Cleaning the Shop `` Alyssa

[Alyssa :)]

Aidan smiled when he made her laugh. It was such a musical sound, he couldn't help but grin as he listened. She's so beautiful... he thought to himself, eyes taking in her face as she giggled. When he dumped the water on her, he watched for her reaction. He saw her smile turn into a look of surprise, and he couldn't help but burst out laughing. Then he was hugging her.

"That is your way of getting revenge?"

"Mmm," he hummed, sounding happy and content. Since she had pushed back, he could look into her beautiful eyes, which was good. "I was trying to get you more wet," he murmured softly, a small smile on his lips. He gazed into those blue eyes, knowing they were his weakness. They could make him lose his self control. They could make him kiss her. It's just a kiss... he thought to himself. You've done it before. Why are you holding back so much with this girl? The voice in his head was betting he couldn't do it.

Partly to prove that voice wrong and partly just because he'd been wanting to for a while, Aidan leaned in towards Felicity, pausing halfway and thinking about if she'd hate him for doing it, then throwing all thoughts away and closing the space between them. He closed his eyes as his lips pressed against hers, and she tasted so good he couldn't help himself. His hand ran up her back to her neck, where he tangled his fingers in her hair. His other arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer to him. Aidan couldn't think of anything but his lips moving against hers.

[Allison]

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[atrb=background,http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd455/Revenge_xx/FelicityPostingTableMiddle_01.png] "Life would be boring if there was no wild side" Felicity listened as he made a 'mmm' sound towards her question. She looked up into his eyes. They were so beautiful and for some reason they snatched her full attention. Lifelessly she stared into Aidans eyes. Why am I so wrapped up in you? She asked herself, searching the depths of her mind trying to find even the slightest clue. Nothing. Being a girl was so confusing at times 'specially when it came to emotions. She pulled herself out of her mental state as Aidan leaned towards her. He paused. Her mind started going crazy and her heart fluttered against her chest. Soft lips touched her own and slowly she closed her eyes. Her body filled with a different emotion she hadn't felt before. It was odd how a guy could bring something knew out of someone. This was her first kiss and she was clueless as to what she was suppose to do. Gentle, caring hands moved along her as Aidan seemed to cradel her like a mother would a new born child. The small gap she had managed to put between them was now gone as he wrapped a muscular arm around her waist while fingers twirled in her hair. Is this how her mother felt about her dad? Or was there something different that a marrige brought out in people? Either way it didn't matter. Time seemed to slow down and all sense of reality was gone. She lifted her arms away from her side and wrapped them around Aidan's neck. She liked this and all the feels that came along for the ride. Word Count: 265

[Alyssa :)]

Advertising was never fun on a hot day. Clayton walked down the streets with a bottle of jack in one hand and a half empty cup which he had been drinking his liquor from. Felicity was still at the shop cleaning for the seventh time this week. She was off of her game and as her father, he was worried. What was worse is that she had her mothers terrible heart condition and he never knew when his beautiful little girl would have another accident. He almost lost her last time. He stummbled up to the door of his shop and looked at the sign in the window. Desperate. Thats what he was but he didn't let on to his daughter about how broke they truly were.

He pushed open the door and a bell sounded letting any workers know someone was in the shop. Instantly his blue eyes was to the water on the ground. Briskly he moved around the supply to check on his daughter. Something wasn't right. Though he didn't expect what he saw next.

His baby girl was in the arms of some teenage boy. Lips locked together. The stangers fingers running through her blond hair. His arm around her waist. It was to much to handel. Anger formed inside of him like a deadly storm. "Get away from my daughter!" He snapped while almost dropping his jack danials which would have been a real shame.

[Alyssa :)]

She was kissing him back. So many feelings welled up inside him, and he tightened his hold around her waist. He was so caught up in the taste, the smell, the feeling of Felicity that he didn't register what the ringing bells on the door meant. No, he didn't realize another person was in the shop until he heard the voice. And an angry voice, at that.

"Get away from my daughter!"

Aidan broke away from Felicity, gasping in surprise and also a little because he was breathless from the kiss. Had he forgotten to breathe? He ignored the thought and looked at the blonde haired, blue eyed, furious man in front of him with wide eyes. Felicity's dad. "I...um..." he stuttered, looking back and forth between him and Felicity. "I'm sorry. About the mess." He wanted to slap himself. Sure, he had apologized about the water everywhere, but now it sounded like he wasn't sorry for kissing his daughter. Well, I'm not, he thought pointedly to himself. But he continued anyway, "And...I'm sorry about...er..." He motioned his hand towards Felicity, also turning to look at her with pleading eyes. He needed help, or he was sure this man was going to kill him.

[Allison]

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[atrb=background,http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd455/Revenge_xx/FelicityPostingTableMiddle_01.png] "Life would be boring if there was no wild side" "Get away from my daughter!" Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! Aidan broke away as Felicity's father snapped at them. Their romantic moment broken by her furious father. Oh no! She was in so much trouble now. Quickly she spun around to face her father. Oh no! She spotted the jack in his hand and she knew tonight was going to be the worst night of her life. Aidan was stuttering trying to apologize for everything. She wanted to turn around and put a hand over his mouth before he made anything worse. What did she say? Better yet; What did she do? She was so stupid! How could she have even thought Aidan being here would end remotely perfect. She placed her arms behind her back and looked at her dad. He was so mad. She could just tell by the way he stood there. "Hi...hi Daddy." She stuttured out the first sentence, trying to look as innocent as possible. Clearly this would not be an easy sell. Timidly she walked toward her father just to be a giant distant between herself and Aidan. "Ple...please I can...I can explain." She continued stuttering. She was scared, not for herself but the safety of Aidan. He certainly didn't need anymore drama with anyone let alone her father. Gingerly she batted her eye lashes hoping that would soften him up. Although she really had no idea on how to explain what happened. The magical feelings she she found in her first kiss. She could explain the water easily but not really why Aidan had even come to the shop. She took in a deep breath trying to slow her rapid heart beat. For a brief second she glanced at Aidan but then let her gaze fall back on her father. Word Count: 294

[Alyssa :)]

Clayton was disgusted at this boy that stood in his shop. His grip on the jack danials bottle tightened as he listened to the startled teenagers stutter. Today was just ruined and he would close the shop early to go home with his jack. He took a deep breath as Felicity welcomed him back to the shop. What was she thinking? He set the bottle down on a shelf and looked at his daughter who had loked back at Aidan.

She could expalin? She could explain! No she couldn't! There was no amount of words in the world that could calm his nerves. "Felicity Ann Riddle go home now! You are grounded until you die!" He spoke brashly while looking at the culpret to his daughter's unfocussed mind. This boy would regret laying a hand on his daughter even if it was the last thing he did. With a rough hand he grabbed Felicity by the wrist and pulled her toward the door. Then continued walking towards Aidan.

[Allison]

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[atrb=background,http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd455/Revenge_xx/FelicityPostingTableMiddle_01.png] "Life would be boring if there was no wild side" "Felicity Ann Riddle go home now! You are grounded until you die!" Felicity didn't care besides he never followed with the whole groundation process before. Why would he start now? She took in a deep breath and looked at Aidan. Then her father's rough, caliced hands wrapped around her small, frail wrist. She slid across the ground due to the lack of traction in her flip flops. What was she suppose to do? Actually listen to her fathers words to prevent any further trouble. No that wouldn't be right because she knew how her father acted when he was angry. The fact that he all ready had a strong stench of liquor on his breath. Aidan would get hurt and then more drama would start. She ignored her father's words and quickly made her way around her father. Aidan wasn't going to get hurt because of her. "Daddy he didn't do anything." She spoke quickly while looking at him with watery blue eyes. "I invited him to the shop when I met him on the beach. I'm the reason why the shop floor is covered in water. Please Daddy." She stopped to take a breath and look at the ground. Now her next lie would certainly set her father off. "I...I kissed him first Daddy." She looked at her father and put her hands in her pockets. "Daddy please just let him go." Word Count: 231

[Alyssa :)]

Clayton was boiling mad when he saw his daughter get up and run to protect Aidan. Never had Felicity not listened to him before. He stopped himself from pulling her again. No he wouldn't pull her around like a doll. She was just being like her mother was all. That is until she started explaining. The jack had finally gotten to him upon his anger. He raised his hand in the air and slapped her with the back of his hand so hard that it stung.

"I told you no dating! No guys! No girls! No what ever you were interested! You're to young! Why can't you just listen to me?" He exclaimed while stepping away. He turned away from both of them and started nocking things off the shelves. Finally he grabbed his jack and took a giant swig of it.

"You know what Felicity? I don't care anymore! Go ahead get pregnant I don't care! Then you'll come back to me crying when some teenage boy breaks your heart and leaves you to take care of a spoiled brat." He said with a laugh and another swig of liquor. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Aidan. "And you! Get out of my shop! Stay away because if I see you anywhere near my daughter you'll regret it." Then he left with his bottle of liquor and a slam of the shop door.

[Allison]

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[atrb=background,http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd455/Revenge_xx/FelicityPostingTableMiddle_01.png] "Life would be boring if there was no wild side" Harsh knuckles smacked against Felicity's face as her father lashed out. She fell to the ground and found herself sitting in a puddle of soapy water. He hit her! He hadn't hit her in a long time and she forgot what it felt like. With a shaky hand she touched her cheek while fighting off tears. "I told you no dating! No guys! No girls! No what ever you were interested! You're to young! Why can't you just listen to me?" For years she listened to her father's wisdom and she had planned on doing so until she moved out. Then she met Aidan and she found herself haveing a hard time following him. She watched with watery eyes as he father started nocking items off the shelf. Now she had more work to clean up before going home to face his wrath all over again if she didn't plan her arrival right. With the back of her hand she removed a tear that tried to slid down her face. Surely she looked weak now as she helplessly cowered on the floor crying because she was afraid to get up. "You know what Felicity? I don't care anymore! Go ahead get pregnant I don't care! Then you'll come back to me crying when some teenage boy breaks your heart and leaves you to take care of a spoiled brat." Was that her dad talking or the jack? She didn't know but she didn't like it. The thought of her dad really feeling that way put an awful feeling in her gut. He was took another swig of the devilish drink while laughing. She didn't like his laugh right now. It wasn't cheerful or friendly like normal but cruel and cold. Was he calling her a spoiled brat and did he really think that low of her that she would get pregnant? Finally she couldn't hold the tears back anymore and they streamed down her face. "And you! Get out of my shop! Stay away because if I see you anywhere near my daughter you'll regret it." He was talking to Aidan now which was better than throwing a punch or two at the all ready abused teenager. Her father left with a threat. One of which she couldn't tell if it was empty or not. She listened as the bell sounded and the door slammed. Silently she sat in the puddle of soapy water still clearing salty tears from her face. Then very slowly she wrapped her arms around her legs and buried her face in her knees forgetting that Aidan still was in the room. At this moment she just wanted to die. Word Count: 439

[Alyssa :)]

So much was happening, and Aidan was struggling to keep up. He knew that Clayton had been drinking, and he knew that made him dangerous. Aidan felt the need to protect Felicity, who was speaking to her father now. But then she was being pulled away from him, her dad forcing her towards the door. And Aidan could see the disgust in the father's eyes that was directed towards him. He raised a hand towards Felicity and started after her--he didn't want her to go, to be punished by her father later. But then Clayton was moving towards him. He stepped back, worried he would have another abuser soon. He started to breathe again when Felicity came back and stood between the two males.

"I invited him to the shop when I met him on the beach. I'm the reason why the shop floor is covered in water. Please Daddy...I...I kissed him first Daddy."

Aidan looked at Felicity with surprise. She was taking the blame for everything. He couldn't let that happen. But before he could say anything, he watched Clayton hit his daughter. Aidan just stood there, frozen, unable to do anything. All he could do was stare in shock as Felicity was struck to the floor. He didn't even hear what the man was saying. That is, until he started talking about Felicity getting pregnant. His head snapped up and he glared at Clayton, furious that he would assume that's what Aidan wanted. He may be a jerk, but Aidan would never get a girl pregnant. Or a 14-year-old girl at least. But these days he couldn't even imagine doing that with someone other than Felicity, so he didn't plan on getting anyone pregnant anytime soon. And if he did by chance get Felicity pregnant (a thought he didn't find very appealing), he wouldn't leave her in the dust. He would help her through it.

"And you! Get out of my shop! Stay away because if I see you anywhere near my daughter you'll regret it."

Aidan didn't believe him. He was sure he could stand a good chance against Clayton in a fight, although he didn't like that he would also be hurting Felicity by doing that. But no matter what Clayton said, he was going to see Felicity, one way or the other.

After the man stormed out of the shop, Aidan slowly turned back to Felicity. He dropped down to his knees next to her and wrapped his arms around her. "Are you okay?" he asked that pointless question that they've been asking each other since they first met. He pulled back from the embrace and lifted her chin with a gentle hand, stroking the cheek Clayton had hit with an ever-so-delicate thumb. He rubbed her back with the his other hand, hoping to comfort her. "I'm so sorry, Felicity," he whispered, pain in his voice. "This is all my fault." He stood and made himself move away from the fourteen-year-old girl. Aidan looked at the ground and clenched his fists. He couldn't believe he had let that man hit Felicity. Anger welled up inside him, but so did sorrow. It was his fault he had hit her. If he hadn't kissed her, she wouldn't have had to stick up for him. Aidan should've known not to kiss her.

[Allison]

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[atrb=background,http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd455/Revenge_xx/FelicityPostingTableMiddle_01.png] "Life would be boring if there was no wild side" "Are you okay?" Felicity sat there with her face tucked into her knees and in silence when Aidan asked her a question. Wasn't it obvious she wasn't okay? But the arms around her gave her a safe filling until they were gone. Her head was pulled up when Aidan gently lifted her chin to brush her throbbing cheek and another had rubbed her back. She looked at him with watered down blue eyes. Why was he still here after everything that happened? At least her father was gone so there wouldn't be any more drama. "I'm so sorry, Felicity. This is all my fault." He drew away from her and she couldn't help but miss his touch. Slowly she took down her 'walls' and looked at the body of soapy water she sat in. Her shorts were soaked and she really didn't want to stand. Could she even stand? Her body was still shaking out of mixed emotions. She was mad at her father for drinking so much that he was all right of mind but also scared for Aidan. Although now there wasn't any point to be scared about. Gingerly she pushed herself off the wet wood. "Aidan this isn't your fault." She replied gently, wringing out the tail of her shirt. Sadly she couldn't wring the water out of her tattered shorts nor could she just change them. She walked toward him but stopped to replace the fishing line that her father had nocked down. Smoothly she ran the sides of plastic against her shirt to dry it. "He was drunk and he just doesn't want me hurt." She continued after seting the stock back on the shelf. Then she walked the rest of the way to Aidan and placed a hand on his arm. She didn't like him being mad. It was scary when guys were mad. Should she tell him why her dad was so protective? Carefully she sat on a small barrel and looked at him. She laid her hands in her lap and crossed her legs. Slowly she survayed the mess her father had made. Today was going to get even longer while she cleaned up. "My mom died of heart issues and I'm pretty sure I told you that on the beach." She started looking at Aidan briefly before looking at her feet. Slowly she took in a deep breath and looked back at him. "I was born with the same heart issue and a few years ago my heart just stopped. He just doesn't want to loose me too..." She trailed off and rubbed her arm. "This isn't your fault Aidan, I promise. Please don't feel bad." Word Count: 440

[Alyssa :)]

Aidan remembered back at the beach where they first met, Felicity had said it was his fault she insulted him, since he acted so rude and arrogant. Now she acted like she couldn't blame him for anything. And Aidan didn't like it. He dug his fingernails into his palm as he clenched his fists.

But when he felt her hand on his arm, the anger dissipated. This wasn't helping Felicity. His hands relaxed, and he turned to her, face softening as he switched from anger to concern. He took the hand she had touched him with, and followed her to the barrel where she sat and took her hand away, placing it in her lap. He squatted down in front of her so he could still look at her face. He saw her glance around at the mess, and he felt like he was obligated to fix that. "I'll help clean up," he insisted, trying to put a small smile on his face for her.

Aidan listened quietly to her story, surprise slowly showing on his face. So that's why her dad was so protective. He almost lost her once. Aidan turned, sat down, and leaned back against the shelf, side-by-side with Felicity, though low on the floor compared to her height on the barrel. It was kind of a lot to take in. Aidan realized the way he had acted towards Clayton was totally unjustified now. He looked down at his hands. He really was an arrogant jerk, just as Felicity had once said.

"This isn't your fault Aidan, I promise. Please don't feel bad."

Aidan grasped his hands together, fighting his feelings. He thought about his answer for a bit before speaking. "He hit you," he said in a rough whisper due to the small lump in his throat. "I let him hit you. And it's my fault he did. If I hadn't...if we hadn't..." He took a shaky breath and looked up into her eyes. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can feel good about this."

[Allison]

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[atrb=background,http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd455/Revenge_xx/FelicityPostingTableMiddle_01.png] "Life would be boring if there was no wild side" "I'll help clean up." Felicity smiled faintly at his offer. She shook her head and pushed her fingers through her hair. "No thanks. It'll keep me out of my house and hopefully my dad will be asleep by the time I get hime." She replied gently. Aidan was the total opposite from what he was when they first met. What had changed that? Oh well, it didn't really matter anymore because she probably wouldn't see him often after this or at least not anywhere her dad would watch. She would remember this night forever though. The laughter. The teasing. The kiss that lead to so many thing. Her dad's rough hit in his drunken rage. She would remember whether she wanted to or not. Tonight would be something that distracted her even more. She was finding out what her confusion was and liked what it was become. Though her father clearly didn't like it. Why was he so against her dating? He never really explained it before and she always just filled in the question with her own answer. "He hit you." Yes her father hit her but that shouldn't have been such a big deal to Aidan. Clearly he was hit all the time. But why was it different when her father hit her? She didn't know and went to speak but he was all ready speaking again. Silently she sat there on her barrel. He felt bad. She could tell by the way he looked and the way his voice shook when speaking. "I let him hit you. And it's my fault he did. If I hadn't...if we hadn't..." Nothing was his fault! Why was he blaiming himself for something her drunk father did? Besides what could Aidan have done? Nothing. He couldn't do anything because she wouldn't have let him. She knew her father carried a knife and she knew that everything could have gone form bad to deadly. She wanted to say her thoughts allowed but couldn't find her voice. Nothing. No matter what she said Aidan's thoughts would be the same. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can feel good about this." Their eyes had met before his last sentence. She dropped down from the barrel and kneeled down besides Aidan. Gently she placed her hand on his arm. "Aidan there was nothing you could have done." She replied softly. "I don't care that he hit me or that I might actually be grounded for once. I...I..." She stopped herself from talking and moved her hand. Her gaze dropped to the ground. She couldn't say what she wanted to because she didn't know how. Word Count: 432

[Alyssa :)]

Aidan nodded, now understanding why she wanted to clean up by herself. "Well...should I at least stay and keep you company?" he asked politely. "But...your dad probably wouldn't like it..."

If Felicity had spoken her thoughts about how she didn't think Aidan needed to be so upset about her dad hitting her, he would've responded without a thought. "Well...you're a girl. It's like a man abusing his wife. It's not right," he would start. Then he would continue, "With me and my dad...I probably deserve half the beatings anyway. You didn't deserve that." But Aidan was oblivious to Felicity's thoughts, so he didn't say these things.

"Aidan there was nothing you could have done."

Aidan turned his head to look at Felicity, who now knelt next to him on the floor. He leaned his head against the shelf in a kind of defeated way. "I just wish there would've been," he said in a hushed voice. He took her hand that was on his arm and interlaced their fingers. He turned his whole body to face her now, and he looked deep into her eyes. "We're going to see each other again after this," he said fiercely, his stormy gray-blue eyes searching hers. "I promise." It wouldn't have felt right kissing her like before after what had happened, so when Aidan leaned down, he gave her a short, sweet kiss instead.

[Allison]

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[atrb=background,http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd455/Revenge_xx/FelicityPostingTableMiddle_01.png] "Life would be boring if there was no wild side" "Well...should I at least stay and keep you company?" Felicity liked that idea because she liked Aidan's company or at least the company he provided for today. She didn't know whether she should say yes or tell him that he should go home. Although she knew her father wouldn't be coming back to the shop until tomorrow so it would be okay if he stayed her while she cleaned. "But...your dad probably wouldn't like it..." Gently she laughed and shook her head. It was like she knew he would say something like that. "You can stay if you want because my dad won't becoming back till tomorrow afternoon or until his hang over is gone which ever one is better for him." She replied gently. "I just wish there would've been," She felt bad for all the guilt and anger that Aidan was feeling. He shouldn't have to feel that way when just visiting the shop. She looked at their interlocked fingers for a second before looking back at Aidan. She smiled a full smile for the first time since her dad got back to the shop. "Everything happens for a reason though. Besides its not like I haven't been hit before. I'm a big girl and I can fend for myself." She defended. Did he always live in the past? Although she supposed she couldn't call it the past because it only happened mintues ago but still he needed to let it go. "We're going to see each other again after this, I promise." Promises were not always kept and she had a lot of them being broken. Although this seemed like something he would keep and if he didn't she would find away to make sure the promise was kept. Then she felt his soft lips on hers again but only for a short time period. She liked the other kiss much better but she couldn't argue with this one either. When their lips parted she leaned back for a brief second just so she could look at him. "I do hope so." She whispered softly before leaning in and kissing him. Then she pulled away and leaned against him. Word Count: 355