---

Chapter Eight: Arms to hold Tight

---

Within seconds, I was underwater. Rita was trying her hardest to seduce me, but I would never take advantage of her in times like these. She's had her heart broken, and even though I'd care to be the one to fix it, I don't want to mess her up any more than she is right now. I'm like that, you know? I'm Jason, if you may have already guessed. Rita's a sweet girl and all, but I'm sure this is not the right moment for...you know, that. I don't want to be the kind of guy who leaves her after a one night stand... I tried so hard to leave the water, but her grip was determined, and tight. Suddenly, she let go...and then, as if to psych me out, grabbed hold even tighter.

As she kissed me, and I was trying to get her off me, Michelle came to the water to see what the noises were. Obviously, Rita was quite a loud girl... Michelle put her hands over her eyes and ran...not what she wanted to see. She ran to David, who was at the campfire. He knew the look of horror in her eyes...he had seen them in the eyes of children thorughout Weyard... he chuckled. Michelle, being a Light Adept, was never allowed to know about anything of that nature, being considered an 'immaculate' spirit.

About an hour later, Jason and Rita were washed up on shore together, just laying there, staring at the star-filled sky. It was some time around sunrise, and Rita was breathing a sigh of relief. Never before had she felt the way she did earlier, as if she was being freed inside... and Jason felt like he had waited one million years for that night to come, and even though he felt terrible given the circumstances, he seemed happy, all in all.

Jason hadn't felt this way since the day he saved his brother from a burning house back in New Vale. Just the rush of happiness made him feel so good inside... Rita looked at me and smiled. The look in her eyes was hazy, almost as if she was drifting into sleep just laying here. All was happy in my little world. I... don't want to risk myself any more then I have to though...but for her...anything.

-----