How You Get the Girl

two|recognition.

{a/n} this chapter has sat in my drafts for over 3 months only because it wasn't good enough to yet publish, but after all the great responses I have been receiving since, I have decided it's only fair to publish this as a thank you.

also, I have changed marias name to marina and francis to Elliot.

thank you guys so much and I hope you enjoy<3

◈◈◈

Friday evenings were solely reserved for films, Elliot and I often went to the cinema at the end of Heath high street, at this time it was less crowded compared to Saturday evenings and as a result, less bustle and carnage.

Elliot had decided to opt for a slasher called 'Milkman Before Time.' of which the title was more deceiving and lead you to believe it was nothing other than an ordinary movie. I for one, hated horror movies, but after Elliot's persistent wails and begging I succumbed to his pleading. I was always a sucker for the loud suspenseful music, let it be something as innocent as someone eating cereal out of a bowl, if there was suspenseful music, I would suffer from heart palpitations and possibly a stroke, depending on the volume.

And so, to my misfortune, the movie reached that stage where the suspenseful music was at an all-time high and a jump scare was imminent. Although I knew all too well it was coming, it did nothing to soothe my nerves, in fact it may have possibly made it worse. And thus when the chainsaw wielding maniac came running down the stairs at an ungodly pace, and it didn't help he was cackling with laughter, I flew into Elliot's arms shielding myself from the 'skinner' and tried desperately to erase the terrifying image from my mind.

Elliot chuckled and protectively wrapped his arms around me, my heart thundered against my ribcage, half because of the movie and the other half because he held me in such an intimate embrace.

'You're so cute.' He whispered, trying to hold in a laugh.

And in that moment I was so grateful that it was dark as a blush crept onto my cheeks. I watched the remainder of the movie with my eyes mostly closed and when it ended I made a beeline for the door, desperate to escape.

When the cold air hit my cheeks, I breathed a sigh of relief, but it didn't go unnoticed by Elliot. His lips drew into a lazy smile and there was a teasing glint in his eyes. I pretended not to notice, knowing well enough that if I made it evident that it bothered me, I would never hear the end of his teasing.

I waited as Elliot unlocked the car and I was vigilant, alert and slightly paranoid and the moment he unlocked the door, I made sure I was the first inside and let the warm interior of the car envelope me. My actions didn't go unnoticed by Elliot, but again he was merciful enough not to speak of it.

We were at the top of my street before Elliot abruptly decided to come to a halt and began to scan the perimeter with a panic stricken look on his face, this in response caused me to also look around, unnerved by Elliot's on edge stance and demeanour.

'What is it?' I whispered, not taking my eyes off the road. My gullibility proved too much for Elliot to handle, before he began to laugh or at least it seemed like a laugh. Before I knew it he was leaning on the wheel for support laughing so hard that it prompted me to join him.

'I can't believe you fell for it, seriously Rina.' He chuckled.

Granted when I watched horror movies my mind went on overdrive that even the supernatural seemed possible. I slapped him gently on his arm and he started the engine again and started to drive again.

He parked the car beside my house, 'So are we still on for game night on Sunday?' He asked.

I feigned annoyance, though admittedly it was very hard to be mad at Elliot.

'You do realise you can't ignore me forever.' He joked. I still didn't reply, a smile crept on my face and a tilted my face towards the window before it could betray me. I heard the click of his seat belt before he pounced on me an enveloped me in a hug.

'Rina,' He said softly. 'I'm sorry.'

He held out his pinkie finger before and asked, 'Truce?'

I stayed silent.

'Okay, I'm going to change my tactics.' He said, nuzzling his head into the crook of my neck.

'I'm not going to let go until you call accept my apology.'

As if, I thought, he won't really, he's bluffing.

I continued my façade for a few more minutes, before it dawned on me that he was going to be true to his word.

'Okay, fine.' I mumbled with defeat and I held out my pinkie, 'Truce.'

He leant back and I saw him smile brightly, it was a smile of victory and achievement, before he grasped my pinkie with his.

'But, seriously, are we on for game night?' He asked.

'Yeah sure.' I said smiling back, 'However, if there are any changes, I'll let you know.'

'Alright, cool.'

'See you then.' I said and walked out of the car.

I fumbled for my keys in my pockets and when I drew them out, I looked back and saw Elliot still parked there waiting for me to walk in. The feeling of knowing that he was looking out for me made my heart warm.

The minute I stepped in, I was greeted with chaos and carnage generated by my little brothers and sister and Luca and Isobel fought fearsomely for the remote.

'Honey, is that you?' My mother called from the kitchen.

'Yes, mum.' I semi shouted back.

'Okay look after the kids whilst I prepare tea.'

I quickly ran upstairs and threw my bag and coat onto my bed and made my way down the stairs. I made it just about in time before Isobel gouged out Luca's eyes and Thomas idly watched by.

'Isobel!' I shouted in exasperation. 'What are you doing?'

'He t-took the remote and it's my turn!' She cried, her eyes welling with tears.

'No!' Luca protested. 'I had it first, but then I went to the loo.' He pointed accusingly at her, 'But then she took the remote. She stole it.'

To bring an end to their endless squabbling, I complained that I hadn't had my turn and it was unfair. It seemed to shut them up effectively and to permanently put an end to their constant bickering I picked up Luca and placed him at one end of the sofa and Isobel on the other and sat between them, acting as a barrier. Whilst Thomas busied himself amongst his building blocks playing contently.

I switched the channel to E4 and squealed with joy as I saw 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D' begin, we all sat in blissful and watched the episode unfold.

After watching the FitzSimmons ship crash and burn, it made me realise how strikingly similar their current predicament was to my own, obviously putting aside their roles as agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, and if I didn't make my feelings known to Elliot sooner or later, I would find myself in a remarkably similar position. Finding a small scrap of courage, I decided to tell Elliot how I truly felt sometime this week, but albeit it was too ambitious and ended up , inevitably, postponing it further.

◈◈◈