forum Piece By Piece [Private RP — Closed]

Started December 12, 2018 by @Imperfect_Autumn group

tune

Sterling’s POV:

I smiled sheepishly at her as I held up two unlimited passes, with behind-the-scenes access. “I actually already got them… I told you I was here early.”

Eden's POV:

I stared at him, a little disappointed. When hanging out with Lucas and Ashley, it was me who handled the trivial things. It was easy for me. I thought I'd be doing the same thing in here. It was like this around him, too. Sterling simply bought the tickets without waiting for me. It made me feel… nice, I guess. Not being relied on something like this. It felt nice.
I motioned to Sterling, my excitement creeping up at me. Aquariums were mind-blowing. I loved them. I just hoped I wouldn't seem too different in his eyes.

Sterling’s POV:

“What would you like to see first?” I asked Eden as I held the door open for her. “We can basically go anywhere and do anything that you want.”

Eden's POV:

I furrowed my eyebrows as Sterling opened the door for me. He didn't make it seem like I could do it on my own.
I looked up at him before stepping inside slowly as if he was going to close the door at the last second. He didn't.
"We can go anywhere," I murmured in response, eyes on the ground. "I'll be fine with seeing anything first."

Sterling’s POV:

I chewed on my lip as I stepped in after her, glancing around the room. What should we do first?

“Well… We could go through the tunnel first, if you’d like. Or we could go to the touch pools,” I suggested with a shrug, glancing at her out of the corner of my eye to see her reaction.

Eden's POV:

If you'd like…
What would you like to see first?
Go anywhere and do anything that you want…
Was this how it was supposed to go? Was I supposed to decide everything?
"What about you?" I looked up at him, an eyebrow raised. "What do you want to do?"

Sterling’s POV:

“I… I want you to be happy. And have fun. So as long as that is being done, I’m happy,” I said, looking away with a shrug as my cheeks warmed slightly. “But I do think the touch pools would be cool…”

Eden's POV:

I felt my cheeks turn red. I was glad he was looking away. I turned my back to him, his words still running through my mind. Me being happy made him happy? What was that? What sort of a technique was that?
"Then, let's go there," I mumbled. As much as I wanted to see the marine life, I wished I hadn't agreed. If I hadn't, I wouldn't be feeling so conflicted. I wish I hadn't met Sterling, because ever since he came into my life, I felt weak. Anything I normally wouldn't do, I was doing. Anything I'd forgotten about just came back to bite me. It felt humiliating, being one thing and someone turning you into something else.

Sterling’s POV:

I sighed and turned back around, nodding slowly. “Sure. That sounds good. It’s over here,” I said, tapping her to get her attention before walking toward the exhibit.

Eden's POV

I followed Sterling to the touch pools, trying to forget every little conflict I was going through. I forced myself to ignore them and pay attention to where I was. I wanted to see this place ever since it opened. I wouldn't let anything get in the way of me enjoying it.
Unfortunately, I didn't like touch pools. It involved touching the sea creatures, and while that was fun, I hated how some people took it too far. Watching them from a glass was one thing, but actually touching them was another. I found it wrong. Children, especially, shouldn't be allowed there, because they cause the most troubles. They're the most likely to grab a sea creature and lift it from the water. It was cruel.

Sterling’s POV:

I smiled as I looked over all the animals in the pools. They were really cool, and I was glad Eden had suggested the aquarium.

I looked over at her with a small smile, hoping she was enjoying herself. She looked slightly uncomfortable, though, and I wondered why.

“You okay?” I asked gently, turning to face her fully.

(Sorry, I thought I’d responded!)

Eden's POV:

I frowned, shifting uncomfortably at the number of people in the area. Some were poking the creatures, and others were just watching them. I was grateful they didn't lift them out of the water. I wouldn't have let that slide.
"You okay?" Sterling's voice snapped me out of my daze. I blinked before I regained my composure.
Nodding, I walked over to where Sterling was, and gently bent down, watching as a fish swam past us.
"I feel bad for them…" I murmured quietly.

Sterling's POV:

She… felt bad for the fish… Wow. She was so caring that she felt bad for the animals in the exhibits. Now that was what I meant when I said that I wanted to see behind her walls.

"I'm sure they're okay. They must be used to all the hands reaching in by now," I assured her, looking down at the fish.

Eden's POV

"That doesn't make it okay," I replied, furrowing my eyebrows. "Just because someone is used to being hurt again and again doesn't mean it's okay to do it. Being used to something doesn't make it okay. It makes it depressing."

Sterling's POV:

She wasn't just talking about the fish, was she? She felt too deeply about this to just be talking about the creatures being touched.

More of her walls had fallen, and I wasn't sure she had meant to let them. But that was okay. I wanted to help her, and I could only do that if she would let me know what she was going through.

"That's very true… You know, why don't we go to a different exhibit? I think I've seen all that I want to here," I suggested as I took a step back from the pool and looked over at Eden.

Eden’s POV:

I didn’t realize I said anything until the words left my mouth. I didn’t know why it was easy to talk to Sterling. His presence made me lower down my guard.
I looked at Sterling, who seemed to not want to leave. I felt bad. I’d let my personal feelings get in the way of him enjoying himself.
“It’s okay,” I said with a small shrug. “We can stay a while longer.”

Sterling's POV:

"No, really. It's okay," I assured her with a grin. "I think we should go through the tunnel. I heard that it was really cool."

Eden's POV:

I thought for a second before I stood up.
"I want to see the sea turtles," I said quietly, looking at Sterling, his grin disturbing my normal heart functions.

Sterling's POV:

"Then we'll go see the turtles," I told her as my grin softened, hoping she actually was trying to enjoy herself. "I think they're… Over here."

Eden's POV:

Sterling's gaze softened. It always did when he looked at me. It made it harder for me to look away.
I nodded, following the direction of his hand. It felt awkward, I thought. Sterling was reserved and didn't do anything unnecessary, but we didn't look like we were here for a date. It felt like we were strangers in a place full of family and lovers. Not that, of course, I wanted that. The atmosphere was just awkward.
When we walked to where the turtles were on display, I felt my expression soften. I absolutely adored sea turtles. When I was a child, I always wanted to be like one. In the ocean, free from my worries.
I had gotten extremely lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice Sterling had stopped walking. I crashed into his back, stumbling and unable to regain my balance.
This is why Lucas tells me to pay more attention to my surroundings, but do I ever listen?

Sterling's POV:

I felt someone crash into me from behind and turned around to see Eden stumbling. Quickly reaching out, I caught her by the hand and pulled her to her feet before she could fall.

"Woah, are you all right?" I asked, my eyes flicking over her worriedly.

Eden's POV:

I didn't understand how I pulled myself into situations like these. It was always around him. Around others, I could be myself. Cold, harsh. Around Sterling, it all would crumble like it wasn't even a part of me. It baffled me how he could so easily do this. I'd been so confident in the fact that I wouldn't let this affect me, but it already was.
"I'm fine," I finally replied, my eyes on the hand that held mine. Sterling's hold on my hand was tight as if I'd fall if he let go. His eyes skimmed over me, worry on his features. When was the last time someone other than my family worried about me?

Sterling's POV:

I didn't realize I was still holding her hand until she glanced down at our hands together. Suppressing a sigh of disappointment that I couldn't hold her soft, warm hand for longer, I let go slowly and reluctantly.

"Okay. That's good. I'm glad you're okay," I said softly, giving her one last once-over before I was assured that she was, in fact, all right.

Eden’s POV:

I didn’t want him to let go. I didn’t, but I couldn’t ask him to hold it. It would give him hope.
How was that a bad thing?
I missed the warmth of his hand the minute he let go of mine, but I didn’t protest. I once again scolded myself for thinking like that.
“… sorry…” I murmured, clasping my hands together behind my back.

Sterling’s POV:

I gave her my classic half-grin. “Don’t worry about it. So… How are you liking the aquarium so far?”