Hello everyone and welcome to the second part of this one shot! It turned out longer than I'd expected so I've decided to cut this chapter in half and make it a three parter, sorry! I would also like to thank everyone who's reviewed to the previous chapter, I really appreciate your kind words! For now enjoy!
Mikayla sat down on her bed, head in her hands as she contemplated what Brady had just said to hear, a clear indications that he'd been the one listening in on their conversation in the bushes that dreaded day in the jungle, a mere couple of days ago. She feels a pang of guilt as she now understands his cold behavior toward her since that moment he'd returned to the castle. She understands his lack of cheesy comments and flirting. "I'm an idiot…" She mumbles out loud, not knowing what to do or how to make it right at the moment. She was still confused whether she had feelings for the boy. One thing is certain though, she doesn't want to lose him and has to make this right, but how? A simple 'I'm sorry' won't cut it, not this time. He deserves an explanation but then again, he also deserves an answer to the question she's certain has been running through his head since she's kissed him. Was it real or was it only meant to break the spell?
Truth is; she doesn't have an answer yet.
She groaned in frustration and shot up from her bed. A walk through the jungle would do her good she decided, to clear her head. She practically ran from the castle, not wanting to risk running into one of the brothers at the moment. The only ones having witnessed her departure being Mahama and Boz who'd been lingering around the throne room. Though he might just as well have been invisible to the guard girl since she ran straight past him.
A sigh of relief escaped Mikayla's mouth as she breathed in the fresh, cool air in the jungle. The only sound coming from the many animals that roam through it, just what she needs right now. Though as relaxing as it is, she does have the feeling that she's being watched or followed. Shaking it off for now, she continues.
Not paying attention to her surroundings or where she's going; Mikayla suddenly comes to a halt, only just in time to stop herself from falling off the cliffside and into the water below. Small parts of gravel and rocks skid over the edge as she spins around fast, coming face to face with one giant gorilla. She swallows in fear of the animal as she looks down at the 50 foot drop again. Though the storm has passed, the ocean's tide has still been wild and unruly these past couple of days. She watches as a large tidal wave crashes upon some rocks and lets a profanity escape her mouth as she realizes the predicament, she's gotten herself into.
Brady walked into his shared bedroom and plopped down on his bed. He rested on his back while one leg dangled off the side of the bed, too lazy to be pulled up on the piece of furniture as well. His eyes stared at the ceiling purposelessly. His brothers shared a look of concern, seeing as they were also in the room when he'd entered. Their game of pool interrupted. Boz, only having arrived on the island a little over 2 days ago was still getting to know his brothers or well brother since Brady showed no interest, therefore he had no idea what could have gotten him in this type of mood. Boomer on the other hand has a feeling he knows what's bothering him, or rather who.
"Boz do you think I could have a moment with Brady please?" Boomer asked the tall redhead who smiled at him sadly. "Sure, I'll give you guys some space." He spared one more glance at his other brother before he exited the bedroom, placing his pool cue on the table on his way out. Boomer sighed as he made his way toward his twin, sitting down opposite from him on his own bed. "You alright bro?" Brady's gaze shifted from the ceiling to his brother as he pushed himself up on his elbows. He let his other leg slide off his bed as he sat up on the edge, facing his brother. His hands rested in his lap.
He opened his mouth but closed it again as nothing came out. Eventually he simply shook his head. Boomer frowned at his brother; he hardly ever saw him in a state like this. His normally upbeat and hyperactive brother reduced to a sulking mess. He already knew it had to do with one little word or better yet person; Mikayla. "What happened?" Brady sighed heavily as he lifted his head and met his brother's gaze. "It started the day before Boz arrived, the day of the storm. I was strolling through the jungle to…well clear my head after everything that happened the night before," Boomer nodded along in understanding, " and I overheard Mikayla talking with Candis, I really didn't mean to eavesdrop but then I heard my name and well…I wanted to know what they were talking about and…I heard Candis ask Mikayla if it were true that she would never date me cause I'm too immature and will never grow up as long as I'm king of Kinkow, –" his brother plowed over him.
"Mikayla actually said that?!" Brady's expression saddened as his gaze drifted to his lap. "No… but she didn't deny it either…I was just so angry and upset with her…still am and I,– " he stood up from his spot on his bed and ran a hand through his hair in frustration, "and I might have just told her that I overheard that conversation and I ran out before she had a change to reply." Boomer sighed before also getting up. He laid his hand on his brother's shoulder before speaking; "I'm sorry to hear that bro and you know she's an idiot if all of this really is true and that's how she feels but I have to ask…is this also why you haven't been spending any time with Boz?" Brady swallowed hard. "Well yeah it's one of the reasons. I mean I was already feeling down when he arrived, and I still think it's weird that all of a sudden we're triplets instead of twins? Mason's never mentioned him before and well…I just think it's hard to believe."
Their conversation was however interrupted by Boz storming in the room. Brady groaned in frustration, but the action was ignored. "Sorry to intrude but I just saw Mikayla storming out of the castle, she seemed pretty upset and didn't even seem to acknowledge my presence." Brady quirked up an eyebrow at this statement, clearly annoyed by him and Boz sighed in defeat at his brother's ignorance. "Look it's obvious that something happened between you two and even though I may not like her, I do think you should go after her…you know to make sure nothing happens to her when she's in such a state?"
Brady cursed his new 'brother' for being right, it made him furious. He could be incredibly hardheaded from time to time, which is the case in this situation. Though he hated having to listen to him, he couldn't help but be worried about Mikayla despite his anger toward her still. He didn't want anything to happen to her. As he strolled through the jungle in search of the guard girl, he couldn't help but let his thoughts wander. He wanted to know the truth about how she felt about him. Or had there been truth in Candis her words? He still debates going back to Chicago, but this is only as a worst-case scenario. Worst case being that she doesn't reciprocate his feelings. He can't be just friends with her, it's just too hard for him seeing as he's pretty certain he loves the girl.
All of this will have to wait though, seeing as he's found Mikayla. As he enters a large clearing, he spots her standing at a cliff's edge, trembling with fear. A giant gorilla stands in front of her. He gasped upon noticing the large, dangerous animal, head racing as he contemplates his next move. He has to thread very carefully for he doesn't want her to fall over the edge. Mikayla's eyes widen in fear and shock as she notices Brady slowly and silently making his way toward her. She waves her hand in a signaling motion, silently telling him to stop what he's doing and not to come any closer. He refuses to listen and continues on. Her lips are moving, silently telling him to stay put but one; he can't hear her and is a terrible lip reader and two; he wants to show her that he can be mature and save her from the ape.
A loud roar comes from the animal's mouth as he turns around, noticing Brady for the first time. Brady comes to an abrupt halt as the animal moves closer to Mikayla and grabs ahold of her, a small cry of surprise escaping her. Small beads of sweat appear on Brady's forehead as he has no idea what to do. He can't provoke the animal seeing as he's holding the girl, he's trying to save from it, in its hand. Unbeknownst to Brady, Boz and Boomer had followed him out here as they now both entered the clearing as well. He shot them a dirty look, but it betrayed his true emotions. He was happy to see them. He frowned in confusion as Boz started to speak to the animal in its own language, making loud noises and banging against his chest. Boz had told them he'd been raised by apes until he was ten, but he hadn't believed him until now.
The animal tightened its hold on Mikayla as it 'spoke' back to Boz aggressively. Mikayla's eyes were locked on Brady's, both widened in fear for her life. Another angry roar sounded as Boz took a tentative step in the animal's direction, still 'talking' to it. He banged his hands on his chest one more time and that's when it happened. The gorilla held Mikayla in his hand over the cliffs edge and let her go. She disappeared from their view and crashed into the water below. "NO!" Brady screamed and ran up to the cliffs edge, without a conscious thought. Not caring that he was endangering himself by getting too close to the animal. He watched as Mikayla's head shot up above the water and he heaved a sigh in relief.
His relief and happiness were short lived as another wave crashed into her and she went under again. She'd been near a bunch of rocks and this time she didn't resurface. Brady cursed under his breath and dove off the cliff, ignoring his brothers' screams of protest. The cold ocean water hit him like a ton of bricks, but he didn't care, he had to find her. He held his breath as he looked around the water in search of Mikayla, soon spotting her near some large rocks. Apparently, her foot had gotten wedged between them when that last wave had crashed into her. He swam to her and started helping her. Her sandal, however, was wedged in pretty good and he had trouble getting it free. Little bubbles of air escaped her mouth as she could not hold her breath any longer. Brady started to panic as he noticed this and started to pull on her leg even harder. He eventually settled on taking her sandal off, better to have her lose a stupid shoe than her life. Once her foot was free, he swam to the surface with her in his arms, pressed up against his chest.
As their heads broke through the water's surface, they both started coughing and gasping for air, especially Mikayla. She struggled to get all the water from her lungs and stay afloat at the same time, therefore Brady kept holding onto her. As he looked up, he noticed that his brothers and the gorilla were gone. He shrugged this off for now and focused on the girl in his arms. "Are you okay?" His only response was a single nod from her as she was hit by another coughing fit. "Don't, –" he was cut off by another large wave slamming into them. He was momentarily stunned as his body was slammed into the rocks mercilessly. He gasped in pain as his side took the brunt of it and subsequently his lungs filled with saltwater. His grip on Mikayla loosened for a moment and he gasped once more as her body pushed him into the rocks even more.
This however helped him remember why he was there, risking his life, in the first place. His arm looped around Mikayla's midsection once more as he swam back to the surface. Black spots obscured his vision for a moment and this time it was him violently coughing up water. His ribs and back protested and he was pretty sure he'd be spotting bruises tomorrow. He coughed and wheezed in an attempt to rid the water from his lungs and fill them with blissful air. Mikayla had recovered faster this time and was gently prying herself from his grip. She told herself it was to help him breath easier. It was definitely not because her being pressed up against his chest made her heartbeat speed up. "Can you swim by yourself?" He eventually managed to ask her as he'd finally gotten his breath back. "Yeah, I'm fine, we should get back to the beach, the tide is picking up.
Yeah, no shit. Brady thought as he nodded his head in agreement. They'd barely made it a couple of feet as another, even bigger, wave slammed into them once more, pulling them under again. Mikayla had seen it coming and was prepared for it this time. Her hand shot out in an attempt to grab ahold of Brady and pull him away from the rocks, but she hadn't been entirely quick enough as his cheek was acquainted with a piece of rock before he felt himself being pulled toward the surface again. He groaned as his vision swam once more but didn't have time to dwell on this as Mikayla tucked on his arm to get him to start swimming. His body responded as if on auto pilot as they swam against the steadily heavier growing current. Their lungs burned but they were driven by adrenaline at the moment as they swam to shore.
Once away from the heavy waves and upon entering the shallow end of the sea, they dragged themselves onto the beach before both collapsed onto the sand. Brady rolled onto his back as he flashed her one of his signature grins which she actually returned for once. His happiness was short lived, however, as she punched his arm, hard. "Oow! What was that for?" He complained as he sat up. "That was for diving off of a cliff, you idiot!" Don't get her wrong, she was crateful for him saving her life, she really was but it was her job to protect him and she wasn't comfortable with the roles being reversed. "What?!" Brady's voice rose slightly, "I was trying to save your life!" Before Mikayla could reply, though, Boomer and Boz came running onto the beach screaming their names.
Brady woke up the following morning and he was sore. His lungs still burned slightly, and it hurt to take deep breaths, but he figured that was a small price to pay for having nearly drowned. His ribs and back flared in pain as he sat up, realizing that his brothers were already up and had let him sleep in. Well he'd needed the rest seeing how exhausted him and Mikayla had been when they'd arrived back at the castle, soaked to the bone. He winced as his hand brushed against his cheek, a large bruise covering the left side of his face, from being slammed into the rocks. A large graze covered his cheek as well, but luckily it was nothing serious. Nothing that wouldn't heal within a couple of days anyway.
Too exhausted to do anything other than take a shower and get some well-deserved sleep, him and Mikayla hadn't spoken further. Heck he'd barely spoken a couple of words to his brothers. He was still debating whether he should yell at Boz or thank him for what he did. Yes, the gorilla had dropped Mikayla into the ocean but after he'd jumped in after her, Boz had managed to scare it off and keep Boomer safe. He was grateful for that.
He sat on the edge of his bed as he was hit by a sudden dizzy spell. He squeezed his eyes shut as he waited for the feeling of vertigo to pass. His vision straightened just as a knock sounded on his bedroom door. He turned his head and found Mikayla standing in his doorway, looking equally tired and worn out. "Can we talk?"
That's it for the second part of this one shot! What did you think? Again I'm sorry for having to split this chapter in half but it was getting too long otherwise. Let me know what you thought and reviews are appreciated:) Until next time!