Chapter Thirteen

A Pile Of Leaves

Hello everyone! I fail AGAIN on trying to update...School is really taking over...So, I actually wrote this in science class, (On actual loose-leaf paper! Yeah, I have a pretty epic school :P) when we had some free time. The kid next to me started reading it, and he pointed out all my spelling mistakes. Then he showed me his chipped tooth. Yeah, it was assign seating...So anyway! This is the chapter I've been waiting for, so I'm pretty excited to see how you guys like it! Constructive criticism is welcome! Ideas too! I own nothing! And I love you all! Sorry for all the different POV's in this chapter. One last thing: CONGRATULATIONS MICHAELA RiCHELLE!

Vaughn's POV

I'm waiting for Chelsea at the top of the mountain. I've been waiting for over an hour, and its freezing up here. I figured out how to propose last night, around two in the morning. I left a letter on her welcome mat that said to meet me here around noon. Its half-past, and I can't stop myself from pacing back and forth. I have no clue where all my energy is coming from, on account I got no sleep last. Too busy thinking. I finally gave up on sleep around five, and did my work for Mirabelle.

In my mind, I plan everything I'm gonna say to Chelsea. Everything has to be perfect. I'm not getting my hopes up. I know there's a chance, but nothing is ever set in stone. The blue feather is haunting me, from my pocket. Julia almost found it this morning, when I dropped blasted thing on the hallway floor. She almost caught eye of it, but I picked it up just in time. I hope. If Julia did see, the whole island would know by now, including Chelsea.

Goddess! Where is that girl?

Chelsea's POV

I'm taking my time with work today. Its a rare thing for me to do on Thursdays. But I have my reasons. Vaughn's gonna break up with me. I can feel it. I just know it. He left me a note, saying he wants to talk. I don't understand. I understand he wants to talk, but I don't know why. Yesterday morning, he was the Vaughn I know, the true, sweet and caring Vaughn that hides in the shadow, screaming to get out, that I had worked so hard to save from extinction. But since the baseball game, he was cold and distant, the Vaughn he is to total strangers. Did I say something wrong? All I know is that nothing, nothing can be good from Vaughn wanting to talk.

I look at my watch and sigh. Half hour to noon. Better get this over with. I turn to the road that leads to the forest. Natalie catches up to me.

"Hey! You look down! I would expect all smiles from you after yesterday's game!" She says, with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. I force a weak smile, and thats when she can immediately tell something is wrong.

"Vaughn told me we have to talk. I'm on my way to meet him at the mountain." I try my best to sound unafraid, but then I remember that Natalie is my best friend. And she can see the pain in my eyes. "Oh, Natalie! He's gonna break up with me!" I say. I can hear my voice starting to crack. Her eyes go soft.

"If he does, he's not worth crying over. Besides. You don't know for sure if he's gonna break up with you!" She gives me a comforting smile. I smile back. For real this time.

"Yeah! I gotta stay positive! Thanks Nat-nat!" I run off in the other direction. Who knows? Maybe he wants to tell me he's getting more time on the island, or that my brother's coming for another visit!

As I walk into the woods, I take note of how fast the leaves fell. There are still many that have not yet fallen, but the entire pathway is covered. I walk the path to the mountain, but my eye catches notice of a pile of leaves the size of Gannon, sitting alone, with no one to play with. I stop in my tracks and stare at the pile of browns and reds and oranges. The immaturity builds up inside me. I want that leaf pile. I want it bad...No. I'm late enough as it is. I walk foreword with my head held high. Good job, Cheli! We're finally starting to grow up a lit-

I turn on my heals, and run head-first into the pile, jump at just the right time, landing in just the right spot doing a perfect belly-flop. I roll around a few minutes, like a pig in the mud. Smiling, I get up and walk to the start of the mountain path.

Mark's POV

I'm sitting behind the rock at the beach. I smile at the previous day's events. Vaughn was down right cold and mean to Chelsea. She was not happy about it. I jump a little when I hear footsteps behind me. I almost get up, but then I start listening to the conversation of Natalie and Julia

"Julia, I think we have a problem." Natalie says. I sink lower to the sand, hoping they won't see me.

"With Vaughn and Chelsea? Defiantly." Julia says. I perk up.

"Your his cousin. Did he say anything? All Chelsea and I know is that he had to 'talk' with her." Natalie claims. I hear Julia sigh.

"No. But he has been acting strange lately. Ever since we got home last night, actually. I'm getting nervous for Chelsea. But why would Vaughn wanna break up with her?" Julia asks.

"I don't know..." The two girls go into a different conversation, while I try to process the new information.

Vaughn and Chelsea are breaking up? Vaughn and Chelsea are breaking up.

My smile is so big it hurts.

Vaughn's POV

I finally hear footsteps. I pause in my tracks. I turn around to her.

"Hey," Cheli says, smiling. "What's up?" She asks calmly.

"Hey. I wanted to uh, talk with you." I mentally kick myself. She knows that you idiot! I bet I sound like an idiot...But I continue anyway.

"In my life...I have never met someone like you. A girl as immature, loud, over-confident, pushy, or over-emotional as you. But thats the thing. You're the only girl like you. But you're also funny, beautiful, smart, and you restored an entire island by yourself. And I know I sound like an idiot. Which is probably the reason I don't talk much. But as a matter of fact I love you." I get down on one knee, and pull the blue feather out of my pocket. Her face goes into shock. "Will you marry me?" Next thing I know, she jumps me, and I fall back.

"Yes! Yes! With all my heart yes!" She screams digging her face into my chest, the sound muffled. I smile. I hold her in my arms. She finally looks up at me. We look into each others eyes. I notice something...something strange in her hair. I pick it out with my fingers. Its a...a leaf?

"I found a pile of leaves on the way here." She says with a smile. I playfully roll my eyes.

"You remember what I said about you being immature? I meant it." I tease her. She sticks her tongue out.

"Meh!" She says.

"Meh? What is 'meh'?" She laughs.

"Meh. Its my new saying. Natalie and I came up with it." I roll my eyes again.

"Very creative." I get up, and she starts too, but I get an idea. I scoop her up in my arms, bridal style.

"Hey! You can't do that! We're not married yet!" She yells. I put the upper half of her over my shoulder. "Now thats just down-right cruel! Put me down!" She yells.

"No." I say. I feel her fists lightly pounding onto my back. I laugh. I walk down the mountain, with her over my shoulder. I finally put her down when we reach the end of the woods.

"Thank you!" She tells me. She brushes away dirt I didn't see before. The energetic girl runs toward the beach, and I chase after her.

Alright...So I wanted this chapter to be a WHOLE lot longer...but I didn't want to keep you guys waiting...REVIEW!...Please?