Missing Someone

Chapter 14

Melissa sighed in relief, she had finally escaped Daley and her over-anxious ways. Daley had been fussing over her injuries since she had woken up...so about a day-and-a-half Putting various lotions, poultices, bandages, and creams on her injuries. She was still weak from her fall. It had taken a while to travel to a tree close to the ocean, giving her full view of the sunset. She had to admit, it was because of Jackson that she had escaped Daley's concerned clutches.

Jackson. He was so confusing. One moment he ignored her completely, not taking any interest in her life. The next he was confessing the fight that could potentially put him back into juvie. Then he was closed off again, then he wouldn't leave her alone about what was bothering her. He had then been acting like he liked more than a friend. Then he was flirting and then kissing Taylor! He followed her and from what Nathan had told her, he hadn't left her side for more than a few minutes after she fell off the tree.

Melissa sighed again, placing her head in her hands, blocking her view of her surroundings. Taylor had seemed to be the only one not concerned about her. She hadn't spoken to her once, although she had received quite a few death glares from her. When she had first found out that Melissa was awake, she had just said, "Who cares?" The only thing she could think of for her behaviour she refused to think about. She wasn't going to get her hopes up.

Jackson was watching Melissa. He had gotten rid of Daley so that he could talk to her, but he couldn't find the courage to go sit next to her and confess his feelings for her. He was absorbed in taking notice of her delicate features.

So absorbed, in fact, that he didn't notice Nathan come up behind him. "Hey." He greeted quietly so Melissa wouldn't hear him. Jackson turned around in surprise, looking at him questioningly, not wanting to chance speech, just in case Melissa heard him. "I know you're nervous." He stated,

Jackson looked at him, a falsely amused expression on his face, "About what." He whispered back. The obvious expression on Nathan's face told Jackson that he wasn't fooled by Jackson's facade. Jackson's face fell and his shoulders sagged, "What if she doesn't...feel the same way anymore." He whispered, so softly that Nathan had to crane his neck closer so he could hear.

Nathan heard his concern and was shocked. Surely he knew that Melissa really liked him. Nathan clapped a hand on his shoulder, "Don't worry." He reassured him quietly, "She still feels that way about you." Jackson grinned, feeling a heavy weight lift from his shoulders. He walked towards Melissa, still feeling nervous.

Nathan watched him go, smiling. Daley came up behind him and slipped her hand into his. He turned his head to meet her sweet tasting lips. He smiled again before leading her away from Jackson and Melissa to give them their privacy.

"Hey." Jackson greeted quietly, surprising her as he sat next to her. She rose her head from her hands and twisted to look at him. Jackson still looked concerned at the bandages wrapped around various body parts. He reddened as Melissa stared at him, waiting for him to say something. She knew he had explaining to her, and she sure as hell wasn't going to stop him.

"Hi." She murmured, turning back to the ocean. He watched her long black hair, a few strands flying in the wind. His fingers itched to play with her hair, just to see if it was as silky as it looked, but instead he concentrated on what to say.

"Taylor kissed me!" He blurted out suddenly. Melissa turned to him again, startled. She opened her mouth to reply but Jackson signaled for her to be quiet. He was on a roll and he wasn't sure how long this courage would last. "Taylor started flirting with, and she kissed me. I didn't want her to, but she did. I'm sorry..." He trailed off for a few moments before continuing, "I was ecstatic when I found out you liked me, but I didn't know it at the time. I was trying to avoid thinking about how I felt. I..." Now they were both blushing, Jackson deeper than Melissa, "I really like you." He told her softly, "Now that the no-relationship is annulled, not that I would care if it wasn't. I really want us...I want...you. Jackson broke eye-contact.

Melissa's face lit up in a smile at the confession. But she didn't say anything. When Jackson looked up, nervous, he met her joyful, twinkling eyes. He knew in that moment, what her answer would be. He wrapped an arm gently around her waist as she moved closer to him. He placed his other hand on her smooth face, pulling it towards his own face. Melissa felt her heart banging against her ribcage, she was sure that Jackson could hear it. His rough, scarred hand was pulling her face closer...closer...

Their soft lips finally met. When they pulled apart, Jackson thought immediately that it was the absolute best kiss he had ever had. The smile on Melissa's face assured him that she felt the same way about it. He leaned back onto the tree behind them, pulling her with him. She snuggled against him, ignoring the twinges of pain that shot through her.

Jackson started playing with her hair. He had been right, her hair was as soft as he had imagined. As they both watched the sun sink, Jackson couldn't help but think that although they were deserted on an island, it didn't seem to matter as much any more. Because he knew, with all of his heart, that Melissa had proved it often enough that no matter what happened, she would stick by him, no matter what. And that was the only thing that mattered to him.

Alright guys. I'm thinking about doing a sequel, tell me what your thoughts of the ending and if you want me do write a sequel. By the way, don't think that Jackson was OOC. Because I don't feel he was. In this chapter I was portraying him as the self-conscious teenager, afraid of being rejected that he is. Which he is, he just hides it well.