74: where is your mum right now? At work, back home
75: why aren’t you with the person you were first in love with or almost in love? because our time ended and we were better off growing by others and ourselves
76: have you held hands with somebody in the past three days? No
77: are you friends with the people you were friends with two years ago? Yes
78: do you remember who you had a crush on in year 7? Yes lmao
79: is there anyone you know with the name mike? Yes
80: have you ever fallen asleep in someones arms? Yes
81: how many people have you liked in the past three months? Two
82: has anyone seen you in your underwear in the last 3 days?Probably. I live in residence
83: will you talk to the person you like tonight? Of course
84: you’re drunk and yelling at hot guys/girls out of your car window, you’re with? My best friends
85: if your bf/gf was into drugs would you care? Care enough to bring them to seek help
86: what was the most eventful thing that happened last time you went to see a movie? Sweet ass seats in Imagine Cinema lmao
87: who was your last received call from? My family
88: if someone gave you $1,000 to burn a butterfly over a candle, would you? No. I’d cry wtf that’s so morbid
89: what is something you wish you had more of? Time with the people I love
90: have you ever trusted someone too much? Unfortunately. I’m rather a transparent person too so fml
91: do you sleep with your window open? During the summer. It’s so refreshing
92: do you get along with girls? Very
93: are you keeping a secret from someone who needs to know the truth? Yes, but I don't think they NEED to know the truth. either way fml
94: does sex mean love? No
95: you’re locked in a room with the last person you kissed, is that a problem? not at all
96: have you ever kissed anyone with a lip ring? no
97: did you sleep alone this week? Yes
98: everybody has somebody that makes them happy, do you? I do
99: do you believe in love at first sight? hmm interest leading to love, but not love on the spot
100: who was the last person that you pinky promise? Emma
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