Second Chances

Chapter Sixteen

Hi all
Here is the final chapter of Second Chances. I've really enjoyed writing it and I've been really touched by your comments. I genuinely didn't know if it was any good so thank you!!
There is a possibility that there could be an extension to the story, either in the form of a 'second part' or a series of one shots . Let me know if you'd like this / where you'd like me to go with it and I'll see what I can do. 
Thank you again for all of your support. I hope you enjoy the final chapter!
Lots of love xx

I spend the whole night thinking about Jon's words. Could he be right? Could Paul be scared? Is that why he's pushing me away? There's only one man that can answer that for me and I find myself face to face with him as I enter the dining room the following morning for breakfast. We offer an awkward 'good morning' to each other and I notice that his thumb area is developing a deep bruise. As part of my stunt training on Primeval, I was taught how to punch properly. You need to make sure that your thumb is on the outside of your fist...clearly something Paul didn't know.
"Have you had that checked out?" I blurt out, referring to his hand.
"Nah, I'm fine. It's just bruised." He replies. He turns to collect his breakfast but I can see that he's in considerable pain.
"Let me look at it," I say and he looks at me sceptically. "Please?" I add. I take his hand in mine and inspect it in detail. I don't know what I'm looking for to be honest but it feels nice to feel the weight of it in mine. "I can't believe you hit him." I continue, turning his hand over. The bruise is forming down both sides but he seems to be able to move it well enough.
"He was bad mouthing you. I wasn't going to stand there and let him call you those things." I'm reminded of Jon's words from last night.
"Paul..." I start. "Can we talk? In private?" He looks at me but doesn't reply immediately. The seconds drag out in front of us and make me feel more and more nervous.
"Later ok? Not now." Relief and worry fill me in equal measure. No matter what happens between now and then, I'll have my answers later. I just need to get through the rest of the day first.

Having been away from group rehearsals for a few days, I'm rusty on some of the routines and I have to work extra hard to catch up. It's hard, especially with the quicker numbers but I manage to struggle through and by the end of the morning I'm starting to feel much more confident. I'm still rusty though and despite being given the afternoon off, Tina agrees to help me for a couple of hours in the afternoon. I'm really grateful as not only does it give me the opportunity to improve my dancing, but it also means that I can escape from my mind for a while. I'm starting to get nervous about our big chat. I know there's no point hiding or building up walls. We need to be 100% honest with each other.

Even if it's not pretty.

Having finished dancing, I decide to head for a run. Ideally I'd like to run around the gardens but part of me is worried that Adam could return. I really don't want a repeat of yesterday.

Heading into the gym, I'm relieved to see that I'm alone. I plug in my headphones, turn up the volume and pound away on the treadmill. After half an hour of running I'm feeling much calmer about what the rest of the evening holds and after taking a few deep breaths and glugs of my water, I head to my room to shower.

---

I exit my shower and look at the time. 4:36 pm.

Lunch has finished and dinner won't be served for another two and a half hours. I weigh up the options in my mind and decide that now would be the best time to attempt to talk to Paul. Knowing that I need to feel strong and confident, I dress myself in my skinny jeans and a long t-shirt before sorting my hair and makeup. I leave my hair with its natural curl rather than straightening it and try to keep my skin natural in tone. There's no point trying to turn myself into someone that I'm not. He knows me. He's seen me at some of my lowest points. There's no point trying to pretend.