Immortals (ON HOLD)

Chapter 36

Dimitri

            I didn’t know how long I had been standing on Ariel’s front lawn, glaring through blurry vision at her closed front door. I fiercely blinked back the beginning of my tears, although the pain in my chest couldn’t be dismissed so easily. I shouldn’t be so surprised that she didn’t feel the same. But some part of me foolishly believed that if I made the first move, she would cave in and be mine. How stupid. I wasn’t sure if I had used my Immortal speed to get into my car, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t focus my energy right now, and I sped away angrily. I had no idea where I was going, but I needed to go there fast. I should’ve just bottled everything up like I originally planned. How in the hell were we supposed to work together now?! She didn’t like me like that, and now we were going to be forced to work together. I didn’t think I could do it. Karma was getting me back for all of my one-night-stands and trail of broken hearts. As desperate as I was not to let her rejection get to me, it did. I had never felt this kind of emotional anguish before.

It was excruciating. I couldn’t think, or breathe, or even understand the beat of my heart. It was a complete anarchy of pumps and pulses that I just couldn’t keep up with. How did Emrick live like this?! How did he work beside Madeline, feeling every bit of affection, but never able to do or say a thing about it? I couldn’t…I’d end up going insane. I veered roughly into an empty parking lot to some sort of wooded area, not bothering to pull between the designated white lines. There were wooden lunch tables, hiking trails, and a small creek, with a few dim street lamp posts scattered periodically. I raced out of my car, going over to the nearest lunch table and flipping it over. I kicked and punched it until it was nothing but small pieces, and I hurled those pieces into the creek. Watching them float away was oddly calming, and I took a deep breath. I didn’t know how I was going to face everyone; there was no way I could pretend nothing was wrong. I wondered how Ariel would react, and I imagined her shouting and snarling at the others to stop nosing through her emotions. That scenario brought on a strange realization.

Ariel never hesitated to punch or slap me, even for the smallest things. Why hadn’t she tried to beat the crap out of me after I kissed her? I remember the gigantic bruise she left me when we were interrogating Kellan, and that wasn’t nearly as personal as this. I replayed the kiss over in my head, self-consciously worrying whether or not I had been any good. It was a heat-of-the-moment thing, after all, totally spontaneous and not really my style. I pushed that thought aside, trying not to let the passionate fire I felt in the moment course through me again. I instead focused on Ariel; there was no repulsion, disgust or even surprise. She let me kiss her, and Ariel never went along with something she didn’t want to do. Sure, she pushed me away, but just a few minutes before that she told me how she pushes every guy away. I don’t think any of them actually fought to keep her. Sure, she was stubborn, but so I was. I wasn’t going to let this go until I physically felt that she didn’t care about me in the same way. A smile crept onto my lips, and I cherished the brief moments where they had met hers. I was still hurt, but hope now drowned and soothed the once fiery, raw agony. I wasn’t used to the “boyfriend” gig, but hey- a man could change. And Ariel was worth it. I’d never find anyone more maddening and beautiful, even though I had an eternity to do so.

I didn’t know much about commitment, but I knew I’d never betray her like I had to other women in the past. If I felt then what I felt now, I never would have been so cold. Fighting for Ariel seemed to be my penance- one I would gladly endure. I stepped back in my car with a new perspective, making it home in one piece. Kat was waiting for me in the living room, Chris and Scarlet in the back room. Darien was reading, Geoff was dozing, and Emrick was in his study. I kicked off my shoes, hanging up my jacket as Kat whirled over to me. “Oh my God, how was it?! Tell me everything!” She chirped, hands clasped together under her chin. I sighed, rolling my eyes. There was no way of avoiding this. “Dinner was fine. Nice, actually. Seeing her like that was just so…strange. But not in a bad way.” “Well duh, she looked amazing! With help from yours truly,” she said with a smirk. I smiled, preparing my next words. Nothing sounded right in my head, and my pause was becoming awkward, so I just said it. “I kissed her, after dinner. We went outside and were just talking, and I did it. She…pushed me away.” I couldn’t help the way my voice trailed off into a whisper, one filled with grief. Kat gasped, quickly enveloping me into a hug. I embraced her lightly, comforted by the closeness. “D, I’m so sorry!” I shook my head, pulling away.

“No, it’s alright. I was really upset before, but now I just know that’s what she does. I know she likes me too. She let me kiss her, Kat. Ariel doesn’t do what she doesn’t want to do…you and I both know that. So, I’m not taking that as a ‘no’. I’ll keep trying, and secretly, I think she wants me to. No guy’s ever done that for her before, and I think she’s just scared,” I explained, telling her about what her parents said, and about our talk outside. “I knew you liked her. Even before you did,” she teased, shoving me playfully. I rolled my eyes, unable to hide a grin. “I finally have mushy, romantic stuff to tell you, and that’s your takeaway? That’s the last time I tell you anything.” She went to shove me again but I easily evaded her, hopping to my feet. “She hasn’t texted me back, you know. You think she’s alright?” Kat asked, concern beginning to tug at her expression. “She’s pissed, that I know. She probably doesn’t feel like explaining everything to you. I’ll text her in the morning. Just…if you do hear from her, don’t tell her I told you.” “You got it,” she answered with a wink.

I got a quick shower and got ready for bed, hanging up my dress clothes in my closet once I was done. Tasha was sitting on my bed expectantly, tail thumping. “Sorry I was out, girl,” I cooed, scratching her behind the ears. She panted a smile, tongue extending to lick my face. I smiled, crashing in my bed next to her. “It’s been a long day. And with what happened tonight, it’s going to be a long…” I trailed off, uncertain which measurement of time to use. How long would it take to win Ariel over? Knowing her, centuries. I shook the thought, laying my head on my pillow. I glanced at my phone, imagining what sort of text I should send Ariel. I wasn’t sorry that I kissed her, even though she felt betrayed (which confused the hell out of me). I’d think it over tomorrow, maybe even asking Kat or Scarlet what to do. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, anxious about the upcoming day.

** First off, I'M SOOO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING SOONER! D: I just couldn't get motivated :( But hopefully now, I'll continue writing until I finish this :3 So thank you everyone for sticking around, and I hope you enjoy this chapter, even though it's short.

~Holly **