Short 2

She didn’t know why she was here. Leaning her hands either side of the sink ,she looked at her reflection in the mirror and repeated the mantra she had said for the past half an hour “I am in control,he isn’t” at that point looking past herself in the mirror and making eye contact with the woman who had just come in. Great! She thought as the stranger looked again at her as if waiting for this talking to herself in the mirror lady may turn on her at any second.

Her eyes focused back onto herself in the mirror as she tried to compose herself, she took in the deepest of breaths and breathed out as if that would fix her slightly shaking hands and heartbeat racing. She knew he would be here of course, he’s Gemma’s brother ,it’s her birthday party so of course he would,but she had hoped with so many people here she would be able to avoid him.Which now when she thought about it was as naive a thought than she had ever had. He had always been the same with her, every second in the same room knowing exactly what he was doing to her and purposefully enjoying it too,no,she would not let him win. She just had to take control and not let him get the upper hand. For a moment she thought about why she had escaped to the bathroom in the first place, him suddenly behind her leaning close to her her,his breath touching her neck as he had commented saying she looked beautiful she looked tonight,she closed her eyes as she remembered..No,no not again she thought must get control!she said out loud as the woman who’d glanced so worriedly at her before came out of a cubicle and gave her that ‘she’s crazy’ look all over again to which this time she just stared back angrily was if to say’ yes?stared enough?’

With a pretence of control she left the bathroom into the merry throng of people and music and talking and picking up a fresh glass of wine from the bar she sat down at one of the tables and watched as Gemma began to cut her birthday cake. Suddenly he’s there, sitting down beside her with a sigh and she knew looking at her and glancing every now and then at the events before them. She doesn’t look but her heart is racing ,she’s trying to think if the false cool demeanor she’s trying to pull off is actually fooling him but of course it isn’t,she knows it,and so does he.

“So, going to speak to me then?” He says calmly and full of confidence with a hint of the smile that is playing on his lips. She remembers that night long ago,his hands around her waist pulling her into him,his lips on hers,her neck,her chest. No snap out of it she thinks suddenly annoyed at herself for remembering it no. They had been through this before and nothing had changed it wouldn’t work,it just couldn’t ,she had a life and enjoyed it she didn’t didn’t need to complicate it further by going into a relationship especially one containing Mr Ladies man here. He hadn’t actually settled down but he was always the one that the girls giggled about fancying. She replied then “what’s there to say?it’s Gemma’s party,that’s why we’re here,glad you’re well” why did she say that? She thought angrily to herself, knowing that as the words came out they stumbled out showing that yes she was nervous and he was getting to her. She feels that smile he has right now,feels his eyes looking at her closely and feels the heat on her face rising and shifts in her seat as if sitting up even further will give her back some control. He laughs, seeing right through this game and knowing every move ahead but yet clearly allowing her to try and escape just to enjoy every moment of it,knowing how she feels and enjoying every second .”Willing to give up yet? “He says,smile again playing on his lips. ” I refuse” she retorts,realising how childish it sounds now and smiling for a second before shaking her head and and trying to look anywhere else so that he can’t see her face. ” I hate you” she says with absolutely no conviction at all,quickly he retorts as the words fall out of her mouth “But you don’t” and he laughs again as he says it,his deep chuckle making her smile. She shakes her head,eyes trying to look around the room to anyone but him,as if every shake of her head is saying no.

She turns her head to face him then,he’s still the same..a glint of mischief, his smile everything about him is the same as it ever was ” We discussed it and as I explained it would never work,last time was too much drink and your tendancies,you caught me off guard ” she hopes her false confidence has come across,she didn’t stumble her words this time,she’s nearly stopped blushing but her heart is still beating fast suddenly his words bring her out of her thoughts “Is that your first glass tonight?” He says. She feels a flush of annoyance then what is he trying to say? I’m drunk? She faces him then “Yes actually and as you can very well see I’ve just had a couple of ” the word sips is lost as suddenly he leans forward kissing her ,his hand holding her face as she finally gives in.