This Won't Work

Need

"Doin' things you never thought you'd do"

- The Weeknd

What he didn't want to happen was happening. Elana was avoiding him.

She had sat opposite of him at breakfast, when she usually sat beside him. She didn't speak a word while crossing paths in the hallways.

It was the next day. A day before they would leave Hawaii. Damien didn't want to think about what his life would be like now. The silent treatment was killing him.

The five had spent yesterday and this morning packing suitcases in preparation for tomorrow's departure. Marissa had informed them of a dinner reservation.

Damien and Elana were not looking forward to it.

Yet, they had gotten ready anyways. It would be the last time Damien would see his older sister for a while. That was the only reason letting him walk into the restaurant.

Elana's eyes were the first to meet his. It was those hazel eyes that kept him craving her drug. That kept him addicted.

And he only looked at her lips to feel her kiss.

And he only looked at her eyes to feel that unmistakable desire.

And he only looked at her body to feel warmth.

But he didn't really feel any of that. He just sat down at their table beside Nova, furthest away from Elana. Because he knew that sitting near her would only pull him closer until his hands couldn't leave her.

Elana was first to break the eye-contact. She still hadn't spoken to Nova. At many times yesterday she wanted to but it never ended up happening.

Nova was just like her. Avoiding situations she didn't want to be involved in. This was not good for either of them.

Charles and Marissa arrived then. Soon after, their orders were taken by the waitress.

This was not a good scenario.

Marissa had a secret only her brother knew of. Nova had kissed her best friend. And Elana was stuck in a complicated situation with their brother.

And here they all were, sending looks to each other, pleading each other to keep their lips sealed.

There was no conversation to make and the silence was unbearable.

Elana's eyes locked with Damien's once again. This time neither pulled away. They stayed as Damien put a glass of water to his lips. As Elana twirled a fork between her fingers.

The tension was thick and so obvious. It was impossible that the other's wouldn't notice.

Just his gaze made her breathing unstable. She didn't know his heartbeat was irregular too.

Elana abruptly stood. "I have to use the restroom."

Her legs dragged her to the bathroom where she leaned against the sink.

What the fuck was happening?

Elana mentally smacked her forehead.

It wasn't so hard to confront him. To speak her truth like he'd previously done. So why did she cower away as he'd said? It wasn't such a big deal so why was she making it one?

"I swear this started out as just sex. I'm not saying it isn't just sex, I'm just not sure."

She recalled his words from yesterday. He was so infuriating. Couldn't Elana just hate him in peace? Couldn't they leave it alone? Continue their mindless sex?

"This won't work."

What the fuck had she meant by that?

She rolled the tension out of her neck and opened the door to the bathroom. She wasn't expecting to meet Damien blocking her path.

Without a word, he pushed her back into the bathroom. The door slammed closed behind them. Then a click as he locked it.

"Damien-"

"No, let me talk." His eyes swiped over her face. "You need to tell me what the fuck you meant yesterday. I'm so tired of your indecisiveness."

Elana furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"You get drunk, fuck me, tell me that you need me, and then go back to hating me the next day. I don't know what to think anymore." He sucked in a shaky breath. "You tell me you sleep better with me. You tell me you like it when I'm there. You tell me all this shit and I don't know if you mean it. Because the next second after, you're telling me you hate me."

"I just-"

"Maybe this is just sex and I'm making something more out of it. But you need to tell me what you really feel because I am so confused. I can't keep on trying to guess if I really do make you sleep better. Or if you really do like being around me."

He grabbed her face in his hands, looking deeply into those hazel eyes.

"I don't know."

Damien groaned, pulling away. "This is exactly what I mean! Make up your damn mind! I want to know what you feel, what goes through your head. So stop hiding it from me and just tell me, please."

Elana's mouth opened before snapping shut again. Damien shook his head. He really thought this time would be different.

He made a move to leave until her voice. It was quiet, a mere mumble, but coherent.

"I'm scared, though."

Damien turned back around. "Scared?"

She took a deep breath. "I'm scared to face my feelings."

He could almost sigh in relief. Not only did she admit it to Damien, but herself as well.

It felt so good to hear her say the truth. So good that Damien took her small body into his arms. He could hear her quivering breaths. His hand rubbed her back.

"Don't be scared. I'm here to hear you out."

Elana dug her face into his shirt, clutching the fabric within her hands.

"I don't know if I'm ready to face the truth myself." She croaked.

"Are you crying?" Damien asked with sincerity before she looked up at him. Her eyes glossed over.

"I don't even know why."

He stroked her hair. It's okay. Don't cry. I'm here. - he told her with his expression.

"You have to understand, Damien, my last relationship didn't go well. It's hard for me to admit these things out loud. Give me time, please." Her soft voice filled his ears.

"Of course. All the time you need."

*****