Beauty and the Geek

Chapter 10.

  Rolling over wearily, I felt Will's arms cradling me protectively. His long eyelashes flickered in the dim light of the day, spilling through a chink in the curtains. He looked almost like a little boy in his sleep; all soft skin and line-free. I slid out from under his arm carefully, trying not to wake him as he mumbled in his sleep, and made my way to the bathroom.

Still wearing Will's t-shirt from last night, I noticed the mascara spots under my eyes and cringed. Filling the sink and splashing my face with warm, I realised it was official; I was an awful human being. I had spent the night with Will, even if it was only innocently filled with non-stop conversation until the early hours of the morning.

I had never told anybody some of the things I ended up telling Will; mainly, anecdotes and memories about my Dad which I usually found much too painful to speak about otherwise. I talked longer than necessary the whole time with Will propped up patiently on his elbow listening to me, without interruption.

"Sorry for talking so much," I had reddened.
"Don't apologise," He smiled. "I think you just need somebody to listen."
"I guess you're right. I wish my Mom would listen to me more..."

That had started a completely new conversation where I had ranted angrily to Will about my mother and her lack of affection like he was some sort of therapist. I had cried ugly, bitter tears about it as he had held me close and promised me better things. Will hadn't revealed much about his own life; maybe, because I hadn't given him the chance but mostly because it seemed he had a perfect family life. It was funny that the person everybody perceived as having nothing really did have it all.

In the kitchen, Will was swaying near the fridge looking for breakfast, two pans crackling on the stove. His boxers hung low on his hips, his t-shirt revealing his muscular arms, as he leaned against the fridge door.

"Morning," He grinned, noticing me hovering near the counter. "Good sleep?"
"The best I've had in a while actually," I replied, shyly.
"Me too," He reached out, his arms pulling me in as I placed my own around his waist and held him tight, both of us forgetting about breakfast completely and wishing time would stop forever.

---

Dressed in Will's borrowed t-shirt and my jeans from yesterday, we walked hand in hand to my door. It was early enough so that the crisp darkness still lingered; making it easy to hide from prying eyes and the neighbourhood watch. It was a weekend, meaning my Mom would be at work and Mark would be asleep. It seemed like perfect timing to avoid the probing questions.

"The last time I walked you to this door we were in completely different circumstances," Will pointed out, cutting through the silence.
"I think I much prefer these circumstances," I smiled.

I wrapped my arms around his neck carefully, my toes on end trying to reach his height, as I felt those magnificent lips on my own again. His hands rested on my back; pulling me close to him, urgently, to the point I almost felt like we were merging into one. After he let me go, my head felt dizzy and the world continued to spin at a worrying rate.

"Bye then...," Will whispered, smiling slyly, his nose gently nudging my own as I felt my heartbeat recede. We both remembered the last time he had said those words so long ago, back when he hadn't really known each other at all.

He moved backwards all the way down the lawn, struggling to tear his eyes away before he disappeared down the empty road. I was finally left alone, leaning against the porch door for support, as I reflected on a night I vowed never to forget.