an: okay, so FanFiction has been crapping out on me recently, and so I've finally gotten through ! This chapter I wrote a little bit ago, when I first tried posting it but the site wouldnt let me. Anywho, its some Grace and James action. I hate to say this, but I'm starting to like James.. anyway, enjoy !
"I'm bored," James said for the hundredth time as he lay back on his makeshift bed and stared at the ceiling. He turned to face me and half-smiled. "Really, Angel, there's no point in trying."
I glared at him as I tried working my fingers through the knots in my hair. I was worried that there would be an animal of some sort living in it by now, but I have yet to find any.
James sighed and stood. "Well, I'm leaving."
That got my attention. "What? You can't." I was assigned to watch him, almost like an underpaid babysitter, and he was not allowed to leave the cave under any circumstances.
"Relax, Angel. Do you honestly expect to be cooped up here all day with me? I think you'd go mad before your blonde friend even returned." He made to the wall of vines.
I stood. "I'm not supposed to leave you alone."
James smiled and held out his hand to me. "Than come with me. Or have you lost your sense of adventure in a magical world such as this?"
"I haven't. I just.." I was out of excuses. And honestly, why should I follow Peter's every rule? He breaks any rule he wants to, why can't I? I let my breath out and took his hand. "Fine, James. You win."
He smiled handsomely. "I always do."
"Where exactly are we going?" I asked warily as we made our way through the wooded mountain.
James merely smiled and said "You look like you could use a drink."
I stopped when we came into the clearing that held the large lake full of mermaids. "I don't think so," I said.
James raised an eyebrow. "Are you scared?" he asked.
I mutely shook my head. "Just don't want those girls to drown me, that's all."
His smile had grown to a grin. "They happen to like me. If I tell them, they won't hurt you."
I wasn't buying it. I crossed my arms.
James heaved a sigh and took off his shirt, showing a tanned, muscular chest, defined and... Good lord.
"You're blushing," James noted.
"Any particular reason you're taking your clothes off?" I asked, averting my eyes.
He laughed. "I'm going on a swim. I was hoping you would come with me. Your hair could use some water."
I patted my hair protectively, still not looking at him.
And he was suddenly there in front of me. His eyes were a clear blue rimmed with violet and flecks of grey.
I drew in a sharp breath and took a step back.
He smiled. "You have pretty eyes. And I feel like your hair would be lighter if it wasn't so dirty." He took a step closer to me.
I pressed my hands against his chest to keep him at bay, but that only made my skin tingle in ways I didn't want it to. I was beginning to lose control. "We should get back to the cave before Peter gets back," I said.
"I think he'll appreciate that you took a bath," James replied as he scooped me up and jumped into the water with me.
I screamed and kicked for the surface once I was completely submerged. I could almost feel the mermaids coming toward me, their fingers reaching-
I broke the surface and took a large breath of air.
James was right beside me, smiling. "Calm down, Angel."
"I'm calm," I said, trying to act it.
"Your death-grip tells me otherwise."
I looked down and realized I was clinging onto him with all the strength that I owned. I let go immediately and swam a few feet away to create some distance.
James cocked his head and studied me. "You're very strange."
"Says the boy who throws girls into mermaid-infested lakes."
He grinned. "I'll keep you safe."
James was right, the water did help get the tangles out of my hair. I worked it back into a braid and did my best to scrub the dirt from my skin.
James helped me out of the water, his jeans now slung low on his hips. I couldn't help but notice how the water on his skin sparkled in the afternoon sun.
"There," he breathed when I was standing in front of him, "that wasn't so bad, was it?"
I looked up at him and blinked. A black curl hung over his forehead, and he looked so frighteningly similar to someone it took me off guard.
"Grace?" he asked, looking concerned. "You look kind of pale."
"I think I know you," I said, confused.
"I think I'd remember your face, if we'd ever met," said James as he helped me sit.
I shook my head, trying to grasp sense of it all. "It's just..." I sighed. "I want to go home. I don't know what this place is, or why I'm here, and you just seemed so familiar I thought-"
"that everything was going back to normal?" James guessed. "I know what you mean, Grace. But this will all make sense eventually, I swear."
"You don't know that," I said quietly.
James smiled a small smile. "No, but it brightened your mood, didn't it?"
I smiled without meaning to and shook my head. "Thanks for the bath," I said.
His hand cupped my face. I turned and looked up to see him smiling down at me. "Any time," he said softly.
A twig snapped and broke my trance. I spun and almost yelped in surprise to see who was standing there watching.
"Your father would be very disappointed in you, my dear James."
James stood. "Who are you?" he asked.
The woman was tall, with wildly curling dark hair and a smile that could charm a snake. "My dear James," she said sweetly, "you don't even know your own Aunt?"
"My aunt?" James asked, astonished.
"How did you get here?" I asked. "How did you find-"
"Cut it, Gracie. I'll deal with you later," the woman said as she stepped toward James.
I stayed where I was on the ground, confused and a bit scared.
The woman approached James and held his face in her hands. "Oh, James, listen to your aunt Giselle. It isn't time for that yet."
"Time for what?" James asked, clearly confused.
Giselle smiled sweetly. "In due time."
She then turned to me. "As for you," she said, letting go of James and grabbing me by the arms, "I think Captain Nerezza is wondering where you ran off to."
an: again, sorry about the wait! I owe you all huge apologies! Reviews are loved by all, especially me! I like to read them before I go to bed, they give me good dreams! c; Peace!