"What?" Did I hear her correctly? Did she seriously just ask that?
"Mel are you crazy?" Annie crossed her arms
"Look I know it seems way out of proportion, but I think it might be good." She said. I still couldn't believe what I was hearing
"Your mom wanted one thing from you, to carry on your family's legacy. To never give up on your dreams and stay involved. I know recently you and the ocean haven't exactly been best friend. But it might be good, to let go and cherish your adult years. It could be a fear breaker"
I frowned. Part of me actually saw through her plan and thought it might be a good idea, but then there was the doubt and worries coming along.
"Please, just think about it. And if you really really don't think it's a good idea then there's always 50 other ways you could spend your birthday."
I nodded and bit the inside of my cheek, I would at least have to run this idea by dad which I know he wouldn't allow, and not to mention I somehow would have to get the keys for the boat.
"My dad is mess right now, I can't even begin to think of a way to get access to the boat" I shrugged my shoulders and sat back
"What if he doesn't have to know?" Melody asked
"Melody I promise my dad I would stay off the waters. He lost his mom, just like I did" I still pondered the thought. Even though I dreamt of my 18th birthday since I was six, doesn't mean that I'm not worried about every single part of her idea.
"I know, it's up to you Loni"
I shook my head and stood up, grabbing my coffee and waving goodbye to them.
I reached in my back pocket and pulled out my phone, scrolling through my contact list and hovering over dads name. I didn't know if he was awake, or even had his cellphone with him...but it was worth a shot
Ring~Ring~Ring
Ring~Ring~Ring
It was useless, he wasn't going to-
"Loni..." I let out a soft gasp and grasped my phone tighter
"Dad! I didn't know you were awake, Are you okay?" Fear ran throughout my voice as I passed people on the sidewalk
"I'm doing okay sweetie" he chuckled and my heart warmed, I missed him.
"I'll be right over, I just need to get back to the aquarium where I parked my car and I'll be on my way"
"No worries darling, you don't have be in a rush. I'm okay, I promise"
I smiled ear to ear and hung up the phone. I was more then glad that he was okay, I couldn't bare the though of loosing him.
"I'm really sorry Marvin, but I can't."
I slowed down before I turned the coroner, secretly eves dropping
"I get it, I wouldn't go out with me either" Marvin said. Just hearing that made my heart break
"It's not that, I'm just not ready yet. I have other things I'm focusing on and I don't think I could handle a relationship"
"It's fine Miles, I understand"
I walked over to my car-more so towards him. Tears were flying off his face to the point where I don't even think he seen me.
"Marvin" I said as I walked up to him. He quickly turned in my direction and wiped his tears
"H-Hey Loni" he sniffled and forced his tears back. My frown depended as I pulled him into a hug...he instantly broke down and cried his eyes out onto my shoulder.
"I'm so sorry" I whispered into his ear and rubbed his back.
"I thought he'd be the one" his breaths were shaky
"Maybe he is" I pulled back from him and held his hands
"Maybe it was just bad timing" I smiled, trying to cheer him up a little bit.
"And...even if he's not the one, there's a ton of other fish in the sea that would be more then glad to have you had their boyfriend" he gulped and looked down, another tear falling off his cheek.
"And, if I was guy, you'd be my first pick" I smirked and nudged his side as I led him over to my Jeep. He lightly laughed and sniffled again
"Come on, there's no time to be sad" I said as I gestured for him to get in the passenger side
"He doesn't deserve your tears, you deserve way better" I smiled again as we buckled up.
"Thank you Loni..." I grabbed a tissue from my counsel and handed it to him
"Anytime"
"So your dad got a concussion, Keeth was in jail for a murder he didn't commit, and Melody was beaten in her sleep?" Marvin asked as we pulled up in front of the hospital
"Pretty much, yeah"
"And I'm assuming we're here for either your dad or Melody?" He asked
"My dad, Melody was released this morning"
We got out of my car and walked in, the nurses led us to my dads room and held the door open
"Hey!" Dad said ad he sat up. I rushed over and brought him into a tight hug.
"I missed you! How have you and your brother been?" He acted as if nothing was going on-as is Keeth wasn't just in jail, or as if he didn't go on a drinking spree and got a concussion.
"We've been...good" I didn't know what else to say
"Loni Lennon?" The nurse walked in the room
"May I have a word with you?" She asked. I nodded and told Marvin and my dad that I would be right back
"You're dad lost a lot of blood from his head, meaning some memories might be patchy. He most likely won't remember the last couple of weeks, or events"
Maybe it was better this way. Maybe it was better for him to forget about his drinking problem, and keeth, and even his mom. Maybe it was healthier.
I walked back into the room with a forced smile, I didn't want him to start worrying.
"The nurse said you have to stay the next couple of nights just to monitor you" I said as I sat on the side of his bed.
"I've heard dear, it's alright" he smiled and turned to Marvin who was sitting in a hospital chair
"I recognize you...from the aquarium right?" My dad asked.
"Yep, I'm Marvin" him and my dad fell easily into a conversation, and I took this opportunity to text Grayson
Me: Hey!
Almost immediately I got a response
Grayson: Hey! How's things at aquarium?
Me: I'm actually not there...I left to get some coffee with the girls and I called up my dad
Grayson: Oh? Any news on him?
Me: Yeah actually, I'm with him right now. He's awake and doing a lot better
Grayson: Thats great!
Me: It is...but he doesn't remember much from the last couple weeks
Grayson: So does that mean that he doesn't remember your grandmas incident, Luke dying and so fourth?
Me:Yeah...
I put my phone down and sat in a chair. After a half an hour of talking with my dad, Marvin decided to get going. His house wasn't far from here so I didn't worry about him getting home.
"Sweetie you don't have to sleep here if you don't want too" my dad said as he tried so hard to keep his own eyes open
"I want too dad"
And after that, he dozed off. So I did the same, I wanted to rest and be here for my dad in the morning
~~~~
The ground was cold and wet...I was sitting on concrete, there was concrete everywhere but it was pitch black. Only a small light dangled above my head. I slammed my palms hard on the ground and stood up, my heart was thrashing against my chest as I reached back to grab my phone. But it wasn't there
"Don't freak out"
No...No no no how was I hearing him. My breathing increased as I turned in every direction, trying to see anything
"Loni"
"Luke. You're not real, how am I hearing you?!" I gripped my hair, I swear I could pull it all out.
"You're not just hearing me, you're seeing me too" he walked in front of me. I jumped a bit and stumbled back. How-
"No. Get out of my head you son of a bitch"
I screamed.
"I'm dead, yet you're still calling me nasty names." He crouched down in front of me and grasped my chin, forcing me to look at him
"I'm only here because you're thinking about me"
I smacked his hand away and shook my head
"Don't you miss me? At least in the slightest bit?" He grabbed my arm and pulled me up. I tried breaking free as I shook my head No
"What about our first date?"
"Luke you didn't have to do all of this" I laughed as we sat down. The garden filled with fairy lights surrounded us.
"I know, but I wanted our first date to be special. Just as special as you are to me"
"Stop it! Why are you doing this?" I screamed again as I felt the cold, wet ground.
"Or how about the first time we said we loved each other?" He gripped my wrist tighter and pulled me closer
"Loni...I need to tell you something" I sat up and grabbed his hand. I could tell he was nervous
"Go for it" I smiled at him as he place a kiss on my lips
"I love you...so much" he said. I smiled ear to ear and kissed him again. In that moment I knew I wanted to be with him forever
"I love you too Luke"
"LEAVE ME ALONE" I screamed on top of my lungs and fell back, when I pulled away.
"Get out of my subconscious. GET OUT!"
He bent down once again and moved some hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear.
"I'm just here to warn you...don't do it Loni"
"What?"
"Loni wake up" Grayson said as he shook my body.
"It was just a bad dream"
