Flipped: Back Again (L.T. Sequel to Flipped)

Chapter 32: Promise and Doubt

I wake abruptly to a chorus of beeps and vibrations coming from beneath me. I hadn't realized I fell asleep in the first place; yesterday must have been more exhausting than I thought to knock us out so quickly. Eliza was still sound asleep, body lazily thrown over mine in an attempt to hold on through the night. After the whole fiasco, we just held each other and laid in silence, simply enjoying one another's company in peace. Now this blasted ringing had brought me back to reality and was ruining my morning already.

The phone isn't coming from me so I assume it's Eliza's. How the hell shes snoring despite the ongoing irritant is a mystery but I take it upon myself to reach over to turn it off. I'm careful not to disturb her as I slip the device from her jacket pocket, quickly pressing silent. "Damn." I mutter, looking at all the missed calls. Looks like Hayden's been trying to get a hold of her for awhile. I'd almost feel bad for the man if he wasn't such a dick. I toss the phone aside and return back to my comfy state with Eliza.

I spent hours just admiring her last night. This girl that has been so weighed down by life and thrown away several times by those who were supposed to care for her has made such a life for herself. Discarding my past prejudices and judgements against her, I realized just how strong she is to have surpassed all the odds pinned against her since birth; me being one of them. Thankfully, I evolved from nemesis to ally and was awarded the privilege of owning her heart now. Even so, I can't help but feel guilty thinking about how selfish I've been in return. I was trying to balance my affair with her and Eleanor while blaming Eliza for being the cause of it all. She didn't make the promise to be faithful, I did; and I should've been man enough to own up to my discrepancies and handle it maturely. Instead I got caught up in a web of lies and lust then ended up hurting two women I claimed to love. I made Eliza seem like a nuisance when I secretly craved her presence. I made Eleanor feel secure in a relationship that was broken from the start. Truly, I was the villain in every scenario and yet was playing both sides as the victim. How I'll ever be able to make it up to them, I don't know; but I can start with being honest about my feelings and find whoever the hell broadcasted my mess in the first place.

Eventually the day calls Eliza to begin to wake as well. Her limbs stretch from under me as she lets out a long yawn. I meet her sleepy eyes as they flutter open from their slumber and smile down at her.

"Mornin'."

"Morning." She mumbles back. "Did we have sex?"

"Not that I'm aware of." I chuckle slightly. "For once it was strictly sleeping, swear it."

"Wishful thinking I suppose." It warms my heart to see Eliza back to her cheeky self. Things are already looking brighter for us. "I didn't plan to sleep in this jacket. It's incredibly itchy."

"Well I slept quite nicely."

"I'm sure you would since you didn't fall asleep in heels and bloody wool. It's like a furnace under here." Eliza sits up, stripping herself of the heavy coat and throws it over the side to the floor. She gives me a smug look as she catches me staring. "Like the view?"

Hidden underneath was a dress that only seemed to wrap around her chest and extended to a flared style beyond her waist. Her pale skin had great contrast against the black material that created this dark-like innocence she pulled off so effortlessly. "Well.. can't say I'm mad at it." That caused her to give me an eye roll before leaning down and placing a kiss on my lips.

"What was that for?" I quizzed. She shrugged her shoulders, giving me a cheeky smile.

"I've just always wanted to do that. I used to watch movies as a girl and saw how couples would wake up and plant a kiss on the other. I never thought that'd be me." The sincerity and blissful look in her eyes would be enough to make anyone fall for her. Eliza's desires for the simple things feeds my love for her even more and I just want to shower her with all the kisses I can. Juvenile I know, but I feel as giddy as a child knowing that I'm responsible for making her feel this way.