I tried not to forget to throw myself into the ocean.

And I didn't.

At least before I went into the cave and I saw nothing except for the cold large green blanket in the middle that's supposed to be a little warm, the other blanket wrinkled aside and my crumpled note with its contents jagged.

It's just great that she woke up earlier than I thought, or is it that I'm the one who's late? I can't be tardy this time. Every tick counts. And now I'm afraid that what if I just confirmed my worst nightmares? Is it better if I just leave her alone again? Scratch that. I can't bear to separate from her. I tried.

And the only thing I can do now is check.

I sped away from the killer waves and hit the road.

As expected, Evangeline's lost-and-found scenes flew in just seconds. It floated around the house and filled her beloved ones with grief. Media are going nuts about it, even overreacting in the radio. But now, all I can feel is sadness for the poor girl and eagerness to see Ever.

My eyes calm as I saw her Miata inside her drive, but my heart throbs with panic as I tried to find its owner. I stopped the car in front of her home, hearing her shocked voice.

"What? Are you sure?"

I leaped from my car and rushed to the closing door in front of me. "Evangeline –" Ever starts, shocked by the news that she even forgets her hate for me. I nod at her and move toward Haven who's sniffling and coughing up tears.

I peered at Haven, asking her, ''Are you okay?"

But besides from the mascara and tears messing up her face and her new red hair tangled-up mess, she's still fine. A proof of this is that Haven shakes her head and wipes her face. "Yeah, I mean, it's not like I knew her all that well, we only hung out a few times, but still. It's so awful, and the fact that I may have been the last one to see her... "

"Surely you weren't the last to see her," I said, still a little far from confirming my suspicions. Ever gapes at me, thinking as if I meant it this as some kind of sick joke. But sorry to burst bubbles, it is serious – Deadly serious.

Haven buries her face in her hands, groaning Oh god, oh god, oh god after she mumbled, "I just – I just feel so responsible." Ever moves toward her, wanting to comfort her in some way.

But Haven lifts her head, making Ever back out and wipes her eyes, "I – I just thought you should know; but I should get going, I need to get to Drina's." She raised her hand and jangles her keys.

My right hand automatically grabs her arm as I peer at her wrist. "Where'd you get that?" I muttered lowly, aware to control my voice and try to get low as possible. Haven yanks free from my reluctant grip and covers her wrist with her hand.

"It's fine." Haven mumbles annoyingly. "Drina gave me something to put on it, some salve, said it would take about three days to work."

I clenched my jaw, gritting my teeth so hard. "Do you happen to have it with you? This salve?"

"No, I left it at home." Haven said, moving towards the door. "I mean, jeez, what's with you guys, anyway? Any more questions?"

I have a lot of questions – Questions that I already know the answers. But, I just can't accept it for now. Or rather, I think I'm just… thinking too much. I mean, it's really bad to point someone for a crime so suddenly. Innocent until proven guilty.

"Because I don't appreciate being interrogated like this," Haven turns, her eyes darting between us, her aura a bright flaming red that can swallow everything with her anger.

"I mean, the only reason I stopped by in the first place was because I thought you might want to know about Evangeline, but since all you want to do is gawk at my tattoo and make stupid comments, I think I'll just go."

With that, Haven storms to her car. Ever tries to call after her, who just shakes her head and ignores her. We watched as she gets in her car, slams the door, and backs down the drive.

With an expected glare, Ever resumes to the business of hating ma and sarcastically said, "Well, that was pleasant. Evangeline's dead, Haven hates me, and you left me alone in a cave. I hope you at least caught some killer waves."

She folds her hands over her chest and shakes her head. I eyed her intently, gazing. Hoping to someday, I don't have to lie anymore, that I can tell everything without risking herself, her safety and her life.

"As a matter of fact, I did," I toss back the sarcasm gently. Going back to politeness, I retorted. "And when I returned to the cave, I saw you had left and I raced right over." At least I'm glad I told her some truth in the end.

She looks at me, her blue eyes narrowed and lips pressed together. Expecting for her to believe that lame excuse is the only thing I wish she just obey. "Sorry, but I looked, and there were only two surfers out there. Two blond surfers, which pretty much rules out either one of them being you."

Having the trump card, I take account of my damp body. "Ever, would you look at me," I said, using my ace. "Really look at me. How do you think I got this way?"

It really helped me with my wet suit that's dripping salt water all over the floor with its bits of drop. "But I checked. I ran up and down the beach, I looked everywhere," Ever says, convinced of what she knows.

I shrugged smoothly with no holes. "Ever, I don't know what to tell you, but I didn't abandon you. I was surfing. Really. Now, can you please get me a towel, and maybe another for the floor?"

.

.

.

.

.

.

We head into the backyard so I can hose down my wet suit. I can feel Ever's gaze behind me as she sits on the lounge chair and watches me with deep eyes. Then, she shrugs the idea of my ditching her and interrogated me.

"So how'd you know about Evangeline?" I drape my wet suit on the outdoor bar. "And what's up with Drina and Haven and that creepy tattoo? And, just for the record, I'm not sure I buy your story about surfing, seriously. Because believe me, I checked, and you were nowhere in sight."

I looked at her, her tempting beauty never cease blooming. Her promising hair of silk falls perfectly on her face with no effort as her cobalt-coloured orbs of crystal can mesmerize me and turn me into a frozen block of ice.

I don't want to taint that kind of dainty adorableness.

Blood, injuries and the engraved scar on her forehead on that day flashed back to my mind. The times where I saw her cold body after countless of silent and gore death invaded my head with a tempest. I swear I can hear my heart throb in pain as I can feel my brain aches.

"This is my fault," I finally said after a couple of seconds that felt like forever, shaking my head and relieved my whole system.

I sat down beside her and stare at our hands, folding her soft hands into mine, but then dropping them just as quickly. "I'm not sure how much..." I tried to start.

Even though I tried to hide my loneliness in my eyes, I can't because that'll alarm the pang in my gut. And even though I have plenty of time to practice expressions, I admit that I can never hide the part in my eyes.

So, the saying about 'the eyes are the window of your soul' is true.

After letting a few seconds pass to remove the obstruction in my throat, I finally spoke. "Maybe we shouldn't do this."

''Are you–are you breaking up with me?" Ever whispers, as we both felt the cold gushing wind around us.

Yes, you can do this. Just say yes.

"No, I just..." My mouth betrayed me as I turned away, hating to leave both Ever and my sentence to dangle. Why one word hurts so much?

"You know," Ever sighs, saying, "It would really be nice if you'd stop talking in code, finish a sentence, and tell me what the heck is going on. Because all I know is that Evangeline is dead, Haven's wrist is a red oozing mess, you ditched me at the beach because I wouldn't go all the way, and now you're breaking up with me."

I'm sure was silent for a while, staring at the pool with its small waves. I finally looked at her, "None of its related." Then I took a deep breath and continued.

"They found Evangeline's body in Malibu canyon. I was on my way here when I heard it on the radio." Things are under control as they are becoming steady as I visibly relax and regain control. ''And yes, Haven's wrist does appear to be infected, but sometimes those things happen."

I break her gaze and she sucks in her breath, waiting for the rest, the part about her. Okay, I know this one thing for sure. I can't say it and never will.

This is my life. And she can pick paths out of her life that's laid on for her. To live as an immortal with me or die and go across the bridge once again will be up onto her hands when the time comes.

But now, I'll go protect her by my side no matter what. I won't let those pitiful moments be replayed once again. I'll go change the story and write our own happy ending.

I grabbed her hand and covered it with mine, flipping it over and tracing the lines on her palm as I said, "Drina can be charismatic, charming and Haven's a bit of a lost soul. I'm sure she just likes the attention. I thought you'd be glad she transferred her affections to Drina from me."

"Now there's no one standing between us." I smiled at Ever, squeezing her hand gently.

Ever asks, her voice barely making a whisper. "But maybe there's something standing between us?"

"Ever, I didn't ditch you today. And I'd never push you to do anything you weren't ready for. Believe me," I smiled freely, cradling her face in the palms of my hands as my lips part against hers.

"I know how to wait."

A/N: So, I made this yesterday and luckily I'm in the 'I'm-writing-this-early' mood because things are getting really interesting. Oh, for the visitors and guests, if you all like to hit me or something and tell me all the things I suck at here, click the blue link below. It has cookies! :D /shot

littleLaraLevin: Thanks for always being there. :) Don't worry, I'm on it! :D