Elle and the Mysterious Beast (One Direction)

Chapter 10 - Decisions

I awake somewhere around four in the morning and can’t seem to fall back asleep. On my way down for a glass of water I hear faint music coming from the back room downstairs, what I call the music room. I tiptoe over to the door and peer inside. The beast is sitting comfortably at the large piano in the corner, his back facing me. He’s wearing his usual large dirty sweatpants that have seen better days. It seems like if he has spare clothes for a girl that are in good condition then there’d be clothes for him too… though he is now about three times the size of a normal young boy.

Which is actually kind of confusing because technically he’s not young, he’s like 100 something maybe more, I don’t know. I wonder how old he was when he ‘turned’ or whatever happened. The guys in the book looked to be about 18 I would guess but then I don’t know if that book had been printed long before he became the beast or just before so I really don’t know.

I watch as his large fingers scroll across the keys effortlessly. He really must do this a lot for his over-sized beastly fingers to not accidentally bump the other keys. He’s playing a piece that’s a good mix of sad but hopeful sounds. Almost happy but at the same time not.

“What are you doing up?” Whoa, how’d he do that he hasn’t even turned around! How does he know I’m standing here? “You’re not nearly as quiet as you think you are. I heard you coming down the steps. And I can feel you watching me.”

“Uh, s-sorry. You just play so beautifully I couldn’t help it.” Feeling awkward as ever I turn and head quickly into the kitchen.

As I fill a clean glass with cool water I hear him start to speak from the doorway, startling me. He’s so quick and quiet! “You didn’t have to leave you know.”

“Oh, I got that impression.”

“It wasn’t intentional, sorry.”

I turn around and lean my back against the sink. “What were you playing?”

“An old piece, Mozart.”

“It was nice.”

“Thank you.”

I feel awkward, and he’s acting strange. Stranger than usual. “Why are you up at this hour?”

“Why are you?”

“Uh, I don’t know. Woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep I guess.”

“I don’t sleep much.”

“How come?”

“A lot on my mind I suppose.” He has an intense look in his eyes as he slowly takes a few steps closer to me.

I swallow hard. Why is my stomach in knots? I’ve talked to him numerous times, why all of a sudden is it so hard? Maybe it’s because of the look he’s giving me. I’m not sure what exactly it is, sort of like he’s looking into me deeply for something, searching me. I feel exposed and nervous, but in a good way.

“A lot on your mind like what?” I ask quietly.

“You sound funny, are you scared?”

I shake my head no.

“Why don’t I scare you?”

“I’ve told you, you’re not as dangerous as you look.”

“I could be.”

“But you aren’t.”

I now realize that he’s gotten closer, much closer, he’s standing above me, staring down into my eyes. What’s up with him? Why’s he acting so weird? And why am I so scared, yet not scared at all? I’m so confused!