The rest of the evening passed with tension between them, as Lilly refrained from asking Gerard about what she had read and Gerard seemed to revert into himself. Whatever had happened was clearly still a sore point for him as he remained almost mute, giving one worded answers to everything Lilly said. She was angry at how the evening gone from being nice and fun to awkward and tense.

When ten o’clock hit, Gerard mumbled some excuse along the lines of ‘early start in the morning’ and stood up. He grabbed his coat and walked to the front door, Lilly following behind trying to be polite and walk him out. When he reached the front door he faced her, a conflicted look on his face.

‘I’m sorry, I know I’ve been moody the past couple of hours. I just… I’m going through some stuff right now and … well the specifics don’t matter. I’m sorry I’ve been a jerk.’

‘It’s ok’ Lilly replied, trying to sound as though she wasn’t bothered, which was a total lie. She was angry, frustrated and curious to find out what was going on.

He gave her a quick smile, before giving her a kiss on the cheek.

‘I’ll call you?’ the statement came out as a question as he gave her an apologetic look that made her want to melt. He could get anyone to do anything with that look.

No, he can get YOU to do anything.

‘Sure’ she said, making him smile before he gave her another kiss, this time on the lips. His lips were soft and she briefly wondered if he used Chap Stick to make his lips that soft. She responded eagerly, her body pressing closer into his. He placed his hands on her hips, gripping them tightly before releasing her and pulling away.

‘Goodnight Sugar’ he said, as he opened the door and walked down the corridor without a backward glance at her.

The week in school passed by quickly, and Lilly hadn’t heard from Gerard since that Sunday evening. She couldn’t help the heavy disappointment she felt, and also anger at the thought of being used. Why did he say ask if he could call if he had no intention of seeing her again? He gave her the expectation of something more happening between them only to let her down like every other guy. She wondered what his problem was, he had made an effort to get to know her and now he had gone cold. Was it something she did? She knew she was quirky and probably slightly off putting with her lack of good social skills but he had seemed to look past that. Maybe he couldn’t, and that thought hurt like a knife in her chest. If someone who had seemed so interested in her could be frightened away surely she had no chance of ever meeting anyone who would want her.

She had spent her Friday night at home, deciding that a takeout and a bottle of wine were her weapons of choice to help her get over Cute Guy. He would just turn into another memory in a long line of guys who didn’t think she was worth their time and energy.

That’s the spirit. They’re all assholes anyway. Inner Voice affirmed.

She watched some sappy romantic comedy that was on TV, not because she was interested but because she couldn’t find the energy to get the remote she left on the coffee table that was just beyond her reach. She was too busy wasting her energy on pining and wallowing in her own misery. Moving off her couch would take too much effort.

At least the male lead is hot Her Inner Voice commented. Lilly agreed with her for once, Ryan Gosling really was a handsome man. Lilly would definitely share his bed if she ever had the chance.

Slut.

‘Takes one to know one’ she replied mentally, before realising she was having a conversation with herself. That was never a good sign. She sighed and shook her head at herself and her odd behaviour. Her phone suddenly beeped and vibrated on the coffee table, making Lilly groan with annoyance as she shifted off the couch to grab it. It was a text message from Gerard.

‘I’m outside, let me in’

She stared at the phone for a moment, as disbelief and anger coursed through her. He had ignored her for the past five days, and now he suddenly sends her a text at two in the morning expecting her to let him into her home. Who the hell did he think he was?

Her phone buzzed again.

Please? I really need to see you x

She sighed, rubbing her forehead. She should at least hear him out; see if he had some legitimate excuse for being an asshole to her.

Yeah right. He’s probably drunk and horny and you’re the easy slut who’ll give it up. The Inner voice sneered.

She bit her lip, before replying.

I’ll buzz you up.

She got up and pressed the buzzer on the intercom, giving him entrance into the building. She hoped Inner Voice was wrong, that he came to apologise and maybe grovel. Grovelling was definitely something she’d like to see.

When she heard a knock on the door a few minutes later she rushed to open it, eager to see him even if he had been an asshole. She was greeted by the sight of a wasted Gerard.

‘Hey Sugar’ he slurred with that lazy smirk on his face.

‘What are you doing here Gerard?’ She asked with a sigh, feeling humiliated that her Inner Voice had been right. He was drunk and horny, and he wanted someone who could take care of his problem.

‘I wanted to see you. Is that a bad thing?’ He tried to sound suave but the slurring made her cringe inside.

‘Go home Gerard. If you wanted to see me you would have acknowledged my existence at some point over the last five days. Instead you ignored me, and now you turn up at my apartment, drunk, and expect me to let you in. For what, a quick fuck? Go fuck yourself; I’m not desperate enough to degrade myself like that. Try some other girl who has self esteem issues.’

She was about to shut the door in his face when he put his hand out to stop the door, shock clearly written on his face.

‘I’m not here for a quick screw. I’m here because I wanted to see you. I mean, if you wanna screw around I won’t say no but I didn’t come expecting it.’

‘What did you expect Gerard?’ Her voice was cold and harsh.

‘I don’t know, maybe that you’d be happy to see me?’ He sounded hurt, and even though he was drunk he was still insanely cute.

‘I would be if you’d called or texted me Gerard’ she reasoned, hating how she was now feeling like a cold hearted bitch.

‘I did, like five minutes ago.’

‘I meant at some stage during the week, not at two in the morning when you’re plastered drunk.’

He shrugged. ‘I didn’t realise there was a time set on when I should call you.’

She let out an angry breath, losing her patience very quickly.

‘No, but suddenly showing up drunk after not hearing from you for five days is a bit much, isn’t it? I’m entitled to be a bit fucking pissed off Gerard!’

‘You’re right, I’m sorry. Let me make it up to you’ he said cajolingly, his voice full of suggestion as he gave her that charming smile again, sensing that her anger was fading a little.

Lilly sighed.

‘And how will you do that?’

His smile grew bigger as he walked right up to her, and whispered in her ear. ‘I’ll so that thing you like.’

Lilly felt her muscles inside contract at the thought, hating that he could suddenly turn her on when she should be slamming the door in his face.

‘Fine, but you’re not getting anything in return.’

‘Deal’ he agreed quickly, as Lilly opened the door wider to let him inside.

‘Do I at least get an explanation as to why you haven’t been around?’ she asked.

‘I was working. There’s a deadline coming up and I’ve been pulling fourteen hour shifts trying to meet them.’

She could tell he was lying by the way he wouldn’t quite meet her eyes.

‘If you don’t want to tell the truth that’s fine but don’t lie to me.’

He met her eyes and sighed.

‘Fine. You’re right it’s not the reason but I don’t want to talk about it. I’m sorry but right now I just really want your company and to forget about it for a while.’

Lilly studied him for a moment, before relenting.

‘Okay, fine. I’ll let it go for now. Pull this shit again though and I won’t be answering the door, got that?’ Her voice was harsh and unforgiving, and Gerard seemed to realise she meant what she said.

‘Okay’ he murmured, walking up to her and pulling hips into his own. ‘Now, about our deal’ he said seductively, before taking her lips with a sweet kiss.

Notes

Hey all,
I'm awful I know, sorry for the delay in updating. I hope this update too disappointing. It's one of those necessary chapters that gives a good indication of the problems ahead.

As always, please comment. This story isn't getting as much as much love as my others so it'd be really great to hear if people like it. Thank you to the readers, commentors and subscribers.

As always, I hope you enjoyed until next time :)