Clover

Clover: Fourth Leaf

Dominic lied atop Natalia as she held his shoulders delicately. He was resting his head on the pillow next to hers and staring into her eyes.
“What will happen now, Dom? Billy isn’t talking to Elijah and Riley has shut herself in her room at home, not talking to anyone.”
He sighed and moved her hair from her face. “I don’t know. Billy said that she was frantic when she told what had happened. He said he knew she had too much to drink and it wasn’t her fault, but she said…”
“She said that it was all her fault and she couldn’t forgive herself for doing it.” Natalia finished.
Dom looked at her perplexed. “How did you know?”
She sighed heavily shifting a little underneath him to get comfortable. “She’s just like that. Takes all the blame on her own shoulders. It’s always been like that, but she takes it all onto herself then can’t forgive herself.”
“Billy’s tried calling her and even going to her door, but it’s like one’s there.”
“I’ll go and talk to her today, she needs to trust in herself and Billy more. It’s hard for her to trust people, you know?”
“Mm hmm…” Dominic agreed. “Please do, I can’t stand seeing Billy like this. So vacant, like he’s not really himself at all.”

@-}--

Elijah knocked at the door, but Billy doesn’t answer. He was sitting on the couch watching the glow of the fireplace. “Come on Billy! I have to talk to you!”
No answer.
“Billy! You can’t let her go because of me! There’s something I need to tell you and I don’t want to shout it through the door for the entire world to hear!”
Again there was no answer.
Elijah turned to leave when he heard the chain lock release and the bolt lock undo. The door slowly opened and Billy stood in the entryway. He looked as though he hadn’t slept in the few days since him and Riley had been apart.
Elijah sat across from Billy at his kitchen table.
“Go on Elijah, tell me what happened. I want to know it all.”
Elijah fidgeted a bit then breathed in deep. “Alright. First off, I wasn’t drunk. Second, nothing happened.”
Billy looked at him confused. “Explain.”
“You guys were drinking a lot while I sipped on the same mug for about the whole time. You guys planned to go home so I said I’d take Riley home because she wasn’t finished. You guys agreed, being so drunk, and left. I took her back to my room sometime after that. I started kissing her and we started undressing, she was too spent to think straight. Then she said it. She said ‘Billy, you are my happiness. You make me feel so free… I want to be your happiness too…’ I couldn’t do it. I had the clasp to her bra in my hand and I couldn’t do anything to hurt her. So I clothed her in my pajamas and put her to bed. I sat in the armchair next to her and watched her all night. Nothing happened Billy, and I don’t want two people that I love so much to feel so much pain.”
“Thank you for telling me. It must’ve been hard keeping it inside, but I don’t think she’ll believe me, even if I could get a chance to talk to her.”
The front door flew open and Natalia and Dominic stood in the doorway out of breath. Billy rose to his feet and walked towards them.
“Hey now, what’s going on here?”
Natalia breathed in deep. “It’s Riley! She’s going home!”
Billy looked puzzled. “I thought she’s been at home?”
“No! Going home to America!” Dom heaved out.
“What?!”
“She said she couldn’t bear to be here anymore and that she was leaving for America at 5:00!” Natalia answered.
“You have to stop her mate! You can’t let her go!” Dom cried.
Billy glanced at Elijah who smiled back.
“Well? What are you waiting for? Go on.”
Billy took off out the door, grabbing his keys on the way.
“Elijah, you’re okay?” Natalia inquired.
“Yeah, Riley and Billy love each other, but Riley and I are good friends. I don’t want either of them to feel alone anymore.”

@-}--

Billy checked his watch as he drove to Riley’s house at the quiet end of town: 4:49.
“I’ll make it before she leaves…” Billy assured himself.
He arrived and jumped out of the car, and knocked on the door. No answer. He tried again with no luck. He checks his watch: 4:56.
“Damn it! I missed her!” He said kicking his tire.
“Can I help you?” An elderly man coming from the garden asked.
“I wanted to talk to Riley before she left.” He answered.
“Oh yes, the former resident, she left for the airport about ten minutes ago. I think her flight doesn’t leave until 5.30, you might be able to catch her if you hurry.”
A light of hope sparked in Billy’s eyes.
“Thanks!” He said jumping back into his car.

@-}--

He ran in to Glasgow airport and rushed to the front desk. “Where’s the 5:30 flight leaving for America?”
“Do you have a ticket? It’s about to depart, you know.” The woman said looking at him from over the tall counter.
“Umm, I need a ticket! I have to be on that flight!”
“Just a moment.” She said typing at the computer. “Sorry, all seats are taken.”
“Can you at least tell me what gate it’s at?”
“Gate F12.”
“Thanks.” He said taking off.
He looked around over all the taller people and tried to find what gate is where. He checks his time: 5:26.
“Come on, I can’t lose you now…!”
“Lose who?” A familiar voice said from behind him.
He turned to find Riley standing behind him. “Riley… I just want to tell you…”
“I couldn’t leave. I know I can’t accept what I did, but I just couldn’t leave you. You’re my happiness… you make me…”
“I make you feel free…” He said.
“Yeah… and, I…”
“You want to be my happiness too. And you are, my four-leaved clover. You make me feel free too.” He finished.
She wrapped her arms around him and buried herself in his warm scent.

@-}--

Billy took her home and told her what Elijah had told him, she said that she was glad that he didn’t.
“I know.” Billy said bringing her closer to him. “Can I ask you something now?”
“Of course.” She answered.
“I want to be with you, forever and always, will you have me?”
She smiled and kissed him gently. “Always. I want to be with you as well.”
“Good.” He said, kissing her again then leading her to his bedroom where he closed and locked the door behind them.


The End ~