New Beginnings (Mai and Cam)

[Cham]

Gia gave him a comforting smile as he opened the door, but quickly wished she had never come as the conversation progressed. There was a high chance his parents knew of her predicament. Her own mother had been talking loads about the Waterman family right before she was finally kicked out. She tucked her knees up, and tried to make herself as small as possible when he mentioned her. But Issac seemed angry, downright pissed off. She blushed lightly as he defended her, and slipped out of his bed, walking up behind him, slipping under his arm, with her own around his waist right before he shut the door in his fathers face.

Rebelliously she loudly and in a seductive voice stated "Its alright Issac Zachary Waterman, I think you look hot, what does it matter what he thinks? I love the sexy, tousled look" They heard pounding footsteps marching away from his door, and a smile grew on her face as did a bright blush. She let out a small laugh, and in a quieter voice said "Sorry if that gets you into trouble"

[Lotus]

He just stared at her. "If I get into trouble for that then I definitely don't mind." He smiled down at her; knowing she was actually cheering him up. All despite the fact that he was meant to be helping her. "And thanks for that." He gave her a small pat on the shoulder and walked past her; back to his bed.

"Hot? Sexy? Touloused? You do realise what you just said right?" He grinned devilishly at her and flopped down on the bed again. "Is that you being funny or is that what you think?" He winked.

[Cham]

She smiled a sly smile, and shrugged "I know exactly what i said, and i also know exactly what i meant" She winked at him "doesnt exactly matter anyways? Does it?" She moved towards him, and sat at the foot of his bed, smiling like the Cheshire Cat.

Tossing her hair back off her shoulder, she laid down with her head hanging off the bed. Her locks long enough to touch the ground. "Do you have any scissors? This whole hair thing is getting ridiculous."

[Lotus]

He chuckled and said, "Does matter...both ways." He smiled at the thought of what she had just said. It made him very happy for some reason. He sat back up and watched her. He felt weird around her, but they were friends and that was it. Besides, it wasn't his style to like someone so easily.

"You want to cut your hair?" He was shocked. "I think it's lovely how it is, but okay." He got up and went over to his desk looking for scissors.

[Cham]

She couldnt stop grinning "Well its not exactly your business to know now is it?" Laughing "What ARE you looking at anyways. Havent you ever seen a peasent upside down on your bed before?"

She watched him as he walked, her face slightly red from the blood "Just a little trim. If you dont want me to thats fine" She laughed lightly "I do need to cut the bangs down just a little though... If i dont trim, then do you have a rubber band i could borrow?" She sat up and blinked several times as her equilibrium balanced out. Then ran her fingers through her hair, pulling it over her shoulder, braiding it quickly.

[Lotus]

He shrugged his shoulders and laughed. "I'm looking at you and how strange you are." He winked and handed her the scissors. "It's your hair, do what you wish!" He smiled, "Besides, the other option of me giving you a rubber band is out."

He sat on the bed next to her and simply watched. She was fascinating to watch and he wasn't quite sure why. "Besides, you're no peasant..."

[Cham]

Gia grinned at patted his leg "You dont have to lie, i know what i am." Shrugging like it was no big deal, she stood "If its alright ill use the bathroom? That way i have the mirror. Want to watch?"


She smiled and turned, walking out, and down the hall quickly. She checked behind her to see if he was following. He was, and when he got in, she shut the door. Moving infront of the mirror she started with her bangs, brushing her hair out, and gently she snipped off about an inch in a diagonal pattern, artfully causing the hair to sweep out of her face. Then she pulled her hair over her shoulder and cut a little over 2 inches off the end. Her hair was so long that it fell to the bottom of her ribcage after she finished her snipping. The ends were now straight and clean cut, not split ends. She brushed her hair out, and french braided it, tying it in a knot at the back of her head. The rest fell loose down her back. She gathered the fallen peices and tossed them into the trash. Little fly aways framed her face "Tada" She said softly

[Lotus]

He'd followed her and when he shut the door he sank down and sat on the floor; watching her intently. Again. He should probably stop watching her so much. It could be construed as creepy.

When she was done he stood up slowly. "Okay. I was wrong about leaving it. It looks lovely and...it really suits you." He wasn't quite sure if that's what you were to say to a girl about hair. His was just do something with it and leave it. Sometimes girls were complicated.

He held her arms and spun her round so she was facing the mirror, with him behind her. "I think we both look pretty great. Don't you?" He whispered.

[Cham]

She smiled as he complimented her "Thanks. A little cleaning up can go a long ways." She couldnt stop grinning. He made her feel good. He made her feel worth something. And she liked it.

But when he spin her around, her heart pumped a little faster, a certain unease setting in for a moment, before her body recognized the tenderness of his hands on her arms. Not Her waist. And he spoke softly, but articulately.

"I think we both look fabulous" She smiled, leaning back into him. His chest was solid and strong. Dependable. She rested her head back, and it his just above his shoulder, her forehead about nose level on him.

[Lotus]

He grinned at her in the reflection of them in the mirror. They were definitely going to be good friends, he could just tell and things like this he was usually right about.

He moved his hands from her arms and wrapped them around her in the weirdest hug, but she seemed comfortable and, in fact, so was he. He rested his head on hers and asked, "How's the shoulder feeling now? Any better?" He smiled a little at her in the mirror, wanting to catch her facial expressions and see if she was being truthful.

[Cham]

She laughed and adjusted as he moved his arms, her hands move up, cupping his. Moving her head so it rested against his. Shrugging lightly, and giggling as his head moved she said softly "My shoulder is fine. Stings a little, but ill be alright. Ill bear through" Make a funny, 'tough' face by scrunching up her nose and mouth she said "I can handle it"

After a giggle she tenderly, and in a softer voice said "Hows your ego?" Referring to his father, she watched intently, waiting for a sign of anger, or hurt.

[Lotus]

He squeezed her a little in a sign of reassurance and said, "If you need something to take the pain away, just let me know and I'll sort you out." He smiled and winked; knowing what that sounded like but also knowing that she knew it wasn't how he meant it.

Then his attitude changed at the sound of his ego, but he brushed it off as easily as the new found anger and hurt came around. "My ego? Still as bigger as ever. Why did you have to ask? It's obvious my head is so big that I struggle to fit through doors." He laughed and let go of her. "Now, let's go sit back on the bed rather than stand her holding each other." He smiled and walked back to his room. Rather reluctantly if he was truly honest. He'd quite liked that.

[Cham]

She laughed and turned to kiss his cheek "I think your head is the perfect size" giggling, she followed him as he opened the doors. Making a run for the bed and pouncing on it, laughing as she bounced up and down several times, then looking bashful as she crossed her legs "Sorry. I havent been on a bed in the longest time!"

Just as the words escaped her lips, she froze, completely seized. Had she really just said that??? How stupid could she get! Now he was going to ask questions. How could she possibly play this off... She couldnt stay there, his father already thought she was just the ho of the night... What would he say if she showed up again... Probably act shocked that Issac had repeated a girl.

[Lotus]

Isaac hadn't even made it to the bed, he just stood and stared at her. He wasn't normally this shocked at what anyone said, but everything all made sense now. The reason she had such a big, heavy bag with probably everything she owned in it.

He shook his head slightly and made his feet move again as he went and set down next to her. He took her hands in his and said, "Why don't you tell me what's really going on Gia..." She wasn't looking at him though so he let go of one of her hands and pulled her chin round so she had no choice but to look at him.

"I'm not going to judge and I won't have bad intentions. I swear. Just tell me." He stared into those eyes of hers and saw her trying to figure it all out, but more of all he saw the fear. It made him hurt, and that was weird.

[Cham]

Terror filled her. What should she say? She didnt want to lie... Even trying to think up an untruth made her feel sick. The blood faded from her face, and she opened her mouth to begin, and everything tumbled out. She tried to throw up walls to stop, or change her tale, but the story unfolded infront of him. His eyes growing wider as she continued. At one point she could no longer take it. He looked so stunned, and ... in pain.

She hung her head, She wasnt strong enough. Her voice broke and tears began to roll down her cheeks. a full month of pain, and horror and fear finally blew until she was sobbing uncontrollably. She felt sick and exhausted, but strangly relieved. Her fingers gripped his. There was no way she was letting go. She had invested too much in him... And if he dropped her... She didnt know what she would do...

[Lotus]

He didn't know what to say to her. He was well and truly shocked, but hadn't he known that something was up with her? There had been something nagging him that there was something not quite right about her. How had he not noticed this girl before? How had he not seen that she had needed someone to be nice to her? Someone to take care of her. He shook his head a little and realised she was crying badly.

All he could think of to do was hold her hands tightly and bring her into a warm, tight, supportive embrace. They sat there like that for a while until Gia finally quietened down enough for him to be able to talk to her. He heard a cough from outside his bedroom door though and looked up, realising he had never shut it. His mother was there, with his father behind her. "What have you done to that poor girl Isaac?" bellowed his father whilst his mother stood there shocked.

Isaac bounded off the bed and ran to his door. "It's non of your business." he growled back. "If you came to tell me Issabelle is here, then we'll be down as soon as we can."

"She's going to be a little late." his mother manage to stammer out before she turned and walked away, shaking her head. His father still stood, staring.

"Do you ever do anything right? It's a disgrace to call you a Waterman! You go round all these girls and you've even hurt this one probably beyond repair. You let us all down, especially Issabelle!"

And, Isaac lost it with his new-found temper. "You. Have. No. Right! I. Didn't. Hurt. Her!" Then, losing it he slammed the door in his fathers outraged face before turning back to a very stunned Gia. The look on her face was so upsetting to him that he practically ran to her and pulled her into another embrace.

"I'm sorry you had to hear that Gia. I'm sorry for what you've been going through! All you've needed is someone to take care of you and be nice right? Well, that's what you have with me. I'm going to take care of you and I'm never going to hurt you like my dad thinks I will." He pulled away so he could look into her eyes. "Never any bad intentions. Ever." He leant forward and kissed her forehead in comfort again.

[Cham]

She cried hard into his chest, her arms tight around his waist as he held her firmly. She had never felt like this before... So lost and confused, yet, she knew exactly where she wanted to be, and it was right there. She had made a friend, and probably the best one she could have.

But his parents burst her little bubble, not even asking what had happened. His anger fueled her own, they hurt him! Maybe not physically, but definitly emotionally. He was hurting jsut as bad as she was, and she wasnt about to let someone do that to the person, she did love. Yeah she loved him. Maybe not the way his parents thought, but she felt responsible for him, Wanting to care for him, Be there for him. He hugged her tight, but she pushed him away after a moment, standing, and although she shook, with purposful steps she walked out his bedroom door.

His parents had just reached the bottom of the stairs when she began shouting. "HEY!" They jumped and turned. "You can NOT TALK TO HIM LIKE THAT."
She slowly decended the staircase, "HE is your SON. You should love him JUST AS MUCH as your daughter."
Her words were harsh, and their eyes grew wide, but she continued "He did NOTHING TO ME. Infact", A small giggle excaped her as she realized what she felt towards him.
"He has given me EVERTHING I could ask for. Not ONCE has he hurt me" She turned to look up at him at the top of the stairs. She shook her head as tears began to fall, and her voice dropped. Her throat felt soar, and she gave him a watery smile. But turned back to his parents, she had to finish this.

"He has given me a friend when i need one the most... He has given me security when i had none. Given me love i never thought i deserved." She wiped the tears that cascaded down her cheeks, pooling at the base of her neck.
"He may not be better acidemically than Issabelle, but he is a better person." She turned her gaze, now a glare, directly to his father.
"He is a better man that you ever will be." She snarled.

Exhaustion hit her like a wave. The crying had taken everything out of her, and his parents looked completely stunned. Issacs jaw was slacked as she turned, and said softly "Thanks for everything" Then she moved to the door, and barefoot, sprinted from the house.

[Lotus]

'What had just happened?' was the exact phrase that was running through Isaac's mind at that very moment. Over and over again as he stood at the top of the stairs, staring after Gia. She'd left. She'd said all of that and left everyone standing there shocked.

He finally managed to look at his parents and his mother looked genuinely upset, his father more angry than anything now. As if they were both mind readers they turned around and walked into the living room together leaving Isaac standing at the top of the stairs; alone.

He made his feet move as he walked down the stairs. As he neared the bottom he felt himself moving faster. He had to find Gia. He just had to. He walked out of the front door and slammed it behind him. She was out here, alone and in the dark. He had to find her! Where would she go? He had no idea so he just ran frantically, calling her name.

[Cham]

If he listened hard, he would have heard her sobs as she stopped, several streets down, doubled over from the pain in her side from running, in her shoulder from exertion, and her head from the tears. He would be the only one who could tell though, that the cries were heart wrenching.

But as she heard her name being called, she clamped a hand over her mouth, trying to silence herself. But it didnt work. If anything her hyperventilating sobs got louder, gasping for air. She heard the footselfs crashing her way, and he was suddenly there. Without a word she found herself in his arms. But a kiss on her neck made her realize... It wasnt him...

The man who picked her up was taller than Issac. But scrawnier, and bonier. She screamed Issacs name over and over until the man clamped his hand over her mouth, moving past the Waterman house. She heard her name being called Desperately, and she bit the mans hand, spitting on the ground, and with a last ditch effort. Howled into the night "ISSAC"

[Lotus]

He heard the scream and that's when he panicked. What was happening to her? He knew it was a bad idea her being out at night when she was in a state, and now his fears had come true! His friend was being hurt and all he could hope for was that he followed the sound of her screams quickly enough.

Luckily, time was on his side as he ran round the corner onto the little bit of street with his house on it. "GIA!" he yelled at the top of his voice. Then he saw something moving in the slight glimpses he got from the light spreading from the windows of the houses. He ran like his own life depended on it until he stopped a mere few feet from the scene before him. The new anger Gia had brought into his life welled up inside of him as he yelled, "Get your scrawny, low-life hands of her. She does not need you touching her or even looking at her. So. Step. Away." Isaac took a step forward, hoping it wouldn't get violent. Gia would not cope well with that.

[Cham]

Gia jumped in the mans arms, and he dropped her on the ground as someone snarled at him. She fell staight down, her head smacking against the hard earth. Gasping several times, trying to get air back into her lungs, writhing on the ground as the man turned and ran. She turned onto her stomach but once she could breath, felt bruised and battered. Her fingers and toes freezing in the chill air.

She tried to move, but couldnt. She hurt so badly, inside and out. "Issac" She managed to whisper, trying to reach for him. But once he came into veiw, everything faded into black. Her brain couldnt seem to handle the stress her body and emotions were going through...

[Lotus]

The man was a coward and Isaac was even more angry when he ran. He wanted to punch the stupid man in the face for hurting and terrifying Gia. How dare he! Then he heard his name being called from where she had fallen to the floor. As soon as he was on the ground next to her she blacked out.

"Gia!" He shook her a little to see if she'd come around but she didn't. He scooped her up in his arms and ran back to his 'home'. He kicked on the door to get someone to open it. When they did he yelled, "THIS IS YOUR FAULT!" He ran into the house and up to his room, placing Gia on his bed. He ran to the bathroom and got a wet towel to clean her head. He was furious with his hands shaking and trembling as he tried to help Gia come around.

[Cham]

It took nearly a half an hour after her fall for her to hear again. There was a snuffle, and she tried to open her eyes, but couldnt. A cool rag on her forhead. She moaned gently and heard a sigh of relief. Her hand moving to try and grab Issacs. A gutteral noise from the back of her throat as she tried to speak, but she had to swallow first.

A deep breath, then she forced her eyes open. His face was the only one she wanted to see, and luckily it was the only one she did. He was sitting next to her, and she moved her hand so it was atop of his. "Ow" She whimpered, trying to turn her neck. a faint smile rose to her lips as she whispered "Why is it always us?"

[Lotus]

He had stayed by her side the whole time and when she opened her eyes he felt his face turn into a massive grin. He held her hand in his and moved so she could see him without moving too much.

He shrugged his shoulders, "We're just misunderstood I guess." He smiled down at her and stroked her cheek. "I'll look after you now. I promise. That's what friends do right?"

He moved slightly on the bed and realised that his façade had probably just been washed down the drain with his actions. His barrier was truly gone from him when it came to being friends with Gia. It was a good feeling, but at the same time it was worrying. His barrier was the only thing to get him through the day.

He looked back to her and smiled. "Issabelle turned up, but we're not going down there. I'll wait till she's gone and they've gone to bed, then I'll sneak down and get us something to eat. Not like we have school tomorrow." He grinned down at her and added on, "Oh and you're staying here. For tonight at least. You'll have my bed and I'll take the floor." He took the flannel off her head and swapped it with another one.

[Cham]

She refused to let go of his hand as she looked up at him. "Friends" She mumbled softly. Leaning her head into his touch. It was comforting, and simple, but meant more than he would ever know.

She tried to sit as he mentioned sleeping on the floor. Her neck pained her, but she lifted her unoccupied hand, and pushed it up and to the side. A painful crack gave way to relief. Her shoulders ached, and she blinked several times as the pressure of a pinched nerve dissipated. Now she could think. Although her throat felt scratched, she could still communicate, though now slightly rasped. "If it alright with you, Id rather sleep on the floor." Man... did she really want to? Yeah. Firstly it kind of WAS his bed. He didnt deserve to be kicked out of it. Secondly, she couldnt get used to the soft cushioning that tried to pull her back down. It was so comfortable... but it wouldnt be there the next night.