The Things We Want

CHAPTER 30 "FROM TIME TO TIME"

Ava walked down the hallway, but stopped to wait, knowing Eugene would come down that way eventually. She looked around, not seeing anyone else. Sighing, she sat on the floor, a yawn escaping her. After such a long and tiring day, it didn't take long for the quiet of the hall to lull her to sleep; the soft sounds of the waltz coming from the ballroom sounded like a lullaby.

Eugene soon came to the hall and rushed to her when he saw her lying against the wall un-moving.

"Ava?" he asked, putting his hand on her cheek. She opened her eyes and smiled, looking drowsy and tired.

"Hello, Eugene..." She said softly, then looked around, "Oh... I fell asleep," Eugene sighed, shaking his head.

"That makes you vulnerable Ava... I don't want anything to happen to you! Please, let's just get you to your room," He said, pulling her to her feet by her hands. She stumbled a bit in her heels but he took her waist so she wouldn't fall.

"But I waited for you... I wanted to thank you, and make sure you were alright," She caressed his face with her hand, and he winced at her touch, his eye still bruising from the hit, "S-Sorry-"

"No, it's fine. How's your wrist?" Eugene asked, glancing down at it. When Ava looked down at it, it had purple and blue marks where Demetrius had held her. She hid it behind her back.

"It's fine," She tried, but Eugene took it back, gently holding it.

"You should come with me to the infirmary," He said with gritted teeth. Ava knew better by now not to argue with him when it came to her getting help.

"Okay, I will," She agreed, taking her hand back. The two walked in silence to the room, and once they had ice and were deemed fine, they were sent out to return to their rooms.

When the split came, Ava took Eugene's hand, "Stay. For a bit?" She asked him timidly. He nodded and the two made their way down the hall to her room.

He had been there earlier but hadn't really paid attention to the room itself. Behind her doors, beautiful curtains hung over every window, matching drapes hanging from the four bedposts. The colors were mature and simple, matching how she had grown over the years, and changed since he met her. Everything was clean, her desk organized just to her liking, her clothes in colorful order in the closet.

"Sit," She motioned to the bed. He smiled and sat as he was ordered to.

"What do you want to do now?" he asked jokingly, unable to contain his laughter at her blushing face.

"Oh, you!" She picked up a pillow and smacked his arm with it, sitting next to him on the bed, her gown spreading out perfectly beneath her. Eugene's laughter stopped as he looked at her.

"You're beautiful, Ava," He said as he had before, still stunned every time he saw her though they had known each other for years.

"You said that before, Eugene. Running out of remarks to tell me?"

"I only repeated it because it's true. In every way. You stun me with your beauty every time I see you, Princess," He sighed, taking one of her curls and playing with it. She blushed again, but he didn't laugh. He only placed his other hand on her bare shoulder, his touch feeling like electricity to Ava. He ran a hand through her hair and she sighed happily, resting her head on his shoulder.

"We must stop meeting like this," Ava whispered.

"Must we?" Eugene sighed, lifting her chin up with his fingers. Ava stared at him, almost in anticipation, every inch of her body wishing she was closer to him though they were only inches apart. He stared at her rosy cheeks and big blue eyes.

"No, I think we can meet in this way," Ava sighed as Eugene taunted her, his lips so close yet so far at the same time, "from time... to time..."

"AVA?" Samuel said, his head popping into the room from the doorway.

"Samuel!" Ava screamed, backing away from Eugene, who (out of surprise) had fallen off of the bed.

"Ummm ahem... I-I'm sorry if I interrupted anything, I saw nothing, and I'll just leave now," Samuel stated, abruptly leaving the room with a face redder than a tomato.

"SAMUEL come back here!" Ava yelled, as Eugene stood and sat at her desk. He winked at Ava, and she laughed as Samuel came back in, still red-faced.

"I'm so sorry Ava-"

"Oh stop! It's okay, I trust you. You've been my best friend since you were born, I have no reason to be upset with you. Now, why did you come here?" She asked curiously, Eugene and Ava looking at Samuel and waiting.

"Well... I need your advice Ava," He sighed, sitting next to her on the bed, "Maybe you can help me too, Eugene..."

"What's happened?" Ava asked him sweetly, knowing he would need some encouragement whatever the case.

"Well, I-" He paused, his face a slight pink, "I like Eric Turner!"

"What?" Ava smiled, holding back a laugh as Samuel dramatically sighed and whined as if he was 60.

"H-He's... wonderful, Ava! But I- how could I? I don't think he would ever like me in that way," Samuel sighed, looking at the floor. Ava grabbed his shoulders and then hugged him tightly.

"There's only one way to find out!" She said, with a big smile, "I'll ask him!"