Until we meet again (A war romance) (#Wattys2015)

Matthew and Diana

Matthew:

Di came to see me every day after that and Annie did well to stay out of her way. I felt upset that she and Di hadn’t gotten off to the best start, as I hoped they’d be good friends. I couldn’t approach this to either of them though. Diana would scowl whenever I would talk about Annie, and Annie would come up with an excuse to leave the room whenever Di’s name came up in conversation. I sighed. My leg was getting better, and it no longer hurt as much. I wanted it to get better, of course I did- but what then? I would go back to the trench, torn away from my family again. I didn’t know if I could face that, not again.

Di had changed. She was no longer the excited young girl I knew. There was now tension between us, and it was driving us apart. If it was because of my injuries, then why not talk to me about it? Had she really just been with me before because of my looks? I thought I knew her better than that…

I had changed too. Whenever the door closed suddenly, or the car engine started outside, I would jump. It had become almost instinct now. Every time I heard anything, I was reminded of the guns, the bombs, the death… To my horror, I found myself sounding like that man I had met before, the one who wouldn’t stop shaking, who ran away, who died…

Annie was sweet to me though. She understood; she’d seen it all before in the eyes of soldiers and friends alike. She told me I was a very close friend. One day, she came in, and I was crying. It was all just too much: Will, Pete, going back, and then I looked at my leg, and I couldn’t help it. Tears rolled down my scarred cheeks. I was so ugly, and helpless, and weak. She was across the room in moments, and knelt by my side. She put her arms around me. She wasn’t afraid, not like Di was. “It’s alright,” She whispered, “I’m here.”

“I’m just so helpless!” I cried, “I’m nothing!”

“Matt…”

“What would happen if I died? The officers wouldn’t mourn me, and the people around here have enough other boys to worry about. I’m just another body to pile up!”

“Hey, hey that’s not true. Your Mother and Father would miss you,” She took a deep breath, “D-d-Diana would miss you and… I would miss you, very much.” I looked at her, and whipped my tears. She blinked.

“I wanted to tell you sooner, Matt, but- you’ve become so dear to me, such a good friend but- I want to be more than that.” I stared at her in disbelief. I knew there had been something but…

“I know you have Diana, but she doesn’t understand, and I thought… Look…”

She bent forward quickly, and kissed me. At first, I was taken aback, but then I was kissing her back. She put her arms around my neck. She smelt of that beautiful perfume, and her skin was so warm and soft. I just needed- someone who understood what it was like. It could never last of course, but I could certainly make the most of it. Like the first time I had met her, she was the light in the darkness.

I didn’t hear the door open. I didn’t hear the gasp filled with hurt and surprise. I just heard Di’s voice suddenly pierce the moment.

“Matthew, what are you doing?” She turned sharply to Annie, who had backed away in shock. “YOU!” She was suddenly across the room, and was pulling at Annie’s hair while Annie screamed in pain. “No! Di, get away from her!” I cried angrily. I couldn’t get out of bed, I could only watch… Diana stopped then. Her face stained with tears, her eyes filled with hurt. Annie fell to the floor.

“How could you?!” She screamed, “I trusted you!”

“You didn’t understand!” I yelled, anger pulsing through my veins, “You didn’t want to!”

“What, and she understands you? You just met!”

“I know, but you weren’t exactly helping!”

“FINE!” she screamed, and I realised suddenly what I had done. “I see how it is!” and she stormed out.

Diana:

Something uneasy churned in my stomach, something cold. All I could feel was hurt, and anger. How could he? I had trusted him, with everything I had! It wasn’t my fault I wasn’t there on the battle field with him, was it? I had tried to understand, but obviously, that wasn’t enough. I wanted to just get home, and fast. I decided to take the car. I would take it back the next day of course. I started the car, and drove out onto the street. Everything was blurry through my tears. I must have looked a sight! I bowed my head, and used my arm to wipe my eyes. When I looked up again, it was too late. The wall was right there. I was thrown forward in my seat, and my head smacked against the metal. My vision was clouding, but the engine spluttered suddenly. There had been something wrong with it for ages, but now, it gave up. The engine exploded suddenly, and the last thing I saw was a flash of blinding light. The last thing I felt was the throbbing inside my head. The last thing I remember, was seeing Matthew and that girl…

 

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Author's note:

I hope you're enjoying this sudden plot twist! Thanks so much for 100 views, I really appreciate it! why not 120 by the end of next week? That would be awesome!

I dedicate this chapter to Joey Morino, because wthout him, I doubt I would have such a great passion for writing, and this story would most likely not exist! 

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