I wake up the next morning to the heat of the sun streaming through the tent. I slowly stir and open my eyes, my hand running up and through my hair. The sleeping bag next to mine is empty and I frown slightly, sitting up.
“Alex?” I call out, taking my hair out of its ponytail and letting it tumble down my shoulders. I’m alone in the tent so I stand up, tugging at my clothes. I reach for Alex’s hoody that’s on the floor and hope he doesn’t mind me stealing his clothes. When I climb into it, his scent wraps around me and I can’t help but smile. My thoughts turn back to last night when he comforted me from my nightmare. A shiver ran down my back from the intensity of it, it seemed so lifelike.
I push it to the back of my mind and unzip the tent, stepping outside. Despite it being early morning, the sun is strong and I can already feel the heat in the air. My eyes scan the lake, the water so crystal clear and beautiful.
“Hermosa, good morning. Want to join me for a walk?” Alex smiles, stepping in front of me. He’s dressed in a simple white shirt and dark shorts, his hair ruffled messily on his head. How does he manage to look good all the time? I blink in surprise before my lips tug upwards into a smile –
“Sure thing. Let me get ready, I’ll be five minutes.”
*****
Alex is walking a few feet in front of me, heading down a grass pathway that leads into the woods. I glance up, mesmer-ised by the myriad of floating leaves in the sky. Clouds are practically non existent here and the sky is so bright and blue, the sun beaming down on us. I shrug off my checkered shirt and tie it around my waist, feeling the sleeves stroke against my bare legs. In front of me, Alex suddenly stops and turns around, giving me a sweet smile.
“Forgive me but you’re going to have to walk faster Hermosa.”
“I’m enjoying the view,” I pout, taking my time to walk beside him. His brown eyes sparkle in the sun, glinting mischie-vously at me.
“Nature or me?” He smirks, arrogance lacing his voice. I roll my eyes, shooting back instantly.
“Both.”
His smirk grows wider and he holds his hand out towards me —
“Can I?”
The way he always asks me for permission before displaying affection makes my heart somersault inside my chest. I nod, barely hesitating as I slip my hand in his. This entire weekend felt like a complete fairytale (despite Caleb’s stupidity) and I wasn’t expecting it to end soon. A gust of wind floats past us and I close my eyes, a small smile on my lips. The sun begins to warm up my face and all I feel inside my chest is warmth. The soft feel of Alex’s hand in mine reminds me I’m not alone but when I open my eyes again, he’s watching me with a look of adoration in his eyes.
It takes my breath away for a moment.
“I’ve told you that you’re beautiful, right?” He says quietly, his hand reaching up and tucking a stray piece of my hair be-hind my ears. The fuzzy feeling inside my heart intensifies and I nod slowly —
“Everyday.” I respond, staring up into his eyes.
“Good, just checking.” He smiles, tugging on my hand gently. “Come on, lets go.”
We continue walking through the tall grass before entering the woods. The sounds of leaves crunching underneath our feet fills the silence between us and I love how simple yet beautiful everything is here.
“I love nature, it gives me a level of calm that nothing else can.”
“Nature is the world’s beauty. People overlook it every single day and take it for granted. It takes a special person to ap-preciate beauty when it’s right in front of them.” Alex says, swinging my arm lightly.
“Can I ask you something?” I say, unsure of how Alex would react. Beside from a little stiffness in his posture, he didn’t seem to mind.
“Go ahead.”
“What do you work as? I’m not expecting you to have a desk job, I’m just curious.” I say quickly, babbling a little too much. To my surprise, Alex lets out a low chuckle, his chest vibrating.
“I’m a businessman, sort of.” Alex says smugly however I don’t miss the hostile, protective tone in his voice. His confi-dence is a way to protect himself and I truly believe deep down, he has a warm, good heart.
“You supply the entire city, right?” I say, choosing my words carefully. There’s a slight pause and Alex clears his throat, stepping over a fallen tree branch.
“I’m a drug dealer.”
“Wow, straight to the point.” I chuckle, already knowing exactly what he does. Alex shrugs sheepishly, a coy smile on his lips. I think about kissing his lips and my mind begins to wonder until he speaks again, snapping me out of it.
“I don’t want you to think this is by choice Ariana. My father passed it down to me,” he says quietly, his tone dark. A flash of grief passes through his eyes, his features turning emotionless.
“Our actions don’t define who we are as people.” I say quietly, giving his hand a small squeeze. Alex completely pauses, inhaling sharply. I turn to look at him and his eyes are searching my face intently —
“You do know I kill people, right?”
His words are blunt, directed to make me see him for who he thinks he is. Despite me already knowing that, it’s still a slight shock to hear it come from him. I imagine him holding a gun to someone’s head, pulling the trigger. I close my eyes and inhale before re-opening them.
“I know that,” I respond quietly. His eyebrow raises skeptically —
“And you still want to get to know me? After knowing that?”
I think hard about his question. I know I should walk away from him but the invisible magnet attracting me to him grows stronger by the day.
“I don’t know what it is with you Alex. You came into my life in the most random, horrifying way but since that day, I can’t get you out of my mind. I strongly believe everything happens for a reason and when I’m around you, I feel happy. I forget all my troubles, I forget my past and I feel alive, in the moment. It’s the most incredible feeling and I’m not ready to let go of that.” I explain, surprised at how truthful I’m being with him. When I say the words out loud, I realise how screwed I am because I’m really falling for this boy.
I blow out a breath, unable to look him in the eyes. I don’t want to see regret or rejection in his eyes, that would completely break me.
“Shit, that terrifies me.” I exhale, my insides clenching almost painfully. He responds by pulling on my waist, wrapping one hand in my hair. I barely have time to react before his lips come crashing down on mine, urgent and demanding. His fingers massage the back of my head and when I feel his tongue slip inside my mouth, I let out a low moan. His touch, his scent and especially his kisses are addicting.
As he pulls back, his top teeth press down into my lower lip, grazing along it. Pleasure soars through them, intensifying from the plump state my lips are already in.
“You’re amazing, intriguing and beautiful all in one. Please say you’ll be mine?” Alex breathes out, resting his forehead against mine. I’m taken aback by his words and my eyes widen in surprise.
“Say that again?” I ask in disbelief, wanting to hear those words come from his lips once again. He chuckles, his laughter a smooth rumble.
“Be mine hermosa.”
When I nod my head with the widest smile on my face, Alex’s brown eyes light up like a kid on Christmas morning. He looks so undeniably adorable and attractive, I can’t help but reach up, wrapping my arms around his neck in a tight grip.
“Woah there, you almost knocked me backwards,” he chuckled softly, his hands resting against my waist. I breathe in his scent, not caring that my iron like grip is possibly causing him minor pain.
“I don’t care. I’m claiming my property,” I grin, my chest almost exploding with happiness. Alex suddenly wraps his arms around me tightly, wrestling me to the floor. I let out a loud squeal before erupting into fits of giggles as his head fits into the crook of my neck. He smothers me with firm kisses, making me squirm and giggle further. We roll around in the leaves until I’m underneath him and pins my arms beside each side of my face so I can’t fight him off.
“Alex!” I squeal, trying my best to get him off me. His laughter floats around in the air and he continues to restrain me, a carefree smile on his face.
“Sorry, I can’t hear you.” He smirks, continuing to press kisses along my exposed throat and collarbone. It causes me to feel both ticklish and warm, fire burning through my blood from his touch. Our laughter and my squeals fills the air, merg-ing together in beautiful harmony.
“I think I love you.”
As soon as I say the words, Alex freezes on top of me. I immediately regret it and slam my mouth shut but it’s already too late. He jumps off me, turning his back on me and suddenly, the atmosphere between us grows thick with awkward ten-sion. I freeze on the floor, not daring to breathe as tears well up inside my eyes.
My fathers taunting voice fills my head, reminding me of my painful childhood. “No-one will ever love you. You’re trapped with me forever.”
It’s the first time I’ve ever said those words and I don’t even recall thinking when I said them. Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be? Not realising how in love you are until you’re spilling your guts, proclaiming your love for someone. I was with Justin for a year and never felt this strongly towards him. I could never admit I loved him back because I didn’t. The love for Alex grows so fiercely inside my heart that I can’t keep ignoring it anymore.
“This is a mistake,” I mutter, jumping up onto my feet. I whirl around and start running, out of the woods and away from Alex. A few moments pass until I can hear him yelling my name but I ignore it, silent tears spilling down my cheeks.
I keep on going, almost tripping over my own feet due to my blurred vision.