Bad Impressions Aren't Meant To Last

[kate]

AMAZING! ;D Loved the bestest frenemy bit.

[Chris]

****Finishes banging his had against the wall in pure frustration****

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Why? Why?!

Why do they insist on keep pathching up these horrible relationships? And why do they keep denying their feelings for one another?

Another brilliant Chapter Suse even if it has givien me a sore head ;D

I don't know If I can wait another Nine months before he has 'The Conversation' though.

Loved it as usual Suse, Update soon Please.

[suse]

Don't hurt yourself Chris...I have a cunning plan ;D.

Just you wait for the 4 month mark...you won't be disappointed ;D ;D ;D.

[smilelino]

Loved this chapter. Thank you so much for writing this wonderful story.

[rebeccag]

awww that was great suse loved it. But why does it have to be so damm long for them to tell each other
loved the whole catylin scene and the Millie scene as well she so knows*raises eyebrow* hehe

[suse]

DISCLAIMER - This story is fictional and in no way reflects the actions or day to day activites of the characters involved. In other words..ITS MADE UP!

He sat outside in his car for ages, trying to summon the courage to go inside. The last words he said to her echoed in his ears and he couldn’t leave things as they were. He couldn’t deny his feelings any longer. He had to tell her. He had to tell her he loved her…tonight….

6 months earlier

Part 1

It had been a long and hectic Friday afternoon, but the day wasn’t over yet. It was Eloise’s birthday and they were all heading back to her place for drinks.

After James birthday she decided she just wanted a fairly sedate affair. After getting changed she headed down the hallway towards the green room and she spotted Margot and Sam heading in there too. Their heads were close together…deep in discussion.

The rumours that Sam and Margot were more than just workmates had been doing the rounds, with both of them denying it vehemently, but the devil in Eloise thought this would be a good time to do some innocent eavesdropping.

She tip toed down the hall and made sure the coast was clear before she put her ear up to the closed door.

She heard Sam speak first.

“It must be really difficult to work with someone so closely, and have to suppress any romantic feelings you may have for them…that’s if there is any of course,”

A smile spread across Eloise’s face.

Oh my gosh it must be true, she thought to herself quite shocked. She was so happy that her mission was proving to be a success that she didn’t hear James sneak up behind her.

“What are ya doin’?” he whispered quickly right in her ear as he tickled her in the ribs and she jumped a mile in the air.

She pushed him away from the door and slapped him.

“Sshh, Sam and Margot are in there and I have caught them having a deep and meaningful about their feelings,” Eloise whispered excitedly.

“Oh really,” James said surprised, “but we shouldn’t be eavesdropping on them. We shouldn’t invade their privacy like this.”

“Fine then…you go away and leave me to it. I can’t hear with you nattering anyway. I mean we both know what a goodie two shoes you are,” she teased.

He gave her a defiant look.

“OK fine. I can eavesdrop with the best of them,” he whispered boldly and took his post where he couldn’t be seen and she stood in front of him.

They huddled close together as they pressed their heads against the door. As Eloise thought back later on events she decided it must have looked like a very ordinary scene from a very bad movie.

“What do you think? Do you think there is something there?” they heard Margot’s muffled voice ask.

“There has to be,” Sam answered, “and I don’t just feel it on set either. The chemistry is just as strong away from here.”

Eloise looked up at James and gave him a triumphant ‘I told you so' look and he looked at her in astonishment.

“Well I never suspected a thing,” he whispered in her ear, “they have managed to keep it well hidden.”

She nodded in agreement and turned back happily to her task.

“Yeah I agree. I felt it from the first day I started, but it just seems to have grown stronger every day since then” Margot said.

That’s so sweet,” Eloise mouthed looking up at James and he rolled his eyes, wondering why females got so caught up in this romantic stuff.

“Yeah it has. I do have to wonder though how it will all turn out. It can only get messy really when there are other partners involved,” Sam said matter of factly.

“You’re not wrong,” Margot sighed.

Eloise and James looked at each other confused.

“What are they talking about? I thought they were both single,” James whispered in bewilderment.

“So did I…..ssshhh…keep listening,” she said becoming even more intrigued.

“And they both have such high morale standards, there is no way they would have an affair,” Margot continued, “but it just seems such a shame. The romantic in me thinks they are so meant to be…I don’t understand how they can’t see it.”

“Who are they talking about?” Eloise said to James nervously.

“I’m not a mind reader,” he whispered back anxiously as he backed away from the door, “I don’t think I want to hear anymore.”

“Get back here,” she ordered as she pulled him towards her. She leaned back against the door and he stood in front of her. Their bodies pressed up against each other as they strained to listen further.

“I think they can,” Sam answered, “but neither of them will ever admit it…certainly not at this stage.”

“I think you’re right. Just the way they look at each other and how close they are. You know sometimes I catch them watching each other, when the other isn’t looking. It’s so sweet,” Margot giggled, “but if Eloise and James ever discovered we suspect something they would go off.”

Their jaws hit the floor at the same time as the penny finally dropped.

They were discussing them the entire time.

“They are talking about us,” she whispered dumbfounded as James pulled back slightly and they stared at each other in disbelief.

Hearing other people speak about the feelings they had been trying to deny and hide all this time, made them feel so real and impossible to ignore. It was like their little secret was out and for a small moment in time they didn’t need to hide it anymore.

The gaze between them intensified immediately.

Desire overtook them.

Their bodies were so close, he couldn’t stop himself.

He leaned in slowly and gently pressed his lips to hers. He waited for her to pull away…but she didn’t, she returned his kiss, and when she reached up and touched his face softly they deepened the kiss.

Eloise was in a daze. She knew this shouldn’t be happening but everything inside of her was saying it should. His lips felt so good on hers and she couldn’t stop herself from wanting more.

She moaned quietly as he cupped her face and they continued to kiss deeply against the door, growing more passionate by the second, but then she felt herself falling backwards.

Sam had opened the door and they broke apart just before falling awkwardly through the doorway.

“Woah,” Sam uttered in surprise at their anything but graceful entrance.

Eloise and James were still too shocked at the events of the last few minutes to say anything.

“How long have you guys been standing there?” Margot asked nervously.

James and Eloise looked at each other guiltily.

“We just pushed on the door when you opened it,” James stammered as he finally found his voice.

“Yeah we didn’t hear a thing,” Eloise said laughing nervously, even though she wanted to give them a piece of her mind for gossipping about them.”

Sam and Margot weren’t quite convinced, but thought it was best left as it was.

“Ok well we’ll see you tonight….7 o’clock right,” Sam said as they walked out the door.

“Yep, I’ll see you then,” Eloise said much too cheerily as they left, but the false smile was quickly wiped from her face.

This is very bad, she thought to herself, I have to get away from him and fast.

Eloise glanced briefly over at James, but she couldn’t make eye contact with him. Her whole body was shaking. She headed straight for her locker and grabbed her keys.

“Please don’t tell me you are going to ignore this,” he sighed quietly rubbing his head.

“I can’t control what people gossip about. It’s just best we forget we even heard it. My punishment for eaves dropping,” she said as she headed for the door trying to make a quick escape.

He reached her before she got to the door, grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him. He could feel her trembling.

He slammed the door shut with his foot.

“That’s not what I’m talking about and you know it,” he said frustrated as he held her arms.

She didn’t know what to say. All she could do was search his eyes and shrug her shoulders.

“I have to get home and get ready,” she said breaking eye contact and studying the floor, completely ignoring the issue.

“Then I guess we will talk about it tonight then,” he said in a determined tone.

“What…with Joe there...I don’t think so,” she said incredulously.

He could feel that familiar anger growing in him once again.

“Oh all right then, how about we just ignore it…and better still how about I just don’t come over at all. I am sure that will make you happy,” he said in a raised voice.

Now she was really mad. She wasn’t sure what at...herself mainly, for letting it happen.

“Do what you like. But it’s my birthday and you aren’t going to ruin it.”

“The last thing I want is to ruin your birthday, but we can’t just pretend that kiss didn’t happen, or the conversation we overheard for that matter” he yelled at her.

“Will you keep your voice down for God sake! This is neither the time nor the place to talk about this. Now I’m going. It’s up to you whether you come tonight or not,” she whispered angrily as she snatched her arms free, walked out the door and headed for the car park.

James stood there fuming. She frustrated him so much and he decided he couldn’t just let this go. He stormed out the door and followed her into the car park. He reached her just as she opened her car door.

“Hang on a minute…,” he began.

“James…let it go OK,” she yelled.

“No…what do you mean it’s up to me if I come tonight or not. Do I make you too uncomfortable? Don’t you trust yourself around me? Is that why you don’t want me there?”

Eloise felt her heart pounding. A part of her wanted to tell him…wanted to scream ‘yes of course it is you idiot’…but that was a fantasy. It could never happen in reality.

“I never said I don’t want you there. You don’t affect me James so I don’t have a problem whether you are there or not,” she said with a blank expression.

He moved closer to her and looked her dead in the eye.

“Liar,” he said intensely, “I’ll be there tonight and we are going to deal with this whether you like it or not.”

Tbc…………….

DISCLAIMER - This story is fictional and in no way reflects the actions or day to day activites of the characters involved. In other words..ITS MADE UP!

[suse]

I really didn't plan on having them kiss yet...but I couldn't help myself ;D.

[Bee]

Suse fantastic, brilliant, great, awesome, the best, terrific < all describe this story

Cannot wait to see what happens

thanks for this too btw it's cheered me up a lot!

[suse]

Thanks Lia. It has cheered me up no end writing it too.

I mean this whole business is fiction....I forget that sometimes , so we can have them do what we bloody well please ;D.

[Bee]

Yes it's great..i forget that all the time when reading your stories..i actually start to feel that your writing about James and Eloises actual daily life! haha (:

going to write an update to Indy to cheer myself up.. (:

[jeffiner1892]

Just realised I've never actually commented on this fic even though I've been glued to it! ;D

Wish they would just get rid of their partners and get together already!

[smilelino]

I can't wait for the next update. This chapter was just awsome. Thanks.

[rebeccag]

hehe good chapter suse. I kinda twigged when Sam and Margot was talking it wasnt about them but James and Eloise. And the kiss hehe

[kate]

Hehe. Cleverly done Suse. I love how you have them acting like a right pair of old women, it's really cute.

[suse]

DISCLAIMER - This story is fictional and in no way reflects the actions or day to day activites of the characters involved. In other words..ITS MADE UP!

He sat outside in his car for ages, trying to summon the courage to go inside. The last words he said to her echoed in his ears and he couldn’t leave things as they were. He couldn’t deny his feelings any longer. He had to tell her. He had to tell her he loved her…tonight….

6 months earlier

Part 2

Millie stood in the doorway of their kitchen watching Eloise torture a carrot.

“Do you have to cut so….vigorously…what has it ever done to you?” Millie teased her as she grabbed a stool and sat opposite her at the counter.

“Sorry,” she muttered absent mindedly.

She grabbed another one and attacked it with the peeler.

“Hey,” Millie said as she grabbed her arm, “give it to me. No carrot deserves such treatment.”

Eloise smiled at her appreciatively and busied herself grabbing glasses and serving bowls from the cupboards.

“Eloise, I thought this was supposed to be a laid back evening. No one expects or wants an elaborate spread. Now chill out. What’s wrong with you? You have been on edge ever since you arrived home.”

“I’m fine. I just want to have everything ready so I can relax when everyone arrives, that’s all,” she remarked flippantly as she tried to take the spotlight off herself.

“What’s he done now?” Millie asked drolly.

“Nothing…he gave me this gorgeous bracelet and sent me some flowers. How could I not be happy with that,” she said surprised.

Millie took her wrist and studied the chunky gold and diamond bracelet that Joe had given her. He arrived with it first thing in the morning.

“It is lovely,” Millie commented, “but it’s not really you is it?”

Eloise looked at her with a quizzical expression.

“It’s the thought that counts.”

“Aargh…don’t give me that awful cliché, anyway it wasn’t Joe I was referring to,” she scoffed.

“Well I can’t imagine who you mean,” she lied uneasily.

“I mean the only man that ever gets you this riled up,” Millie stated.

Eloise sighed loudly. She was hoping to avoid this discussion.

“James doesn’t rile me up anymore,” she lied, “as a matter of fact I don’t care what he does.”

“Wow…he must have really upset you,” Millie said

“What did I just say?” Eloise said becoming annoyed.

“Oh I heard what you said…but I don’t believe a word of it. So what’s going on? Did something happen today?”

“Nothing worth discussing,” Eloise sighed. Thoughts of that kiss filled her mind, and how good it felt.

Now her stomach was in knots and she was relieved to hear a knock at the door.

“I haven’t finished with you yet,” Millie told her directly as she went to answer it.

Joe arrived first and attached himself to Eloise’s side and over the next half an hour most of the guests arrived and the house was soon full of chatting and laughter.

By 8pm all of the guests were there…except for one…James.

Sam had noticed that Eloise had been a bit stand-offish with him, which he found unusual. Normally they got on like a house on fire, and he became concerned that she may have heard their conversation that afternoon.

“Does Eloise seem a bit distant to you?” Sam asked Margot discreetly.

“Yeah a bit…you don’t think they heard us do you. James isn’t here yet which is a bit weird too. Maybe I should go and talk to her. Don’t worry…I’ll be subtle,” Margot said.

“Pfffttt...you don’t know the meaning of the word subtle….I’ll go,” he said rolling his eyes.

“Suit yourself,” she said annoyed.

Sam made his way over to Eloise who was chatting to Jane. She excused herself so they could talk.

“Is everything OK with us…you seem a bit…,” he could tell by the look on her face that she had heard everything… he knew her well enough by now, “you heard us talking didn’t you?”

Eloise hesitated. She wasn’t sure if she should admit to it and clear the air, or just ignore it completely. Before she knew it she was slowly nodding her head.

“Eloise I am so sorry. It’s not like we make a habit of gossipping about you,” he tried to explain, feeling terrible.

“I should hope not,” she said, “but what made you say those things. You know that there is nothing between James and I.”

Sam felt uncomfortable but he didn’t want to lie to her.

“Listen I know that you would never hurt Joe, but it’s not hard to see the connection you and James have….that’s all I’m saying….OK. Now do you forgive us,” he said holding out his arms.

“On two conditions,” she said as she hugged him, “one that it doesn’t happen again and two that you don’t tell James about this conversation. It’s best left forgotten.”

Sam pulled back and looked at her smiling, “Deal,” he laughed.

Margot came over then looking sheepish.

“Come here you lunatic,” Eloise said as she hugged her.

“Now I have an apology to make to you as well. The only reason I heard your conversation was because I was eavesdropping…hoping to catch you in some romantic clench. I guess God punished me,” she sighed.

Eloise waited for them to get angry at her, but much to her relief they burst out laughing and gave her a hug.

She felt so much better that she had sorted things out with them, but their conversation still made her uneasy. She began to doubt that she wasn’t hiding her feelings as well as she should be. If they saw something...who else did?

As the minutes ticked by she found herself becoming more and more annoyed that James wasn’t there.

Where was he?

Initially she didn’t want him anywhere near her party, but now that he wasn’t there she was disappointed, hurt even.

It wasn’t until 9pm when he knocked at the door, and when Eloise answered she was shocked to find Caitlin clinging onto him.

“Oh...hi!” she said uncomfortably, “I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.”

“Sorry,” Caitlin was the first to speak, “my fault. I pulled a surprise visit on him. Happy birthday by the way.”

Eloise felt her stomach turn at her falseness. She hadn’t seen or spoken to Caitlin since that awful morning after James birthday when she told her in no uncertain terms to stay away. Eloise was sure that Caitlin pulled this surprise visit because she knew James was going to her birthday.

“Thanks Caitlin,” you sneaky minx, she added under her breath.

“Come in,” Eloise said through clenched teeth.

Caitlin walked in ahead and James lingered in the doorway, making eye contact with Eloise.

“Sorry we’re late. I had no idea she was coming,” he said apprehensively.

After their kiss and subsequent argument in the car park he wasn’t sure how Eloise would be.

“Well I didn’t think you would show at all to be honest,” she said sternly in a hushed voice.

“I told you I would be here and don’t think I didn’t mean what I said. We are going to talk tonight…as soon as I get you alone,” he whispered firmly but it came out almost seductively as he walked passed her.

The way he looked at her, even if he didn’t mean to, made her weak at the knees.

She hung onto the door for a second and gulped before getting herself together and closing the door.

“Are you OK?” Joe asked cosying up behind her.

“Yeah I’m fine,” she said flippantly, “let’s go and eat.”

For the first time that night she attempted to put food in her mouth, but her appetite soon disappeared.

She couldn’t take her eyes off of James as he chatted to Matt, and her stomach turned as Caitlin hovered, possessively putting her arms around him.

Millie saw the expression on Eloise’s face fall, and she followed her line of site.

“Oh dear,” she muttered under her breath as she went over to try and snap Eloise out of it.

“You Ok?” she asked as she discreetly elbowed her in the ribs.

Eloise managed to drag her eyes away and was startled to feel Millie’s elbow in her side.

“Couldn’t be better” she grunted through clenched teeth, throwing her a false smile.

Joe put his arms around Eloise as he stood behind her and snuggled into her neck.

This time Millie thought James was gong to have a conniption.

He looked over just as Joe lightly kissed her shoulder and Millie swore James was snarling with jealousy.

“Eloise looked over at James and their eyes locked for a second before they both turned away uneasily.

Even though Joe was her long time boyfriend, she felt on edge being in his arms in James presence.

She subtly eased herself away from his grasp.

“Why don’t you go and play cards with Steve and the others. I need a cigarette.”

He agreed and she discreetly made her way out onto the balcony for some peace and quiet.

James noticed her sneaky exit and when Caitlin went out to the car for her jacket he grabbed the opportunity to talk to her alone. He baled Millie up near the door.

“Millie can you please do me a favour. I really need to talk to Eloise. Can you keep Caitlin occupied for a bit.” James asked urgently.

“Oh…um…sure. Does she like elephants?” she asked.

“What?”

“Never mind…leave it to me…now go.”

He snuck out onto the balcony and Eloise was about to light up when he approached her.

“I thought you were giving those up for your birthday?” he chided.

She looked up at him surprised, and then the anxiety set in.

“I actually came out here for a few moments of peace and quiet if you don’t mind,” she said in a huffy tone.

He knew he had to play this carefully. He didn’t want this turning into one of their rip roaring arguments.

“What…you don’t want your present,” he said whipping out a large gold envelope from behind his back.

She softened then and couldn’t help but grin at him as she took it and opened it slowly, her eyes never leaving his. A gasp of excitement escaped her when she saw what it was.

Two tickets to a French movie festival, and a night’s accommodation in the Parisian suite at a resort near where the festival was being held.

“Oh my God James! This is perfect. I don’t know what to say,” she gushed becoming a bit teary.

He beamed at the obvious joy his gift gave her.

“I am glad you like it. I saw it advertised a few weeks ago and I knew that I had to get you tickets. I got two so you could take…you know…whoever you like,” he said almost shyly.

She smiled adoringly at him. She was touched at how much thought he had put into it. He had thought about her as a person and what she loved.

Even though she appreciated Joe’s gift she wondered if he just grabbed the chunkiest and most expensive bracelet he could find.

“This means so much to me,” she gushed quietly.

“Well you mean a lot to me,” he said gently.

They stared at each other intensely in the dark.

“You mean a lot to me too,” she finally whispered.

His heart was pounding.

“Eloise this afternoon…,” James began.

“Please James…it shouldn’t have happened. We both know that. Can’t we just forget about it?” she said becoming anxious again.

He shook his head slowly as he looked into her eyes.

“I’ve tried Eloise…I really have, but …that kiss….I just need to know. I need to know what your feelings are?” he pressed.

Eloise sighed loudly as she tried to calm her nerves.

“But what’s the point James? We both know nothing can come of it, nothing can change. I mean what if I did say…just for an example I must point out…that I…,” she hesitated, unsure whether to put her feelings out there, but her emotions poured out before she knew what she was saying, “that I love every second when we’re together, that I think about you…all the time, and that every time we kiss at the studio my heart almost bursts out of my chest. What would you say if I told you that?”

His heart was soaring at her words and it took all his willpower not to take her in his arms then and there.

“If you told me that, I would say that I love every second we spend together, that I think about you…all the time, and that every time we kiss at the studio my heart almost bursts out of my chest. That’s what I would say. And I would say to hell with the circumstances…lets risk it all.”

“James,” she whispered tearily, “we can’t, not at this stage in our lives. Not when we work together…and certainly not when we are in other relationships.”

“I know,” he sighed as he slowly lifted his hand and caressed her face, “but I can‘t help but wish things were different.”

She let her eyes drift closed and she had to fight the overwhelming urge to throw herself into his arms...to kiss him passionately.

When she couldn’t take it anymore she shrugged away from his touch.

“I guess it’s a good thing we didn’t say anything then,” she said quietly trying to get her emotions and breathing under control.

“Yeah I guess it is,” he said taking a deep breath, disappointed she didn’t say to hell with it all too.

“I mean if we had admitted those feelings to each other it would just make everything weird and awkward right? I don’t want that. I still want to be able to be close to you,” she said shyly.

He grinned at her broadly.

“Seeing as we didn’t admit to anything I guess we can still carry on being frenemies….very close frenemies,”

“Very close,” she whispered.

He knew he would have to settle for that…for now…and he gently grabbed her hand and pulled her into a hug. They held each other tightly, their pseudo-admission of feelings felt like a weight lifted off their shoulders.

They relished being in each others arms and they drank in each others scent. Their desire for each other was soon overwhelming them and Eloise couldn’t take it anymore.

“We had better go back in,” Eloise said as she abruptly pulled away. I don’t want Caitlin catching us out here…where is she anyway?”

“I asked Millie to keep her occupied,” James answered, disappointed that the moment was over.

“Oh,” Eloise giggled, “I hope she likes elephants.”

“What does that mean,” he laughed.

“Millie has a massive collection of elephant figurines,” Eloise explained laughing, “she shows them off to anyone who can’t get away fast enough.”

They smiled at each other, still in each others arms, before Eloise turned serious again.

“We can’t hurt Caitlin and Joe…it’s not fair, and we wouldn’t be able to look at ourselves in the mirror.”

“I know…but I’m still glad we had this talk. I had to know,” James said seriously.

“Yeah me too,” she replied feeling awkward again, “now you go back inside first. I’ll have my cigarette and be in soon.”

He nodded as he unwillingly let her go. He held her hands as they gazed at each other, before he headed back inside.

Eloise lit her cigarette and slumped against the wall.

What just happened, she asked herself.

Her mind was telling her that that conversation shouldn’t have happened, especially with their partners only a few metres away.

But even though she knew it was wrong…it felt so right.

And what did it mean…what now?

Could they just carry on being friends and work colleagues after admitting their feelings ran so much deeper that mere friendship.

If she only knew that the passion they felt for each other would soon explode and change their lives forever.


tbc...............


DISCLAIMER - This story is fictional and in no way reflects the actions or day to day activites of the characters involved. In other words..ITS MADE UP!