Blue

Chapter 4

'I assume your name is Elaine?' he spoke after fifteen minutes of silence.

Elaine's hair masked her face as she was bent over her desk making notes. Hence, she closed her eyes against his deep, velvety smooth, yet expertly rough voice. She felt like she was listening to her favourite song. She hastily pushed this uncomfortable thought to the back of her mind and nodded her head.

'Hmm. Interesting', was all he said as he continued to stare at her.

She could feel his intense gaze, but being her stubborn self, Elaine refused to meet his gaze. The next half an hour of the class, she spent replaying how good her name sounded coming from his mouth in a rich Irish accent. She mentally slapped herself for it. She obviously couldn't care less for some random guy.

The moment the class ended, she ran to Maire's seat and they made their way out of the class. Maire was fervently praising Mr Eden and stating how ugly the new guy was.

'He is totally hot', she stated. 'Plus, the two of you looked perfect together.'

'Really Maire, stop. You know I don't like talking about other guys.'

'But El!' she protested, 'you have to move on from Ian, and this is your perfect chance. The was he was looking at you was something you deserve. Ian never liked you in that...'

Maire broke off as Elaine rushed to the girls restroom. An emptiness had filled her since she had left class and now that Maire had mentioned Ian, she couldn't control the tears. She ran as the tears spilled and Maire called after her. But before she could enter the restroom, she collided with a strong mass. It was the guy from her English class. She met his gaze with her blurry eyes, swimming with tears. An alien feeling of calm settled in her stomach as he held her wrist to stop her from falling.

Maire caught up with them and quickly made her way to Elaine intending to embrace her in a hug.

But before she could do so, Elaine was flung behind him and he stood there facing Maire.

'What did you do to her?' he growled.

Maire stood there stupidly for a second trying to decipher what just happened.

'Why is she upset?' growled the stranger again.

Maire lost her pacience.

'Get out of the way you dickhead.' she screamed.

The guy took a step forward. Maire stood her ground. 'What?', she taunted 'the big tough guy is gonna manhandle me now?'

Before it grew out of hand Elaine quickly stepped around the guy and grabbed Maire's arm.

'Let's go', she breathed pulling Maire with her. The short lived feeling of calm leaving her fast.

'The name's Niell. Irish guy. Filthy rich. Chicks dig him. Lives at his mansion like house, alone. Drives a BMW. Definitely not a virgin. But currently single.' stated Maire in a matter of factly tone. She was always a brilliant stalker.

'And I need to know this because?' Elaine asked, as she flopped on the bed Maire sat on.

Maire raised an eyebrow.

'Oh, you don't need to know this. Though, I do, because apparently the new hot guy at school, Neill, has a thing for my best friend and he is really protective of her'.

Elaine rolled her eyes.

'Oh, what's the name of this unfortunate best friend?'

'Elaine, also known as El'.

Elaine sighed. 'Drop it Maire'.

At that Maire just smirked. Elaine knew this was far from over.

Elaine had asked Maire to hang out at her place after school. She hated being home. Whenever she was alone, she felt low and miserable.

Elaine's parents had passed away when she was young. She hardly had any collection of their existance. Her aunt had brought her up. But now that she was 17 she had attained premature guardianship. She thought it would be nice to be the boss of yourself. She was wrong.

Maire and Elaine fooled around. Maire picked Elaine a dress for school tomorrow. Then they watched the television. Around 8pm, both the girls sat on the couch in fits of laughter when the doorbell went off. After a quick match of rock paper scissors, they decided that Maire was to get the door.

Elaine sat on the couch and heard the door being opened. Then, she heard low, conversational voices.

'Who is it?', she called out loud to Maire.

'I'm leaving', Maire called back.

'What? Why?', exclaimed Elaine jumping up and making her way to the door.

She was greeted by a smirking Maire with a look of triumph on her face and at the doorstep stood none other that the strange new boy at school; Niell.

'Well, see you then. I'll get my stuff when I come over to pick you up tomorrow', said Maire merrily before leaving the door she patted Neill on the shoulder 'best of luck buddy' she whispered. Elaine felt her cheeks burn. All she could think of was- with friends like these, who needs enemies.

'I'm not inviting you in', Elaine announced flatly, after a moment to concentrated silence.

'And why would I need an invitation to come in?' smirked Neill. This caught Elaine off guard.

'I, well, because it is my house', spluttered Elaine.

'And?' Neill asked, sounding bored.

'And I said, you can't come in', stated Elaine with slightly more confidence.

'Well, I just did.' said Neill stepping over the threshold.Elaine took a shocked step backwards.

'Get out', she whispered. Again, a weird feeling was settling in her stomach. And it was upsetting her that she was almost enjoying that feeling.

'Well, here's the thing', he said stepping closer, smirking all the while 'you're tiny. And you're alone. You don't have a relative to run off to. And I'm definitely stronger that you are. Plus, I'm really hot. So it will really help you if you invite me inside and be the nice host I'm sure you are.'

Elaine stood horrified after which she turned around and ran to the coffee table where her phone lay. Picking it up, she ran to the farthest wall calling Maire all the while. One moment she was leaning against the wall punching in the keys of her phone desperately and the next second, she finds the phone being snapped out of her hand, Neill turns her around forcefully but surprisingly the blow doesn't come as her face meets the wall. She finds her hands above her head as her back is pressed against Neill's chest. The closure is making her light headed and she somehow can't summon the panic that will give her the brainwave of how to escape. She felt strangely calm as the mysterious guy held her face first against the wall.

'Listen up', said Neill leaning in closer to her ear. She closed her eyes against the blow of his warm breath. His voice was unsteady. The words coming out were not a smooth Irish chant. They were low, deep pants. Was it Elaine doing this to him? 'Don't act smartly. Don't try to run from me. I don't like it and it pisses me off. And you don't want a face off with a pissed Neill.'

He then leaned in more. Elaine felt her back stiffen. His lips came in contact with the back of her shoulder. A low moan escaped her lips as she involuntarily shuddered. He moved his lips along her neck and licked at the spot between her shoulder and neck. Elaine felt herself melt under his lips. She was lost and wanted Neill in a very intimate way. All sanity was leaving her, fast.

She knew she had to end this madness. It was now, or never.

'Would you like tea or coffee?' she asked. Hospitality was her only escape. Neill let her hands go, as they fell to her sides. He stepped back and smirked, as though nothing had happened at all.

'I'll help you make coffee. Lead the way.'