Chasing the Sun

Things weren’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but Lilly couldn’t deny that the little things didn’t bother her as much anymore. Things like Gerard disappearing off the radar for a couple of days at a time didn’t upset her the way it used to. Gerard turning up at her apartment, drunk out of his skull with an arrogant smirk on his face became a minor annoyance instead of a big argument that resulted in Gerard seducing her to subdue her. It was funny how three little words could make such a big difference to her, and her perspective on their relationship. With those three words, she no longer feared that he would suddenly leave her or find somebody else who was prettier, or smarter. The words were like an unspoken promise that he was serious about her; serious about them and that maybe he could see a future with her. It papered over the tiny little cracks that would appear from time to time, like when it took three days for him to text her back to let her know he was alive. Those three words made her feel like she was floating on air whenever he spoke them, which he did often. When he would ring her after two days of nothing, he would apologise, tell her he loved her and her heart would melt like a block of ice left out in the sun. Part of her knew that, for him, it was a get out clause to escape her anger whenever he fucked up. When she was angry or upset with him because of his behaviour, all he had to do was coo the words in her ear and all was forgiven in a heartbeat. She would forget her anger and just enjoy the time she got to spend with him.

‘He really has you wrapped around his little finger’ Inner Voice remarked every time he slurred the words after another drunken night out in spite of his promise to only have one or two beers, or a sudden reappearance at one in the morning after a night out with the boys from work. Lilly knew Inner Voice was right but when Gerard was around, her world was just a little bit better. It was a cliché straight out of a romance novel but love made her see everything in a different light. Colours were that little bit brighter, the air smelled sweeter and annoyances were easier to brush off. In the weeks leading up to the end of the summer holidays Lilly found herself immersed in work again, which distracted her when Gerard was in work or just not around. Lesson planning became the bane of her existence, especially when she found out she was no longer teaching the same year as before. Last year’s plans were useless to her now, and she cursed the principal for creating the unnecessary extra work. She had all but begged the principal to change her mind. She knew that in the end it was probably a good thing and it all amounted to experience but, when she was spending hours of her precious, free time writing up new plans she wanted to tear her hair out. Gerard was there to calm her down when she ranted about how much she hated the principal, and how much teaching sucked. He just giggled at her and shook his head, before successfully distracting her with a kiss that always led to a trip to the bedroom.

“We actually got some pretty good shots from our trip to Galway” Lilly commented one night while browsing through photos on her digital camera.

“Yeah?” Gerard peaked at the pictures over her shoulder “You should post them up” he decided, before giving his attention back to the TV.

“You think?” Lilly questioned, surprised by his suggestion.

“Sure, why not” He replied without looking at her, too engrossed in the episode of Game of Thrones. Lilly had already seen it to Gerard’s annoyance but she’d insisted that they watched it together anyway.

Without further encouragement she grabbed her laptop and transferred the pictures. She bit her lip, knowing the question she wanted to ask would make her sound like a pathetic teenager but it was an issue that bothered her.

“Um, should I tag you on the pictures? It’s just…we’re not friends on Facebook or anything…” she trailed off, praying that she didn’t come across as whiney.

“Really?” Gerard asked, sounding surprised.

“Uh-huh.”

Gerard pulled out his phone, and within a minute her Facebook page flashed a friend request notification. She struggled to hold in the manic grin that wanted to break out over her face and accepted it, then proceeded to update her relationship status. She knew Gerard could see through her when she caught sight of his self satisfied smirk.

“Now that we’re Facebook official, can I get a blowjob tonight?”

Lilly swiped at his arm, which did nothing more than cause Gerard to giggle while he mockingly rubbed his arm and pout.

“You’re an asshole” she giggled , unable to keep a straight face at his undeniably adorable expression.

“Yeah but I’m a cute, adorable, insanely good in bed asshole” he wiggled his eyebrows.

“Whatever” she sighed dramatically. She refused to increase his already over inflated ego by confirming his assessment, even if it was true.

“You know I’m right” he replied cockily before dropping the conversation and continuing to watch the show.

Lilly uploaded the pictures and tagged Gerard in them, secretly beaming with pride that there was proof of her relationship with Gerard. Even though it seemed like a trivial thing, the fact that there was public, definitive proof that they were together meant more to her than she cared to admit. If Gerard was willing to proclaim to the world that they were indeed an item, it validated their relationship and by extension, made her feel far more secure. It took her half an hour to get the backlog of pictures up and tagged. When she finished she cuddled up on the couch with Gerard, who wrapped his arm around her and pulled her tightly against him. She rested her head on his chest, breathing in his warm scent. It was barely nine o’clock but she could feel her eyes beginning to droop of their own accord, against her will.

“Lilly, your sister’s on the phone”

Lilly shot up, her heart thumping widely in her chest. Gerard giggled behind her, placing a calming hand on her arm and handing her the phone.

“Hello?” Lilly’s hoarse voice made her cringe.

“Please tell me you didn’t forget Grandad’s birthday party tomorrow?”

“What?”

“Grandad’s eightieth birthday party? The one that’s kinda a big deal and that we’re all expected to attend? The one that Mam’s been planning for the last six months?”

“Um…”

“You forgot, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t forget…”

“Jesus Christ Lilly! How could you forget?”

“I didn’t forget, okay? You woke me up and I’m a bit dazed. I’ll be there.”

“Good. Can you give me a lift?”

“Fine.” Lilly hung up abruptly, irritation and tiredness crawling underneath her skin.

“You forgot your Grandad’s birthday” Gerard sang behind her. Lilly pounced on him, hitting him weakly on the chest once before he grabbed her wrists and easily overpowering her, giggling like a maniac underneath her.

“Hey, it’s not my fault you don’t appreciate your family enough to remember such an important occasion in your grandfather’s life” he teased, undeterred by her persistent attempts to free her hands to hit him again.

“You’re an asshole!” Lilly sighed.

“We established that already.”

Gerard let go of her wrist and swiftly wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her on top of him and cuddling her into his chest.

“I hate family gatherings.” Lilly grumbled, feeling the dread seep into her veins already. Family occasions never ended well. There was always that one aunt or uncle who drank too much, got loud, aggressive and obnoxious and ruined the occasion for everyone. There would be awkward silences, stilted conversations and not nearly enough alcohol in the world that would make the occasion any less painless.

“You never know, it could be fun. It’s free food and alcohol at least.” Gerard pointed out cheerfully.

“You should come” Lilly blurted out, instantly wishing she could take the words back.

She could feel the heat rising from her cheeks. They had just barely acknowledged their feelings for each other; Gerard wasn’t ready for such a big step. She wasn’t ready for it. Her family could be intense, overbearing and always ready and willing to humiliate her in front of others. The old, embarrassing stories would be out the second Gerard said hello. It was a disaster waiting to happen.

“Do you want me to go?” he asked, with only a little hint of mockery in his voice.

“Of course I do” she whispered, afraid of saying the truth.

“Then I’ll go.”

“Great. I can’t wait.”

Notes

I apologise for the crappyness of this chapter.

I've just been a bit...uninspired with this story. I have an ending planned, possibly a sequel too. It's just the in between that stumped me. I think I know what to do now, so it shouldn't be an issue any more. Thanks to those of you who are still reading!

Lyra