The Pirate & The Porcelain Doll (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 21

Nicole could only watch as Waverly ran off through the trees, unable to move as fast, unsure if she should give chase. "Wait," she shouted. "Waverly, wait. I can't keep up."

Waverly was gone, leaving her to the stillness of a once-happy playground in her absence. Not a sound could be heard, not even Waverly's footsteps on fallen leaves, an eerie emptiness only winter has the ability to express. She returned to the log, lighting another cigarette, gathering her thoughts, trying to figure out what Waverly meant by a game, what caused her sudden, unexpected mood swing, one moment sexually suggestive the next huffily hoofing it away.

She studied the pond, the ice thick enough to walk on she assessed that time of year, although a fresh dusting of snow across the surface would make it more difficult to see where any thin patches might be. She was tempted to find out, tempted to risk a dunking, to see if she could still reach the other side, for no other reason than she needed to do something, anything to alleviate the dull ache in her chest, knowing age was against her, slower than when she last ventured out beyond the safety of land.

Waverly emerged from the wood, marching towards the house, not looking back, hoping not to meet anyone. She still has feelings for Jinny, she thought. Her mother knows she likes Jinny, so she's biding her time with me. She cheats. She always cheats. And, she steals. You take what doesn't belong to you, with no thought for the other person. And, you're selfish. Selfish, selfish, selfish.

Heading to her bedroom, locking the door, she no longer wanted to be in the same house as Nicole, wishing she didn't have two more days to endure being gracious and polite. She wanted to scream at Nicole for leading her on, making her believe they had a future. What future? There's no future. I should have realised. All those stupid letters and silly games. Leading me somewhere I shouldn't be going. All to keep her amused, while she waits for that woman. Wynonna was right. Believe half of what Nicole says, and half again.

Waverly hoped she would be left in peace to stew in her own misery, not wanting to discuss her feelings with Nicole, not sure how. No past lovers, no idea how relationships worked, no one to talk through her feelings for Nicole, the only person she had been prepared to let into her heart now hurting it, definitely cheating on it, she concluded. I'm just as good as Jinny, she thought. Why doesn't she see that? Why can't she love me like her?

She stood at the window, her warm breath hitting the pane, unable to escape. She wiped it with her sleeve, spying Nicole approaching the house. She saw her look up, saw her face change as she drew near spotting the butterfly trapped behind glass, the distance between them further than ever.

She heard the door handle rattle, a soft knocking. "Is this about Ellie's boot?" Nicole asked, hoping to break the tension. "You can have it back. Can I have my soldier?"

"Go away."

"Fine. You can keep the soldier. I'll leave the boot by the door."

"What did I ever see in you?"

Nicole tried the door handle again, looking both ways along the corridor, checking if anyone was within earshot, sensing Waverly might be about to say something to jeopardise their whole relationship. "Waverly. Wiggle. Let me in for a moment. To talk, in private."

"No. Leave me alone. I don't want anything more to do with you."

"Waverly," Nicole insisted. "Open the door. I can't talk out here. You know that."

She heard the lock release, entering quickly, closing the door behind her. Waverly returned to the window, her slender figure silhouetted in the light entering the room. Nicole stood for a moment taking in the vision before her, so close yet so far away, the person who had a hold over her like no other. She would do anything for this beautiful crazy creature if only she would be allowed. So connected to her, she knew if Waverly's heart stopped beating hers would too, instantly.