Short story - my dream - part two of part three - FINAL

From me - Again, beware this section does contain disturbing and sexual images, sorry if it offends you, as it wasn't created for this purpose. I simply wrote it. This is my final piece, if it does offend you please let me know and I will remove the posts. But i hope you enjoy it.

Two months later I lay on my bed, hand-in-hand with Coop'. Our relationship wasn't anything new anymore, new scandals had been and gone, and no one noticed us - except Joe. He hated me for hogging his son. I had asked Coop' so many times to spend more time with his father - Coop' insisted that it was more jealousy than loneliness that spawned Joe's new found hatred. So I steered clear.

"Coop'?" I asked, putting my chin on his chest, I rose and fell with it.

"Mmm?" he replied not opening his eyes.

"Why does your Pa hate me really?" he rose, leaning on his elbows for balance. He huffed, exasperated by the question that was always on my mind. "I just want to know the truth."

"Because he know we have, what he and my mother wanted... Love Ci'" He said when I only stared.

"Oh,"

"What?" he asked a slight smirk in his voice.

"Nothing." I said and I lay my head back down to listen to his heartbeat. We lay there for a while peacefully listening to the deep voice of my uncle on he phone on the floor below, the scraping of chairs the wind bashing against the window.

"I hate that." he says. I say, his most common word, hate, can't he find something to love?

"What? What do you hate?" I asked, moodily and sounding very uninterested. He was just about to say when my hormones kicked in, i got up and looked at him as though he had just told me that he had kissed another girl. "What do you hate this time? Because it seems to me that you hate pretty much god damn everything! You hate your dad for the way he's acting towards me, you hate your mum for leaving you, you hate Jason for beating me up, you hate Zoe for getting him to, you hate drugs, you hate cats, you hate the fact that you got a C in your last test, for all I know you could hate my style, my -" I kept going, Coop' stood, I was making him angry, I could see it in his face, his body language, he was so pissed off. But I couldn't stop, he put his hand over my mouth hard, it hurt.

"Want to know something, I hate it when your like this!" he wasn't shouting, it was beyond that - he whispered, quickly and angrily - it frightened me more than the shouting would have. "I love you Cira, but every god damn day you find something new to pick at, I have been waiting for you for so long, and it feels like everything I say pisses you off. I can't do anything right when it comes to you damn it. We are supposed to be in love. And I love you. Don't you love me back? Because surely if you did you wouldn't be doing this to us, yeah I understand that I can piss you off - but this much isn't possible, and if it is, what the fuck are we doing together?" A single tear slid down his cheek, and one strolled after the other on mine.

"I'm sorry," I cried, it was the first time he had told me he loved me. "I love you. I don't know why I'm like this, I know it's bitchy. But.. I don't - " The words were tumbling out almost as fast as the tears, we held each other. "I love you Cooper Haynes. Always have, always will." I whispered. We kissed, and when our breathing became heavy, he began to kiss my jaw, my neck where he nibbled and then kissed to sooth, his teeth grazed my ear - sending a shiver, ripple through my spine. Together we sank back onto my bed where, I pulled his t-shirt over his head, and explored the muscles in his back, the feel of his ribs beneath my touch, we sat on our knees, in each others embrace. I began to kiss his chest. Love ran through me like fire as he slowly drew my t-shirt over my head. We kissed again, skin meeting skin. He felt and teased with kisses and bites, and love. His hands cupped my breasts, and I gasped. "Oh God." I whispered, but he "Shh"ed me. We fell backwards my head on my pillow and Coop' straddled on top. He kissed my belly and ran his tongue over my belly button piercing. I moaned as he flipped the button of me jeans and pulled them to my knees - running his hands up and down the inside of my thighs. He muffled my groan of pleasure with a kiss, and I kicked off the rest of my jeans. Rolling over so that I was on top, I kissed his mouth, his chest, and the space just above his belt buckle, and just as I was loosening the notch there was a loud bang down stairs. My uncle was still in the house, and I was in my underwear with Coop' lying beneath me. He had heard it too, it that second he flipped me back so that again I was underneath him. I wanted more, but not now, we couldn't and he knew that as much as I did. He, in fact was already passing me my jeans, the right way out, so I could slip them on easily. And the same with my t-shirt, his was already on and he was walking out the door. I wanted him to come back, I wanted to get it over with, get the pain I had prepared for. I know that love didn't equal sex, but, I'm so ready, I walked into my bathroom and splashed water over my face. It's coolness cleared my head, it was right for us to stop, we couldn't do "it" when my uncle was in the house. I just wanted Cooper to be a part of me, forever. He would forever be my first and that was always going to be that way. I stood there, looking at my dripping face until Coop' came in to find me, he kissed the base of my neck and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Your Uncle has made dinner." he whispered I nodded, and slipped easily out of his reach. I couldn't get to close again. I coiled my hair into a bun and wandered down the stairs - Coop' close behind. 

We sat at the table in silence, my uncle doing everything possible to get one of us to talk more than to just answer the question. I felt like crap, I wanted to curl into Cooper’s arms and sleep, maybe even have a bit of a cry. Stupid hormones.

"Hey baby girl, what is it?" he nabbed me whilst I was doing the dishes, "What happened upstairs, Cira? Did you two fall out?" He guessed, "I heard shouting but I thought you sorted it out. Did - did some - " he huffed "Did something happen? … Upstairs." The blood rushed to my cheeks.

"What?! NO!" I almost screamed, "I would never do that!" I turned and took a deep breath. "We were just talking, yeah, we fell out." I felt drained already, and I knew that he would talk to the boys too.

I stomped heavily up the stairs so he wouldn't follow me up, but I knew that he would look in when he went up to bed. 

I fell into my room and slammed onto my bed. I hadn't been lying there long when my phone buzzed.


"Hello?" I asked sleepily. There was a giggle on the other line.
"Hey sleepy, Cooper with you?" it was Shannon.
"Well hello gorgeous." I laughed, 

"Why, hello yourself. Are you alone or not?" 

"Yeah I'm alone, what’s up?" I sat up so the covers didn’t muffle my voice.

"Well, I was sat with Olivia, and we were talking as we do and we were wondering if you would come to the cinema with us?"

"Low on money?" I hinted the smile tinting my voice.

"Maybe..."

"Sure I'll speak to my Uncle. Jamie too?"

"Yep, I spoke to her already... Did you want Coop' to come?"

"Um, nah. Just us girls." There was a silence.
"Um, You sure?"

"Yeah! I can be with out him for more than hour you know." I laughed. 

"That’s hard to believe,” she laughed on the other end. 

"So, what’s really up honey, you seem down." she paused, and then launched into her thoughts I lay on my back and we just talked. I must have talked to her for hours. It wasn't until after i had said good-bye that I realized how much I missed my girlie's. That shouldn't have happened. My uncle knocked on my door, just as I stood up. He smiled awkwardly; I guessed he had hoped that I would already be asleep. I smiled back.

"I was just talking to Shannon. We were wondering if you could possibly get us some ticket to 'Life as we know it' for next week?" 

"Well, its a pretty busy showing Ci'" He scratched his neck uncomfortable, he was loosing money and there we a few of us that wanted to go.

"Oh, we were going to pay you back!" I reassured him. 

"Well, I can get you a discount, but I can’t get you any free tickets next week, sorry baby." 

"That's great thank you so much, I owe you Da’" I gave him a big hug, i knew he was uncomfortable going through the Cooper and I phase so, I decided to cut him some slack. 

"So how many do you want?" 

"Umm, four please? We decided to have a girlie day"


"Okay, no problem." he smiled 

"Night Pa, love you." I said as he turned to leave.

"Love you to Cira, more than I can say." I smiled, and he closed the door slowly. 

"Cira!" I heard my name being called from behind me as I walked through the town hand in hand with Coop'. I knew the voice, belong to Shannon, so I stopped. She was with Olivia, the pair were inseparable. 
"Well hello my prize winning lettuce, how are you?" I laughed at Olivia's comment. 

"I'm good, yourself?" I replied 

"Amazing as per usual." She grinned, "We still up for later?" 

"Always" I smiled, waving good bye they left us and we kept walking, I put Coop's arm around my waist and hugged him, I was feeling low and would rather we were somewhere were i could just hold on to him and not let go. He hugged me back.

"Let me take you out for dinner, we never do that." He said against my hair. I looked up at him and smiled.


"Cooper, does this mean i have to wear a dress?"


"I would love to see you in a dress." He smiled,


"I don't do dresses,"


"But, you have gorgeous legs, besides, it would be uncomfortable for you to turn up in jeans." the left corner of his mouth rose in a teasing smile. 

"Damn you win." He kissed me sweetly and we kept walking


"So I'll pick you up at 8?"
"Sure... I'm so cold." He stopped walking and he let go, I shivered as I watched him slide off his black biker jacket, I had always loved that jacket. When he passed it to me, my eyes went wide and I shook my head.

"No! You'll get cold!" 

He looked at me exasperated, "Then keep me warm." I put it on; the coat was still warm from his body. I snuggled into it and put my arms back around him. "Warm enough?" I asked quietly,

"With you? Always" he kissed my head. 

Later, when I was saying good-bye, waiting outside of the cinema for the girls that I was supposed to be spending the day with. They had told me I was allowed to see Cooper, as they would be stealing me away next weekend.  As it was Jamie's birthday and she had booked a spa weekend for the four of us. I was amazingly excited and had been working my ass off for the past four months so that I could afford the treatments, she would pay for the room, the service, we would pay for the treatments. Money didn't grow trees.

We kissed, to the sound of the city and a whistle from the other side of the road. Alex ran over to us grabbing Cooper out of my arms and giving him a manly smack on the back hug. It made me laugh.

“Hey? Where’s mine?” I said, slightly opening my arms, for his hug. With a sparkle in his eye, he pushed my shoulder.
“I don’t like you, go away!”

“Hey!” Cooper said, punching him in the stomach, “What’s not to like?” Alex laughed,
“She stole my bitch.” I laughed, and he turned to squish me. “So, what are you guys up to?”
“We’re saying bye” Coop’ smiled at me
“Eww.” Alex grimaced; he was still a child at heart. Despite him, or to spite him Coop’ pulled me into his body roughly with one arm, and made me lean backwards, like in the movies. The kiss was hot, leaving me breathless. When he stood me back up Liv’, Jay and Shannon were stood watching. I smiled guiltily, and Alex was dragging Cooper away down the road, he winked at me and waved mouthing the words “I love you.” My heart rolled and I sighed, I could never get tired of him.

“C’mon lover girl, you need to get the tickets.” Shannon dragged me up the steps and into the lobby; Uncle Patrick was working the desk, phew. We got in the queue and waited.

“Hey Pap.” I smiled, “Have you got them?”

“Yes. Just give me a fiver.”

“Woo, thank you.” I grinned, and turned to walk away. Then he came out of his booth calling my name, being the boss, he wore a suit.

“Cira, we’re staying at the hotel tonight.”

“What! NO!” my jaw dropped, I hated staying at the hotel, it wasn’t home, and I was supposed to be going out with Cooper.

“Don’t make a scene Cira.” He said in his firm but quiet voice. I stared angrily at him.
“I’m seventeen, I’m going home.”

“I am still in charge of you, until your eighteen, your in my care, would you have done this to your parents? You’re staying at the hotel.” I turned around quickly, and began to walk away, stopping, about three paces away from him, I turned my head and said; “You are my parent.” Then I ran to the screening, just in time for the show.

I was pissed off. How dare he involve them? He had no right to do that; I couldn't focus on the film. I stood and walked out. I could feel people’s eyes on the back of my head - their sighs as I made them move to get out. When I reached the lobby, I could see my uncle, so I walked back to his office. I sat with his head in his hands and his glasses perched on the end of his nose. I noticed the grey flecks that contrasted with his black hair. "You’re missing the film." he said with out looking up.

"I'm going home to pick up my pajama's, want anything? Oh wait, you brought everything you needed, you had already decided. Well see you then." I said, my tone angry and spiteful. I turned, my hand already on the doorknob. I wasn't ready to forgive him yet. "Cira, come here." He was on his feet, and as much ready for a fight as I was.
"What?" 

"Why did you come in here? Do you want to fight? Because if you do, then lets fight!"

"You had no right to involve my parents so that you got your way, as usual!" my voice raised - yes, I wanted a fight. "Why would you do that?" 

"Because, you want the house to yourself with Cooper, you have changed since you started going out with him, and not in a good way. I see those looks, you give him." His voice was louder too.

"No I haven't, what is so bloody different about me?"


"You want sex!" 

"And?! All girls my age want to have sex with the person they love, and no Patrick, its not lust, I love him so much! You wouldn't understand, what that’s like. And you use my parent’s death to your own advantages because you know that it works! You ask me what they would think but I don't know because I don't remember because they're dead! I hate you!" I had never, in all the arguments with my uncle had said that I hated him. Because it wasn't true, I loved my uncle. He had done everything and more for me. He looked down at his shoes and a tear dropped onto mine. I opened my mouth to apologize but nothing came out, then his arms were around him. I sobbed in anger and regret. I regretted everything that I had said. "I'm sorry Pa, so sorry." I cried. 

"Me too, my baby, me too." 

"Okay," I sniffed, "I do actually need to go home and get some clothes." I sniffed and pushed him away. 

"Cira, I will make it up to you, I promise. I just have this dinner tonight and I don't want to go by myself. Would you come with your old man, make him look good?"

"I can introduce you as that." 

"Kay, bye." I left. 

Four hours later I was stood in a black cocktail dress and heels, arm in arm with my Pa. We attended a boring dinner with investors and other old men in overly large dinner jackets and fancy cuff links. Talking about the stock market and whether or not Pa's boys would be taking over the business or whether he was going to sell it. The only one who didn't talk was Joe, Pa's head of whatever it was.

"Well, why can't it come to me?" I asked, sipping 7UP as a group of us stood in front of a large open fire in what the hotel called the "Great Hall". 

"Because dear, you are a female,” replied a pompous man with a ridiculous looking molecule. 

"What has that got to do with anything?" I asked, my annoyance at his sexist attitude showing through. 

"You dear, do not have the proper education nor the sense to run a business this large." 

"Excuse me buddy, but I got all A's and above in my GCSE's and I'm on target to get A's in my A-levels, we don't live in prehistoric ages when females weren't allowed to learn fuck-all. Do me a favor... fuck off back to your own century." I span around and walked out the room, hearing applause from spectators - walking up the stairs I smiled, seeing men and women clapping - arms in the air. The guy was nowhere to be seen. But I couldn't smile; I knew that I had probably just gotten Pa in trouble. Hey, the douche deserved it.  

After unexpected congratulations from Pa when he came up to say that I didn't have to come back down, I ran a bath. I rarely took baths, showers were easier, and to be honest, more relaxing. But hell, why not, I had had quite a bad day and a long one at that. The white bath had huge clawed feet. I poured bubbles into it. I coiled my hair high on top of my head and undressed. I sank into the bath and looked around the room. The bath stood opposite the dark wood door, there was a toilet and a sink, in which I lay in front, then behind me there was a Japanese style painted wooden screen with a chair behind it. I closed my eyes and drank in the atmosphere of the bath. They were relaxing. Showers were just easier. Everything seemed so peaceful, then there was a cloth over my mouth, with a strong hand holding it there, the cloth muffled my screams, I was kicking slapping the water, as the chemical over the cloth sank into my blood steam; soon, I lost control of my body and I couldn't make my legs kick or my arms claw. My body wouldn't - couldn't move. As I began to droop into the water, and just as it hit my eyes someone grabbed my hair and pulled me out and onto the floor. My eyes closed as the pain knocked me out. 

When I woke I sighed, I must have fallen asleep, I went to turn my head to see the time. But I couldn't move and my fingers wouldn't react. Then, I heard someone's voice - deep and familiar. 

"Cira? Hello sleeping beauty." Joe came into my view. He had pulled the chair from behind the screen and sat backwards on it facing me. I panicked, I was naked, and Joe was here, I wanted to move, cover myself, and run. He sneered at me, at the fear in my eyes. 

"So, Cira, you and my son, hey? Has he had it in him yet?" he laughed. My heart was beating fast, I didn't understand. What was he going to do? And, why? He still wore a suit, and kept taking swigs from a large bottle of Jack Daniels, straight whiskey, he was drunk. But that didn't make it any better, it made it worse, he could do worse to me because he wasn't thinking clearly. "Has he, touched you yet Cira?" he said getting off the chair and kicking it across the room, it skidded and fell. He knelt down next to me and began trailing his index finger down my belly. "So soft," he murmured, to himself? Memorized by my skin. "Sad that you can't stop me from doing this..." his finger tailed from my belly and up to my breast, I could feel his touch, but had no control over the reactions of my body. I would have shivered. He trailed his fingers up and down my torso, as tears escaped my eyes. As he did, he talked to me; I was a whore, like Cooper’s mother, who was going to ruin Cooper’s life, like she did his, with a baby. But Cooper wouldn’t have it in him; he was a pussy, who wouldn’t fight. He smiled at me, like he would if he was sane. He had gotten bored of this exercise; he began to kiss the areas he had touched. I wanted to buck, to scream, to kick and scrape. I wanted to get him off me. I was helpless. No one could help me because I couldn't scream, and worse, I couldn't help myself. "Has he got inside you yet, whore?" he whispered in my ear, teeth bared. He straddled me, and slapped my face, then grabbing my chin roughly he kissed my mouth, biting at my lips and my neck, my boobs.

"Has he done this?" he asked biting his lip. He shoved his fingers inside of me, so roughly that I saw black spots; then again as he did, he hit me. Tears still fell, now in pain rather than fear – he was going to rape me, and the murderous look in his eyes told me he didn’t intend to let me tell anyone. He thrust his fingers again - my body, however, didn't react. I heard a shout, and his hand was wrenched away. And for the second time in two years I heard the sound of bone crunching bone and again I couldn't see who my savior was, until my head flopped to the side, Cooper knelt over his father furiously batting him with his fists, tears streamed down his cheeks as he cried "How could you? I thought you were getting better." I wanted to cry out, get him to stop. He would regret beating his father, for me. When he was sure his father wasn't going to get up for a while he stopped and looked over at me, "Cira?" I didn't answer, "Cira?" his voice got louder, "CIRA!" he was shouting, grabbing my shoulders and shaking, he got a towel and wrapped it around me. Holding me in his arms, and it dawned on me; he thought I was dead. He kissed me, no response. Again, he tried, no response, putting two fingers on my wrist he found my pulse and looked confused. Then, he saw the rag, and knew. His tears hit my cheeks, adding to my own. He rocked me "Don't leave me Cira, ever, I love you, please stay with me" and praying for forgiveness, from me, and God. He started, shouting, - names - people down stairs, just screaming for help. I was being loaded into an ambulance, when everything went black.

I woke to the steady beating of a machine, when I opened my eyes everything was a blur. I closed them again. The hospital? It smelt like one. And there was too much light.

When I woke for the second time I was in my room, had it all been just a horrible dream? Then I felt the bandages on the hands holding mine, and Cooper's face, eyes red and fresh tears streaming. 

"Hi." I tried to smile. He put a hand on my face. "You saved my life." 

He shook his head "I saved your virginity." 

"And my life… Do you hate me?" my voice was rough, but he laughed wiping his face. 

"I love you. Do you hate me?" 

"No, I love you. What did you do?"

"My - Joe drugged and was going to rape you Ci'. I think that gives you cause to hate me."

"Why? What I do?"

"Remind him of my mom, and not fall in love with him."

"I didn't mean too."

"I know baby,” he said stroking my hair and battered face. We sat together, staring into each other’s faces.

“What – What happened after?” I whispered

“He’s in hospital, the police want to interview him, and you’re going to have to make a statement too.” He looked down at our hands.

“I’m so sorry Cooper.” I said biting my lip, realizing that it was swollen I let go.

“Don’t be. He is the one that should be sorry, you did nothing wrong Cira.”

We sat, staring at each other, trying to believe I was still breathing.

"How did you find me?" I asked after a while. 

"You forgot about our date, so I came here, expecting to find you waiting, and when no one came to the door, I rang your answer machine. Your uncle said that you were staying at the hotel; I went down there to give you some abuse. If I had gotten there any later... I would never have forgiven myself" I put my finger over his lips and shushed. 

"You asked me to do something in the bathroom." I said - my finger was still on his lip's some he only looked confused "You asked me to never leave you, so, if you promise me, then I will promise you." 

"Cira, I'm never going to leave you, ever. I only plan on saying this to one person, I love you."

I smiled up at him, love seeping further into my heart and he leaned down to kiss me as the door burst open - the boys and my uncle poured in like milk. I supposed I was really quite lucky. 

They sat on my bed and we ate ice cream, they were the story of my life, but hey - I couldn’t complain. 

* From me - I hoped you like the story, I definitely did writing it. As for what happens next, let me know what you think... Do they stay together forever? 

Let me know your thoughts on it, I'd love to hear them*

Short story - my dream - part one of part three

From me - I'm sorry, this is going to have to be posted in two parts, as the amount is way to much the other half should be on in a couple of days. And sorry for the massive gaps, I don't know thats happening... Okay, here we go, enjoy!! 


Two more years past. We left School-began College. In our second year, everything changed. No we never drifted again, yes, I did get my first kiss, and no it wasn't from Coop' to my utter disappointment. We didn't go out, but I always loved him more than anyone else I had ever had feelings for. My feelings for Coop' never changed. Unfortunately for those other boys though, it wasn't just brotherly love. I was always and always would be in love with Cooper Hayes.

There was a knock on my door. Now that the boys had moved out, there was only one person it could be.

"Come in?" I called; picking up some papers from my midnight writing session and threw them into the wire basket I used as a bin. My uncle popped his head around the door,

"The boys and girls are coming around for dinner today, want to invite Coop' round?"

"Um, yeah sure, thanks." I grinned straightening. He nodded and then shut my door again. Walking over to my big double bed I picked up my mobile from my nightstand. Falling face first onto my pillows and messy duvet I scrolled my phone for Coopers number. I gave up and just dialed it, and lay it on the side of my face.

Someone coughed as they picked up. "Hello, this is Coop's phone?" it was his dad.

"Ah. Hey Joe. It's Cira. Is Coop' there?"

Joe-known in my eyes for creepiness, yes I loved Coop' but I hated going over to his place, I always felt like his dad watched me, it made my spine tingle-cleared his thought "He's just in the shower right know, shall I get him to call you back?"

"Um, yes please, that would be great thanks very much. See you later." then I hung up. I had to control the images of Coop in the shower that sprung willingly into my head. I scrunched up my face and trying to force them back down again. I was just about to have him over for dinner; I could hardly speak to him when these images were --

"Hello?" I said as my phone started singing to me.

"Hey, you rang?"

"I did indeed," I smirked hearing his door shut. I found myself biting down hard on my lip.

"Well? What’s on your mind?" he asked, after a pause on my end. I was in fantasy world again, a world where Coop' and I were, well-not on the phone. "Hey? Ci' you still there?" Coop's low voice brought me back to the room.

"Yeah, sorry zoned out. Um the boys are coming up for this after noon for dinner. Pat wanted to know if you wanted to come up?"

"Yeah sure that sounds great thanks, tell him thanks, I’ll be up in about an hour. That good with you?"

"Yeah that’s fine, see you in a bit." Smiling I hung up and threw down my phone-pulling off my t-shirt as I ran into my en-suit bathroom and turned the shower on high. I showered quickly and dressed in jeans and a clean shirt before blow-drying my mad curly hair. By the time I had finished flicking some mascara on Cooper's Jeep pulled into the drive.

"Hey!" he laughed-catching me in his arms as I ran to him.

"Hey back" I grinned up at him, he had grown again, and I hadn't.

It was kind of gutting really having your best friend shoot up when you stay the same height that you were in year 8. 

"So, what's for dinner?" he asked putting his arm around my shoulders and grinning down at me. As it always did-my heart fluttered.

"Ummm... Pat, what’s for dinner again?" i asked running in to the kitchen

"Roast Ci' its Sunday."

"Oh yeah, thanks." I grinned grabbing Coop's hand and pulling him out for a walk with me, yeah, it was snowing outside but who cared?

We wondered towards the woods talking as normal, laughing, teasing, fighting in the snow. Then his phone went off, buzzing. I sat down on a fallen tree and looked up at the bald tree branches, did the trees feel the cold? I was cold, freezing I shivered so Coop' rubbed my arm absentmindedly as he reached-smiling slightly- into his back pocket for his phone. He pulled back a fraction when he read the text, and chuckled.

"What’s funny?" I asked smiling, I wanted to pout and sulk, what was so god damn funny?

"Hmm?" he asked not even looking up at me as he replied, tapping keys quickly "Oh, nothing." 

I stood up quickly-refusing to listen to the nagging in my head telling me to find out who caused the laugh and how. Would he rather be with someone else? I began to walk back towards the house-probably too fast for my own good, snow crunching loudly under my heavy footsteps. Why did I bother to invite him over? This happened every time.

"What did I do?" I heard him call after me-I kept walking. "Hey!" he was running to catch up now, he grabbed my arm and spun me around to face him. His expression confused - a little wary.

"Why are you here, Cooper? Wouldn't you rather be somewhere else?" my eyes narrowed - his widened-shocked at my expression and interrogation.

"It was a text!" his voice raised slightly in defense.

"Oh go play with your hoe." I shoved at him and ran,

"What the fuck?" I heard him shout after me. I just ran, tears were running down my face but I couldn't feel them. I couldn't feel the cold air rushing through my hair. My heart was breaking. I was in sight of the house; grabbing my elbow he spun me around. "What the hell is wrong with you today?" he shouted.

"Get off me" I squirmed.

"Stop it." he said through his teeth reaching for my other elbow to hold me steady.

"Go away, you hate me! Why are you here?" I sobbed repeating my earlier words. I squirmed enough for him to let me go, he was shocked. I walked this time wiping my face "Cira!" he shouted, I heard the anger in his voice, he was closer behind me than I thought -I was reaching the house now. Spinning around I asked "What? What the fuck do you want you sleazy narrow-minded insensitive-" Cooper pushed me hard against the wall, I felt the cold stone through my hoodie, the push winded me. I didn't want to let him see; I just glared back at him. His face red with anger he yelled "Shut up!” Then suddenly shocking me as his lips pressed against mine and pushed my head back against the wall, as he forced my own open, his warm breath filling me up, then there was something new, his tongue, quick and hot. I could have groaned, it was finally happening, and it was as good as I had always expected it to be. His body was pressing hard against mine, crushing the breath from my lungs against the wall, but I didn’t feel the pain, my heart was thumping erratically. Then he was grabbing my leg trying to hoist me up onto his hips, I let him. We fell to the cold snowy ground. That was when we stopped, as I realized that anyone of the men or women inside would have been able to see us. I stood slowly watching as he rose to his feet-whispering apologies into my hair, "But I've been wanting to do that for a very long time."

"Then why didn't you? I've been waiting for that for longer than you have."

He laughed, "I find that hard to believe." he said backing away

"Try me." I rolled my eyes

"13."

"Damn it!" I almost stomped my foot "15." I admitted, he grinned.

"But, I hadn't wanted it to be like that."

"Well, it wasn't how I had pictured it either." I shrugged. Then he leaned down, and placing his bottom lip almost perfectly in between mine, he kissed me again. And that was our first, first kiss. We stood there, for a while, just holding each other. My heart wanted to explode - beating so fast. I wanted to cry with happiness. 

"Hey, what is it baby?" Coop' lifted my chin, I frowned in confusion, "Why are you crying?" he asked kissing the tears, that I didn't know existed away. I was crying? My chin wobbled like it did when I cried - rare still. "Was it that bad? I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have." he held me again, crying pleas of forgiveness. I reached to put both my hands on his cheeks, "Stop being sorry all the time," I laughed, but got caught on a sob. "Thank you for it! These are tears of relief, not sadness or anger." I grabbed handfuls of his hair; I stood there trying to believe that it had finally happened. I was finally free from this feeling of worry that had me wondering if Coop and I could ever be. Now we were. Weren't we? 

"Cira! Dinner! Jesus!" John came out of the house shouting for us to get the hell inside and out of the bloody cold. We walked, but I didn't try to hold his hand and lace his fingers with my own. He did it himself. My heart bumped and skidded in my chest. His hands were warm and large; rough kind of from the work he did on the farms in summer. 

When we sat at the table, my uncle wouldn't have the pair of us sat together. He'd seen, he didn't say so, but he had, I knew he had. And we both know what that meant. But I wouldn't get it until everyone was gone, I would pray that they would stay for a long time. 

"Are you going to eat or just think all night?" John whispered in my ear, I looked up at him frowning and then looking down at my plate I realised I had barely eaten. 

We stood there, for a while, just holding each other. My heart wanted to explode - beating so fast. I wanted to cry with happiness. 

"Hey, what is it baby?" Coop' lifted my chin, I frowned in confusion, "Why are you crying?" he asked kissing the tears, that I didn't know existed away. I was crying? My chin wobbled like it did when I cried - rare still. "Was it that bad? I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have." he held me again, crying pleas of forgiveness. I reached to put both my hands on his cheeks, "Stop being sorry all the time," I laughed, but got caught on a sob. "Thank you for it! These are tears of relief, not sadness or anger." I grabbed handfuls of his hair; I stood there trying to believe that it had finally happened. I was finally free from this feeling of worry that had me wondering if Coop and I could ever be. Now we were. Weren't we? 

"Cira! Dinner! Jesus!" John came out of the house shouting for us to get the hell inside and out of the bloody cold. We walked, but I didn't try to hold his hand and lace his fingers with my own. He did it himself. My heart bumped and skidded in my chest. His hands were warm and large; rough kind of from the work he did on the farms in summer. 

When we sat at the table, my uncle wouldn't have the pair of us sat together. He'd seen, he didn't say so, but he had, I knew he had. And we both know what that meant. But I wouldn't get it until everyone was gone, I would pray that they would stay for a long time. 

"Are you going to eat or just think all night?" John whispered in my ear, I looked up at him frowning and then looking down at my plate I realized I had barely eaten. I scooped up a couple of mouthfuls to show that I was fine, and that nothing was going on, but I felt sick eating, and I didn’t understand why. I should feel amazing – not sick. I stood mouthful of sweet corn and ran to the bathroom. I spat out the food and sat on the floor-head in hands- elbows on the toilet lid. Gerry came in and sat on the floor next to me rubbing my back.

“What the fuck baby, you were fine a second ago?”

I shrugged causing my body to shake with a shudder.

I wretched. Gerry flinched but kept rubbing my back and saying, “okay,” every time I urged. While I barfed I cried. Can you blame me? When I looked up Gerry’s eyes were red too. I was shivering. Gerry wiped my face with a warm flannel and hugged me lightly, as I held on he picked me up and carried me up the stairs, my head lay on his chest and I listened to his heart beat. The sound I would forever love. I was laid gently on my bed and my shoes were taken off, someone kissed my head and placed my duvet over me.

I slept. Not waking until someone came in and kissed my head - my cheek - my hair.  I opened my eyes. The curtains had been drawn and the light was dimming outside, I had slept a while, I guessed. I focused on the person stroking my hair. It was Cooper. I sighed, “Sorry.” I thought about sitting up, but didn’t want to risk it. “Don’t be, how are you feeling?” he asked, keeping his voice low and soft. “Okay, just a little drained, I haven’t been sleeping well.” He nodded, “You have to go.” I said, trying to smile sympathetically. He nodded, “sorry.”

“Don’t be,” I put a hand on his cheek and scooted to put a cheek on the other one, his were warm; mine were cold, “Your cold.” He whispered, he picked up a hat that lay carelessly on my floor and put it on me, he touched my cheek then left biting his lip as he closed the door. I heard his engine rumble and his tires roll over the snow- then I fell back into dreamless sleep.

“Cira? Sweetie, can you hear me?” I mumbled in reply. “Ci’ sorry to wake you, but you need to eat or drink, you’ve slept over fourteen hours.” I groaned, and shook my head meekly. “C’mon, honey, please?” I opened my eyes to see my uncle staring back at me, in a suit, ready for work. I needed to call college; I couldn’t go in like this. “I called them already, and Coop too, he said he hoped that you felt better soon.” My Uncle said, I swear he read my mind. He made me eat toast and a pint of water to rehydrate and then left for work, telling me that Gerry would be by to check on me on his lunch hour. I didn’t stay awake long enough to find out. 

Two days later I was up and alive again, must have been a bug I had picked up from school. I picked up the get well soon cards from random people and tossed them in the bin, all except Cooper’s which read,

To my beautiful baby,

I hope you feel better soon,

Give me a call when you do,

 Love you,

Cooper. Xx

It made me smile, so I put it in a shoebox along with all the other cards and notes that I had horded from Coop. I did exactly what he asked, and called him, neither of us had class until later in the day so we could do something, I was going crazy, I needed to get out of the house. And he was the perfect ticket out.

“Hello, gorgeous.” I heard his smile before I saw it. I was sat on the crumbling wall of the hillside castle. I turned to be faced with his smiling face. He kissed me sweetly, I felt my self-sink into him – I couldn’t help myself, he was so… gravitating. “Hey back.” I said - my eyes still closed. He laughed and put his arm around my waist as we wondered though the random boulders scattered in what would a have been, I guessed a ballroom or something.
“Ok, I’ve got a question.” I said as we lay on the snow-covered wall,
“Shoot,” he said turning to face me; he put an arm over me so that we were embracing rather than lying side by side.
“Do you wish your dad hadn’t moved you and your mum to Ireland? The truth.”

“Yes.” His answer hurt, I know that it probably would have, but I couldn’t help the pain that the word brought, I bit my lip. “Why?” I almost whispered it
“Because then mom wouldn’t have died. But then, I would never have met you if he hadn’t.”

I nodded, but didn’t look at him, his eyes were boring into my head, but I couldn’t look at him, even if I wanted to. It was a cover up; we both knew that.
“Look at me Cira.” I shook my head. My eyes stung so I squeezed them shut to stop the tears, I was crying more and more as I got older, surely it should have been the other way round. “Cira, you know how close I was with my mum, but if her dying means that I never meet you, then so be it, you’re my everything Cira, I don’t ever want to let you go.” He tipped up my chin to that I would be looking at him... if my eyes were open, and because they weren’t I didn’t see it coming. His lips pressed to mine, at first carefully, but I didn’t react, so he got stronger, forcing my lips open, his hot breath filled my lungs. It shocked me, the power of it - the burning passion. His tongue was in my mouth, and mine in his before I knew it. He had rolled onto his back pulling me with him I was sat on top of him. I could feel him, and I wanted this – he was the right one. There was a feeling at the pit of my stomach praying for it. His hands were on my hips, grinding against his. They went higher up my body, under my t-shirt where I felt their roughness tickle my ribs. They reached the wire in my bra; he stroked the skin with his thumbs underneath it, i could feel his temptation to slip underneath it - I moaned in anticipation. Then he stopped. And I remembered where we were. I pulled away, only to hear the crunching of gravel; people were walking up the pathway leading to us. I got off of him and sat on another wall just in time for the old couple to walk into view and walk over to the other side of the castle. Then I stood, glancing over at him I whispered, “Don’t do that again.” My voice wouldn’t have been audible without the echo of the still standing walls, so he’d heard. Then I began to walk quickly down the hill back to my bike. I had class soon, and I was desperate for a shower. By the time he had got there my leather jacket was done up and my helmet was on, I lipped the key and the engine rumbled, I saw his look. Like the first time I saw him his hair flopped in his face and his eyes, were sad, my heart thumped, but I was still embarrassed at the way I had reacted, so I released the clutch and flew.

By the time I got home and after I had showered, there was five answer machine messages, guess who from - “Cira, if your home, please pick up, I’m sorry. Coop’.”

“Pick up Cira, I know your there, I’m sorry, you know I am. Please.”

“Cira! What do you want me to do? Huh? Because I’m fresh out of ideas to please you.” His voice was getting angrier.
“Pick the fuck up Cira. We need to talk.”

The last one made me wince; I hadn’t heard him that pissed before. I rubbed my hair with the towel and changed. I was going to be late for college at this rate. Was there really any point in me going in? Grabbing my keys and pulling up my hair I yanked the door open. My helmet sat on my bike. But so did Coop’. He looked up at me and I walked over to him. He stood. I ran into his arm. “Hey,” he said, “my girlfriends being a bitch.”

“That’s because she’s scared, have some respect.”
“Why though, I’m not scary?”
“No, but she doesn’t want to mess up, she’s been waiting for you for a while.” 
"Then god I should be scared too. Jesus! I'm sorry." He hugged me tighter and kissed my neck nuzzling my hair - stroking his hands down my spine. 

There was a loud beep behind us and we let go. It was John. 

"Shouldn't you two be in college?" Yeah, we should have. I could almost hear the smirk, even though it didn't show on his face "Come on, if your quick, I'll give you a lift."

"I'm going to skip today." I called out, "I still feel funny." I didn't move my eyes from Cooper. He squeezed me saying, "Me too, maybe caught something." he leaned closer and put his lips over mine.
"It is true, you guys may have been transferring germs in your new found interest." I felt Coop's lips curve against mine. I couldn't help it though - I pulled away. Scooping up snow, I cupped it into a ball and aimed - smacking John directly in the mouth. He gasped and bent down. Anticipating his move, I moved my self behind Cooper. But John had good aim; it hit Coop in the chest. Right where my face would have been if I hadn't moved. We fought in the snow - all of us against each other, until Pa came home – ordering us inside before we all came down with cold. I ran up to my room, and turned on the shower nice and hot. Turning to see Coop’ stood in my bathroom dripping wet - his hair sticking up sexily in every direction. 

“What?” I giggled, slightly uncomfortable. I seemed to ache for him – desiring to be wrapped warm in those arms – STOP! How was I able to be this obsessed?
“Can I get some of that?” he raised an eyebrow.

“Some of what?” I asked, teasingly - easing myself into his body. He smiled down at me; we kissed, his hands gripping my backside. I tangled my fingers in his hair. Every moment was so, hot with him - he hoisted me higher. There was a burning feeling in my belly, then a knock at my door and a deep voice, clearing their throat.
“C’mon, Coop’ you can use Gerry’s bathroom while dad dries your clothes.” John said from the doorway. Leaving the room Coop’s sent me a grin and a wink.
Under the hot beat of the shower I thought about the day with Coop’, it had been such a long one. I never wanted it to end. I had no idea, did I? 

Short Story - my dream - part two

We were friends from that day forward, only to get closer the next.

We moved through primary school together. And began high school. We had our first fall out during year 10.

I will still shy, I wouldn't let myself get close to others; sure, I had made other friends that was what life was about. Making friends, learning new things, growing older. I had never had a boyfriend, it never occurred to me why, but I didn't. And I didn't want one either. I knew that Coop had had many girls, and would have many more, but it wasn't until we were fifteen that it had gotten in the way of our friendship. The girl he was dating was called Zoe; she had come over from Canada. "Her accent was sexy" or so I was told. By more than Coop. The pair connected instantly, before she new him at all. I guessed it was his looks. Even then he was handsome. His shaggy blonde hair still flicked and his green eyes still sparkled. His looks were all that mattered. To them anyway.

I waved goodbye to Shannon as she walked down her street and began to head for home. I put my headphones in and turned up Puddle of Mudd as loud as I could stand. I walked quickly, but I would still be walking for about half an hour, everyone was working though, so I had to walk. I hadn't got through the second song before a big shining black discovery pulled up just in front of the road I was about to cross. The window was wound down and my uncle was lent over the passenger seat.

"Need a ride baby?" he grinned, I grinned back and opened the door. "How was your day?" he asked pulling away. Since it hadn’t been a good one, I shrugged, he new what that meant. "That bad huh?" I shrugged again and he put his hand on my shoulder, "Don't worry baby, I know your worried about Cooper being surrounded by all these girls, but you'll always be friends, nothing can break your bond. Its a damn strong one you got." I looked at him. "Yeah, I can read you like a book." I sighed. 

"I know I should listen to you, but its hard, sometimes I just feel so ignored. It's upsetting. Plus his new girlfriends a bitch."

"Is that so? How do you know that?" 

"She talks about me behind me back." I stated 

"Bitch." he agreed turning on to the long dirt drive that led to our house. "Does Cooper know?" 

"Probably." I felt my uncles eyes on my face, but I didn't look back at him, I didn't want to see the sympathy in his eyes that I knew would be there, or the comforting smile he would send me. I wasn't in the mood for it. We reached the big stone house to see both Gerry's and John's car parked outside. I opened the door and hopped out, throwing my bag over of my shoulder. My uncle grabbed my hand as I began to walk up the steps onto the porch. 

"Baby, I know this has got you down at the moment, and I know that having only guys to talk to at home doesn't really help, but the boys and I, will always be here for you. Right?" I hugged him, it was my way of saying thank you, and he had known that. Then the door opened and Gerry's deep voice broke the calm silence. 

"Everything ok?" he asked, we said nothing, and I simply let go of my uncle and went into his arms. "Hey to you to. You ok baby?" I nodded against his chest. I knew that my uncle would give him the look saying, "Cooper." They could think what they wanted. I was not in love with Cooper Hayes. 

"Hey, what's going on out here?" John asked, "Is it my turn yet?" he asked smirking as I looked up. I gave him a long hug. I was the baby, and always will be. John was already 20, and Gerry 23. They looked after me. It was there "job." too. What kind of big brothers would they be if they didn’t? Then I grabbed my bag from the floor and ran upstairs to change. 

"You know, we could do something about your little problem if you just said the word baby." Gerry said as I cleared the plates from dinner. 
“What problem is that Gerr’?” I asked putting the plates one by one in the dishwasher.
“Your boy problem baby.” He said, I heard the tension in his voice he didn’t want to upset me but what he said, hurt.

I sighed and my hand hovered over the last plate “Shut – up you doob!” John whispered urgently punching his brother in the arm. I picked up the last plate and straightened.

“I don’t have a problem with boys Gerry, they have the problem with me.”

“I don’t see what they have the problem with? Do you Da’?” he asked, my uncle stood, looked me in the eyes, lifted up a piece of my hair, dropped it again, and looked in my ear. “Nothing wrong here.” He stated.

I shook my head and saying “I have to study” left the large kitchen diner.

I didn't study; I didn't even open my books. Sure, I sat down and looked at the covers for a while, but couldn't concentrate. I was so tired, not just physically, but mentally too. And Cooper's green eyes kept boring into my mind. Damn it! Why did I have to be in love my best friend? I stood; at least I had made progress I thought as I sat on my window seat. I had never been able to admit it before. I wouldn't let myself cry, that wasn't my way, and I would just sulk, and stew. I would not cry over a boy, even if I had loved that boy since I had first seen his mopped blonde hair hanging from his head. There was a knock on my door, I didn't answer, but my uncle came in anyway. He said nothing, only sat behind me and pulled me into his arms, like he had when I was young. He kissed my head, and I cried in his arms. "Why?" I cried

"Because baby" he had no other answer and said only that why was the question I would be asking forever and would rarely find the answer too.

"Thank you pa'" I whispered, I had never called him that before. In answer he pressed his cheek against my head, and I heard him sniff, he was crying too. We sat together crying until I straightened, that was enough, no more silly tears. They wouldn't help me.

"Feeling better Cira?" he asked, it was odd him calling me by my real name instead of baby, I was just so used to it. It felt kind of, nice, but strange at the same time.

"No," I admitted, crying always made me feel worse; there was no way to hide from tears.

I couldn't sleep that night and was ready for school at 7 am. At 8 John knocked on my door asking me if I was ready to go, since I was I nodded and stood, and we walked down to his car. Gerry stood in my way as I reached the front door though. I sighed and looked up into his deep blue eyes. "Yes?" I asked impatiently, don't be too hard on him I told myself, it wasn't his fault, normally you wouldn't have minded. I sighed again "What’s up Gerry?" I smiled,

"I'm real sorry I upset you last night Ci', you know I didn't mean too, don't ya?"

"Course I do, baby." I winked and then squeezed past.

I sat in John's car as I watched him stare angrily at Gerry. Then he slid into the silver Audi and turned the key to start it. "Not long till you can learn to drive now," he said turning the car around. 

I shrugged, "What Gerry do?" 

"Be Gerry." he shrugged back; I jumped around in my seat as we drove over the bumpy dirt road. I didn't think I would get a better answer than that, if he wanted to tell me what was bugging him then he would, in his own time, i didn't see the point in pushing him for it. Because, in our family, your thoughts were all you had that was your own.

I looked out of the window and up at the old ruins of a once mighty castle and again thought what it would have been like to live there, and why it was now crumbled to the ground.

"You're our Princess Cira." John put his hand at the base of my neck, his hands were hard and rough, a mans hands, rather than those of some of the boys in school, hands that had never done any work but writing, hands that hadn't felt the weight of a tool for more than a second.

"Are you working at the forge today?" I asked still looking out my window.

"Yep." I heard the smile on his face, and knew that he loved it there.

"Good." we came off the big road about a mile left until school, I needed air, all of a sudden I thought I was going to suffocate, "stop." I wheezed.

"Baby?" John’s hand was back on my neck, but he couldn't take his eyes off the road for more than a second, he didn't stop.

"Stop the car!" I gasped, he pulled over and I wrenched open the door. I was doubled over, trying to catch my breath. I gasping in the cold air Johns door slammed. His face was inches away from mine, his lips were moving, but I couldn't hear. I felt myself frowning, then running footsteps, then John shouting my name, and another voice. Who was it? Then everything went black.

"Ci', hey, can you hear me sweetie, open your eyes honey, come on, do it for me?" the voice spoke to me, "Coop'?" my voice was hoarse, I was on the floor, or, my legs were, but my body was cradled in someone’s arms who's? I didn't know; my eyes hadn't opened enough yet. When they did they were met with Coop's sparkling green ones, but where was..."John?"

"I'm right here baby." he was holding my hand and squeezed it. Then there was a screech of tires, and my uncle’s voice, shouting my name. I looked up at John, knowing full well that he had called him.

"You should have known better." I shook my head and slowly tried to sit up.

"Baby, are you ok? Oh, my sweet darling, what happened?" he murmured, stroking my hair, my face, my arms. Cooper's hand was still on the small of my back, for support? I thought about answering my uncle, but honestly, I didn't know what to say. I was lost for any answer, the last thing I remember was feeling like I was going to suffocate and wondering why. "What happened?" My uncle snapped at John

"I-I don't know, she said she needed air and when I stopped she got out and collapsed." He sounded afraid, thinking that it was his fault I assumed.

"Don't snap at John, he didn't do anything." I said hugging uncle Pat, his arms came around me and he pressed his lips to my head, I breathed deeply, his scent calming me.

"If it wasn't for Cooper here, I don't know what i'd've done."

That was when my uncle looked up and noticed Cooper sitting behind me, stabling me on the cold concrete. There, having been asked, Coop' explained that he had just left his house to begin for school when he heard someone shouting, it wasn't until he got closer that he realized it was John, shouting my name, after that he just ran and began, soothingly, talking to me to try to bring me back.

"Cira."

"Patrick." I replied to my uncle’s sharp tone,

"You just passed out, you are not going to school."

I sighed, bored of the same conversation, again.  "Dad, listen, I have just started half way through year 10, my GCSE's start in minimum two months, I can't miss a day just because of a little incident, I’m fine now aren't I? If John hadn't called you, you would never have known." he huffed, he knew I was right.

"Fine, but if you feel the slightest bit funny, I want you to call me and I will take you home, understood?"

"Yes sir." I replied.

"We'll give you a lift, both of you, your running a bit behind." he said, steering both Cooper and I over to the four by four, John had already gone, pushing him into his car not wanting him to be late for work, since he loved it so much, he left me no choice. With my uncles crazily dangerous driving we reached school just as the bell rang for first period.

"What's going on Cira?"

"With what?" I asked innocently at Cooper's angry tone.

“Don’t play with me Cira, you can’t brush me off like you did your Uncle.” Saying this he grabbed my arm, and I felt a large lump climb into my throat and a heavy rock drop in my belly. My eyes stung.

"I didn’t brush him off, but you seem to be able to brush me off pretty easy, get in touch when Coop’ comes back.” I walked away. I felt his eyes on my back, long after I had turned a corner. I wanted to scream in pain as my heart beat in my head. My stomach had dropped.

I went through almost the whole day without seeing him again, and i felt my happiness drain away, after school i saw him again, with Zoe. We didn't talk for the rest of that week, I saw him looking at me as I walked past sometimes and sometimes I would look right back, but it wasn't until the Friday after that we spoke again. 

Zoe threw things at the back of my head all through our English lesson, bits of paper flew out of my thick dark curly hair as I flipped around to glare at her, to which she giggled. I gritted my teeth and bit my tongue. I couldn't take her anymore! She was going to drive me insane! She did it again, "What Zoe? What do you want?" I asked angrily, she blinked 'blankly' at me. "Nothing, why?" I wanted to snap and snarl, but I couldn't. I knew that she would tell Coop' and however angry I was with him, I couldn't sink to her level and give her an excuse to bitch about me.

It wasn't until after school that the names came. "Hey Cira-N where did you get the scar?" she shouted across the field, "Just ignore her sweet." Shannon smiled at me, passing me the pen she had borrowed for last lesson.

"Hey what’s that? The knife you used to make that scar?" her voice was getting closer, but I just kept walking. Then I saw stars as someone yanked my hair. I screamed in pain, then my back hit the wall, a large guy in the year above was holding me there, I knew he was a stoner, I could smell the weed on his breath, he was high. And he was strong. "Stay away from Cooper, he is mine, am I making myself clear?" Zoe snarled from behind him, and the large guy grabbed my hair, and tugged it again, I bit my lip, not wanting it to tremble with the pain. "AM I MAKING MYSELF CLEAR?" she shouted and the guy backhanded my face. I eeked, but I wouldn't give them the pleasure of tears. My lip was bleeding, but he hit me again. Then I heard a shout, and the crack of knuckles, I couldn't see, my vision had gone black, I sunk to the floor, and I heard the shouting again "Get away from her Zoe, I swear to god if I ever see you touch her again..." then everything was black.

Green was flashing past me and I could her low voices, the rumble of a car engine.

Then there was a bluey green, photo frames hung on the walls with pictures of me and Cooper, John, Gerry and I, my uncle. I was in my room tucked into my bed, how had I got here? I blinked a few times, trying to get my eyes to focus. Something squeezed my hand. I looked over, there in my desk chair sat Cooper, his eyes were red and sad. "Oh God Cira, I’m so sorry." his chin trembled; I sat and cradled his head as he cried. "I always promised to look after you but I didn't if I hadn't... with Zoe... none of this would of happened. I'm so sorry,” he cried. I said nothing, only sat there rocking him. And all I could think was that he was here, and it was him that had saved me. Standing up he sat on my bed and cradled me. We sat there for a long time until my uncle knocked on the door and came in with his ill pancakes; ones he would always make if one of us was bed confined, but didn’t have a stomach bug. I hugged him tightly and apologized for scaring him. He kissed my head and told me not to apologize. Then he left us, saying he had to pick up Gerry, he had left him at the cinema to pick Coop' and I up. When he went I hugged Coop' and a tear fell landing with a plod, on his t-shirt. "Hey," he soothed, wiping the tear that had popped up to replace the one that just fell, away. "What is it?"  I sniffed, "Nothing," I sobbed "I guess I'm just still in shock." he nodded, and pulled me down to the bed again. I wasn't still in shock, I was just hopelessly falling in love with him, each time I thought I had stopped falling, I would find that actually, I hadn't and their was still further to fall. And him being here, had just made this pain worse, but the pain was worth the comfort.

************

And that is part two finished, finally, im sorry it has taken soo long :(, i'll make it up to you by getting part three done as soon as i can. xxxx