Little Red Box

[gagonthis]

Viktor sat there watching her struggling through her memories. He cringed slightly as he saw the pain in her eyes. She had obviously cared for whoever this was. Still Viktor would be a bit of a liar if he said he wasn’t a bit happy that Sadie wasn’t tied up with anyone. “Still… I feel bad. I’m sure you’ll find someone else Sadie, hopefully someone to make your life as happy as you deserve.” He reached over and squeezed her hand in a friendly manner. “I have to help you decorate your house just to get a tour around town? Geeeez talk about a hard bargin.” He said smiling. “Ok I guess it’s a fair trade, though I know you just want someone to do all the hard work like hanging your lights and what not…”

He grinned as he watched her toying with her necklace. “What’s the deal with that necklace? You’ve been toying with it since I rudely mentioned your ex. Was it something he gave to you? It looks really good on you.” He said honestly.

 

[molly_hunter28]

Sadie looked down at, then let it fall back against her sweater. She didn't even realize it anymore when she played with it. She treasured it more then anything she had ever received. Always wondering who had given and why they remained hiden.

"Um, no the guy was a jerk. This I was given as a gift. Someone gave it to me when I needed a lift most. It 's very special to me," she said feeling a little sad. She wanted to shake it. Vik was here and there was no time to deal with what she was feeling. Tonight she would have her small pint of ice cream and eat her feelings so to speak.

She smiled as the waitress came by dropping off their bill. She reached for not wanting to seem cheap. She knew Viktor could pay but wanted this to be her treat. A welcome home for him. He needed that after all.

 

[gagonthis]

“Ah ok, I wasn’t sure if maybe you wore it as a momento of love lost. It is a very pretty necklace. Whoever bought it for you must really know that type of things that look good on you.” He said smiling. Viktor’s hand came down over hers as she reached for the check. “Nope nope, not how it works, you picked me up and you’re going to shuttle me around town, let me pick this up.” He said with a smile as he snagged the check out from under her hand. “Besides I’m pretty sure I still owe you quite a few meals for all the times you paid for my foods when I’d forget my wallet.” He chuckled slightly as he fished through his wallet pulling out his credit card before remembering Nipps was a cash only place, at least it used to be. He put his card away and pulled out a twenty, laying it on the table. “Speaking of still owing you a lot of meals… how about you let me take you to dinner somewhere nice tomorrow?” He said as he rose, grabbing his jacket and offering his hand to her to help her stand. He made a mental list, go to the Hilton, get checked in and drop off his bags, then he was going to do his best to spend the evening getting to know Sadie again.

 

[molly_hunter28]

?not a momento of a love lost, just of the potential I guess. Since you mentioned it you do owe me for a few meals. Was that just a joke to get me to buy you dinner Viktor?"

She let him take the check. Sadie wouldn't argue, not with him. She smiled at his mention of dinner together tomorrow. That would be nice. Getting to know him. Hear more about what he had been doing while he was away.

Sadie knew it had something to do with buying things but thats all he or his mother had ever said. Maybe once they were hanging out he would open up to her. She stood next to him as he stood.

"I think tomorrow dinner with you will be fine Viktor. Careful though, spending all this time with you, you may get tired of it awfully fast. That is I've been told I can be one of those some can only take in small doses," she said with a slight laugh.

Sadie moved towards the door and her car. Waving at Mrs. Keen, the owner of the bakery. Moving to her car she saw Viktor behind her. She opened her purse, looking for her keys. Looking and looking, then shaking it to no luck she checked her pockets.

"My goodness, I would lose my head if it weren't attached. No comments from you Viky boy," she winked at him as they got in the car.

 

[gagonthis]

“Well…… let’s just say that I wasn’t above taking advantage of a poor girl’s kindness when it came to getting some tasty food…” He said chuckling as he took care of the check, leaving a healthy tip for the waitress. He paused at the front of the restaurant grabbing a handful of mints. He waved to the waitress and hustled outside, popping a mint into his mouth, beaming as Sadie agreed to do dinner with him. He laughed at her comment about spending too much time with her. “Please, if I were to get sick of you I would have gotten sick of you when you were following me and Lucas around all the time…” He said, teasing her again as he waited for her to find her keys.

He smiled and stepped away from her as she searched for her keys, engaging Mrs. Keen in polite small talk. He was glad to see that some of the same old faces were still around. Mrs. Keen had been the baker his mom had gone to for his birthday cakes everyday up to his eighteenth birthday. She gave her his condolences for the loss of his mother, talking about how hard it hit the community and how good it was to see him part and my he looked sharp and didn’t Sadie look beautiful? Viktor just shook his head with a knowing smile as she went on, finally finding a pause to excuse himself and hurry back to Sadie, hopping into the passenger seat. “Wow… Mrs. Keen has aged a bit but she can still talk up a storm.” He said laughing as he buckled up. “And I wasn’t going to say anything, but I did notice you slip your keys into your coat pocket when we got here.” He said, his eyes twinkling with humor.

 

[molly_hunter28]

Sadie hand instinctivly went out to swat at him. She saw the smile in his eye. She was so glad to have him back. Even if he was picking on her. Letting her search for her keys like a goof. Viktor was as bad as he had ever been.

"Just wait to you run into Mr Tate. He talks and talks like we are still his students. Everyone ages Viktor. Something have been a little hard on the town. The big business guys buying things up and all. It takes a toll on people."

Sadie put the car in drive and headed down center street to the hotel. She knew he wanted to check in and get his bags taken care of. Taking no time at all she pulled in and watched as he got out of the car. Still after all these years he made her hear tdo a flutter.

She exited the car, walking in with him. Smiling and teasing him a little at his lack of clothes he had brought. She wondered if that ment he wasn't sure he would stay. Sadie hadn't thought about him changing his mind. It worried her.

 

[gagonthis]

Viktor ducked as Sadie swatted at his head. “Watch the road!” He said teasing her as they drove along. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself, it was just too funny to watch you search about for them. You’re cute when you’re flustered.” He said with a playful wink. “Ugh, Mr. Tate. I never liked that guy. You remember when Lucas and I egged his house? The look on his face that day afterwards, ah if only you could have seen it. I think it might have cost me a C in his class, but whatever, it was totally worth it.” He was chuckling loudly now, remembering all the fun he used to have, again asking himself why he had ever left.

He rose out of the car and grabbed his bag out of the back. He had packed lightly, not wanting to bring too much with him. He could always get more clothing here if necessary and he honestly wasn’t sure how long he would be staying. The awkwardness that had driven him away in the first place still brewed beneath the surface and he had gotten used to being able to travel at a moment’s notice. So he had packed light and the one small rolling suitcase, laptop bag and garment bag with his suits were the only things he had brought with him. He gestured for Sadie to follow him as he went into the hotel. He checked in, leaving his card number on file to cover any incidentals before turning and gesturing for Sadie to follow him up to his room.

 

[molly_hunter28]

"You and my brother used to get yourselves into a ton of trouble if I remember correctly. Wasn't there something to do with icing Mr. Robert's steps in the middle of winter. He almost put you two in jail," Sadie said laughing remembering the days lost to time.

Getting out of the car Sadie followed Viktor into the hotel. Watching silently as he checked in. It felt a little strange being here with him. The feeling soon passed as they walked to the elevator and up to his room. Being alone with him now felt so much different then it had years before. Perhaps it was the time that had passed. Yet they shared so much, Sadie was sure they would once again find their nitch.

"Not much of a packer are you Viktor? Looks like your only staying a few day," she asked wondering if it were true.

 

[gagonthis]

Viktor laughed at the memory of that. It really had been a horrible thing to do, and it could have ended very badly if Mr. Robert’s had hurt himself more than just a minor sprain. They’d never been able to prove that he and Lucas had done anything though it had made life extremely hard for Viktor in his class for the rest of the year. “Looking back on all the stuff we did I’m shocked that I didn’t end up locked up, much less not graduate high school.” He chuckled as he signed the paperwork needed for him to get his room.

Viktor took the elevator up to the fifteenth floor in silence, thinking about what Lucas would think if he knew that he were taking his little sister up his hotel room. He blushed slightly as he realized the things he was thinking. He took a deep breath and smiled at Sadie as she asked him about his lack of luggage. “You know me, I was only planning on staying long enough to get everyone talking, then I’d disappear again.” He said with a teasing smile before switching to a more serious tone of voice. “No, I packed light because I figured I could get anything else I needed here… besides I’ve gotten kind of used to being able to leave somewhere at a moment’s notice, and well, if things were too odd here then it would be good to be able to take off again. So far though I’ve found a couple good things that are convincing me to stay.” He said, leaning over to kiss her on the cheek blinking in surprise at his own actions.

 

[molly_hunter28]

Sadie felt his kiss. Seeming nothing more then a friendly one. That was all she had been she remembered. Friend , little sister, all those things a girl hated to be when she had a terrible crush on a guy. So he happened to be her brothers best friend. Happened to be a few years older then her. Sadie didn't mind, atleast then. She wouldn't mind now either she thought, suddenly.

"So I'm helping to convince you to stay Viktor. Nice to know I've still got a nack for making some place seem livable," she said joking, trying to lighten the sudden tension filling the air.

It seemed weird that it should be happening now. When she was older, had a little more knowledge. Sadie knew she shouldn't being feeling so gawkish around him. He had known her when she was so young, some would say he was like family.

She watched as the doors opened and she followed him to his room. Sadie let out a laugh thinking about all the ways she tried to end up in his room or him in hers. Now here she was walking into it, freely. Funny thing fate is hu, she thought.

 

[gagonthis]

Viktor smiled as they reached his room, still listening to Sadie talk. He wondered what she was thinking. He remembered the little girl crush she used to have on him, but she had grown up a lot since then. He had run out on her, and it sounded as if she’d had bad experiences with relationships since. He had always been fond of her, but after what had happened well he wasn’t sure he could do it to her again. “I think you’d do a good job making any place livable.” He said with a slight smile, trying to chase away the thoughts that were in his head right now. He sighed as he slid the key into the door, opening it up and holding the door for her as they stepped inside. He glanced at Sadie as she laughed, wondering what was so funny, but not pressing the question as he grabbed his bag from the hallway.

The room was pretty spacious. Nothing special though, it looked much like any other hotel room. He smiled as he set his bags done, glad to be rid of the weight. Viktor opened the closet, hanging the garment bag in it. “I’m going to go change into something a bit more informal… give me a second.” He said with a smile as he grabbed a pair of jeans and a polo shirt before ducking into the bathroom. He didn’t realize he had left the door partially cracked as he took his shirt off and that the mirror was at the proper angle to give Sadie a glimpse of him as he changed.

 

[molly_hunter28]

"Not a problem Vik. Take your time. Just gonna take a seat if you don't mind," she said as he grabbed his things heading to the bathroom.

From where Sadie sat on the bed she could see what he was doing. Had he not realised he left the door open just enough? Had it been on purpose? Either was right now she didn't care as she watched him undress. She had always dreamed of this but now to actually be seeing it, something totally different.

He was built. His body muscled but not overly so. Enough to give him a gorgeous washboard tummy she was sure. Every part of him well defined. She watched as he turned, giving her glimpse of his tight tushy. God the man was giving her a show and didn't even know. Her body burned higher as she saw another eye catching part. Sadie couldn't help it anymore, she looked away.

Actually she lay back on his bed, her arm resting over her eyes. The sight of him would surely haunt her dreams tonight and many nights in the future. She had no doubt of her body's current state. The man was amazing and yes she wanted him. She closed her eyes waiting for Viktor to return.

 

[gagonthis]

Viktor hadn’t realized he had left the door open, and didn’t realize that the mirror was giving her a perfect view of him at the moment. He changed quickly just the same, not wanting to make her wait for too long. He stripped his jacket off, removing his tie and undershirts next. It felt so good to be out of the stuff business wear and into something more casual. Viktor was definitely not a traditional business type and only wore the suit when necessary. He took off his slacks next, folding them neatly and replacing them with the jeans he had grabbed, readjusting his tight black boxer briefs. He looked in the mirror, adjusting his hair slightly, still not noticing the slightly open door.

He gathered his stuff and walked out of the bathroom, frowning slightly when he finally noticed the door. No big deal though, she was just lying on the bed, her arm over her eyes. He blushed slightly as he admired the way her body looked all stretched out. He plopped himself down next to her causing her to move her arm and look up at him. “Hey there beautiful.” He said with a wink. “Ready to go?”

 

[molly_hunter28]

Sadie lay there not hearing Viktor as he came out of the bathroom. She lay there lost in her thoughts. She couldn't believe she had just been gawking at him while he changed. What was wrong with her?

Feeling him lay down next to her, she raised her arm and smiled. His comment causing a blush to creep up her cheeks. Viktor seriously must not know the effect he had on her. Even just from a comment like that. His words warmed her.

"Yeah Vik, if you are I am. Any place you'd like to hang out first? Would rather I just drive you around?"

Sadie had moved her arm so that it now lay above her while she spoke. She was trying to concentrate on the conversation but it was difficult. Especially after what she had been looking at. Now being near him that image would be the first thing to come into her mind.

 

[gagonthis]

Viktor smiled down at Sadie as she looked up blushing. He was glad to see that he was still able to make her blush with his little comments, though he wasn’t sure if that necessarily meant what he was hoping it would. It was an odd feeling he got when he was around her. She made him feel as if they were teenagers again, reminding him of all the time he had spent teasing her, knowing she had a huge crush on him back then. But it also made him feel awkward, knowing how he felt about her now and what had happened between the two of them.

“Well… how about we just drive around town for a little bit? I’m going to need to get my bearings back if I’m going to be staying here for a while anyway so I might as well shake some of these cobwebs off my mind. Maybe after that you could show me your place and it would give me a chance to look at that place I might be buying.” He said with a smile. It was actually getting sort of late, but he wanted a chance to spend some more time with Sadie. He smiled as he rose, grabbing her hands and pulling her up, mumbling a soft apology as he pulled her close to his body for the briefest of moments before stepping back to find a pair of shoes that weren’t going to kill his feet for the rest of the day.

 

[molly_hunter28]

Sadie took his hands and the close contact that happened as he pulled her to him sent shivers through her body. Stepping away she looked around the room. Not wanting to deal with the sudden tension in her own body. Sadie didn't want anything to change in their relationship. If the only way she could have him was as a friend that would have to do for now.

"Clearing the cobweb's, might be a bit difficult," she said with a laugh. "I'm thinking I'll drive you around, if you find some place you wanna stop we can. I have no problem showing you my place. It looks just like the one across the street. Just don't mind all the christmas stuff hanging around. I haven't put it all up. That's where you'll come in."

Sadie winked at him. Knowing his help would be greatly needed. She had so many lights to put up. Doing it herself was never fun. Each year though she did it helping to ease how lonley she really was.

 

[gagonthis]

“Is that some sort of shot at my intelligence?” He asked sticking his tongue out at her for her comment about the difficulty he’d have clearing the cobwebs. He knew she didn’t mean to insult him, but like always he couldn’t pass up a chance to tease her. “Just because I didn’t spend my days cloistered in my room to become valedictorian doesn’t mean I can’t find my way around a town.” He chuckled, letting her know he wasn’t being serious and was just having some more fun with her. He’d always like flustering her, she was just too cute when she was.

He motioned for her to lead the way as they left his room, he double-checked to make sure he had everything he needed, cell phone, keys and wallet. He walked down the hall, letting himself fall just a step behind Sadie to give him a chance to admire her well-sculpted body. He sighed slightly, wishing he could bring himself to tell her the truth about everything. He was enjoying her company too much though, and didn’t know how she would react if he explained why he’d run out of town all those years ago. Some other time…

He hopped into her car, smiling at her as he pulled his seatbelt on. “If I’m going to be here a while I’ll have to get myself a car, maybe one of these, they’re quite nice. In any case, drive on chauffeur!” He said with a laugh.

 

[molly_hunter28]

Viktor never failed to pass up a chance to tease Sadie. She knew it too, knew that she would blush and turn all school girly on him. It always happened with he. Was the affect she was sure he was hoping for too. She could only shake her head as she walked out the door and to the elevator.

They seemed to be falling back into the old rythym of him teasing her and she blushing almost always. She loved it though. Sadie had missed being with him and hoped that maybe someday he would talk to her about why he left all those years ago. She didn't want to bring it up but had always wondered. That day had never left her memory, she had cried herself to sleep that night. Feeling alone and thinking maybe she had said something to him.

She slid into her car and watched as Viktor did the same. She laughed as he made his chauffeur comment. He would never give up, but that was one of the things she so loved about him.

"I should make you drive. See how you do first day back and all," she winked at him as the headed through town.

 

[gagonthis]

“No, don’t make me drive, I’m sure I could find my way eventually, but the temptation to drive us into the mountains and do the ‘Whoooops we’re out of gas’ routine would be too great.” He said as he slid into the car next to her chuckling at Sadie’s blush. He felt like blushing himself. All these comments he kept making as jokes were only partially that. He’d missed Sadie all the years he’d been gone and he’d come to realize that she had been more to him than his best friend’s kid sister, or even the girl who he’d had a slight awkward crush on. She had always been a good friend, always been there for him. It was that reason that he had kept in contact with her all these years. He’d never been able to find another girl who could really hold his interest, and he’d always suspected it was because Sadie had his heart.

He sighed heavily as he turned his head to look out the window. The town all looked so familiar and at the same time so alien. They drove past all their old haunts and all the places that had been replaced with something new. The high school still looked the same and he smiled as he told Sadie to pull in. “I want to take a look around again if that’s alright?” He asked as she pulled into the parking lot.

 

[molly_hunter28]

They drove in silence for a little while. Passing te familiar yet unfamiliar places. Each having been changed by the corporate world. Sadie heard Viktors sigh. Wondering what was on his mind. She had always thought they had an open and easy relationship.

Just as she ws about to ask her mentioned turning into the school. She hadn't been here in so long. She smiled over at him as she found a spot to park. Forgeting about asking him she turned off the car and stepped from it. The night air feeling cool against her skin.

"I don't mind Vik. Its actually nice rather then hanging out at home. I haven't been down to the school in forever. Gosh I can't believe all the memories this place holds."

Sadie turned around the parking lot, her head looking up at the sign telling about Christmas break. Her mind driffting to all those years agao. How she had crushed secretly on the man beside her. Wanting him to see her as more then just his best friends little sister.

They began walking into the school. Sadie saw her old locker, walking over she touched it. A slow smile forming as she thought about all the pictures and little things she had kept in there. Funny how she forgot those things until now.

 

[gagonthis]

Viktor smiled as he walked into the high school foyer, looking around, noting that time seemed to have left the place completely untouched. He looked across the commons, memories flooding back to him of all the times he’d hung out there after school, waiting for Lucas and Sadie to get done with all their extracurriculars. He followed after Sadie as she headed down the hallway, smiling as he saw her stop by her old locker. They’d always left notes for each other in their lockers, letting each other know when the best time to sneak away from class or when to meet afterwards.

Viktor walked away from Sadie, heading down the hall to his old locker. He stopped in front of it searching his memory for the combination. He turned the dial a few times and popped the door open. “Wow… they never change these things I guess.” He said with a chuckle as he looked inside. It was empty on account of it being break. He smiled as he pictured the locker the way he had it. He smiled at a specific memory, reaching around to the edge of the locker door, where the hinges met he fished around, his eyes lighting up in amusement as he found what he was looking for. He laughed as he pulled out the small joint he’d kept hidden in the locker motioning for Sadie to come over. “Look at that, it’s been here this whole time… what’d’ya say?” He said smiling, “Wanna go under the bleachers with me?”

 

[molly_hunter28]

Sadie watched him walk away, move farther down to his old locker. How often they would pass notes, all of them. She had saved all those notes up until Viktor had left. Then she had burned them. Not wanting to relive a past knowing thaat in the future something had happened between the two friends.

She had satyed in contact with Viktor, somewhat. Mostly hearing about him from his mom. What knew place he was in. What new people he was with. Every so often she would hear from him. They would talk for a hours, catching up. Then he would be gone. She looked down towards him, saw him waving her over. She walked with a smile, wondering what he had found.

“Look at that, it’s been here this whole time… what’d’ya say?” He said smiling, “Wanna go under the bleachers with me?”

Sadie let out a laugh. She hadn't smole a joint, well since high school. Good she looked at Viktor and shook her head as they began the walk over to the football field. A field she spent time on as a cheerleader. Watching eveyone else under the bleacher, hanging out and smoking.

"I can't believe it was still in there, Vik. You sure that thing is still good," she winked at him, giving a little playful push.

 

[gagonthis]

Viktor winked at her and responded to her question. "It's still weed, so it's still good." He said with a chuckle as he fished through his pants pockets, finding a lighter. He rarely smoked anymore, but he still carried a lighter for when the urges really took over. Mostly after long stressful business meetings, something he hoped he wouldn't have to put up with anymore for some time.
"Ah I haven't had one of these in what seems forever now." He said honestly. "Most of the people in the business worlds drug of choice is cocaine, and I just never got into that whole thing." He said with a laugh, trying to assuge her fears. He wasn't a drug addict. "I've always prefered a little reefer to slow things down, not to speed things up." He said as they made their way under the bleachers. He looked around, making sure no one was about, not that he expected anyone to be during Christmas break. He lit the joint and took a long drag on it before passing the thing to Sadie. He smiled as he exhaled, watching the smoke mingle with his breath in the cold evening air. "Wow, this place sure does bring back a ton of memories..." He said as he leaned back.

 

[molly_hunter28]

"Yeah memories from a completly different time. Seems like so long ago," Sadie said before taking a hit and handing it back to Viktor.

Her mind relaxing and drifting back to all those years ago when she was out on that very field, cheering for the footbal team. High school had been fun, she'd been popular but always had a crush on the guy who was in front of her.

Once her brother had overheard her talking with a girlfriend about it, he made sure to let her know Vik would not be interested. Sadie was just a kid, Viktor would never be interested in her. He dated older, more mature girls. She could still hear those words coming from Lucas.

Sadie leaned against a pole, shaking her head. Wanting to get rid of those memories. Vik had never been the one to say anything to her. Sadie had thought maybe her brother would have said something like my little sis has a crush on you, watch out. Nothing that she could remember was done though, save the fact of Lucas "warning" her to stay away.

 

[gagonthis]

“Well… unfortunately it WAS a long time ago.” Viktor said with a slight chuckle as he took a long drag. “We’re not getting any younger that’s for sure.” He smiled as he handed the joint back to her, watching her face as she strolled down memory lane. He was doing the exact same thing, remembering all the time he’d spent and wasted, doing things exactly like this during highschool. It really was a miracle he turned out as successful as he was. Eventually his memories just took him right back to the place he didn’t want to be. Sadie and Lucas… and leaving the town. He sighed slightly. No use to dwell on it now.

“Say it’s getting a bit chilly, whatdya say we head back to your place and do those decorations so I can get some sleep at some point?” He asked with a grin.

OOC: Just gonna move the story along since I’ve been absent for a bit if that’s alright with you?