Chapter Seven (Three days later)

"I want you to be careful, Simon," his mother said, kissing him before he left.

"I will Mom, I love you," Simon said, hugging his mother. He wanted to leave quickly, because on the road he could start smoking again.

"Goodbye, Simon!" the rest of his family called. He waved goodbye, happy to be leaving but feeling just a bit choked up when he saw his mother break down.

Poor Mom, he thought. He walked quickly towards town to meet Andrew and Jake at the docks. It was a disgustingly hot day and Simon felt uncomfortably warm already. As he approached the bridge, he recognized the figure walking towards him.

She had to look fantastic when I'm angry with her, Simon thought bitterly. She was wearing a clingy, strapless black dress, and her silky hair fell down to her shoulders.

He avoided her gaze as she past him. "Going to get high?" she demanded, smirking at him. He glared at her.

"No, I'm leaving Cana," he said. Pain quickly flickered in Leah's eyes and then vanished.

"Simon, you can't be serious," she snickered. "You just turned seventeen. You can't be on your own!"

Simon laughed. "Of course I can. And besides," he said. "I won't be on my own, I'll be with Andrew and Jake."

"Oh yeah," Leah scoffed. "They really know how make it own their own as well. Especially when they smoke marijuana and drink until they pass out"

"Whatever," Simon mumbled, turning to leave again. He began walking in the other direction. Leah gazed after him for a moment, feeling a rush of emotions, then turned to walk in the direction she was headed, going to her house to get all her things. Finding the money her father had hidden; she had bought an apartment in the city. She didn't understand how Simon couldn't be terrified being on his own, because she certainly was.

She had only walked a couple feet when she realized Simon was walking quickly after her. She turned to confront him, but before she could speak, he invaded her mouth with his lips and tongue. He pressed her arms against her sides, preventing her from hitting him if she wanted to. Surprised by this sudden move of passion, Leah didn't know how to respond, but she felt the tension on her arms lift and Simon's hands on her hips, moving up and down her back, and then to her shoulders and neck. He felt pleased when he felt goose bumps on Leah's skin.

She may be incredibly pissed off at me, and we may not be together anymore, he thought, but she knows in her mind she still wants me.

Leah knew she should resist, but she started to feel herself melt into Simon's arms, letting him control her completely. The only thing she could be in control of was her mouth, and she slowly felt herself beginning to respond to Simon.

You know this is wrong, Leah scolded herself. You're supposed to be furious at him, not shoving your tongue down his throat. But Leah ignored the voice in her head and pressed her mouth harder against Simon's. She ran her fingers through his blond hair, and wrapped her arms around his neck. Suddenly, everything that had happened in the days before came to Leah in a flash.

What the hell is wrong with me? Simon's an addict, Leah warned herself. He got really violent all of a sudden. He acted like a total jerk.

Leah pulled away from Simon, both of them gasping for breath. "We're through Simon, remember?" Leah demanded, still breathing hard. "We aren't supposed to be making out."

"I know, I know," Simon groaned. There was an awkward pause and he gazed down in Leah's brilliant emerald eyes. She sighed deeply and pulled away from Simon.

"Be careful, Simon," she said, turning to walk away. "I love you," she whispered to herself.

Simon watched her go. We'll be together again someday, Leah. We're soulmates, and once I get you back again, I'll never let you go.......