Chapter four

I woke up the next day feeling excited to go back to university. After Uncle Frederick left last night I’d been under fire by my parents about how I was studying, how well I was handling university life and not to mention the amount of times they tried to bring up topics like boys and parties. It seemed, however, that I could end up a better lawyer than I thought of myself considering how well I was able to dodge their questions; for the time being.

“Angelina! Breakfast time!” My mother’s voice rang up the stairs.

I threw the covers back and quickly washed my face before heading down to the breakfast table. It must’ve been a hot day outside because it was barely eight o’clock and the air conditioning was already on and cooling the house down, except for the windows which would send a wall of heat towards me whenever I passed them. The table was laden with light breakfast foods – cut up fruits, croissants either filled with ham and cheese or plain and eggs along with mango juice and coffee settled in the centre. My mother and father were sitting opposite each other both reading a newspaper and sipping at their coffees. The curtains were pulled back and the sun shone through the windows brightening the room. 

“Good morning mother, daddy” I greeted them with a kiss on their cheeks before settling myself in a rigid backed chair and heaping the food all on my plate. My father peered over the top of his newspaper and an amused expression while my mother put hers down completely and stared at my plate.

“Angelina... you need to watch your figure” She scolded lightly. “You never usually eat this much”

I paused, my hand halfway to grabbing another croissant when I grinned and flushed. “I guess I just missed home food?”

It was a pretty lame excuse. After all, it wasn’t as though my mother cooked the meals. My father chuckled behind his newspaper, pausing only when he sipped more coffee, but my mother pursed her lips. “Well, just cut back a little darling. Heaven knows how much exercise you won’t be doing with all your studying”

And we were back to my studies.

“Don’t think we didn’t realise that you were trying to avoid answering all our questions, Angelina” My father joined in the conversation, finally putting his newspaper down. “Now we have no doubt that you’ll do fine studying. It’s instilled in you. However, we just want to make sure that you don’t get distracted by anything or anyone. Remember, no boys or parties... you need to focus. You need to keep your head firmly on your shoulders and your eyes on the prize! You need to finish your degree so that you can join us in the court room one day. That is why we’re paying for your tuition”

My mother agreed by nodding her head. I quietly sighed. If anyone else had listened to this conversation they’d think nothing much of it, but it was there under their words... ‘you will study law, you will graduate, you will join us in the court room, you have no choice’.

“I know daddy. I have been studying everyday and very hard as well, you know I study hard. I haven’t been to any parties and I know I have no time for boys”

Well, they never mentioned going to a bar.

Satisfied with my answer they smiled and continued reading their newspapers and drinking their coffees while I poured a glass of mango juice – I’d lost my appetite after that conversation. After slowly finishing my mango juice, I showered and dressed in dark leggings and a yellow off the shoulder top. I slipped into my flats and finished packing my overnight bag before meeting the driver downstairs.

“Bye!” I kissed both my parents’ cheeks and just before I escaped to the car my father called out to me.

“Remember Angelina! No parties and no boys! Focus and keep your eyes on the prize!” I threw him a tight smile and jumped into the car before the driver firmly closed the door.

I slept the whole drive back. I hadn’t slept well at all last night... I kept dreaming of a deep lilting voice and magnetising eyes. Those two things had me waking up throughout the night and I scolded myself for feeling so worked up over a guy I’d never actually met. The car stopped outside the campus and just the sight of it had me beaming. After one week living here it already felt like my proper home. I thanked the driver and shouldered my bag before stepping out.

Immediately the humidity clung to my skin as I left the air conditioning form he car behind. The sun blazed and there wasn’t a single cloud to offer any reprieve from the suffocating heat. I plucked at my top, allowing a little air to cool my dark heated skin underneath and quickly walked to my dorm. As soon as I was inside the building the heat died a little, but it wasn’t until I opened the door to my room when the cold air hit me. Another thing that hit me as soon as I stepped inside was shock.

It seemed like Ella had been hit with another large dose of inspiration because the entire room was filled with her artwork. The tables were littered with romance books, paints and paintbrushes while both our beds were covered with large sketch books, loose paper filled with sketches and drawings. Those drawings continued to completely smother the floor to the point where it was almost impossible to walk in without stepping on something. Where there was no paper, there were pencils, erasers, and felt tip pens. I noticed Ella had also gone on a photo taking spree because her camera was lying on its side on top of a stack of developed photos.

Ella sat on top of her pillows of her bed with her laptop on her lap and she was totally engrossed in whatever she was doing. “Hello...?” I called out to Ella dragging the word out. Ella jumped and looked up, obviously she had no idea I was standing here, and she suddenly burst out in apologies.

“Angel! I’m so sorry! Inspiration just hit me like a dang runaway train yesterday and I didn’t think you’d be back so early! I was planning on cleaning everything up before you came back-“

I began to laugh and tossed my bag on top my bed pillows (something that wasn’t covered) and stopped Ella. “Don’t worry about it, honestly. I was just shocked is all. Have you even slept at all?! How much have you done in the one day I was home?”

Ella shoved some papers aside and placed her laptop on top of her desk before answering. “I don’t even remember. When I get into one of my art trances I just can’t stop!” Ella was speaking extremely fast that it took me a second to comprehend what she was saying. “I’m sorry Angel, but I still have so much I need to put on paper before I forget it or lose it-“

I lifted hand up cutting her off and smiled at her. “Say no more. I’ll leave you to your art work. I might head down to the uni bar for something to eat. I didn’t get to eat breakfast this morning”

Ella’s shoulders relaxed and she beamed. I honestly missed her energy and quirkiness and was totally fine with lounging around the uni bar while she finished. “I’ll just grab my wallet and phone and leave you to it” I said with a wink.

“And this is why I have the best roommate ever!” Ella giggled.

I chuckled and left the room before slowly walking out towards the uni bar. As soon as I left the building the heat attacked me again and I was half wondering if I should have just stayed in the room. It was only just after ten o’clock and most of the grounds were empty, I figured that the majority of the students were having a lazy Sunday morning in or just didn’t want to face the heat. I welcomed the blast of cool air once more as I stepped into the bar and was slightly surprised to see it was completely empty.

I’d never seen the bar empty before, it’d always been either busy or completely packed, so the lack of bodies in here made me realise just how huge it actually was. I momentarily forgot about how hungry I was when I spied the empty stage. Looking around the empty bar and seeing that no one was here I walked up to the stage and  saw all the different instruments that either belonged to the bar or were left behind because it was too big to lug around.

I chewed on my lip and, with another glance around the bar, I sat down at the old piano and slid my fingers over the well worn keys. Playing the piano for Uncle Frederick made me miss playing. I used to be quite good, but once Uncle Frederick became busy with a big case across the country a few years ago I hadn’t even thought of playing it.

I breathed in and began to let my fingers dance over the keys. My foot tapped lightly on the pedal underneath and I hummed to another one of my favourite songs Uncle Frederick taught me – ‘At the Beginning by Richard Marx and Donna Lewis’. I hummed the female verse and closed my eyes, revelling in the memories and the music that surrounded me. When the male verse came up, a deep voice began to sing the words perfectly, sending tingles up my spine and goosebumps all over my skin. I squeaked and my fingers fumbled on the keys as I turned to see the handsome lead singer smiling at me, and gazing intently at me with beautiful eyes that was a mixture of forest green and hazelnut brown.

[Eric’s POV]

I stared at the plain wall at the end of my bed and felt my eye twitch. I needed to get out of here... I had way too much energy buzzing around inside of me and this room was way too small for my liking. A loud snore had me glancing at Adam, who was sprawled across his bed after partying late last night. He would have a one hell of a hangover when he woke up and I laughed before the sound died on my lips.

Last night after singing at the bar I came straight back to my room and refused to go do anything. hadn’t wanted to go to the party last night. I felt... strange and I had no idea why. I rolled my eyes scoffed... of course I knew why. Yesterday I didn’t see my mystery girl. It was the first time since the very first day here that I hadn’t seen her and I was truly beginning to wonder if I was going crazy.

She could’ve just not gone to the bar last night? My inner voice argued. It was true... but she’d gone every day and I was just restless now. Who was she? What was her name? Why in the hell did she run away from me that second day here? So many questions flew around my brain and yet none of them could be answered without actually talking to my mystery girl.

I growled in frustration and stood up. I needed a shower. A cool shower and something to eat to clear my head. I nodded to myself and soon I was throwing on a pair of shorts and a plain t-shirt. I walked outside and headed straight for the bar, mentally cursing myself for going outside.

“Holy hell it’s so hot today!” I groaned under my breath.  As soon as I entered the air conditioned bar, I heard someone playing the piano. I was surprised seeing as the whole bar was empty, but as soon as I looked to see who the talented person was I felt my heart jump into my throat.

It was her.

My mystery girl.

She was beautiful, absolutely stunning and I let my eyes slide over her just to make sure I wasn’t just dreaming this. Her legs were long and toned under her leggings and her dark skin was flawless from what I could tell from her bare shoulder and neck. Her eyes were closed as she hummed the familiar song and the tendrils of her hair that fell from her messy bun brushed her sharp cheekbones. I walked quietly and slowly towards her, watching her slender fingers delicately play the tune to ‘At the Beginning’.

In my head I heard the words she was humming and I couldn’t help myself, as soon as the male verse came up I began to sing. “No one told me I was going to find you, unexpected what you did to my heart...-”

My mystery girl’s eyes shot wide open and she turned to face me as she gasped. My heart beat skipped and my breath caught somewhere between my lungs and throat. Her eyes were gorgeous; large, a creamy hazel brown and so expressive it made it hard to look away. Her eyelashes were thick and long, framing her eyes so that every time se fluttered her eyes they’d brush her skin gently.

Her eyes were wide in surprise but after what seemed like hours, she began to look frightened as a light blush coloured her cheeks. She turned and it was then that I realised she was about to run away... again. “Wait! Stop!” I called out, only this time I was close enough to gently grab her hand.  I could see her swallow and bite her lip before she turned to face me. “Who are you? What’s your name?”

“I should really go” She said instead. Damn, even her voice was beautiful – musical without intending to be.

“No please... just tell me your name... please” I was still holding her hand and despite the air conditioning blowing coolly inside, I felt as though my body was heating up, and it had nothing to do with the heat from outside. Light tingles spread from our attached hands and I caressed the back of her hand with my thumb.

Her eyes met mine and she bit her lip again before replying. “Angel...”

Angel.

So fitting. So appropriate.

I smiled, I honestly couldn’t help it. “Pleasure to meet you Angel, I’m Eric. You know, it’s a little ironic that your name’s Angel... considering I’ve been singing ‘Calling my Angel’ for the past few nights” I was hoping she’d understand what I was trying to say. Every night I’d sing a few songs with the other guys, as well as ‘Ms Anonymous’, but I’d been singing ‘Calling my Angel’ because, from the flitting glimpses I’d seen of her through the crowds, she’d always just reminded me of an angel.

Her face flushed but she didn’t say anything and I grinned. She definitely was a shy one. She pulled her hand from my hold and crossed her arms across her chest, shifting from foot to foot. It was obvious she wanted to leave but I was desperate to talk to her more. Before she could say anything about leaving again I turned and motioned to the stage. “Do you sing, Angel?”

She chuckled and shook her head. “No, definitely not”

“Ah I see, you must sing like a broken chainsaw then”

A smile lit up her face as she laughed and I couldn’t have felt any prouder. “I hope not! But... I just don’t sing”

“Fair enough” Nerves were beginning to take hold and I thought ‘what the hell’, deciding to take a chance. I scratched the back of my neck. “Listen Angel... I don’t know if you could tell, but I’ve been trying to talk to you all week. But, I have to admit, you’re pretty quick when you want to be. Uh... I was wondering if you and I could grab dinner one time?”

Angel blinked and stepped back, shaking her head, making my heart sink and my ego deflate a little. “Oh um, I don’t think so... I don’t have time to date”

Well, at least I knew she wasn’t dating anyone. She was about to turn to leave again when desperation grabbed at me. I jumped from the stage and stood in front of her. “Ok forget dinner. Just a drink. It’s not even a date and it can be before I sing tonight so if you regret it you can make a quick getaway without me seeing”

Once again she was chewing on her bottom lip and I had the biggest urge to be the one doing it for her. It was a nervous habit for her, that much was obvious, but her plump lips only deserved to be bitten if I was the one doing the biting. I coughed, and blinked rapidly. Whoa, where did that come from?!

I mentally shook my head and focused back on her just in time see her nod her head. “Alright, I guess a drink would be okay”

“Great!” I practically shouted. Angel started but smiled again and threw her thumb over her shoulder.

“I, uh, I really should get going...”

“Oh sure, no problem. I’ll meet you here around five?” I did sound whipped...

“Five o’clock” She agreed, and quickly turned to escape. I watched her swaying hips and didn’t fail to notice just before she exited that she looked back at me to offer a small smile.

As soon as she was gone I fist pumped the air and whisper shouted “Hell yeah!”

A slow clap sounded behind me and I turned to see Bill clapping with amusement colouring his face. “Smooth... real smooth” I laughed, not even bothered by his teasing and quickly left to wake up the rest of the boys.

I didn’t care if they were hung over... we were going to practice until tonight’s performance was perfect! I had a ‘non-date’ to impress!

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A/N

Some of you are just the sweetest!

Hope you’re enjoying the journey so far. I wanted this take my time to let a slow romance unfold for this story :)

Song on the side is At the Beginning by Richard Marx and Donna Lewis, also the song sung in the movie Anastasia. I honestly love that song (and movie). Also the picturem --> is of Eric and his ridiculously amazing eyes.

Anyhoo, go on and vote and comment, I’m not stopping you :D

Nix <3