YOU FOUND ME
Standalone
Interactive
This just sucked.
I stood in front of my door, glaring at it crabbily, still in my nightgown. The door was wide open and the wind blowing in was freezing cold. About two and a half feet of snow blanketed the yard in front of my cabin, intimidating me with every extra snowflake it accumulated as I stood. Escape was possible, but driving wasn't. I slammed the door curtly, folding my arms tightly across my chest and shuffled into my cold kitchen to turn on the television.
This just sucked.
I flipped the television on with my remote, catching a news anchor mid-sentence. " - London's biggest snowstorm in the past three decades, as you can see, we've got about three feet of snow in some areas, definitely a few quilts or so." Click.
Drumming my fingertips on the kitchen counter, I gazed outside and watched helplessly as more snow fell onto the ground. This was fabulous. I was in my cabin in a forest about an hour away from my actual residence. I'd come out here about a week ago, after a quick visit with my boyfriend. Make that ex-boyfriend.
Flashback
I was driving down the street about 10 minutes from my boyfriend, Evan's flat. I dialed his number on my cell phone and waited anxiously for him to pick up. I'd wanted to surprise him since I was home early from my book tour. My novel had been picking up fabulously so the campaign decided we'd done a fine job at advertising it and that we could head out sooner than planned.
The other end finally picked up. "Hello?"
"Heyyy, -" I began, but I cut myself short. That hadn't been his voice. In fact, it wasn't even a man's voice at all. What was going on? Had that been a woman's voice on the line?
"I mean, uh, hi. Who is this?" I asked.
"," the voice replied. I'd never heard of a before in my life.
"Oh! Hi, , I'm , Evan's sister. Are you his girlfriend?"
"Mhm." My heart sunk.
"Well, tell you what. If he's in, could you put him on the phone, please? It's important." I urged, trying to contain the flaming anger gurgling up my throat. There was silence for awhile, then I could hear some brief murmuring.
"Sister? What?" I heard a man say. It had to be Evan. The bastard.
The muffled voice became a lot more clear as the phone was evidently handed to him.
"Look, I don't know who this is, but you really shouldn't be - "
"Just like I don't know who the fuck is?!" I thundered into the mouthpiece of my cell phone. The other end became silent again, and he replied with a much more hushed tone than he had before.
"Uh, ..."
"How long has this been going on for, hmm? A week? A month? A year? I thought you cared about me, Evan, I really did, but now that that's shot to hell I just want to slap you."
", please don't do this..."
I barged into the kitchen door where Evan and his girlfriend stood, flipping my cell phone shut and shoving it into my purse. I shuffled briskly over to Evan and slapped him clear across his face and pointed my finger in it, too.
"If you ever try to talk to me again, I will have you castrated."
I whipped the extra key to Evan's flat off my keychain and threw it to 's feet. "I suppose you'll be needing this." I sneered, and I quickly turned around and headed out the door. "So I'm guessing that's not your sister?" murmured to Evan. I whirled my head around incredulously. "You sure know how to pick 'em, Evan!" I shouted just before slamming the door. I took a deep breath and exhaled through my nose. I hopped into the seat of my car and turned on the ignition. From then on I just drove. I had no idea where I was going but it was definitely not going to be home. I had a vacation for two weeks and I wasn't about to spend it listening to the doorbell ring constantly, courtesy of Evan. He could stake out there for all I cared. I just knew I was going to have none of it.
It wasn't but an hour or so later that I pulled into the driveway of my log cabin, which was very well hidden by the forest surrounding it. It was a private plot of land, and there were a few cabins like it nearby. I wasn't much of a social person, so I'd never thought to visit anyone. I locked the doors of my car and went inside the cabin.
Present
So here I was. I'd had no plans whatsoever, considering I was now single, so I already knew my Valentine's day was going to suck. But I hadn't anticipated being snowed in.
That was just freakin' common.
I figured I'd make the best of the snow I had now by making snow cream. It was as close to normalcy as I could possibly get, anyway. My grandmother and I would make snowcream all the time when I was little. I remember sitting with her in the kitchen, with my grandfather, too; laughing and eating the sugary snow with kitchen spoons, getting our hands sticky. The only care I'd had in the world was how I was going to avoid taking a bath. How much things had changed. I got into snow gear, grabbed a plastic bowl and headed for the door. I made sure to bring my cell phone, too, just in case I were to get lost on my trek through the blizzard.
"This is going to be a long weekend," I mumbled to myself. I scooped some snow into the bowl with my gloved hand. Chilling winds whipped at my ridiculously thick snow armor, but to no avail. I was thankful I had a wardrobe at my cabin, too, or I'd probably have to get a few toes amputated by now.
Just beyond the whistle of the wind hurling its coldest snow, I heard the rustling of several trees. Or were they bushes? I could also hear something jingling. It sounded a lot like dog ta-
"AUUUUUUGH!" I yelped, falling over into the snow, the contents of the bowl flying in the air. My face met with snow and the warm tongue of a Golden Retriever. It jumped up and down on my stomach happily, causing what little oxygen I'd had left to be completely omitted from my lungs.
"Get... offa me... dog!" I squirmed, pushing the dog off my abdomen. He whimpered and made a circle in the snow, looking at me with sad eyes. I sighed and grabbed its collar. The dog's name was Charlie, and it belonged to...
Holy fudge.
This dog belonged to .
My hand shook as I reeled away from the collar. Charlie smiled at me and licked it. I patted his head nervously and reached for the collar again, this time more slowly, so he wouldn't run away. "Come on, Charlie. Let's go find your daddy."
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"Hellooooo?" I called, pulling Charlie along on my makeshift leash (a few of my belts tied together), trudging through the snow. "Did somebody lose their dog?" No answer. After about half an hour of walking through the wintry weather, I plopped down on a nearby tree stump and sat Charlie (or some of Charlie) on my lap. I took off one of my gloves and pet him on the head. Off in the distance was a faint whistling sound. I didn't think much of it, but Charlie bolted from my lap straight across the woods. I dashed off after him. "Charlie!" I cried. The wind lashed at my face even harder as I went against it. And for the second time that day, I fell flat on my back as I once again landed in the snow.
I groaned and tried to get up, but I was stuck. I then heard the crunching of snow coming closer and closer to where I'd fallen. "Charlie, those are expensive ass belts." I scolded.
"Hello?" a voice answered my bitter warning. And this time, it was a man's voice.
"Oh, uh... hi. Are you looking for a dog by any chance? Because I had this Golden Retriever named Charlie with me and I was trying to find his owner, but he took off, so I don't have him anymore." I felt warm saliva licking at my cold cheeks, and dog breath consumed my nostrils.
"Never mind."
I then felt something warm on my right hand, only it wasn't Charlie's tongue. The man's hand gripped onto mine, and I heaved myself up out of the snow. I was then centimeters away from the face of the British popstar that was .
I immediately started blushing, and Charlie barked. I gave him the side-eye and looked back at , who was still silent, but his eyes were begging to know if I was right in the head. I was beginning to wonder that one myself.
"Thank you for finding Charlie, we've been worried sick." finally said. He grabbed the end of my "leash" and looked at the beltbuckle curiously. I bit my lip. "No problem. He's very, uh... friendly." I wiped the remaining dog saliva I still had on my cheek. Not knowing what else to say, I turned around and started to head for my cabin.
"Wait," said. I froze.
"Yes?" I asked, turning around to face him once again.
"Do you live around here? I've got a band, and my bandmates and I are staying in a cabin not too far from here. Charlie got loose early this morning and we thought the blizzard would kill him."
"I've got a cabin on the other side of those woods."
rose an eyebrow. "Really? I never even knew that."
I smiled at him. "Likewise. I just don't even really bother with neighbors around here, since they're about a third of a mile apart."
I turned again, and that was when he said, "Well, would you like to come over to the cabin and meet my band? I'm sure , Charlie's owner, would be more than happy to thank the person that found his dog."
Looking at him now, I half-grinned and nodded my head. "Sure, I've got time. Doesn't look like I'll be leaving anytime soon." I gestured to the snow on the ground. laughed.
"What is your name?" he asked.
" ."
There was momentary silence.
"Yeah, you're definitely meeting the band." he finally said. "Wow, . Small world, isn't it?" attempted to pull Charlie on the belt-leash as I walked beside him.
"Very small." I agreed, shoving my ungloved hand in my pocket. "What brings you out here on this fabulous Valentine's day?" I tried to mask the sarcasm in my voice, but it was unmistakable.
"The guys and I are single this year, and since we just got off tour, we figured we needed a break from everyting. We're each others' best friends, so we needed guy time." replied. "You?"
I exhaled, trying to put things into words that wouldn't scare him off. "I'm off tour, too. Book tour. I'd say that I'm freshly single, but something tells me that my relationship with my ex-boyfriend ended a long time ago." I sighed. "I caught him, uh, with someone else."
"Ouch," 's face looked like he was concerned rather than mocking me. "That's always rough. I can't dream of anyone who would want to do that to you, anyway."
We were silent for the rest of the way there, but it wasn't for long, because within maybe 10 or 20 seconds, the cabin was in sight, smoke billowing from the chimney and a candy apple Porsche in the driveway.
"This is it." said. Seconds later, the door flew open and came running across the yard toward us. "Charlie! You're okay!" he cried, and Charlie took off for his owner as they both embraced halfway.
"Thank ." replied. " ."
looked up immediately and realized who had saved his dog. Standing up, he extended a hand and I shook. "Pleasure to meet you, . I cannot thank you enough for saving my Charlie boy here. Apart from McFly, he's my best friend." patted Charlie on the head, the golden retriever burping in retaliation. We all cracked up. "Come on in. I'm freezing my nips off out here." and I shared a glance and giggled as we followed and his canine companion inside the cabin. and looked away from the television. "Oh, dear God, they went looking for Charlie and brought back ." muttered. He stood and I went through round two of handshaking. leaned in near my ear after he shook.
"Shake 's left hand," he murmured nearly inaudibly.
"What?" I whispered.
blushed. "It's, uh, a guy thing."
I made a face and shook 's left hand.
"Hey, Chuck! Glad to have you back, buddy." exclaimed, rubbing Charlie on the back. stuck his thumb toward me. "Thank for that. said she found him and found them." Which reminded me, my whole backside was wet. "Can I take this off?" I gestured to my coat, which was now dripping. The melted snow was making my hair damp, too. Ugh.
"Sure thing. I'll help you with that." lended a hand and helped me slide off the jacket. The room was silent, and I was now in an ivory-toned tank top and a pair of jeans.
"Is something wrong?" I asked warily. gestured to my pelvis. "You've got a star tattoo," he noted. I felt my face turn scarlet.
"Oh, yeah. I got that a few years ago. A bit of parental rebellion." I explained. But he shook his head. "That's not what I meant. It's just - your tattoo - all of us have the same one." One by one, each member began revealing their tattoos. "We got them on our last tour. We've got matching foot tattoos as well."
I rubbed the tiny star on my pelvic bone. "I had no idea. It really is a small world, huh, ?"
mimicked my last response and nodded. "Very small," he grinned.
headed into the kitchen and came back minutes later with five mugs of hot cocoa. I accepted mine willingly, sipping it quickly, ignoring the new burn on my tongue. "Mmm. It's been forever since I've had one of these. I guess I've been so busy with my career and all that I just never had the time." I said, pinching a tiny marshmallow in my mug. "What's in this?"
"It's a recipe my mum passed to me, it's been in our family for generations. We plan to keep it that way, if you don't mind." beamed, a whipped cream mustache forming on his upper lip. I smiled and left it alone. "Have you been watching the weather?"
"Yeah, it's supposed to get worse tonight." answered. "That's why we were all so scared that Charlie wouldn't show up. He would have frozen to death. But we found you, didn't we, buddy?"
Charlie glanced up from the floor and panted happily. He then proceeded to lick my toe. "You're welcome, Charlie." I said, scratching one of his ears.
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"Hit me." said agitatedly.
The guys and I had been playing Blackjack for God only knew how long. And had yet to win a single hand. They all waited as I pulled the top card from the deck and slapped it on 's pile. He flipped it over.
"Bust!" he cried out, tossing the eight of spades across the table. "You're a terrible dealer, ."
"It is not the game being played, but the player himself." I reminded him, taking the eight and shuffling it back into the deck. I winked at and he winked back. We'd been doing that all night.
huffed. "Well, there's obviously something wrong with you. I swear that's the millionth time I've seen you wink, and I'm starting to think you're developing tourettes."
burst out laughing and I blushed. "Sorry. I've got something in my eye."
looked over at and back to me suspiciously. "Well I'd get to cleaning that out. You're messing up my concentration."
rose from his seat. "How about we all take a break?" he suggested. "Especially you, ."
nodded. "I'm starved. I'm going to go make us some sandwiches."
When the two were gone, turned the television back on to check the weather. The snow was still coming down and it showed no signs of stopping. I could very easily end up staying the night. Not that I would mind.
", I've been meaning to tell you; my best friend back home has the biggest crush on you. Her name is , you might have heard of her. She writes with me quite often."
lifted an eyebrow. "? You mean ?" he asked. "Yep!" I confirmed. "You're her faaaavorite."
Leaving in his own world to ponder this, looked at me. "So, ," he began. "If is 's favorite, who's yours?"
I froze. I hadn't seen that coming. And I sure as hell didn't know how I was going to answer it.
My face heated up tremendously. "Uh..."
"Who wants turkey sandwiches? 'cause if you don't, I'm eating yours." sing-songed, waltzing into the living room carrying a silver platter with tiny bite-sized sandwiches. I exhaled. After took three, bent down where I was perched on the floor. I shook my head. "No, thank you. I'm not hungry." Shrugging, he stood back straight and went over to - who still had yet to take his eyes off me - who took two. Charlie then hustled on over to , whining at his feet.
"Don't think I forgot about you, Chuckie boy." mused, tossing a few sandwiches on the ground, which Charlie happily wolfed down.
"Looks like you'll be staying the night, . I don't think you're going to be able to find your way back the way this blizzard's coming." noted. then shuffled down the stairs. "Damn. Does this mean we have to go through more Blackjack?"
I snickered. "I think I've had enough cards for one night."
" can have my bed." blurted. I furrowed my eyebrows together. "That's nonsense. I'm not taking your bed, I'll sleep down here."
"So I'll sleep down here with you." he suggested. "Unless you don't want me to." , and looked at him strangely.
"That's fine." I shrugged. "I guess I better go get some blankets, then. Where do you guys keep them?"
"We've got some down here." replied. "Don't worry about it, I'm sure would be more than willing to go get them."
Standing, reached his arms up for a stretch and yawned. "It's been fun, but I'm sick of listening to the weatherman and his crappy jokes. I'm hitting the sack." he said. "Good night, , guys. See you in the morning."
"I think I'll head up, too." agreed. "?"
"Sure, sure." half-nodded, standing back up, his eyes focusing in on . "Night, mates." flicked out the lights, and the two then headed upstairs.
"Good night," called after them. When they were gone, he turned to me. "How's about I go get those blankets?" he suggested.
Waiting on the floor, I laid flat on my back and looked up at the ceiling. About a weekend or so ago, if you'd ask me if I thought I would someday be snowed inside a log cabin with McFly, I would have laughed in your face. But not today. I thought I'd been pretty open-minded, but in truth I really had no idea.
"Umphhh!" I grunted suddenly, as a feather pillow muffled my face. I grabbed the pillow and freed myself to find smirking at me from above. Handing me a blanket, he plopped a pillow beside my head and fell to his knees. "That enough for you?" asked.
"Yes."
"Good." he smiled, laying his head down beside me.
It was pretty dark now. I had no idea what time it was, so I stared off and tried to get to sleep.
"You never answered my question, by the way." said quietly. I turned on my side to face him. "Do what?" I asked.
grinned again. "You never told me which one of us was your favorite."
I paused. "Oh. Um, I suppose you are, I guess." I admitted. I was so glad the lights were out.
"Really?"
"Mhm." I insisted, shutting my eyes.
The room was really quiet for awhile. I started getting mad at myself for even saying anything in the first place. I shouldn't have even opened my -
Then suddenly, 's lips were on mine. I had no idea how to react to it. So what's a girl to do when a really cute, really sweet guy kisses her? And he just so happens to be in McFly?
Well, she kisses him back.
Something cold and wet then made its way to my left foot. Gasping, I pulled away from the kiss and sat up. That was when I spotted Charlie, who was at our feet, grinning at us both. I started to crack up.
sat up, too, and when he saw, he laughed along. I pet the dog on his head. "You're a good boy, Charlie." I whispered. I glanced at . "You know, maybe I didn't find Charlie. Charlie found me." I proposed. 's dark silhouette shrugged. "That's a possibility."
My eyes searched the room for a clock. In bold red numbers, an alarm clock read 11:56.
"Valentine's day isn't over yet." I noted, nodding my head towards the clock. 's head swayed in the direction I'd shown him.
"And?" he pressed on.
"Well, we don't exactly have our own valentines yet." I continued.
"?" asked.
"Yes?"
"Will you be my valentine?"
"If you'll be mine." I negotiated. brushed a strand of my hair out of my eyes. "Sounds good." he said, and then he swooped in for another kiss.