11 Mr. Grumpy

I close the door behind me and lean against it, holding the scarf close to my chest. It feels as if I'm in some fairytale. Prince charming calling at my door, giving me something that I lost and is dear to my heart, which I thought I'll never see again. I close my eyes and bathe in the eternities of this impressively attractive man that just stood at my door.

"What are you doing?"

I jump when I hear the high pitch voice of Tina.

"Nothing…nothing. Do you want something?"

"Well now that you mention it…"

Oh god, I shouldn't have said anything. She's just going to let me listen to one of her stories of how she achieved something when no one else could. Then someone opens the front door. It's my brother Tyler.

"Well look what the cat dragged in. I never thought we'll see you around these parts again little sis?"

Of course, he calls me little sis. To him, I'm nothing but the same girl that bothered him and his friends when we were younger. I'm just a pesky little girl to him and he never takes anything I say seriously.

"Tyler, it's good to see you too"

Then two spoiled brats run right past me and almost knocks me over, that would be his two kids but the best is yet to come.

"Ahh, Summer"

"Emily"

We've never seen eye to eye ever since I caught her making out with her ex while married to my brother. I've tried telling my brother many times but he brushed it off like all the other things I tried to tell him, like it doesn't exist. They walk toward the kitchen where they will be chatting about all the new wealth they've acquired their endeavors. This is definitely not the place I want to be right now. I grab my coat to slip out the door.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Oh no, my dad.

"I…I…was just going to look at the snow"

"I think it's best if you join us in the kitchen"

"But I…"

"No buts. Now, let's go, we don't want your brother and sister to wait, now do we?"

I hang my coat back unwillingly and walk to the kitchen to once again practice my fake listening skills and try not to laugh too much at their stupidity. The night carries on and after hours of listening to everyone, I finally get a chance to excuse myself. I walk up to my room and exhaustion takes me over. I fall asleep immediately.

I wake up before the sun has shown its face. I can't remember when last I've woken up so early, it must be something or someone that's occupying my thoughts. I stare at the ceiling and wonder if I should go to Mr. Sinclairs today. How is it that this man has captivated me so that I just can't stop thinking about him?

I decide to disappear from the house before someone decides for me what I must do today. But before I go, I put on something nice for Mr. Pierce if I get to see him this morning. I really don't care if he's going to be there or not, or do I?

I put on my favorite perfume and slip out my window. It's extra cold today and I can't wait to have one of Mr. Sinclair's hot cocoas. I walk into the shop and find a seat at the counter. I can't help my eyes searching for any signs of Mr. Pierce but I don't see him anywhere.

"I was wondering if I'm going to see you again?"

"I'm so sorry Mr. Sinclair, you know how the family is?"

"Oh, I know them very well. Can I get you the usual?"

"Please, it's extra cold out there today"

"It is, why don't you sit closer to the fire. I'll bring it to you"

"I think you know exactly what I need. Thank you"

I find a cozy place to sit close to the fireplace and unconsciously choose a seat that's easy to see the door from. I feel like a schoolgirl waiting for her crush to walk through the door. The minutes pass by and every time the doorbell chimes my heart gets excited but it's never him. Why does he have such a hold on me? Get yourself together Summer!

And then you feel the presence of a man that demands your attention but you don't let him know that you were waiting for him. You just stare at the fire and drink your hot cocoa. You feel him walking closer to you and then you hear his voice.

"I see you're hogging the fireplace too"

"Oh, it's my favorite place on a cold day like today"

I see him standing next to me and I struggle to breathe as his musky smell fills my senses. I try my very best to keep my composure.

"It seems you Knightleys like taking the small pleasures from our common people"

"They do that don't they? Could you see yourself sharing a fire with a Knightley like me?"

"Mmm, do all Knightleys flirt with common people?"

I don't know this man me so well but I know when I see a man in pain, and this man is definitely in deep pain. I can't seem to place my finger on what it is but he's definitely not his cheerful, charming self. It's better for us both if I make my exit here.

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I'm sorry that I've caused you so much inconvenience. I'll find another place to sit. Have a good day Mr. Pierce"

I'm about to stand up and make my way back to the counter when he clears his throat, staring at the ground with his hands in his pockets, saying.

"No…don't do that, I think that maybe I could do with the company. What do you say, can I join you?"

What a strange turn of events. How one minute he can't stand me or is it the Knightleys he can't stand? And the next minute, he wants to be with me. I see the pain still hiding behind his piercing blue eyes. I don't want to break my heart again. I don't want to be in a relationship for that matter. I have other things that need my attention and flirting is not one of them. But why do I then keep being drawn back to this man?

"It's a free country"