Whoa! When Mel comes back, she does it with style!
She had her arms wrapped tightly around herself, tense with emotion. But she didn't look expectant, as if she'd given up on getting an answer from him.
Oh, this kills! That she's given up on him... *sniff*
"I can't be stuck in here!" She pounded more, then leaned forward against the door in defeat. Her next words were barely a whisper, but he caught them all the same. "Not with you."
His heart took a sharp dive and he felt his shoulders slump. With a heavy sigh, he glanced upward at the maintenance door. If she couldn't bear his presence anymore, he'd take her home. No waiting this time. Silently, he floated up to the ceiling and disengaged the metal door from its frame.
He heard a breathless "Oh my god" and looked back down at her in utter defeat. He offered her a silent hand. "C'mere," he said softly. "I'll take you home now."
Fantastic revelation! It broke my heart and gave me goosebumps at the same time.
"You don't remember, do you?" he scoffed. She wasn't sure if he sounded hurt or amused. Laughter through the pain?
Apparently she didn't remember. She bit at her lower lip and shook her head softly.
Oooh. I don't think I've ever seen her not remember. But it's realistic, isn't it? I've unfortunately had the experience of saying something that was hurtful to someone without realizing it until much later. It didn't stick with
me at all, but it festered with the friend I'd hurt. Awful, that.
She could almost feel the remembered pain coming off him in waves. No, it wasn't just remembered pain; it was still there, had been there the whole time they'd been dating, lingering dangerously under the surface. And now it was coming to a head, bubbling with anger.
Ouch! But thank you for leaving us with some hope:
When it came down to it, there wasn't anyone else she'd rather be with, and that had to count for something. That made everything worth it, didn't it?
"I think so, Clark. I hope so."
Yay! I think so, too
.
This was so lovely, Sara - sad and painful and hopeful and so perfectly in character throughout. Thanks for a wonderful read
.
C.
