Their relationship changes after that. Well, Christian still doesn't talk much but he does contribute a word or two to Darcy's monologues here and there.

Oh yeah, she talks a lot now. Two months after 'their moment' as Darcy describes it, he knows almost everything there is to know about her. He knows that she loves reading, the feeling of having that first bath in the summer with cold water, drinking lemonade under the oak tree in her backyard, the color purple, Beatles, Alfred Hitchcock in no particular order.

The only child of a couple who come from old money, Darcy's their complete opposite. She's loud, clumsy, overtly friendly and talkative and a ray of sunshine in the lives of her parents.

Christian invites her home for dinner, one pleasant evening in October, Mrs Lewis looks like she's going to have a fit out of sheer excitement and Darcy smiles grimly as if she's going to war.

But whatever her fears, they are unfounded because the Greys love her. She is Christian's first friend after all. The moment Mia offers to show her their secret hiding place in the library, Elliot tells her that she's won his family's heart.

Christian is walking her back home. The sky is overcast and it looks like it's going to rain any second yet they walk at a sedate pace.

Darcy doesn't want this evening to end and Christian looks a bit grumpy.

'Christian', Darcy says softly, her hands in her pockets and her shoulders bent. She watches his fingers twitch in response as he looks at her posture. She immediately straightens and he nods.

'Keep your back straight', he says and Darcy has a wild desire to laugh. He sounds so grown up.

'What has you looking so grumpy this fine evening?' Darcy asks. 'I think we had a good time.'

'It's not that', Christian replies. 'My family is going to inundate me with questions about you the moment I go home.'

'It's probably because I'm the first friend who came over?' Darcy says. 'Why did you invite me in the first place?'

'My parents think I'm antisocial', Christian explains. 'They want to put me in therapy. I thought introducing you to them might help.'

'Okayy', Darcy draws out the word because she's slightly offended. She's just a way to stop his parents from forcing him to go to therapy, he didn't call her because he likes her or she's his friend. She's just an excuse.

She doesn't want to talk to him anymore, she walks faster because the sooner she reaches home, she sonner can say goodbye and go and throw cushions at her bedroom door.

Christian jogs to keep up with her suddenly frenetic pace and he pulls her back.

'What?' Darcy folds her arms across her chest, looking at a tree over his shoulder.

'I didn't mean to hurt you', Christian says. He looks nervous for the first time in all the years she's known him.

'I know you didn't', Darcy shrugs, she's well aware by now that Christian is not some dark and brooding hero to be rescued but an emotionally challenged kid who doesn't talk much and when he does, he's pinchingly honest. He didn't mean to hurt her, she knows but he did all the same.

'You are my friend', he says quietly. 'You are my only friend.'

Darcy sighs and runs a hand through her hair. Christian has come really far with her and she doesn't want to do anything to jeopardize his progress but she cannot just put her feelings to the side for his well being.

'Christian', she says, looking at his grey blue irisis and his too long lashes. 'You're too honest sometimes. You can probably build up with a compliment or two before telling me that you called me to your house just so you don't have to go to therapy.'

She wants to tell him that she agrees with the Greys, that he needs therapy but they are not at that place in their friendship yet.

'It was a reason', Christian admits. 'The primary reason in fact yet I called you because I enjoy your company too. I'm sorry.'

Darcy shrugs as if to say it's fine and they resume walking. But something has changed between them and Christian feels it for he comes up to the front door with her, unlike leaving her at the gate like he does usually and looks quite constipated.

'What?' Darcy asks him. She is surprised at herself for she is usually quite flexible and forgiving when it comes to Christian.

'Darcy, don't give up on me', Christan says, almost like it's being dragged out of him against his will. 'I'm not like you, I cannot talk to people and charm them but I do respect and admire you very much.'

A tear slips down her cheek and Darcy wipes it away. She's been on a crazy rollercoaster of emotions tonight. Christian looks scared out of his mind now that she's kind of crying and Darcy laughs and hugs him. He stiffens almost immediately but doesn't let go. She holds onto him, a couple more tears soaking into his shirt and slowly his arms come up around her and he holds her gingerly, not really touching her but his encircling her all the same.

It begins to rain when they break apart and Darcy smiles at Christian. He looks relieved and incredibly uncomfortable as well.

'Good Night, Darcy', he says softly as he turns and runs back home through the rain.

Darcy watched him till he's a tiny speck in the distance and then goes inside, shutting the door after her, a tiny little smile on her face.

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