Start Again

Eyes Without A Face

*Note: Thank you so much for reading my story and putting up with me every time I struggle to publish chapters. Every read, every comment, every vote is greatly appreciated, so again thank you!*

"Do you want to get out of here?" I asked Richard as I ignored the approaching blue eyed peroxide blond and his copper haired date. "And go where?" He asked sounding a little confused. I shrugged in response. "Anywhere that isn't here" I said and sighed.

Richard laced his fingers with mine and pulled me behind him as he made his way through the crowd of people. Billy was left behind speechless in the spot Richard and I previously stood in. I didn't even think twice about leaving in such a hurry, but I knew I would have to apologize to Robert tomorrow for making such a quick exit.

By the time we made it to the door we had both emptied our glasses and had managed to push them into the hands of a random couple. I let out a small scream in shock as the cold rain hit my face. It didn't take long for the rain to soak into the black fabric of my dress. Richard laughed and quickly began running with me in tow. The ground was soaked and slippery as we ran.

"Slow down! I can't run fast in heels" I complained as I giggled like an idiot. The truth was I could barely walk in heels, let alone run in them. My mood had drastically changed from when I both figuratively and literally bumped into Billy.

"Come on, it's not much further" Richard replied still laughing. The area seemed familiar but I couldn't remember why. He pulled me through the entrance of a large building before I could catch even a small glimpse of what the name of the shop next to the tall building was.

Richard greeted a man sitting in the lobby of the building before we walked into an already opened elevator. I could feel the water drip off my body and soak into the carpet of the elevator as it slowly climbed floors. I was shivering by the time the doors opened.

"Sorry, it normally isn't that slow" Richard said apologizing for the lift. He fumbled with a set of keys before placing the correct one in the lock. Richard was shivering just as much as I was as we entered the dark room. A set of lights flicked on reviled a studio apartment.

"It's not much but, it's mine" Richard said as I slowly walked closer to the large window. "It's amazing" I replied in awe. The apartment was small, around the same size as mine, but the view was incredible. He let out a small laugh as he stood behind me.

"Notice something familiar?" Richard asked as I turned and faced him. I shook my head confused. He kept quiet as he pointed out the window. I turned again to the window and tried to search for anything that looked familiar. "Where?" I asked still searching the dark sky. Richard placed his hands on my hips before he turned my body to the right.

"There" He quietly said as he pointed at a familiar billboard that was eye level with the apartment. Now I didn't stare at the large ad with the same feeling of pride and awe that I once had. The billboard was lit up by a light on each end of the sign and the paint on the word rebel had begun to fade. It gave it an eerie look. I turned away from the window and was glad that Richard was still behind me.

"Are you okay?" He asked as his voice came out as a low rumble. I shook my head and was shocked to feel the wet material of Richard's coat against my cheek as he wrapped his arms around me. He held me tightly against his body and that was when I began to crack. The rain began to fall harder as my tears hit the already soaking wet blazer.

He quietly began to hum as he swayed me back and forth. Oddly just as the rain came down with my tears it began to slow as my tears stopped. The room was quiet with the exception of the patter of rain and the humming from Richard.

I pulled away from him just enough to be able to see his face. There were a few drops of water that clung to his cheeks, his hair slicked back and dripping wet made his face look even more pale than usual and his lips a brighter pinkish red. Richard's sweet brown eyes watched as I looked over his facial features and met mine once I was finished. He was still shaking and so was I.

"You're wet" Richard said stating the obvious. I let out a small chuckle and nodded. "And shaking" He continued. "Very observant, aren't we?" I teased. It was easier for me to make a joke than to just agree. Richard laughed and pulled completely away from me.

"Sorry" He replied still laughing as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck. I shook my head before apologizing for my own comment. Richard reached out and pushed back a curly wet strand of my hair that had stuck to my cheek. His hand felt warm as it brushed against my cold cheek. He closed the gap between us so his body was just inches away from mine.

My heart started racing when Richard placed his hands on my hips. I shivered not only from his touch but from the cold and damp fabric of my dress being pressed against my skin. A quiet laugh escaped his lips as he smiled and I couldn't help but smile back at him. There was a something about his smile that made my heart leap. His eyes had a sort of playful and caring look as he gazed down at me.

I could feel myself leaning in closer and could see Richard doing the same. Our lips were less than an inch away from touching before he quickly pulled away.

"You should probably get out of that dress before you catch a cold. I'll get you something to change into" Richard quickly said before turning his back towards me and walking to a closet. I sighed and bit my bottom lip before turning back to look at the billboard.

That large ad brought back the memories of Billy and I staring up at it. It brought back all the memories from that day. It was the last day before things once again turned to shit, everything was fine in New York. Maybe by coming back here I was trying to grasp at any good memories I had left of Billy and I. I jumped as Richard wrapped his arms around my waist. I was too caught up in my thoughts to even notice him.

"Are you okay?" Richard asked. I nodded and crossed my arms before placing my hands on his arms. "I just got lost in my thoughts for a second" I confessed as I continued to stare at the billboard through the rain that was now starting to create a curtain over the sign. I let out a small sigh before once again turning away from the window and looking up at Richard. He stared down at me for a moment before snapping out of it.

"This is for you" He said as he held out a button up shirt. I thanked him for the shirt before taking it and stepping out of my heels. I easily lost three inches without my heels and was now eye level with Richard's nose.

"I can turn around if you'd like" He offered before turning his back towards me and walking away. I grabbed the bottom of my dress and began pulling the wet material over my head. I expected to easily pull the dress off with one quick motion, instead I was stuck with my dress half pulled off and over my head. I struggled for a few seconds before admitting my defeat.

"Richard, I'm stuck" I admitted as I turned towards him. He immediately stared laughing when he saw me. My face turned red as he pulled at the fabric and easily got me out. I let out a nervous laugh as I pulled on and buttoned up the middle buttons of the shirt. Richard lifted up my chin and slowly pecked my lips.

I was in shock as he pulled away, but quickly recovered as he crashed his lips against mine. Richard backed me up to the bed and lowered me down onto it. Our lips never parted as he pushed off his blazer and shirt, I was fumbling with the buttons on my shirt to quickly get it off. His body felt warm against my own that was still cold from the rain.

Suddenly I realized that a familiar tune was playing. The television was on and on it was Billy, the music video for eyes without a face was playing. Somehow Billy had managed to show up and remind me that I still wasn't over him, even while I was in the middle of having sex with another man.