Blair’s pov
The ride back to James’ apartment is silent.
It was so silent, that it felt like I could clearly hear my own heartbeat thumping in my ears. I pointedly stared out the window throughout the ride home while contemplating how I’m going to start talking about it tonight.
James had asked me the question which I had seen coming, having been expecting him to give up his search a long time ago and come ask me directly.
Although, I hadn’t expected him to spring it when it had felt so perfect and quiet around us.
That question had been enough to shatter what it was that had settled over in us that moment.
As soon as I pulled away from him in that moment, I squared my jaw and folded my arms around middle.
“Aren’t you searching for answers yourself any longer?” I has asked, and James has remained quiet as he shoved his hands into his pockets before shrugging a little.
“You knew I’d hit a dead end from the very start.” He spike softly and I averted my gaze to stare into the rusting water.
“Did you not?” He asked after a few seconds and I turned back to regard him.
“Not really, no. But there was a high chance of you not finding anything, I knew that just fine.” Once I was done speaking, I took a step closer to him before I had continued.
“And besides, stop sounding like I led you out to some blind search, because I never asked you to go dig up stuff about me in the first place.” I reminded him.
“Don’t say that, Blair. You knew I only did that because I was curious and I didn’t want to ask you any more questions, that’s all.” He defended himself and I let a small scoff fall past my lips.
“Why do you want to know about my past so bad? Isn’t there a thing called ‘let sleeping dogs lie’?” I hurled out at at him, grateful for the almost emptiness of the beach right now.
James ran one of his hands through his hair, and then he huffed out a long breath.
“I just couldn’t, especially after finding out your relation to the royal family.” He explained and I shook my head a little.
“So, this is about the royal family?” I found myself asking, watching as James instantly shook his head.
“Absolutely not. It’s all about you. What I only meant was that after finding out that tiny detail about you being related to the royal family; it just seemed very important that I know who you are, where you’re from, and where you roots is from.”
“Why does it matter?” I asked after a few moments in a smsll voice. James closed the distance between us a little.
“I just want to know. It’s important that I know what you actually are.” He explained and I took a step back, averting my gaze from his.
“Are you hiding something bad? If you aren’t, I see no reason why you should be hesitant to open up to me.” He continued and I found myself scowling at the waves.
“Why would you think I have something bad that I’m hiding?” I demanded when I finally glanced up at him. He spluttered a little before getting his bearings.
“I never said that, you know what I meant, don’t try to twist my words around.” He argued and I rolled my eyes with a click of my tongue.
“Now you’re accusing me of twisting your words.” I pointed out to him, watching as he closed his eyes and inhaled and exhaled before glancing back at me.
“Just get it out already, that’s all I ask for.” His voice was soft this time, like he was trying to placate some spooked animal, and that tone irritated my ears so much.
“Let’s get out of here.” I said after a few minutes, obviously taking him unaware because he had clearly thought I was going to start spilling my life secrets to him.
At least if I even want to do that, I’d not do that on a framing beach here in public.
Neither of us attempted to break the silence in the way home, which was fine by me because I’m very certain i wouldn’t appreciate him trying to act like everything was suddenly magically okay between us by attempting to start up a conversation, like I was some sort of kid.
When we arrived at his house, I alighted his car first and got into the house first.
“Don’t run off just yet cause–” He began to speak, voice echoing out in the house which made me halt my footsteps and roll my eyes before turning around to regard him.
“You clearly think very lowly of me.”
A look of shock filled his face. “Why would you think I’d think that?”
“You thinking I’d run off is you thinking very lowly of me, like I’d run off because I have some sort of dark, dark, terrible secrets with me or something.” I pointed out, watching as recognition sleeky dawned on him.
“I didn’t mean to imply that, I promise.” He rushed to explain but I only rolled my eyes as i unbuttoned my jacket and shrugged out of it, and then I walked around the couch which I had been standing behind, to sink into it.
I glanced Io to see James standing in the same spot he has been previously standing in, which prompted me into rolling my eyes before starting to speak.
“Aren’t you going to take a seat? You should do that because I don’t think you should listen to me talk about this while standing.” I said, pointing to the couch opposite me as I spoke.
James being who he is, walked over with a blank face to sink into the spot beside me. Not wanting to reveal how much that unnerved me, I pursed my lips and shifted away from him until there were some feet much needed inches between us, and then I slowly cleared my throat while feeling his eyes burning into the side of my face.