First Encounter (A Perri Kiely story)

Chapter 18

Perri had some unexpected free time now that Vanessa had left their rehearsal early. He wanted to fill it with something that would make him feel better. He picked up his phone and made the call.

Laura was suffering. She was covered in sweat and red faced. Her phone trilled a facetime request from Perri. She froze in the middle of the gym. She did not look good. Should she ignore him? She had a brainwave, she denied the call request and immediately tapped out a message.

[Sorry, I'm in the middle of the gym, can I call you back in an hour?] She thought that was plenty of time to finish her session get home and shower. She got off the bus stiffly, she worked extra hard these days. And walked down the street to her apartment building, she saw a tall figure leaning on the low wall that surrounded the building. As she got closer, she saw it was Perri. He looked sad, staring at his phone. She picked up the pace in excitement.

"Hi!" She gave him her sunniest smile

"Hi, he replied" He managed a small smile "I hope you don't mind me turning up, I just really needed to see you." He said sadly. He reached out and pulled her into a tight hug. Laura hugged him back.

"It's fine, has something happened?" she asked, worried.

"I've found out that Vanessa's boyfriend is a wasteman." He replied, getting annoyed again. Laura squeezed him reassuringly and pulled him down the path to the apartment building entrance.

As the sun rose over London, its rays shone through Vanessa's window. She had headed home and cried most of the evening, judging by the angry noises her stomach was making, she had fallen asleep before making dinner. There was no alcohol in her flat, she insisted on being tee tola during the competition, or it would have been drunk. Her feelings of rejection gnawed at her. She knew she shouldn't be feeling them, Pel was not hers to be rejected by. But the gaping hole that appeared in her heart was definitely not for Rory. And now, she had to meet him and pretend she wasn't falling for him. She dragged herself out of bed and headed to her kitchen to make breakfast.

The same sun shone rays through Laura's flat window too. She was tangled up in Perri on her bed. She propped herself up on her elbow and just looked at him in wonder. He was the perfect gentleman last night, he had talked, ordered a takeaway, kissed her, but refused to go any further. He kept saying he wanted to do this right, whatever that meant. She thought she would explode in desire being so near him but she had worn herself out from her gym session so had fallen asleep in his arms feeling safe and warm. She leaned in and kissed his mouth, smiling when he stirred.

"Morning sleepy head" she whispered.

"mmmnnph" replied Perri, he was not an easy person to wake, Laura shook him gently. "Mmmmmmrrrrrmmmm" he protested and swept her under him pinning her with his body so he could sleep on her chest. Laura was trapped, she hadn't anticipated this move. She squirmed and tried to slide out from under him, but he was too heavy. Her wriggling stimulated the sleepy man above her and she stopped when she felt the effects. Perri lifted his head and moved up to kiss her.

"Stop wriggling" he demanded, laughing, "I can't take it anymore." He said kissing her again and pressing himself against her.

"I thought you wanted to do things right?" she asked wrapping her arms around his neck. Perri rolled over with a whine.

"I do, it's your fault" he said, getting up. He was still fully dressed in sweatpants and a t-shirt. He threw his sweatshirt on and left the room. Laura chuckled as she heard the excited voices of her flatmates again as they ambushed him on the landing.

She snuck out of the room and headed the opposite way to the bathroom to get ready.