Is This Considered A Cliche?

Chapter Sixteen| I Like You Just The Way You Are

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are a product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2014 by M-A-COYNE

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Chapter Sixteen

I L I K E Y O U J U S T T H E W A Y Y O U A R E

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Awhile later we were all sitting in the living room of the Venturi residence, watching the big screen. Luca was lounging in the recliner looking bored while eating Doritos. Fedele and Dante were sitting on the floor in front of the couch sharing a huge bowl of popcorn. I sat on the couch between Sergio and Alphonso. Sergio had his head propped up by his arm and was staring at the screen with disinterest. Alphonso had a hand in my hair and continually played with the strands. I was swooning over Matthew Macfayden.

"You know," Dante said while stuffing his face with popcorn. "If they wanted to make this movie great, they would have had some Elizabeth and Jane action going on in that bed." I tensed but ignored him.

Fedele nodded in agreement. "Who would you rather do, Jane or Elizabeth?" I frowned.

"Jane," Luca said.

Dante scoffed. "No way, man. Elizabeth all the way. I bet you she's a wild one in the bed." My eye twitched in annoyance.

"Yeah, but it's the quiet ones you always have to look out for it," Luca said.

"Okay," I shouted. "There is no sex talk while watching Pride and Prejudice! Unless...it's about Mr. Darcy." All five male occupants in the room looked at me. "What? Mr. Darcy is the epitome of a sex god! I would jump him in a second!" The screen suddenly turned black and I turned to glare at Alphonso who was pointing the clicker at the TV. "Hey!"

"No more Mr. Darcy for you," he said, setting the clicker down out of my reach.

I gaped at him. I fisted his shirt and put my face close to his and glared menacingly. "You cannot do that! It just got to the part where they meet again and Elizabeth finally accepts his proposal!" He didn't move so I decided to go with plan B. "I will start crying if you don't turn it back on."

Alphonso sighed. "Fine." And I was once again able to stare at Mr. Darcy's beautiful face.

Fedele laughed. "Al's being pushed around by a brown haired midget!" I kicked his head. "Ow, shit!"

"...You have bewitched me body and soul and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on."

The boys cringed while I gasped in excitement. "He is so wonderful!" I exclaimed. Sergio and Alphonso rolled their eyes. I hit Alphonso's arm. "Why can't you be more like Mr. Darcy?"

Sergio laughed while Alphonso glared at me. "Because he's a total wimp. That guy wouldn't last one day in the real world."

"Are you kidding me?" I snarled. "He would so kick your ass! He was able to find Wickham and Lydia and make everything all better!"

Alphonso scowled. "If he was a real man, he would have made Elizabeth accept him the first time."

"He's a gentleman! He loved her enough to respect her wishes, but he got better so he could win her heart!" I huffed, and turned away from him. "You're a guy; you don't understand how the female mind works. If you did, you would agree with the fact that Mr. Darcy is the greatest man to ever come into creation."

"He's a fictional character," Alphonso grumbled under his breath.

We all sat in uncomfortable silence. There was a sudden "boom" of thunder and the lights went off. I screamed and jumped into someone's lap. He let out an "oomph" while I wrapped my arms around his neck in a death grip. A pair of arms wrapped around my waist to keep me balanced.

"Ow! Who the hell stepped on my hand?" said Dante.

"Me," I heard Luca reply. "I'm trying to find those damn flashlights."

"They're in the desk drawer," said Alphonso.

A light suddenly flashed towards me. I turned to see Luca with a flashlight and handing the other one to Alphonso. I looked up at the person I was holding and grimaced.

"Could someone get her off me?" Sergio asked indifferently, though there was a slight blush to his face. Uh oh, he must have noticed that I'm not exactly wearing a bra at the moment. Poor guy. Or would it be lucky guy?

Thunder cracked again. I let out a squeal and wrapped myself around Sergio tighter. I hate thunderstorms! With a passion! Ever since I was little, whenever a thunderstorm occurred I would wrap myself up in a blanket and hide under the covers.

I heard Alphonso let out a sigh and he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me off of Sergio. I instinctively turned towards him and wrapped my arms and legs around him and buried my face in his neck.

"Play times over," Alphonso said as we all made our way out of the living room. "I'll take you to your room."

"Don't I have to call my mom?" I asked. Although I was angry at her, I still knew better than to stay over at someone's house without telling her, especially since she's now dating, oh sorry, engaged, to a policeman.

"Haruka already called to tell her that you were staying at her house," Sergio explained from behind us.

"Ah, Haruka," Dante said, a smile in his voice. "Maybe I should go over there to make sure she has comfort during this storm..."

"Not unless you want chopsticks shoved up your ass," Luca replied sarcastically.

The ride started to become a little bumpy and I figured Alphonso was carrying me up the stairs.

"Night Jackie!" the boys chorused and I gave them a small wave.

Alphonso carried me to a small room down the hall. He went to gently set me down on the bed but I refused to let go. "Jackie," he said softly. "You need to let go." I shook my head. "Would you let go if I promise to be right back? I just need to change."

I sighed and released him. The moment he left the room I crawled under the bed and clutched one of the pillows. A few minutes later I felt the blankets being pulled back and the bed dip. Strong arms wrapped around me and pulled me towards a hard yet comforting chest. I let go of the pillow and once again clutched Alphonso. I suddenly noticed that he was not wearing a shirt. I hated the storm even more now because I was too scared to enjoy the view.

"Why are you so afraid of storms?" Alphonso asked in a husky voice.

I shrugged. "They're always so loud and....violent. I was always alone during a storm when I was little, since my mom took night classes and my grandmother slept like a rock. When there was a storm when I was with my dad it was even scarier since we were usually outside during it. My dad was always with me though and I pretty much held onto him like I am you right now..." Alphonso held me tighter while one of his hands massaged my scalp comfortingly. I felt a tinged of guilt. "Alphonso..."

"Hmm?" I felt his just rumble contently.

"I don't really think you need to be like Mr. Darcy..." I said, running my hands up and down his back. "I like you just as you are..."

"I know," was his reply.

I smiled and pressed my cheek to his bare chest. Oh, how delightful. Alphonso suddenly rolled us over so he was lying on his back with my on top of him. I turned my head to look up at him and rested my chin on his stomach. He smiled down at me and I blushed.

"Won't your parents be angry at you for staying in here?" I asked.

He chuckled and I felt it throughout my body. "I don't think they'll mind."

I shrugged and turned my head to the side, feeling myself falling asleep. "You're comfy," I told him while snuggling even closer to him. It warmed me that he was staying here with me. I don't quite peg Alphonso as the type of guy who would normally cuddle while in bed with a girl. I shivered slightly when I felt his fingertips running up and down my back, but soon I found myself lull into sleep.