Sorry it's been so long. Am on summer break and I became extremely lazy for a while, but finally managed to finish this chapter. Hope you enjoy!
God she was beautiful. He had to resist the urge to reach out and touch her. She sat so close. How hard could it be? Just move your hand. Do it!
He couldn't. She was looking down at the mug she had in her hand. She was talking about some guy, a guy who had turned up at her door. He tried to keep his cool, but if he was being completely honest with himself, the thought of her in someone else's arms had his blood boiling with rage. The thought of someone else's hands on her… touching her like that… He tried to keep his face straight as he felt his stomach roll at the thought.
He would make her his. Only his hands were allowed near her skin.
Aislinn's thoughts were so muddled. She was so confused and dazed. She felt so out of place, in need of a sanctuary. She knew just the place.
It was the place she ran to when in need of comfort. The place she could be herself and confide her deepest thoughts and worries. A safe haven enclosed by iron in an abandoned railway.
It didn't take her long before she was out of her house after he had stopped by. She couldn't stay there, in the fear that he would show up again. She didn't know how to deal with him and his… persistence.
She made her way by foot to the abandoned railroad, not looking at others who stared at her as she passed. They seemed slightly alarmed at her quick pace and her posture, her arms glued firmly at her side, her face staring at her shoes.
She rounded the last corner and broke into a run. She had to get there soon.
She stopped and breathed a sigh of relief as she saw the train cart. The one with beautiful graffiti painted on it.
She knocked on the door, trying to catch her breath.
The door swung open to show her one source of comfort; the black haired sexy boy with facial piercings and a dazzling smile. He wore a grey t-shirt, hugging his lean muscular physique and black denim jeans. He smiled a smile so bright it could light up the whole town. His face fell as he registered her confused expression.
He didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her.
"What happened?" he asked.
She just clutched his shirt and buried her face in his chest. It smells just like him. Seth.
He brought her inside and sat her down on the couch inside his train cart and made himself busy by making her a cup of tea. All she did was stare at his boa snake which he kept in a glass cage.
He set the mug in front of her and sat down next to her, sitting only inches from her.
She only stared at her mug, seeming to be in some sort of daydream like state.
"Aislinn?"
Her head snapped up to look at him. He looked concerned.
"Sorry," she answered, shaking her head as if to shake away her visions.
He hesitated as he reached out to touch her hand, which lay in her lap. He withdrew and instead rested his hand on her shoulder.
"What happened?" he asked, locking eyes with her. The last time she had shown up this frantic was the time she nearly got mugged in the park. He could only assume the worst. Soon enough, visions of men; dark men which bordered on the edge of monsters, circling her and then… forcing themselves…
He shook those horrifying images from his mind. She had calmed down now and was sipping her tea.
"He showed up at my door," Aislinn finally answered. She took a big gulp of her tea, not wanting to elaborate. He, on the other hand, was still confused. Who was 'he'?
After she had swallowed she made no effort to continue, and he had to press for more details.
"Who, Aislinn?"
"The new guy. Keenan. He approached me at school today, but I just left him. He then showed up at my house just now, saying he had followed me earlier and he…" She drifted off, finishing her tea and wiping her mouth with the back of her sleeve.
Seth could feel rage simmering in his blood. Had he laid a hand on her? Why was he following her? Who was this guy?
She didn't seem to be continuing, and they sat there in silence. Seth lifted his hand from her shoulder, feeling the awkward silence surround them. He had to ask.
"Are you okay? I mean… did he do anyth-"
"I'm fine," she interrupted. "He didn't get to do much before I pushed him out the door. Literally." She chuckled softly at the memory.
Seth sighed quietly in relief. She didn't want him.
"Sorry I came over here," she whispered. "I just didn't feel that safe. And besides…"
She turned to face him, looking him straight in the eye, before smiling delicately.
"I wanted to see you."
He felt his heart pound in his chest, hoping she couldn't hear it. He fought a mental battle with himself, toying with the idea of kissing her. Of just leaning in and touching her lips softly. Not even that long. Just long enough for her to realize.
"I'm glad you came," he answered, making his mind up and reaching for her hand. He let their hands entwine, and felt infinite joy as she gently squeezed his hand. She rested her head on his shoulder. He could have sat like that forever, the scent of her hair filling the air around her, almost a scent of summer. That was what she was; summer personified.
He didn't know how long they sat there, before she broke the silence with the sad announcement that she had to leave. Dusk was infiltrating the streets outside, bringing with them the warm early-summer breeze. She rose and walked over to the front door, him following close behind. She turned and hugged him as she left and he let his hands rest on her hips. She let her hands rest on his upper arms, and then sounded the words that would leave him heartbroken.
"You're a great friend, Seth." She smiled up at him.
The words seemed dipped in toxic waste, stalling his heart and causing his smile to falter slightly. He regained his façade quickly, murmuring something about how important she was to him.
She left the train carriage, the presence of summer leaving in her wake.
He couldn't help but replay the words over and over again in his mind. Friends. Just friends. Muddled together with those words were sickly images of her and a faceless boy. Keenan.
Aislinn arrived at school the next day extra alert. All her senses were sharpened, on the lookout for bronze hair amidst the crowd. She didn't know where he usually hung out during school, so she was constantly looking over her shoulder, fearing he suddenly would be right behind her.
He hadn't shown up in any of her classes, although it was only halfway through the day, she had a feeling she had not escaped yet.
Lunchtime came and she decided on a whim that she would eat outside. It was too beautiful outside to sit in. She brought a chicken sandwich and a soda with her and roamed the school grounds, looking for the perfect spot, and perhaps some shade.
She went behind the school, coming across a set of trees. They were tall oak trees, and seemed to stretch forever upwards. How had she not come across these before? She chose one which seemed to almost call to her. Its branches were long and stretched several yards outwards, all in different directions. Some touched the ground, forming shapes which could be used as comfortable seating areas, whilst others seemed to frame the trunk, entwined in each other, showering the other with their brilliant shades of green. It was perfect.
She walked over to the tree and chose to sit against the trunk on the luscious grass growing beneath it. It seemed soft like cotton and almost seemed to beckon her. She sat down and felt the grass beneath her fingertips, letting herself be engulfed. Around her birds sang and the faint rustling of the leaves above her made her feel like she was in Eden's garden, a sanctuary of her own. Here nothing could disturb her, no one could find her.
"Fallen asleep already?" a voice sounded.
She jumped and opened her eyes. She looked around frantically. For a moment that voice reminded her of him. She searched her surroundings, but didn't see anyone until someone peeked out from behind the trunk.
Eyes of ocean blue gave away his identity instantly.
She didn't have to pause to reconsider. She leapt up from where she was seated, standing with her legs slightly apart, always on guard.
He stepped around the trunk fully, his hands raised as if in surrender.
"No reason to be so hasty," he said smoothly. "I just wanted to say hello."
She kept her hands balled up in fists at her side, not willing herself to relax.
"Hello," she said coldly.
At this he chuckled, stepping closer to her. He peered around his surroundings and sighed.
"It's so beautiful here," he murmured, eyeing a squirrel which had perched itself on a branch towards the top of the oak tree. "Almost like a sanctuary."
She didn't let her sight leave him, in case he tried anything. The wind rustled his bronze hair lightly, as if the wind was trying to tease her. Testing her if she was willing to edge closer to touch his soft strands. He was dressed in a pair of dark distressed jeans and a white shirt, its sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Even though he was clothed, it only seemed to accentuate his well-toned body. She stared, not realizing he had seen her eyeing him.
He grinned at her, and she straightened her spine, crossing her arms over her chest.
"What do you want?" She said, yet again her voice was colder than usual. He seemed to bring out the worst in her. Her tense and cold side.
"I was just strolling and came across you sitting here," he answered casually. "Was looking for a place to eat lunch. It's too nice to eat inside."
She noticed that he was carrying a sandwich and an apple.
He caught sight of her food sitting in the grass and chuckled.
"I guess you had the same idea." He looked at her. The wind played with her raven black hair. She seemed so tense. How was she supposed to fall for him if she was so… closed off?
"Mind if I join you?" he asked.
What was she to do now? Should she just refuse him? Push him even further away from her, not letting him see how fun she could be. That there were other sides to her than the cold and guarded side he brought out in her. What was there to be afraid of? She realized then that what was the most terrifying, was the fact that she actually wanted to. That she wanted to immerse herself in him, and let him in. She gave in to her desires, for the first time in what felt like a long while.
"Okay," she answered, resuming her position in the grass, leaning against the trunk. She made sure there was room for him.
He was caught off guard at her actual answer. She said yes. He had not at all expected that. Had she changed her mind about him? She seemed to relax more as she unwrapped her sandwich.
He sat down next to her, his arm touching hers. They both ate their food in silence, only the sounds of birds and wind could be heard. They didn't mind. They felt there was no need for words. After they had finished their food, he broke the silence. He had to know this girl.
"So, what made you choose this spot?" He figured he'd start simple before they began conversing more potential emotional topics.
She shrugged.
"I don't know. I just liked the way it seemed to have its own atmosphere entirely. That whatever world I had previously found myself in had melted away only to reveal a new one; one where only nature existed. And I have never seen a prettier tree. Its branches make it look like it's taken on a life of its own."
Spoken like a true Summer Queen.
"How very true," he answered, smiling. This girl had to be the one.
She felt like she now had to ask something.
"Why did you come here?" she asked, feeling lame she couldn't come up with a question of her own.
His story wasn't as complicated and almost profound as hers, and he cursed himself for that.
"I just like eating outside." Such a simple answer should make her want more. It didn't. She settled for that answer and closed her eyes.
He watched her. Her eyelashes were long and dark, and cast small shadows under her eyes. Tiny freckles dotted her nose and eyelids and her cupids bow was prominent and enticing. How he longed to just kiss her. All this waiting and going slow drove him insane. But he convinced himself that it was better.
He let his eyes close and didn't notice that he drifted off to sleep next to, what he hoped, was his future Summer Queen.
They awoke hours later, missing the end of school. The sun was setting behind the oak trees and the birds had stopped singing. Keenan was the first to stir. He ran a hand through his tousled hair and looked down. She rested her head against his shoulder, her whole body seeming to lean towards his. He smiled at the sight of this. He could have watched her like this forever, but knew she would be upset if he didn't wake her.
Instead of shaking her shoulder violently, he stroked her cheek softly, whispering her name in a voice full of hidden lust.
She stirred slightly, her eyes slowly opening. She smiled as she saw this beautiful boy peering down at her, whispering her name. His name had slipped her mind, but it seemed like something she should remember. It started with the letter 'K' she thought.
"Good evening," he whispered, his eyes depicting sunset in all their blue. Those eyes…
She jumped up, his finger lingering in the air where her cheek had been. She sat up straight, and started to frantically fix her hair. He only chuckled and rose to his feet, stretching like a cat.
He turned to face her and extended his hand towards her.
She hesitated, but accepted his help and let him pull her to her feet. He pulled her close and didn't let go of her hand. They stood there, their bodies pressed together, her hand in his.
She tried to force herself to look away, but she couldn't. His eyes held her there, wielding their own power which they had over her.
"Let us do this again," he whispered, leaning in closer. She wanted to lean away, but didn't. She allowed herself this closeness.
"When?" she asked. She was too eager to meet him again, that she didn't think about the potential consequences.
"How about tomorrow? I can take you to another place, like this one. Quiet and peaceful." He promised her.
She exhaled a jagged breath, trying to clear her head from his tempting offer. She didn't fully register that she agreed, but soon he leaned in and kissed her forehead. He stroked her hair behind her ear, and she let him.
She just closed her eyes and enjoyed this moment. It's not like she would fall in love with him or anything.
He pulled away slowly and smiled down at her, his dazzling smile which would leave most girls breathless. The thought of those other girls brought her back down to reality. The fog in her head cleared and the illusion disappeared.
He let go of her hand, his gaze never leaving hers.
He left her in the beautiful sunset with a promise of a forever entwined future, whether she liked it or not.