CHAPTER 10 #2
“You’re right, sunshine. You're always right.” I sit down beside her and play with one of the pebbles from beneath me.
Being with her here feels like the day we sat together on the beach, but it feels as though so much has changed.
Her hair has many golden streaks throughout it from the sun and the waves are much thicker than the day I met her.
They are much more like curls. It feels like she's more comfortable now.
She seems so much lighter and full of happiness.
I hope that never leaves her even if she has to go soon.
“So, why did you want to bring me here?” she asks nervously, twiddling her thumbs.
“I don't know. I used to come here growing up with Mom and the girls on the days Dad was at work. We even had a picnic here, all of us. Mom said this is where she knew she loved him. They came here when they were younger, before me and before they were married. She told me that they had got lost through the woods trying to go camping and this is where fate had led them. She would use this to remind us about how we may plan to do something, but it may not be what happens or what is right for us. They had planned to camp in the field just beyond the woods but as a twist in fate they ended up right here, together. We stopped coming here after he died,” I say, and turn my attention towards Ivy. She is looking at me with a deep look in her eyes, as if she was thinking hard or not thinking at all. I can’t explain it.
“What?” I ask, embarrassment bubbling up within me. I never talk to anyone about here or about how much this place means to me. I don’t talk about Dad. I don't think Bailey has been here since she was young either.
“Nothing, really.” She turns away, a blush creeping up her face. “I'm just surprised you brought me here. I'm nothing special and this seems really special to you.”
“You’re amazing Ivy, and I just thought it would be nice to bring you here. We could swim if you want?” I feel vulnerable. I'm not sure if I like it.
“I don't have a swimming costume,” she says, shyly with her accent rolling off her tongue.
“Neither do I, we can just wear our clothes.” I stand up and softly take her hand, pulling her with me. “It's hot today. They will dry by the time we are back in the car.” She smiles up at me and kicks off her shoes, using me for balance.
My hand still in hers, I lead her to the water.
The cool water brushes over the bare skin of my legs until the fabric of my shorts clings to my skin.
I remember that the water continues to get deeper and in the middle I could barely stand as a teenager.
The back, by the waterfall, must be almost ten feet deep.
Ivy may struggle to swim in the water soon.
When I turn towards her, watching as she slowly walks through the water, it is almost reaching her hips, and she is shivering ever so slightly, with an arm wrapped around herself.
“The water isn't even that cold,” I say, smirking at her. I tug at the hand she has in mine, pulling her further into the water.She squeals loudly, pulling her hand away from mine.
“Oh really?” she says with a mischievous look on her face.
There’s my girl . “Is it not that cold, Lucas?” She instantly scoops up the water in her hands and flings it right at my chest. The next scoop of water hits my face, and I am not at all prepared for it.
“Hm? You still warm over there, Lucas?”I laugh a little, rubbing the water away from my eyes.
“I can't believe you!” I walk towards her, quickly and wrap my wet arms around her waist, picking her up and dragging her further into the water.
“Let go of me! Stop it is freezing!” she yells, “Please, Lucas!” Once we reach the middle of the pool of water, I finally stop, bringing her through the water.
Now the water hits my entire chest, and I am no longer cold with the warmth of her body pressed up against mine.
We are both silent for a moment, staring into each other’s eyes.
Hers have golden specks right in the middle which flicker throughout her deep eyes.
Her hair is partially wet towards the bottom and a few strands cling to her face.
I brush it away, tucking the damp curl behind her ear.
“Um, you haven't let go,” she says quietly, adverting her gaze, towards the water.
“Oh, sorry.” I let go of her abruptly and her body quickly starts to sink beneath the water.
Within seconds, I have a hold of her waist again lifting her up above the water.
Her hair is now completely drenched, along with her clothes.
Small droplets of water pepper across her face like her freckles.
“Shit! I am so sorry. I cannot believe I forgot how deep the water is. Are you okay?” I ask, scanning her for injuries, panicked.
She looks down at the water for a moment and I think for a second that she is upset with me, but she then, all of a sudden, pushes down on my shoulders, forcing my head completely under the water, unexpectedly.
“I am going toget you back for that,” I say, as I lift myself back up, shaking my head to stop my hair sticking to my face. The small sprinkle of water falls around her .
“Yeah? How?” she says and, just for a moment, I think I see her eyes focus on my lips.
Is she going to kiss me? I hold her thighs to wrap her legs round my waist and pull her further into the water, towards the waterfall.
I now have to tread the water as it is too deep for me to touch the bottom.
It is a lot harder holding up both yours and another person’s body weight, but I barley notice as I watch her face, feeling her all around me.
She seems transfixed on the way I am holding her and reaches her arms to behind my neck, slowly.
Ivy’s wavy hair is tucked behind her ears, and she looks beautiful. I am completely enamoured by her.
“Ivy,” I say, a little breathless.
“Yes?”
“I'm sorry.” A confused look passes her face before I pull us both under the crashing waterfall.
She screams, loudly and when we come away from the water she says with a frown, “Lucas! My necklace fell off.” She wears the same gold necklace with the yellow stone, every day, but it is only visible if she wears a shirt that does not cover it.
She swims right into the deep water, removing herself from me.
I instantly feel the loss of her touch. I feel cold, duller.
I instantly start looking in the deepest part water and tell her to look where she can stand.
It is hard to see anything without the light shining on this area of the water, and it slightly burns my eyes.
What must be an hour later, we cannot find it anywhere and Ivy swears that she hates me for it but the longer she tries to ignore me, a larger smile creeps up onto her face.
I will make it up to her either way. I want to. I have to.
As we walk down the streets of my hometown, I forgot how nostalgic this place is for me.
I don't visit often, and I wish I did, but there are so many memories tied to my dad in this town.
There are too many. Our clothes are already dry, and the sun is starting to lower across the sky, making it flow into an orange hue which lights up Ivy's face, flawlessly.
“I'm going to miss you when you leave sunshine,”I say, quietly.
“Yeah?”She looks up at me, smiling slightly. I feel bad that she is missing her necklace, but I already have a plan to make it up to her.
“Yeah. Bailey is far less annoying when you're around.” She laughs as we continue to walk towards the store. I let myself think about her leaving, just for a moment. She will be at school just like she wants, and she will be happy.
“What does that look mean?” Ivy asks.
“What look?” I turn to face her.
“You look upset.” I think for a moment.
“I just want to ask you something. Are you sure you want to go to nursing school next year and all that?
I'm not asking you to stay, I just think it sounds more like what your parents want than what you do. You said that they wanted you to go into the profession they are in. I just think it is important it is what you want.” A smile blooms on her face, one that I really did not expect.
I had expected this to be an uncomfortable situation.
I had expected her to blush and change the topic of conversation.
“Yes, I am sure. While nursing school was not entirely my idea, I love everything I have learned so far.
I've loved working for it, and I don't regret it.
It is my dream. I think it makes sense where you are coming from, but I definitely want to do this now.
It is my choice and I'm happy with it. Did you know from the ages three to nine I asked my parents if I could be a nurse or doctor for Halloween?”
“Okay,” I say, trying to ignore the deep knot forming in my stomach.
If she is happy, then there is nothing I can or want to do to stop that.
I wanted to be with her especially when I thought that we had a chance because she didn't actually want to go but she does.
She is happy. She wants to leave. “This one here is the store. It has everything.” As we walk in, I hold the door open for her and try to turn away the feeling that is holding a weight over me.
“What are we looking for?” I ask.
“Literally just loads of snacks. Charlie asked me to get food for my birthday as they wanted to do something,” she says.
“Okay. Let me lead the way.” We walk down the isles picking up snacks left and right.
I am about to take her down the aisle with all the chips, but I am suddenly stopped by the sound of a voice in front of me.
Dammit. Angie. I have been able to avoid most people and their ability to snoop into my personal life today but now, I am going through one of the worst.
“Hi Lucas!” she yells, running up another aisle towards me.
“The chips are down there. Pick up anything you want. I'm just going to talk to Angie quickly," I whisper into Ivy's ear, rushing to get her away from Angie and she skips off down the aisle, blushing ever so slightly.
“Hi, Angie. How are you?” I ask Angie, after she pulls me into the tightest hug of my life.
“I am okay, you know, same old life here. The church service ran on, and I was late for opening and then Jim got mad. Anyways, your mom told me I might see you around here soon and I wanted to talk to you about my niece, Carla.” My mind struggles to absorb all the information I am learning at once.
Angie talks ridiculously fast. “She's coming here next week, and you know I always thought you would be adorable together, so I wanted to ask you if you wanted to take her out?” My mind instinctively travels to the brunette scouring the shelves down the aisle as she carefully picks up a pack of popcorn, ensuring none of the other bags on the shelf fall from their space.
As if she felt my eyes on her, she turns her attention towards me and gives me a small shy wave that I return.
“Oh, never mind. Your mom didn't tell me you had a girlfriend, Lucas! If I had known I wouldn't even have mentioned it. You must introduce us,” Angie says, and I quickly whip my head back round to her.
“What? No. Ivy is not my girlfriend. She is Bailey's friend.
She's just a friend and she's leaving for London in like a couple weeks so even if I liked her, it definitely would not have worked out.
" Angie stays silent and gives me a knowing look.
“What?” I say, nervously, reaching my hand up to scratch the back of my head.
“You just seem to have thought about that lot. You are blushing, sweetie and that beautiful girl really likes you.”
“It's really not like that.” I feel my face grow redder. This never happens. Ivy is the one who blushes. I do not.
“You say that, but I have known you since the day you were born. Your heart is reserved for this girl, Lucas. Fight for her.”I almost laugh at her words.
“I can’t, Angie. We have to get back to camp so I will see you soon," I say, walking away quickly, trying to escape the same thoughts that have been running through my head, rapidly.
“Hey. Sorry about that. Are you ready to pay?” I ask Ivy, as I meet her side.
Her hair is tucked behind her ears with small pieces flowing in front of her face as she looks down at the two packets in her hand.
Her waves are starting to come back despite the water that held them down when we left the water earlier today.
“Almost. Chocolate or Toffee popcorn?” she asks. “I love toffee but I have never tried chocolate so maybe I should get that.” She looks up at me holding up the two packets and confusion on her face.She looks between the packets again and I pretend to study them.
“I know. Get both.” I quickly snatch both popcorn packets from her and slip them into the basket she is holding, before taking the whole basket from her hands to hold it for her.
“Hey! I can do that!” she says, trying to reach around me to grab the basket.I move it away every time she does.
“I already told you. I know you can carry it, sunshine. Just let me do it. I want to. Trust me, I will not drop it,” I say, walking over to the tills. I was also relentless about paying and gave her the same speech I had minutes before. I want to soak up all the time I have with her while I can.