"Am I seeing this right...or did I not sleep at all?" I furrowed my eyebrows walking into the casually swarmed police station. "Yep, maybe both sweetheart." Lucas kissed me cheek greeting me as I dropped my backpack and keys on his office chair. "Where's Hunter? Haven't seen him all week." I asked taking a sip of his coffee. "Ummm...home sick, I think." He sputtered. Deciding not to question the topic anymore I tuned into the conversation behind me. Mr. Zekes was only being taken in for the evidence Lucas pointed out. These officers were really stupid sometimes. Obviously the science teachers DNA would be on the vials, he works with them all day. "How's the family?" Lucas stared at the mystery board, fiddling with his favorite pen. "On vacation. Finally." I sighed trailing up behind him. I snaked my arms around his waist leaning my forehead on his strong shoulders. "So dinner at your place tonight?" He turned around smirking. I nodded looking up into his bright eyes.
"Detective." Sheriff Jonson cleared his throat. We both snapped our attention in his direction immediately separated ourselves. "Yes sir." He coughed. "Zekes is gone. I need new leads stat. Get out there." He barked eyeing me suspiciously. He noddedtrailijg his finger down my arm as he left. I walked around Lucas' desk to sit and start on my homework, but I couldn't focus. He sheriff stayed there leaning against the column wall. "Be careful young lady. You and hunter have been friends for years now, don't get into any trouble with the wrong crowd." He warned me as I unzipped my bag. Wrong crowd. What's that even supposed to mean, I spend all my free time here anyway. Rain and her new man Marcus are hitting it off, nobody ever hears from her. Harley and Toby are still at school, Rose gets back from vacationing tonight. Parker and I got into a pointless argument and Liana is...well, Liana. So my friend group has officially zeroed down to bare minimum. I nodded respectfully and checked the time. "One hour till Rosealine's flight landed. Using my pen I jotted down a note for Lucas on the sticky notes beside me:
See you later, key is under your cup. Bring a swimsuit.
XOXO -your little lion
Sticking the note on his folders I slipped out of the station unnoticed. I took my time enjoying the scenic route to the airport. As I neared the exit ramp I stopped, buying her some chicken nuggets and roses. 'I miss you my tiny chicken nugget.' I scribbled on the napkins in the bag. I leaned the seats back and turned up the radio resting my eyes. It was only five o'clock on a Friday evening, homework was pointless at this point in the year, my grades were in tip top shape. My best friend was coming home in half an hour and I had no worries. We both loved by one simple rule, never waste your time on cold feet. People tend to leave quickly, whether it's to continue their own lives or just out of plain ignorance. We know not to chase anyone who wanted to leave, I mean what's the point it only causes more stress for us.
I got lost in the memories of our friendship and morals when I heard the door beside me swing open. In a black and white crop top and adidas tights, Rosealine grinned from ear to ear, glancing at both me and the presents before her. She jumped into the passenger seat hugging me tightly and squeaked with excitement.
"Chicken nuggets, flowers and a girls night. You are such a babe." She dramatically awed.
"Well correct for the first two, but I've got a date night tonight. So it's more of an 'I hate you for leaving me for so long, I'll catch up with you later.' Kind of gift I smirked at her zooming off towards her home.
"So let me get this straight." She began. I groaned not wanting to continue the ride was already suspenseful and tiring as it is. "Parker is ignoring you because you called his girlfriend fake, Reilly left us for a boy she nearly killed. Toby and Harley are too busy for friends. And Liana is just living her life as the scholar." She ran through the summary. I nodded my head continuously pulling onto our street. "You do know hunter isn't sick right..." she muttered. I slowed the car turning to face her. "His insta says otherwise, he's been at the stationing the days you weren't." She passed me her phone after I parked in her driveway. "Wow. And here I thought he was the only other one who hadn't left us. Or me." I corrected myself.
"Honey, If they leave you they leave me too." She took back her phone and gathered her things. Sending her a wink I watched her making sure she got inside safely. As soon as her lights turned on I sped off towards my house ready for the night ahead of me. Lucas has been over a few times, mainly on nights my mom and brother go out, or work and sports come up. But I'm not complaining, things are perfect when he's over, I feel safe and protected when he's around. I trust him and I can't imagine what life would be like if none of this happened. I unlocked the door to find him in my kitchen with his back turned. I took the opportunity to sneak up on him, "I can hear your keys jingling." He chuckled when I was only inches from jumping on him. I groaned and sat on the counter beside him, admiring as his muscled ripple from his forearms up to his back as he cut down on the counter. "Peanut butter and jellies before the pool!" I cheered like a 6-year-old. "Cheers." He held up half the sandwich toasting my own as we ate happily in silence. "Ineedtochange." I mumbled with my mouth full of food. He smiled nodding his head. "Babe where are the towels?" He called as I slipped on my deep emerald green bikini. "Right here." I peered around the corner while he pulled his hoodie over his bare chest. "Damn." He breathed searching my body with his light orbs. "Don't do that." I looked down embarrassed. "Do what?" He strode over to me lifting my chin.
"Don't look at me like that."
"What are you talking about. They're my eyes, you look delicious." He chuckled. I kept my eyes to the floor. My anxiety levels raised slowly like the sound of a kettle on the burner of a stove. "I hate it." I muttered under my breath.
"Why? You know what, don't answer that. I say you look amazing." He kissed my cheek and held me closely. "Okay, Okay." I giggled as he trailed his kisses towards my neck. "I found your sweet spot." He whispered pulling back and holding my hands. I smiled down at the floor still too shy to look up. "If it makes you feel any better you can wear my shirt in the pool." He suggested wrapping me in a towel as we headed outside. "No thanks. You need something to sleep in, I can't let you freeze to death." I slid the glass door shut. "I mean you could just turn off your fan. Or cuddle with me." He shurgged his shoulders innocently. I laughed removing the towel and sliding into the rather warm crystal-like water. "Cannon ball!" He screamed flipping over me and splashing a giant wave through now bubbly pool. The splash of the water seemed to echo constantly in my ears. I heard Lucas' voice fading as my mind drifted away to the vivid memory of Tristan's party.
Flashback:
Reilly and I laughed hysterically as music blared around us, vibrating cups scattered the floor of his house. Parker and his girlfriend comfortably made out on the couch in the living room, Toby was playing beer pong. Rose was off talking to some hot badass in the corner. Liana was out wasted on the dance floor busting out the clingiest moves known to mankind. Hunter was at the bottom of the stairs responsibly watching over his dispersed friends, being the designated driver. Rain and I poured what seemed to be our 7th cup of rum punch when a piercing scream overthrew the pulsing music and shook the windows. Stumbling outside the crowd of drunken teens stood frozen as Hunter dove into the pool retrieving a body. My medical instinct was aching to help, but knowing how drunk I was I probably couldn't even swim let alone perform CPR. The victims long stick straight brunette locks stuck to his head as his body lay there, unmoving. He looked frozen in time. Some rude gremlins pulled out their phones making videos and taking pictures while others muttered amongst themselves. Reilly whipped out her own cellular device calling the cops. Hunter pumped his chest with full force at a steady pace praying for our friend to wake up. Harley stood there in shock as Tristan's lifeless body rested at her feet.
Rosealine breathed into his mouth every couple of seconds shaking vigorously. Tears dropped from her red swollen eyes as sirens escalated in the distance.
"Allison. Wake up!" Lucas shook my shoulders roughly as I sat on the edge of the pool. I snapped my gaze up to meet his illuminated face. I wiped my eyes letting the pool water drench my face. "We don't have to do this, we can just sit inside watching ,lives like we do." He softly placed my hair behind my ear. "I didn't think this would happen. I'm sorry." I quietly sobbed leaning into his wet chest. "Shhhh. It's okay. It's all going to be okay." He hushed lifting me out of the pool. I cried softly and quietly as he placed me on the lounge chair, soon returning with two bottles of water and extra towels. "Hey, look at me." He said moments later.
I finally stopped crying and we had been laying there with only towels covering out half naked bodies. The pool lights illustrated a light cool blue upon our faces. I sat up to look him in the eyes. "It's okay to mourn. Things won't get better all at once, some things will trigger you and hurt like hell." He held my cheek with one hand. Staring back and forth in my eyes with this longing look. My body felt warm against his. I felt the tough of his hands on my face and every nerve in my body felt like exploding. "But you'll make it through. Because no matter what happens your stuck with me, whether you want to disappear or run away. Whether you want to conquer the world or end it all I'm going to be by your side for every moment. I love you." He finished leaning his forehead against mine.
In that moment everything around me imploded into trillions of pieces, the cool tones of light around me felt like magic sparks, I kisses him slowly letting every emotion inside of me pour out. I felt free. Unburdened. Hopeful. The world was crashing down, and it was all Perfect.
"I love you." I smiled wrapping my arms around him.