cupid's arrow » bill anderson | mamma mia

seventeen

In all the excitement and enthused-ness I'd felt in the past days, I hadn't quite realised that we been together two weeks. While Bill, the optimist, saw this as a normal thing, it prompted me to become rather pessimistic. We had two weeks left. We'd barely discussed the future after that and I, then, wouldn't see him till Christmas. That was a full two months away after I'd returned home, and I was somewhat unsure of how I'd handle it. I'd been with him every minute of everyday for what felt like so long that it would be odd to not be with him constantly. Even when he tottered off to the market to get supplies I felt lonely from the lack of him.

Perhaps I was foolish to hope for a life like that, about where we never parted and remained as in love as we were in the present. It would've been extremely unconventional (though Bill was the definition of unconventional) and likely an unrealistic dream. Nevertheless, as Bill the optimist would often tell me, I couldn't worry about the future; it hadn't happened. Yet.

"What are you thinking about?" Bill asked softly, pulling me from my dreary route into the abyss of negative thoughts. I shook my head, not willing to tell him my fears. It seemed foolish but to tell him would pollute the rather blissful state we were in on the boat and I was quite content with it, in truth.

"Nothing to worry you." I responded, smiling softly at him. He gave me a questionable look and I just grinned, tracing a small circle on his bare, tanned shoulder. It was glistening from the tiny water droplets that slowly slid off the skin.

"Are you sure?" He asked once more, his tone more concerned than previously. I nodded, smiling at him.

"I'm sure."

I felt awash with the guilt of lying to him. I knew these thoughts would continue to plague me throughout the next two weeks but I couldn't worry him nor could I stain the bliss we shared. It would be too much.

"Where to next?" He asked, looking around us. We were, as we were most of the time, surrounded by the blue Ocean. Water lapping was more of a familiar to sound to me now than the bubble of people in marketplaces or the sound of a car engine.

"Can't we just stay on the boat?" I replied, watching him. He sat up, his elbows touching his knees. They, like his shoulders, glistened from the water he'd submerged himself in just fifteen minutes ago.

"And what do you intend to do on the boat?"

"Well," I smirked, remaining lying down. I wanted to absorb as much sun as possible, despite my horrific sunburn on my back.

"Well?" He repeated my words to prompt me into a response.

"There's many things we could do on the boat." I chuckled. He arched a brow and I began to stand up. Bill did the same, resting his hand on my hip.

"Such as?"

"Well.." I trailed off. He leaned in to kiss me but I felt different, swiftly moving around him and pushing him from the deck. There was a loud splash as he hit the water, though he managed to save himself into a good diving position as he hit the blue waves.

"I'll get you back for that." He grinned as he resurfaced, treading on the water. I chuckled, putting a hand on my hip where his hand had previously rested itself.

"I doubt that."

We remained on the boat for a few days following. Bill continued to sail about, though we never docked, merely passing small towns and villages on the Grecian coast. We talked and talked, never seeming to run out of conversation topics. After all this time, I felt I'd known him for years and years.

Then, one day, the Motorola rang. Bill and I looked at each other in shock, clearly surprised that it was even a working phone. Bill picked it up, leaning his back against the wooden wall. He used his free hand to stroke my hair, annoying me considerably. He clearly knew it did, only continuing out of glee that it did annoy me.

"Hello?" He spoke into the phone, his eyes fixated on me. The rather shocked expression he had worn was wiped from his face, a frown forming.

"Who is it?" I mouthed. Bill chuckled and shook his head.

"I'll put her on now."

I glanced at him questionably as he handed me the phone, causing another eruption of laughter from him. "What are you doing?"

"You'll be pleased. I promise." He responded. I took a seat on the spare bed and took a breath before pressing the cold Motorola against my ear.

"Hello?" I squeaked. I was met with squeals and shrieks for a good minute before they managed to utter any words.

"Nancy!" They chorused.

"Oh my God." I shrieked, realising it was Antonia and Angelique at the end of the line. "Hello!"

"How have you been?" Angelique spoke in a high pitched tone. I chuckled, glancing at Bill. I smiled as I responded.

"Good. A little sleep deprived but good."

"Only a little?" Ah, I'd missed Angelique and her vulgarity. It was too adorable to miss.

"How are you two?" I replied. Bill nodded and I watched as he headed above deck, carefully stepping up the steps. I could hear him pattering around the boat rather slowly.

"Good!" Antonia exclaimed, finally managing to get a word in over Angelique.

"Missing you." Angelique's words were rather rushed out after Antonia had finished uttering hers.

"Me too." I frowned. I felt myself become saddened by their words, the reminder that Bill and I's time was limited to the week and a half left that we had together.

"Are you enjoying your time with him?" Antonia asked, referencing Bill discreetly. I grinned, feeling warmed and sincere in my response; a contrast to my sadness only seconds ago.

"I am. I really am."

We continued to talk for an hour or so, exchanging gossip on topics and how our lives were going. They seemed to enthused by, well, me. It pleased me, in truth, it really did. It also reminded me that I didn't have just Bill. Without him, I would be saddened by the loss of him but I wouldn't be alone.

The truth was only furthered by the fact that there was some very odd parallels with our first date and our current situation. My friends calling the Motorola, our conversations, even the clothing. I wore the same clothes I had on that first night and a sense of nostalgia filled me as a result. I was not only gladdened by it but made somewhat emotional.

"We need to go." Angelique spoke into the phone. "Our break is nearly up."

"Break?" I scoffed.

"Ok, our overextended time off." Angelique chuckled. "Goodbye, Nancy. We love you. We miss you."

"I miss you too." I whispered as they hung up. I clung to the phone as if it were my only relic of them, my friends, who'd once been the centre of my life.

My emotional turmoil was soothed by the fact I knew myself to be happy and nothing, not one thing could change that. Not even if my family hated Bill or we parted, it couldn't change the happiness that I had felt with him, undimmed by the sadness I would feel when without him. Though, as was becoming a common occurrence, my thoughts were interrupted by Bill's soothing, Swedish voice.

"Nancy!" Bill called from above deck.

"What?" I yelled back. A few seconds passed before I heard his response.

"Come here!"

"What for?" I responded. His lack of reply caused me to head above deck. He was no where to be seen. I peered around, standing on the edge of the deck to see if he was in the water. Two hands pressed my back and in an instant I was falling into the water, flailing about in the Ocean. Someone joined me and as I resurfaced, so did they. A sopping wet head of blonde hair was immediately noticeable, particularly to me.

"Bill!" I exclaimed, stifling a smile.

"What?" He chuckled, wrapping his arms around my waist in the water. "I told you I'd get you back."