Time After Time

GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF ME!" and this time, she couldn't not be heard by the people in the hall, and many of them rushed forward to file into the corridor, barely held back by Simon crying,
"Sorry for that little disruption folks! No no, please - don't let it disturb you.... I'll sort it out, don't you worry! A one-two-three-four, and a one-two-three-four. Perfect... excuse me Helen...."
before he rushed into the corridor, clocking Sharon's tear-stained face and the anger holding her lips in such a way. Then there was Dennis, about two paces away, shaking as bad as she was, his hands hovering in mid-air, his face ashen.
"What's going on? What's happened to my star couple?"
Sharon answered him, forcing the words out heavily, but with a surprisingly steady voice. Steady and cold, her eyes on Dennis' face the whole while.
"They're over."



Go ahead as you waste your days with thinking

When you fall, everyone sins.

Another day, and you've had your fill of sinking

With the life held in your

Hands are shaking cold.
Sharon was curled up on her bed, willing herself not to cry, even as she felt the tears prickle and fall. She hated Dennis so much, the scale was hard to contemplate. She hated him and yet- oh fuck! - she loved him. Everything about him made her come alive, and it would have carried on doing so, if only Vicki hadn't opened her big mouth. But then, she wondered if she would have felt the same had she known - after all, hadn't Dennis been making her feel this way after he'd screwed Libby? It obviously hadn't played on his mind too much, forgetting about it and getting Sharon into bed no sooner than he was done.
She heard the door creak open and she couldn't miss the footsteps that followed. She knew what it meant and she was dreading it. The mattress springs gave out a protesting squeak as he lowered himself down next to her.
"Sharon...."
"Fuck off!"



"Alright. I just need you to know that I'm sorry."
"Course you are." She sighed and struggled to sit up, the headboard digging uncomfortably into her back. "You're sorry you got found out."
Silence. And then;
"Well, I'm not gonna tell you I'm not if that's what you're waiting for."
"Then there isn't anything else to say is there? Now get out."
And she looked away, drawing her knees up to her chest and obscuring her face. With a defeated sigh, Dennis got the message and stood up. But as soon as his hand closed around the door handle, he heard sad and quivering words that drew him back, guilt swirling readily inside.
"Why were you sleeping with me?"
"What?"
"You'd.... with her.... before you did it with me, so tell me why you were sleeping with me."
"Why do you think?" he asked awkwardly, nervously trying to grip her hand, and surprised when she didn't wrench it away. "I wanted you Sharon, just like I always have... like I still do-"
These hands are mine to hold

Speak to me
"That's not an answer. I'm asking you, why did you sleep with me, knowing full well you'd only just had a teenager? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Oh yeah, cos that woulda really got you falling into my arms wouldn't it?"
"No, but it would have stopped me falling in your soddin' bed, and believe me, there ain't anything I want more right now!"
"Yeah well, I wanted you and you knew it; you'd always known it but you always ran. When you finally- I didn't even know if that was it; for real this time - so there was no way I was gonna-"
When all you gotta keep is strong

Move along, move along

Like I know you do.
"You make me sick. You haven't even got a conscience have you? Making me feel like that...."
"I felt it too." he muttered.
"I know you did, that's what's so awful.... you went ahead and let me think we.... I don't know.... were building something important... more than casual sex.... and all the time you know you've had some random girl a few days before! For Christ sake, I thought we were-"
"Thought we were what?"
"I don't know." she growled. "I just don't know."
And even when your hope is gone

Move along, move along

Just to make it through

Move along

Move along.
Dennis closed his eyes, wanting to block out his cruel reality, curling his hand into an agitated fist. He hated himself. Sharon wasn't even gone and yet he knew he wouldn't get her back, the hurt etched too deeply in her face. He leant across, seeing her muscles tense as he came near, trying her hardest to defend herself now that she knew what lying open for him had done. She convulsed as his lips brushed her bare shoulder, as if she was repulsed. It stung, but he didn't blame her.
"Maybe.... when you do.... you'll let me know?"
So a day when you've lost yourself completely

Could be a night when your life ends

Such a heart that will lead you to deceiving

All the pain held in your

Hands are shaking cold

Your hands are mine to hold

Speak to me

When all you gotta keep is strong

Move along, move along

Like I know you do.

And even when your hope is gone

Move along, move along

Just to make it through

Move along

(Go on, go on, go on, go on)

When everything is wrong

We move along.



Refusing to find herself left alone in the same room as Dennis, Sharon didn't see him again until that next evening, back at the community centre. And she didn't do anything other than see him. He'd been stood against the wall by the door, waiting for her to come in, to grab her hand, to pull her away and to make her see how much she meant to him. She'd seen him first however, his hand twitching in the pocket of his jeans, which meant that he was fiddling with his packet of fags and dying to make use of one, and she'd held her head up and gone straight past him.
"Sharon!"
Oh God. She looked so good it hurt. She was wearing a dress, a really sexy red cocktail dress that clung to her in all the most perfect places.... he'd never seen her in a dress before. He vaguely remembered her telling Vicki that she wasn't comfortable with "getting her legs out" and, looking at them now, tantalisingly long and slender, he so wanted to know why not.
She'd ignored him, going over to greet Paul. Kissing his cheek, her eye finally wandered in Dennis' direction, gauging his reaction. His lips were twisted and his eyes sparkled with so many different emotions that she was quivering, needing to know what they would choose. But they could not tell her.
Dennis left immediately. He couldn't stay around and watch this. So, it was no more than he deserved; he knew that, but he wasn't going to roll over to make it easier for her to kick him. He went to the Minute Mart and bought a very large bottle of vodka. Then he did the stupidest thing he could have thought of - he went and sat on a swing in the playground. His clothes felt too thin against the freezing winds and his teeth chattered, clunking against the bottle every time he brought it to his lips, but still he did not move, his gaze fixed upon the door of the community centre opposite. Waiting.
And though it felt an eternity, in reality, he did not have to wait long. Sharon stepped out first, some bulky suit jacket covering her shoulders as the biting air swept around her, leaving the creases of her dress billowing, laughing gently at something the bloke she was with had said.
After a large defiant swig, Dennis pulled the bottle back, hearing it clink as he propped it against the frame. Suddenly Sharon's eyes were burning uncomfortably into his. She'd heard it. As much as he wanted to look away, he stubbornly held her gaze until she turned away, walking hand in hand with this guy and leaning against the wall, talking with him.
I'm coming out of my cage

And I've been doing just fine

Gotta, gotta be down

Because I want it all.

It started out with a kiss

How did it end up like this?

It was only a kiss

It was only a kiss
Dennis rested his head against the chain, kicking lightly off the ground, his eyes not moving, the sheer torture of this moment beating against his chest, his temples; he knew she could hear every moment of the tyre and she still couldn't look at him.
The bloke was whispering her ear, and she was nodding. She rifled in her bag for her phone and waved it around, shaking her head. No reception. So she moved around the corner. Dennis was more able to see her, even though the shadows hid her well. The only other light was the flickering embers of the cigarette the bloke had just lit, blowing out the clouds that lined his walk towards her, offering it to her as she pulled her phone back from her ear. And she took it, which made Dennis flinch in surprise. She didn't even smoke.
Now I'm falling asleep

And she's calling a cab

He's having a smoke

And she's taking a drag
As she tried to pass it back to him, he shook his head, so she flicked it away, watching it fly through the air.... into the middle of the playground. So she met Dennis' eye again, and it hurt again and he was praying she wouldn't look away again.
She didn't, leaning in and whispering to the bloke again. God, Dennis was hating him more and more the closer Sharon got to him. He watched her point in his direction, and his stomach wriggled as he realised she was coming towards him, ducking under the railing. He listened to the bark crunching under her feet; feeling as though that slowed the moment down, and he tried, oh he tried so hard to think what he would say when she reached him, but nothing came to him.

"What's this?" she asked, stooping to pick up the bottle.
"What's it look like?"
"Why's it nearly empty?" She swung the bottle round, causing the little liquid left to swirl around at the bottom.
"Drowning my sorrows aren't I?" he bit back bluntly.
"Are you alright?" Steadying the tyre next to him, she lowered herself onto it, gripping the freezing chains tight.
"You don't care."
"Yes I do."
"No you don't; why should you? You know you don't wanna talk to me- and it's pretty obvious you've got better things to do anyway-"
He gestured towards Paul, stood shuffling from one foot to the other, watching their exchange awkwardly.
"Yeah, well-" She got up again and took a step away from him. Then she looked back and gave him a weak smile that he could barely return.
"Did you tell him who I was?"
"Course I did."
"What d'you say? "Oh look, there's my brother getting off his face, better go sort him out"?"
"Do you really think.... after the way we've danced together he'd believe that's who you are?"
"Why not? No-one else seems to have thought anything of it."
"I did."
He nodded slowly. "So he didn't mind you comin' over and talking to.... your what.... your ex?"
"No, he didn't."
And she tried to keep walking, but, glaring at Paul, Dennis saw his eyes light up at her approach, and Dennis wasn't gonna let him have her.
"Where you going?" he asked, knowing he'd draw her back for another moment, watching her fall back on her heel.
But she didn't face him as she spoke, she just said, "Paul's place."
"What are you going there for?"
Gazing over her shoulder, she smiled cruelly. "Well, he's just had his stairs recarpeted so I thought-"
"You're going to fuck him." Dennis finished, aware that his mouth was running dry as he pictured her revenge.
Now they're going to bed

And my stomach is sick

And it's all in my head

But- she's touching his chest

Now- he takes off her dress

Now- let me go
"Yeah. Yeah I am."
"What about afterwards?"
Taking up the swing again, Sharon shrugged, edging so close she could almost taste the vodka on Dennis' breath. "I'm not interested in afterwards Dennis, only during. What do you reckon he'll be like, hmmm? How hard do you think I'll beg for him?"
"Stop it." he whispered, staring at where Sharon had left the vodka bottle and wishing he could reach it.
But she didn't. "How loud do you think I'll scream? That's always the best bit..... always wanting more.... I'll be thinking of you, sat here, trying to find the words in the bottom of a bottle..... and suddenly it'll feel so good...." She got up again, but this time, Dennis went after her, pulling desperately on her hand.
"Night then Dennis."
"No, you don't have to do this!"
"Do what?"
"Please," he croaked "don't make me beg you. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.... just don't- don't go with him... I'll do anything..... just please..... don't leave me standing here.... d-d-don't do this to me."
She could see the tears in his eyes and for a fleeting moment felt sorry for him. But then, as if it were for the first time, she realised exactly what he'd done to her and sighed.
"You haven't left me any choice."
She leant across, feeling the vibration of his threatening sobs in his throat as she kissed his cheek.
"We'll talk later, I promise."
And he watched her leave him, not knowing what else to do, completely unable to hold back the sob as he sank back down onto the swing. The sound lingered in the air, but still she walked away. She looked over her shoulder, guilt stabbing inside her as she watched him sob, but she held onto Paul's hand tighter, trying to block out the sound.
I just can't look

It's killing me

And taking control

Jealousy

Turning saints into the sea

Swimming through sick lullabies

Choking on your alibi

But it's just the price I pay

Destiny is calling me

Open up my eager eyes

Cos I'm Mister Brightside.

Hearing the cab pull away from the kerb, Sharon ran her hands through her hair, taking in a deep breath. She hadn't drunk enough, she wasn't ready to go home yet - she hadn't forgotten her promise. So she ran, oh Dennis was right, she was so very good at that. She took her keys and rushed into the club, relief flooding through her as the door to the office closed behind her. It was warm in here, which was a blessing because Sharon was freezing.
Kicking her bag under the desk, she stepped back into the centre of the room, and unzipped her dress from the side, slowly revealing the curves of her breasts and hips.
"Mmmm, you look good."
I confess, I messed up

Dropping "I'm sorry"s like you're still around

And I know you're dressed up

Said "Hey kid, you'll never live this down!"
Almost screaming in surprise, Sharon barely managed to hold her dress up, whirling round and seeing Dennis slumped in the corner, his knees pulled up to his chest, propping up a bottle, his head lolling to one side, a lazy smile playing on his lips as he admired her.
Zipping the dress hastily back up, she crouched down and firmly tapped Dennis on the cheek. All he managed in response was a non-commital grunt.
"Oh fuck!"
Drunk as a soddin' skunk.
Pulling herself up, she made to go and get some cool towels or something, when she heard him say
"Yeah, meant to ask - how was your fuck fest?"
Cos you're just the girl all the boys wanna dance with

And I'm just the boy whose had too many chances
"I see you finished the bottle then?"
"Hours ago, love. This is my second. Helped myself, don't mind do you?"
Sleeping on your folks' porch again, dreaming

She said, she said, she said

"Why don't you just drop dead?"
"No," she shot back sarcastically. "Anything I can do to help. How about I get you another one while I'm at it?"
"Now that is one of your better ideas."
"Oh for God's sake!" she cried, wrenching the bottle back from his lips. "What are you planning to do? Drink yourself to death?"
"Haven't decided."
"Well, either way, I've got standards. I'll go get you a glass, then maybe you'll pace yourself."
I don't blame you for being you

But you can't blame me for hating it
"Pffft."
Glaring at him, she went and got a tumbler from the bar, pouring some of the liquid in and gulping some back, gasping as it burnt her throat before she stepped back into the office, putting it pointedly down on the desk. He groaned at the effort it would take to go and get it, but he obviously wanted it badly enough cos he pulled himself shakily up.
"What are you doing here anyway, besides necking all my stock?"
"Waiting for you. Knew you wouldn't come back to the house."
"What you waiting for me for?"
"You said we'd talk. In fact, you promised."
She sighed. "I'm not talking to you about anything when you're half cut."
He slammed the tumbler down and glared at her, his hands shaking. "Why do you think that is? Hmm?!"
"Don't start!" she cried, turning away.
"I'm not starting anything. I just wanna know what he was like. Bet you're dying to tell me. Was he good? Was he better than me?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean "you don't know"? That memorable was he?"
"I don't know because I didn't sleep with him alright?! Happy now?"