Chapter VII – Something Special

I'm sorry but this chapter is going to be short. I didn't know where it was going to lead me but it led me to a short chapter. This one is kind of just setting up the next chapter. Please review anyways!

Erica drifted happily through the halls. Second period was such a waste of time, she thought to herself as she went to her locker. She was soon confronted by Katelyn who seemed to be waiting eagerly to see her. Erica smiled genuinely and greeted her happily. She didn't know exactly why she felt so bliss today but she did.

"So…" Katelyn pressed her eagerly. Slightly nudging her as they walked to her locker together. Erica swayed her hips in her light blue skirt and white top. Her air held it's usual cuteness.

"So… what?" Erica mimicked Katelyn's tone and looked at her slightly puzzled. Katelyn rolled her eyes.

"C'mon tell me what happened last night!"

"Nothing happened last night." Erica said and thought back, "Nothing out of the regular that is…" She couldn't understand why her friend seemed so excited about the events of her evening.

"Don't play dumb, when you went over to Roman's house? What happened?" Katelyn pressed on. She figured it must be something good or else Erica wouldn't be so happy or so resistant to tell her about it.

"I didn't go over to Roman's house last night." Erica said and looked at Katelyn with a perplexed expression, "Why would you think that?"

"Because you said you were going to."

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did, in gym, we were playing field hockey remember?" Katelyn insisted. Erica looked back and thought about yesterday. Come to think of it she didn't really remember any of the details.

"No…" She said slowly. Katelyn just looked at her as if maybe this was a joke, "I think I would remember if I went to my boyfriend's house last night. But I didn't okay?" Erica said firmly. Then smiled, "Speak of the devil." Katelyn turned around to see Roman walking down the hall with his classic smirk. She couldn't help but feel her own heart flutter a bit at his Raybans and the way he just looked like her owned the world. Then she turned quickly to Erica and hoped she didn't notice. She hadn't. Erica was too busy looking around for something to do so that she could pretend she wasn't completely electrified by Roman's presence. That feeling didn't last long though and as soon as he was within reaching distance she all but through herself into his arms. He was more than accommodating, however, and wouldn't stop showering her with kisses.

"Good morning darling." Roman said, "You seem excited to see me."

"Well apparently she wasn't at your house last night." Roman turned sharply to look at Katelyn. The look he gave her frightened her and she closed her mouth immediately.

"I don't know where you got that in your head but it's not true!" Erica protested, "Maybe you just heard a rumor and you got confused." She suggested optimistically. Roman wrapped an arm around his girlfriend protectively and continued to stare coldly at Katelyn. He didn't like this new girl and especially didn't want her hanging around with Erica. He kissed Erica's neck tenderly and smiled at the sureness in her voice.

"No, she'll be coming over to my house tonight." He stated. Thinking that he would make sure that tonight went a lot better than the night before.

"I will?" Erica raised an eyebrow.

"Don't you want to?" Roman flashed her a smile, knowing it would make her swoon and she couldn't refuse him. Not that she could usually refuse him anyways.

"Of course I do." Erica tried to be brave but suddenly she felt like something wasn't right. She felt uneasy and very unsure of herself. Something about what Katelyn had said stuck in her mind, "Umm… Katelyn do you want to walk with me to class?" She asked but Roman took her hand possessively.

"Let me take you, I haven't seen you all morning." He faked a smile and kissed her lips. He did care about her but mainly he cared about her not remembering anything of what happened last night. Erica seemed to brighten a bit and skipped to her next class, her fingers intertwined with his.

Later that night Roman watched Erica fawn over his house all over again. He took his bedroom and kept an eye on her as she looked around in awe. The picture of Drina was nowhere to be found. As for the diary, it was neatly hidden away from any hopes of Erica finding it. She looked good today. Just like she looked good everyday. Instead of going out to the balcony, Roman patted a seat next to him on his bed.

"I have a surprise for you." He said and got up to get something from his drawer. She waited anxiously for him to return. When he did he had a velvet box in his hand. She bit her bottom lip nervously as she opened it. Inside was a pendant. The very same pendant that she recognized as the one Roman had always worn around his neck. She was taken aback, "It's something that's always meant the world to me. I've had it for an extremely long time and now I want you to wear it." He took the necklace out of the box and fastened it around her neck before she even had a moment to respond.

"Wow." That was all she managed to say. She stared up into Roman's eyes and leaned up slightly to kiss him. He pulled back to inspect the pendant and smiled. It was like he had branded her.

"Now I want you to give me something special of yours." He said slyly and leaned in for another kiss. He pushed her gently down on the bed. He started applying kisses on her neck with passion. His hands moved to her waist.

"What do you mean?" She asked innocently.

"I gave you something that I've held on to for a long time now I want you to do the same." Roman explained. She shook her head lightly. She still didn't understand. Well, until Roman started slipping off her t-shirt. Then she started to get what he was saying.

"No, Roman, I can't." She pushed him away.

"I know you think it's going to be scary but it's really not." He hovered over her to look her straight in the eye, "Erica you're not going to regret this trust me. I really care about you." She swallowed but was still unsure.

"Okay..." Roman grinned widely and was about to continue with where he left off to further reassure her of her decision when he touched her he was propelled into the future for an instant.

He saw lighted candles and dimmed lights. It was his room but it had been decked out. She was kneeling on the bed next to him. He watched her as she pulled her shirt over her head. The pendant glowed with the reflection of the flame of a candle. She lay down on her back and he moved over her.

"Are you sure?" He asked and kissed her neck. It was her favorite spot.

"I never thought you'd be asking that." She laughed.

"Erica, I want you so much but I won't do anything you don't want me to." He reassured her. She nodded and took a deep breath.

"Then I'm ready."

Roman's eyes refocused on Erica who didn't look anywhere near as decisive as she did in the vision. A lamp on his bedside table lighted the room. There were no candles, no dimmed lights, nothing at all romantic. She pushed himself off of her in an instant.

"I'm sorry." He stated. She moved to sit up, "This is all wrong." He shook his head to clear himself from the daze he was in.

"What's all wrong? Did I do something?" She asked.

"No, it's my fault. You deserve better." He stated and went over to peck her on the lips, "Your first time should be special. I want it to be special for you. It shouldn't happen like this." Tears brimmed her eyes and she threw her arms around his. Hugging him tightly.

"I love you." She said before covering her mouth with her hand in horror.