Ch. 8 Fallen
Melissa walked over to Jackson the next morning after breakfast, smiling. Jackson grinned back, and grabbed her hand, lacing his fingers through hers.
"Want to talk a walk?" he asked.
"Sure," Melissa smiled as they began to walk. Melissa was giddy inside, as Jackson was (but he didn't show it as much).
"So… weird that Nathan and Daley survived, eh?" Jackson began.
"Yeah. Weirder that they went from enemies to best friends to lovers in a matter of days."
"That too," Jackson laughed.
"You know, its odd- he told me he had a 'thing' for Daley, but that was basically it. I guess he left out a lot- according to Daley, they started out with love, he told her he loved her. We've been best friends since preschool- that's the first time he's softened the truth, much less lie or keep something from me."
"Sometimes things are hard to say, even to people you love," Jackson admitted.
"Isn't that the way it is?" Melissa smiled, and then for a while they just walked, in a straight line of course, in silence. Melissa's mind was swarming, however Jackson's was just worried but excited and happy.
"Mel?" Jackson asked after a while.
"Yeah… AHHH!" Melissa slipped, and fell into a very deep ditch. Jackson grabbed her hand in both of his just in time- Melissa was hanging on for dear life.
"Don't worry, I've got you!" Jackson cried. Melissa was gritting her teeth in pain, her other arm dangling and trying to find a grip on the rocky wall, but her eyes were strangely calm and, indeed, completely trusting of Jackson.
"Don't let go," Melissa murmured, her voice panicked but soft.
"I don't…," Jackson grunted loudly as Melissa slipped a bit, "plan on it," Jackson grunted while holding tightly to her hand, leaning down on the earth.
"Hurry Jackson," Melissa cried, her eyes panicking now, "I'm slipping!" Indeed, her hands were sweaty and slipping out of Jackson's, however strong and protective, hold.
"Grab on to me!" Jackson commanded. Melissa gripped his sleeves, and Jackson reached his hands down to her waist. Gritting his teeth, he used all the strength he could muster and pulled her up.
Melissa immediately collapsed on Jackson's shoulders, breathing heavily as he pulled her into a protective hug.
"Oh my God," she murmured.
"Shh, shh, it's okay. It's all going to be okay. You're okay," Jackson said soothingly.
"I was so scared," Melissa murmured into his neck. Jackson rubbed her back to calm her, and he felt a few hot tears fall from her eyes.
"Don't worry, Melissa. I've got you. You're okay," Jackson murmured in her ear.
"As long as you've got me, I know I'm going to be okay," Melissa spoke softly and it was a little unexpected for Jackson. Jackson's eyes widened as he stared at her.
"How come you know you'll be okay around me? According to Nathan, although I know he didn't mean it, I'm a 'loose cannon.'" Jackson was smiling nonetheless.
"Because…." Melissa looked at him and swallowed, obviously nervous and reluctant, "because… I… well, I… I… I love you, Jackson!"
Jackson gaped at her, his eyes wide.
Melissa bit her lip, "but it's obvious you d-"
"Don't say don't! Don't say it!" Jackson gasped, "Why do you think I wanted to spend a whole day with just you? Signed the note love? I don't show that much emotion, Mel, and when I do I suck at it…"
Melissa gazed hopefully at him, smiling hopefully as well. Jackson ran a hand through her hair.
"I love you!" he proclaimed, "I was so afraid about how I was going to end up telling you today… I've been worrying this morning… and yesterday… and the day before…"
Melissa giggled a bit.
"Get it?" Jackson laughed.
"I do," Melissa smiled.
"And I don't plan on letting you not be okay as long as you are with me," Jackson smiled.
"How come we always have huge revelations after I fall?" Melissa asked.
"Maybe because the adrenaline rush makes us admit things we wouldn't otherwise," Jackson grinned.
"I love you Jackson," Melissa murmured. Jackson kissed her gently, and they continued kissing until Melissa broke away, grinning like a fool.
"I love you Melissa," Jackson grinned.
They laced fingers a little more tightly again, and continued on their walk, neither managing to wipe the grin from their face.
Soon the pair reached a small little patch of beach, separated by the rocks surrounding it and the dense jungle and ocean on the other two sides.
"Come sit," Jackson smiled, and they sat down on the sand. Jackson opened his pack, and pulled out two bananas and two pears, as well as two full water bottles and a blanket.
"Cool, a picnic!" Melissa smiled.
They ate their bananas in silence for a little it, just smiling at each other, before starting to talk.
"How come you tried to understand me? Only you and Lex dared to approach me that first day, me- the person making a spear out of a stick…" Jackson smirked.
"Because, frankly, you looked lonely, intriguing and honestly? I thought you were cute," Melissa blushed and Jackson blushed immediately after she said it.
"How come you let me in?" Melissa retorted.
"Because you tried to understand," Jackson said simply, "you and Lex weren't, excuse my language, bitching at me like the others."
"Well, we both made good decisions that day," Melissa smiled shyly as did Jackson. Jackson reached over and tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear. Melissa looked up at him expectantly, and Jackson leaned in to kiss her.
They broke apart, both grinning at each other.
They were coming back to camp, holding hands and smiling secretive smiles. Lex came running up to them when the came close to the campfire.
"Hey Jackson and Melissa?"
"Yeah?" Jackson asked, slightly annoyed. He had asked that they be left alone.
"I know you have a huge date planned, but I was going to hold another dance for you 6 tonight. Abby's helping me. You don't have to come…"
Jackson looked at Melissa, silently telling her that the decision was all hers.
"Sure," Melissa smiled. Jackson smiled back.
"Okay, dress up, thanks!" Lex grinned and ran off.
Melissa grinned and, when he was gone and they were alone again, crashed her lips against Jackson's. He groaned slightly and pulled her closer. They broke apart briefly.
"Man, we're as bad as Nathan and Daley," Melissa giggled.
"Nah, we're still better," Jackson grinned and brought her lips to his again. This time Jackson pulled away.
"But is that a bad thing or a good thing?" he grinned.
"I don't know. Do we aspire to that level of love?" Melissa couldn't stop smiling.
"I think we should," Jackson grinned.
"Then where we are is bad. We must be even grosser," Melissa joked and kissed him again. They continued kissing until Jackson broke away, just to kiss her neck, cheek, nose, and forehead.
"Are we there yet?" he asked playfully.
"Not quite," Melissa laughed.
"Dang," Jackson shook his head slightly as Melissa kissed him again. This time they both broke away.
"I love you, Jackson," Melissa murmured softly.
"I love you, Mel," Jackson whispered in her ear. Melissa buried her face in his neck, Jackson rubbing her back. It was five minuets later when one of them finally spoke.
"I think we've reached it," Melissa murmured softly, and Jackson smiled.
(1, 241 Words) Do you think they've reached it? Find out next time on Time To Dance! Lol, just kidding… xD