Darkest Desires

CHAPTER 3: UNFORESEEN SAVIOUR

Okay something was insanely wrong with either me or the person who was practically merging me to his body with a strong grip. Ethan had all too unkindly interrupted my conversation with Damien, I was thinking he wanted me gone but that was completely not the case, he wanted the only guy who had ever been kind to me to leave and I stay for reasons unknown to me. I just wanted to piss him off and walk out of the place, so this brings us back to what I earlier stated was I the crazy one for not shoving him away or was he the crazy one for demanding I stay and practically barking at Damien to leave. Which ever it was, I picked both.

Heck I had no idea why I was even letting him manhandle me, his anger was clearly misplaced or maybe I was missing something.

"let go of me" I was attempting to yank my arm away. His hold was tight, like the last time he had his hand on me. My attempts to yell were futile cause he was glaring at Damien and not giving a rats ass to anything I was saying.

"leave Damien I don't want you here, and I don't want you near her" whoa slow down sonic! He didn't have the right to stop me from being around Damien, if anything I shouldn't have been around him.

"she's not your property Ethan, what the hell?" the grunt that erupted from Damien caused the other students to take notice as he neared us.

"I said get lost Damien, you know full well why I don't want you here" the hate that coated those words made every hair on my body stand and the questions in my head quadruple. What did he mean by that?

"actually I don't" he was almost nose to nose with Ethan. My heart rate doubled making it harder to breathe. s**t are they going to fight!?

My question was answered when the grip Ethan had on my hand loosened and I heard bones creek. My mind replayed the entire scene in my head till I finally understood what had just occurred.

Ethan had punched Damien right across the face making him stumble backwards.

Oh no oh no oh no.

I stood there for a moment taking in the entire scene, whispers and chatter had erupted and some people were laughing at the situation. That's when I remembered how much I despised entertainment at the expense of someone.

I walked closer to Damien as he wiped the smudge of blood that had escaped from his mouth. He hit him that hard.

"Damien are okay? I'm so sorry"

"it's not your fault, but it's best I leave" his eyes were strained on Ethan, I didn't even want to look at whatever expression was plastered on his features.

"wait, you don't have to leave" he ignored my attempt to make him stay and walked away.

Now all I wanted to do was tell Lily I was leaving because there's no way in hell I was staying knowing Ethan had been lurking near by, the goal was to avoid him I wanted to do exactly that. But not before I questioned him, he didn't have a right to punch Damien much less kick him out, the party might have been in his honor but he shouldn't have done that.

People finally stopped staring and refocused their attention on themselves. I could still hear Ethan behind me, breathing hard.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I turned to him, his eyes nearly burning a hole through me instantly. You're not weak.

"It's none of your business virgin" I rolled my eyes at the last word, he didn't need to go around spewing out my private life.

"don't call me that, you had no right to hit Damien"

"you don't know him and you don't know me"

"that's true but you can't go around punching people"

"I can do whatever I want" he stepped closer nearly making the air in my lungs cease. Something wasn't screwed right in my head because in that very moment I realized how gorgeous he was, his plump lips, angry grey eyes, that lovely stubble that had him looking like he was man.

Get your s**t together Elena.

"you're an asshole" I rolled my eyes, attempting to forget what I had just thought up, but when I turned I was faced with none other than air head Natalie.

"what did you call him you little skank" she gasped. Oh brother. My migraine was already underway.

"I wasn't talking to you" I rolled my eyes, this was my best attempt to avoid her so that her bodyguard behind me wouldn't threaten me at the very least.

"Natalie leave her alone, just ignore her"

Natalie practically turned red with anger and before I knew it a loud shriek escaped through my mouth when I realized she had shoved me.

Heck I didn't know how to swim, panic settled in heavy. I heard a loud gasp before the crushing sound of water inavaded my ears and all too soon the water was all around me.

Don't judge me but I hadn't learnt how to swim, my father always promised he'd teach me and whenever my mom attempted to the memory of my father's promise would come crushing in and I'd cry, I hated swimming because it brought back memories I wanted to forget or not relive at the very least.

But now I was probably going to die all because of those memories, I tried my best to move up but I couldn't the clothes were weighing me down.

I heard a muffled version of what sounded like Lily's scream followed by a series of curses. I could finally feel the air completely leave my body...

"I promise if she doesn't wake up, I'll smack you to death with your own hand" it was at this point I couldn't tell if I was hearing things or Lily was actually threatening someone but as soon as I felt the amount of water in mouth I turned on my side and started coughing out water from my mouth and some escaped through my nose it hurt, heck it felt like puking out my insides in liquid form.

It took me a few minutes to realise the number of people that had surrounded me, my eyes were blurry and I blinked a few times finally turning up to see the mass of people.

It wasn't long till Lily lurched forward and embraced me ignoring that I was a drenched mess.

"I'm sorry I forced you to come"

"relax it wasn't- I coughed again -your fault" my voice came out strained and hoarse.

"I'm still sorry" she sniffed.

"it's fine" I managed, still gasping for air.

***

After everyone realised I was okay, I finally started recalling the events of what happened Ethan and Damien, then Natalie nearly committing murder. Heck I really wanted to strangle the living day lights out of her but unlike her I knew better.

Once I was covered in a blanket with the help of Tobias, Lily and I were taken up to his room, he seemed apologetic and gave me a gentle hug then said he was happy nothing bad happened. It was the first time he actually used my name, he had been using freckles for so long I actually got used. I just smiled at him I couldn't really afford anything but that, I still felt out of breath not to mention my chest hurt.

Lily said she had called my mother it wasn't going to be long till I would be seated in the car getting lectured while being driven to the hospital. I was sure as hell I was never going to step foot in another party, but part of me was glad, I wasn't built for parties, I nearly died tonight.

I hadn't even seen Natalie or Ethan maybe I was too preoccupied with puking and Lily but they seemed to have both disappeared.

"it was him you know" Lily brought me back to the now.

"him? Lily what do you mean?" I finally finished changing, Tobias had found me clothes that belonged to his older sister who was currently in university, luckily they fit perfectly and I didn't look all that bad. I crawled up on the bed next to Lily, she was seated criss cross still fighting tears.

"I mean Ethan, he's the one who jumped into the pool after he realised you couldn't swim" she finally wiped away all her tears.

Ethan? I hadn't even bothered to ask how I had gotten out. Well it's the least he could have done considering he's the one who made that little witch push me, okay maybe the blame wasn't entirely on him but he played a role.

"well it's partly his fault so no thanks is in order"

"he still saved you, plus he and Natalie had a heated argument after. He seemed pretty concerned about your safety"

"oh no don't defend him, yeah he saved me but trust me he wasn't concerned about me. He was probably afraid that he'd be involved in a murder" I pulled the blanket closer, scoffing. I could already feel the effects starting to take a toll.

"I'm not defending him, I'm just saying he did a good thing, he's the only one who knew CPR"

"you mean he's the one who administered the CPR?" I guess he really did help, I may have to thank him after all.

Wait that also meant that he... s**t his lips were on mine!

"I know what you're thinking but he was saving your life"

Yeah but he practically kissed me in a way, why did it have to be him? None of this would have happened if it wasn't for that bleach blonde air head.

"I'm glad you're okay, I was so close to strangling Natalie" she embraced me and I reciprocated. Shoving down the thoughts of my impromptu kiss, well one which saved me.

"I'm okay Lily"

"can you please tell me what happened for her to push you into the pool?"

"because I called Ethan an asshole I think"

"why did you call him that?" I mentally rolled my eyes, well first off because he is.

Secondly

"he punched Damien, because we were talking"

"you were talking to Damien" I could hear the suspicion in her voice.

"Lily that's besides the point"

"okay you're right"

"I still can't believe that was the reason. Now I definitely want to strangle her"

"I guess she was trying to defend her boyfriend or whatever they are"

"doesn't matter, she definitely had no right. I was scared shitless watching you unconscious on the ground. Not to mention Ethan was growling at Natalie"

Growling really, she definitely knew how to exaggerate.

"was he?"

"yes when I arrived while you were in the pool, he was yelling at her but after I screamed that you couldn't swim, he just pissed off Natalie and jumped into the pool, I was this close to following him in if it wasn't for Tobias holding me back"

Wow. I hadn't expected that, I had never seen him yell at Natalie before knowing I was the initiator I knew Natalie would have it out for me.

"so what's up with you and Tobias?" I wriggled my eyebrows suspiciously.

The blush that crossed her features didn't do her any justice in hiding her emotions.

"nothing we are just friends" she was looking away, and we both know what that meant.

"sure that's why he was holding you like that?"

"oh shut up will you" she lightly punched me, making us both erupt in laughter.

The laughter was killed when Tobias walked in and notified me that my mother had arrived.

I let out a sigh and said goodbye to both of them while I went off to face my free lecture.

"sweetie are you okay?" my mother's hazel eyes scanned me, as she held me at arms length examining me.

We were outside by her car, they were only a few people surrounding the place, I think after my near death experience a number of people decided to leave just incase things got serious, the party died out slowly.

"I'm okay mom" I piped.

"oh no you aren't look at your skin, you're pale and oh sweetie" she was breaking down infront of me, and I realized how I must have caused her so much fear and despair, I'm sure she was imagining if I had also left her life. Tears pricked in the corner of my eyes.

"mom I'm okay" I hugged her reassuringly she squeezed me in return.

"we are still going to the hospital" she spoke while caressing my hair.

Did I mention I hated the hospital too, you're probably saying that I hate too many things. Well jokes on you I haven't even gotten through half the list.

As I was saying, I hated the hospital I always felt a sense of dread everytime I entered this place, it's like I saw the shadow of death linger around people and the suffering etched on their features only brought gut wrenching disdain.

"well you're a lucky girl Elena, luckily there isn't any brain damage and there will be no need for a tracheal intubation your lungs seem to be healthy, you may get a cold though judging my by the tone of your skin its best you get warm. I'll give you some medication for the cold, but nothing that chicken noodle soup can't fix too." the quirky doctor smiled warmly.

"thank you, that means can we leave?"

"yes you may, I don't think there's reason to keep you here for the night, but incase you feel any slight change in your breathing you shouldn't hesitate to come right down"

"thank you doctor" my mother responded, her gaze still glued to me. The causal doctor gave us a smile and ambled off.

"I heard some girls saying you were pushed?"

Her expression went from concerned and agitated, to tell me the damn the truth. Well I wasn't going to risk it by telling her what truly happened. If parents got involved it would only make matters worse, heck it would only give Natalie more reason to taunt me at her whim.

"You know how girls like stirring up drama mom, I slipped and fell ask Lily if you want"

Her eyes narrowed into slits, as she considered what I was saying. My mother was a lawyer and also an expert at reading lies, which meant I was practically screwed. I was going to try anyway.

"are you telling me the truth?" her mouth turned into a moue.

"have I ever given you a reason to doubt me?"

"well you did sneak off to a party"

"I texted you about it, plus you're the one who's always telling me to live a little"

"yeah live a little, not drown a little" she sighed.

"I'm fine mom, I'll be more careful" I jumped from the bed and and hugged her.

***

It was probably around 9pm when we parked in the driveway.

When my eyes landed on the figure that was on the porch I almost thought I was hallucinating so much so that I ended up blinking about seven times just to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Maybe the doctor was wrong and I did have brain damage.

I stepped out of the car and trudged for the porch, I felt anxiety settle deep in my gut when I finally realized I wasn't seeing things.

"what are you doing here?" I questioned, glaring in his direction.

"pardon me Mrs. Jones I just wanted to know how Elena was" he ignored my question and spoke to my mother who had come up all too quickly behind me.

"Ethan of course, I heard you're the one that actually got her out of the pool. Thank you so much"

If only she knew he was part of the reason I was there in the first place. I mentally rolled my eyes. What did my well being matter to him anyway? He was out to get me after all.

"it was the least I could do" he smiled warmly as his eyes lingered over to me.

"we are both grateful" heck I'm not, maybe a little.

The awkward silence started to drift between us and I was about to just walk past him and enter the house, till my mother spoke again.

"well I'll let you kids talk"

Before any objection left my mouth she was already inside.

I waited a few seconds then.

"what the heck are you doing here?"

He shrugged. He freaking shrugged.

"I thought it was pretty clear"

"what? You've come to finish off the job"

"if I wanted to hurt you, it wouldn't be through death" all the warmth ceased in my body when I saw how dark his eyes turned with just that mere statement.

"and yet you want to teach me a lesson all because of your assumptions about me"

His stare was boring into me, I just wanted to run up in my room and forget the dread of day.

"they aren't assumptions, and you do deserve a lesson" he neared me, invading my breathing space. I didn't waver from my position mostly because I felt glued to the spot with intimidation. His eyes were scanning my face, his impassive expression was all I was offered before I looked away.

"I don't play or pretend to be a hero and you don't decide who gets to teach me lessons"

"didn't you try to defend Damien? Didn't you call me an asshole because I punched him huh?" his face contorted, irritation spreading through his features.

"yes because you had no right to do that"

"you don't know him, don't try to stand up for people who don't deserve it"

"you don't get to choose that, you shouldn't have hit him doesn't matter what he did"

He chuckled, a low throaty chuckle that felt ominous in my ears.

"you're just like her" he looked at me with what I assumed was contempt, shaking his head bitterly while the sound of his acidic chuckle seeped into my bones.

Just like who?

"what do you mean?" I questioned, my brows furrowing in confusion. He was clearly referencing me to some one. Who Natalie? No it couldn't be her, I was nothing ike Natalie plus it felt as though the person was someone he truly hated.

He just stared at me for the longest time, his grey eyes grew cold and void, I looked down at the space between us and moved a few steps back, finally creating the much needed distance between us. His jaw clenched and he let out a throaty grunt before whooshing away, and disappearing into the night.

What the hell?

I shook off the number of emotions that had mounted and ignored the anxiety that was swirling in my belly. Heck I needed a warm bath and a good night's sleep, with Ethan back I didn't know if good night sleep was on the agenda.

***

"Hey Lily pass me the bag of chips" I sniffed, my cold was taking full throttle of my body my head felt like a balling ball, even though Natalie hadn't succeeded in killing me I sure felt like death.

Luckily my best friend came to the rescue with a movie and of course her mother's famous chicken noodle soup.

"I don't think you can eat those" she rolled her eyes and grabbed the bag of chips off the table shoving a few in her mouth.

"hey come on" I urged her slumping further in my seat.

"just keep quiet and focus on the gorgeous face on the screen" she kept her face glued to the screen as she kept eyeing the face of Chris Hemsworth, now Lily and I both agreed that this guy was definitely s*x on legs.

Lily was literally the first thing I saw this morning, I was stuck in bed trying to fight off the cold and making Natalie's name acquainted with every curse word in the book when she brought me her mothers' soup and nearly crushed me with her hug. My mom insisted on staying with us but I knew how important it was for her to go to work even though the idea of her working for the enemies father didn't sit well with me.

"can I ask you for advice?" I whipped my head so quick I got whiplash. First off it didn't matter cause judging by the look on Lilys' face I knew it involved Tobias.

"hit me?" I tried to conceal my smile.

She rolled her eyes shaking her head slowly probably because she knew that I knew what she wanted to know.

"Tobias asked me to hang out. I don't want to rush into anything I mean we already kiss, it just seems rushed I don't want to move too quick and then have everything blow over-

" whoa relax there speedy, first off I've never dated anyone and my advice might suck eggs. But- I held up my finger for emphasis -you my friend need to follow your gut."

"again with that gut stuff?"

"trust me the heart is too trusting and the mind gets too clouded. Lily point is if you like him and think it might be worth it go for it, don't waste your time overthinking everything"

She was thoughtful for a moment as her eyes strained on the empty spot on the table.

"maybe you're right" she slumped backwards blowing a few strands of hair off her face. Of Course I was right, overthinking things just makes you skeptical when making a decision, and most times you end up making the wrong decisions trust me I know so.

"so when is this date happening?"

"it's not a date we're just hanging out" she rebuffed me while smoothing invisible creases off her purple and black plaid skirt, the skirt that always showed off her body like some Greek goddess.

"Two people hanging out is practically the definition of date"

She rolled her eyes scoffing, the sound of her phone buzzing distracted her from probably giving a retort ful answer.

When I saw her features light up and her eyes nearly bugging I became suspicious as to who she might have been texting. My mind told me it was Tobias.

"he's here" the bag of potatoe chips went flying when she jumped off the seat abruptly.

"Lily, you're making a mess" I rolled my eyes. I didn't expect her to be this excited about Tobias' arrival.

"Stephen's here" I nearly choked on saliva when the words went flying out of her mouth.

Stephen! He was back! I couldn't face him not after what happened last summer.