The Best Thing for Me

by Lauren Jackson

  "And I might ask her out."

  "That would be good for her." I nodded, smiling encouragingly. "And for you."

  "Mm."

  "Sorry about the slap too. But I needed to do something to help defuse this anger I have inside me towards you. Are we good now?"

  "Yeah," he sighed, rubbing his cheek, giving me a look. "That actually really hurt."

  I laughed, feeling quite proud of myself. "Oh well. Just think about that next time you want to cross Emma Ross."

  He rolled his eyes. "Duly noted."

  I lightly punched his shoulder. "Okay, well I'll see you around, Chase."

  "As to you, Emma."

  We had one last smile with each other, before I spun on my heel and jogged back up the beach. I didn't stop running until I was near the swimming pool. (Which was quite a far trek, I'll tell you that much!) My sides were burning, my chest aching and my breath was coming out in short, fast pants. I could feel myself begin to work up a sweat.

  I saw tanned arms, furiously beating down on the water. Encouraging cheers were chanting all around me. I planted my hands on my hips, trying to regain my breath. The hand slapped onto the touch pad and cheers erupted throughout the crowd. I raised my eyebrows, looking around. Now that I took notice, there were a lot of people here.

  I saw Jason's bare back, climb out of the water and he did a hair flick, which was all I needed to trigger me off again. I took off at a sprint towards him. He was being clapped on the back by his fellow team members. They all began jumping all over each other, laughing and yelling out, high fiving him.

  "And this year, the North Coast Marlins have taken the Championships!" the man on the microphone boomed, causing a loud cheer come from the members of our school. I didn't break my stride until I was about a couple of meters from him.

  He turned, his eyes widening upon seeing me. I didn't give him any warning before I propelled myself forward. My feet left the ground and my body crushed to his. He staggered backwards from the impact of my body, smashing into his, but he kept his footing. Which was a good thing. It would have been terribly embarrassing if we had fallen over in front of everyone.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck, not caring one little bit, that he was dripping wet and I was sweaty. I looked straight into his ultra, bright, blue orbs intently, searching his eyes for any hint of emotion he was feeling.

  Man up, Emma. You can do this. Say it.

  "You too love I!" I blurted out.

  The words left my lips and I frowned. We both stood there in an awkward silence, neither knowing what to say.

  Great.

  Of course I would say the wrong words.

  "Er- I mean... I... wait a second... that didn't sound right." I mumbled, furrowing my eyebrows together.

  He laughed, catching me by surprise. His grip tightened around me as laughter began to shake his body. "Trust you to stuff that up, Emma."

  I laughed along with him, rolling my eyes at my own stupidity. "What I was meant to say is, I love you. I love you so much, Jason."

  The smile dropped from his face and he looked at me seriously. The corners of his mouth twitched as I saw happiness flood his features and flash in his eyes. "I love you too."

  "I promise you, I will never let anything ever come between us again." I began, rambling, my words coming out fast. "I know I stuffed up, more than once, but I ensure you-"

  I was abruptly cut off as he lips locked against mine. I felt electricity immediately spike through my veins, through my body and down to the tips of my toes. Our lips moved in synchronisation. I tasted the chlorine from the pool on his lips, but I didn't care. I secured my arms tighter around him, making sure I wouldn't never let him leave again.

  "I love you, I love you, I love you." I mumbled onto his lips, hardly breaking the kiss. "So much, Jason."

  "I love you too." he said again, against my lips.

  I broke, reeling back slightly and staring up into his eyes. I was panting still from my run, but from the intensity of that short, fast kiss. "Oh and congrats."

  He chuckled, smirking. His smirk soon dropped as his eyes wandered over my neck. His mouth fell open in shock.

  "Um, what the hell is on your neck?" he ground out, tilting my head back and examining it more closely.

  I pulled away. "I'll tell you later."

  "Who did this?" he demanded. "I'll kill them."

  "He's already dead." I replied, the words flying out of my mouth without me even realising. I slapped my hand to my mouth. Crap! That sounded so insensitive!

  Jason opened his mouth to retort but it died on his lips. He gaped at me for a few moments, trying to gather what I was saying to him. I kept my face neutral as I tried to force the images of his eyes... his body and the sounds of the screams out of my head.

  "What?" was the genius response he came up with.

  "Daniel's father." I whispered. "He threatened to kill me. The cops shot him before he could."

  Jason's face paled at the word 'shot'. "Oh my God..."

  "I know."

  "Jason my man!" Alex, one of Jason's fellow team mates burst out, interrupting our little, deep and meaningful. "You're a legend man. Shaved three seconds off our best time!"

  A proud smirk came over his face. "Yeah, well..."

  Alex clapped him on the back and turned, giving me the thumbs up. I smiled politely back and he jogged away.

  "Look, let's just celebrate your victory now, and talk about what happened later, okay? I don't want to ruin your big moment."

  "Okay. This is really serious, but okay." He sighed, shaking his head and running a hand through his water filled hair. I bit my lip, my eyes almost beginning to water again. I was soon distracted as a wicked grin spread across Jason's face and I felt a sense of worry creep up my back. "Guess what?"

  "What...?" I asked, hesitantly.

  "You're up."

  "Huh?"

  He answered me non verbally, but physically. In doing this, he propped me up onto his shoulder. I gasped in alarm as I was hauled over him. He walked me over to this shed, located off a little way from the pool, with a bunch of inflatable toys. He gently lowered me down to my feet and I stared at him in confusion.

  Calmly, he picked up a ring and struck it over my head, and down my body. I gasped at it. I began wriggling and realisation dawned on me.

  I couldn't get out.

  He smirked at me before turning and casually walking away.

  "JASON!" I burst out angrily.

  "Oh and..." he said, glancing over his shoulder, smirking proudly as I was furiously flailing, trying to get this thing off me. "Last one back to your house makes dinner."

  My mouth dropped open as he gave me a dirty smirk. He spun on his heel and took off at a sprint, heading straight for the car park. I just knew he would take the car and make me walk home. It wasn't that far, but still! How unfair. I glared angrily after him, my eyes practically shooting laser beams into his back.

  No way, was he getting away with that again!

  60

  Melanie Stewart

  "GET IT OUT OF ME!" I screeched, throwing my head back and gripping viciously at the bed sheets. The nurse beside me rubbed a cool cloth across my forehead, banishing some of the sweat that hard formed.

  Oh.

  My.

  God.

  I wanted Courtney out of me. Now. I had been in ten hours labour, (kill me) and all I wanted was for her to be out of me. I wanted to be in peace. A ragged scream tore from my throat and my breathing was getting heavier and heavier by the second.

  "You're okay Mel," Emma said from my side, rubbing my sweat-coated arm in comfort. "Almost there."

  "Better me," I muttered, followed by some colourful profanities.

  She squeezed me gently. I know it was probably horrible for her, but I was so glad she was here. Mum was here too, but she was helping actually deliver the baby. (Like talking with the doctor and everything). Dad is out with Em's family. Luke is here with me as well, of course, which
is good.

  "Just think about something else, if you can." she suggested, giving me a small smile. "Think about anything else but the pain."

  I couldn't reply. Words failed me and I threw my head back again, glaring up forcefully at the ceiling. My breath was coming out in short fast pants and my chest was heaving. My insides felt like they were exploding.

  I focused on trying to even out my breathing, but I couldn't. The contractions were getting stronger and closer together.

  "Just remember, in and out, breathe," the nurse said in a calm soothing voice. I grabbed her arm and yanked it down, digging my nails into her skin. She yelped out in pain and Luke quickly hurried over, relieving the poor girl. He removed my arm from her and tightly held my hand.

  "Take the pain out on me." he murmured. "Instead of the innocent nurse who is trying to help you."

  If I wasn't practically dying, I would have laughed. I didn't need any further encouragement. I saw his face flash with pain and I gripped his hand. Hard. He probably had loss of blood flow, I was holding on that tight. Emma's hand kept rubbing my arm. Just her touch was soothing, but not soothing enough.

  He leaned forward so that his forehead was resting on my sweaty one. I felt and probably looked absolutely terrible. I don't think I have ever sweated so much in my entire life. My breathing was ragged and I felt so out of breath.

  He kissed the edge of my mouth and kept his face close to mine. I stared into his eyes, seeing so much love there that it was consuming me. I went to smile at him, but stomach stabbed with pain. I groaned loudly, reeling my head back.

  The pain was almost unbearable.

  "Push, Melanie, push!" The nurse said to me, under the Doctor's commands. I couldn't help notice that she began absently rubbing the marks I had inflicted on her. I made a mental note to apologise, when I wasn't so... preoccupied.

  "I CAN'T PUSH ANYMORE!" I bellowed out, my anger, hurt and frustration pouring out in every single word. I was defeated and exhausted. I wanted this pain to stop. I just wanted to go home, shower and sleep for a couple of days.

  "A little harder..." she urged.

  I felt it.

  Her.

  Courtney.

  My screams then continued to echo around the small, hospital room as I gave birth to my baby girl, Courtney Emma Ross.

  FIVE YEARS LATER

  Emma Ross

  I gazed silently out at the waves that continuously rolled in. I inhaled a deep, salty breath which inflated my lungs. I brought my steaming cup of coffee to my lips and took a tentative sip, concluding in saying; "Ahh."

  I rolled my lips into my mouth as I just watched the waves, tumble around and smooth out, before tumbling again. The glow of the sunset shone over the entire sand, lighting it up as though someone had planted a light bulb over the ocean. So, last time I checked in with you guys, was when I said my first ever, 'I love you' to Jason. Or should I say, 'You too love I'? How embarrassing. I shook my head, feeling the corners of my mouth tug up at the memory.

  I was currently in my third year at University. I was studying to become a Primary School teacher. I ended up doing a week at a school for work experience, when I was back in high school and absolutely fell in love with the idea of working with kids.

  So, that's what I did.

  I was still with Jason, of course. He has recently, well, not exactly recently, this is his second year, but he opened up his own Personal Training business. It is going really well at the moment. He was even fitter than he was in high school now. Hot to trot, much?

  Melanie's wedding had been perfect, as everyone knew it would be. I had been Maid of Honour and loved every second of it. I got over my crowd shyness, well, for one night and did an embarrassing speech for her. We had done the 'I Do' part on the beach, outside their house. Well, their old house. They moved to a new, bigger place for their family. The day had been absolutely beautiful. Blue skies, white puffy clouds and the wind wasn't a bother.

  (We had to have it in the morning, so that the weather would be appropriate, but we had the reception at the R.S.L in town. We funked it all up and made the place look really nice. All in all, the day had been perfect. We have some amazing photos from it, which was plastered all around my place).

  Luke and her were happily married, (it still sounded weird to think, after all these years) and were living with their current only child, Courtney. I had been in there when she was born and it had been the most horrifying thing I have ever seen in my life.

  Have you ever seen someone give birth?

  I had so desperately wanted to help out in any way I could. She had looked like she was in so much pain, but what could I do? I still to this day, remember her screams as Courtney came out. Goose bumps formed on my skin at the memory. A shudder ran down my back just at the thought of giving birth. Which, in my current situation, probably wasn't the best thing. Oh, I forgot to mention... I'm also pregnant. I only broke the news to Jason last week. I smiled to myself and felt my hand automatically reach for my stomach. (It was still flat, but still).

  I know twenty three is still a young age to be a mother, but it wasn't planned. I had been scared to tell Jason, but it was like Christmas had come early for him. He had been jumping all over the house, picked me up, swung me around and concluded his achievement with a back flip. (Funny story actually - he slipped over and hit his head. He was in a fair bit of pain, but it was pretty funny to witness, I must admit).

  But yeah, so I was one month along.

  Mum was so happy. She practically rushed me out of the house straight away to buy baby clothes and all that stuff, but with Dad, it was a different story. I think he had been okay with the whole, Luke and Mel thing, because Luke was a guy. I think having his 'baby girl' be pregnant, was a lot different to him. He was not impressed that I had fallen pregnant before I had finished University. Also, before I had gotten married. Ever since we were kids, he always told us to be married before we have kids.

  Now, both his children have become pregnant, before that. (Well, Luke and Mel got married before Courtney was born, so I guess that worked out). It wasn't like we were being rebellious it just well... happened.

  Oh and yeah, (goodness, I have so much to catch you guys up on), my parents got remarried. They didn't have a big wedding obviously, but we went to a small park, which was quite nice.

  The grass had been bright green, the sky clear and there was a little stream that ran down the side of the park. It was a really lovely venue. We kept it just the family and the Officiate. (The person who married my Dad and Mum. Well... remarried).

  So together, they were happy and I was getting along really well with Mum now. We were all one, big happy family. It was a shame we weren't like this when we were all living in the one house, but it was better than nothing. We go over for dinners all the time though, so that was really nice.

  A cool wind swept over my body and I wrapped my arms around myself, in some sort of hug, to keep some of my warmth contained inside of me. I lifted my cup, took one last sip, draining it, before with a sigh, I turned back. I began my trek back to the house. I had been conflicting myself over an unresolved issue I haven't dealt with, for the last couple of days. This... situation, had been on my mind. I couldn't seem to stop thinking about it.

  Okay, so now, you probably think I'm crazy, but I want to go see Daniel.

  He is still in jail for attempted rape. I haven't seen, spoken or heard about him ever since the day his father died in my arms. (Well, we've talked about him a little, but definitely not in the past couple of years). The memory still haunted me and still to this day, I found myself unable to sleep some nights.

  Those eyes... being drained of life... the image was burned into my memory. I know I will never forget it. I don't think I will ever really move on, unless I go talk to him. Even if the visit doesn't go well, I still want to try, you know? That's it, my decision is made.

  I'm going to go see Daniel.

  Jason was not happy with my decision, at al
l. But, it was more about me then him right now, which he understood. He wanted to come with me, but his schedule was pretty busy these upcoming weeks, so I just told him I'd be fine to go on my own.

  I hope I will be, anyway.

  "Are you sure?" he asked me for the umpteenth time, gripping my shoulders as if his life depended on it. Worry flashed across his eyes and he intently searched my face for answers. "You don't have to go..."

  "Yes I do." I said, looking up at him, showing him my determination. "This needs to be dealt with."

  He cupped my face with the palms of his hands and tilted my head so that our foreheads touched. Our breaths mingled together and our noses brushed by each other. His fingers stroked my cheeks and I loved the swirling feeling I still got in my stomach at his touch.

  "I just don't want you and our baby being injured." he reasoned, his lips merely touching mine, which had me practically begging for him to close the teasing and kiss me properly. I restrained myself though as we needed to discuss the important matter at hand.

  "He will not be able to touch me," I assured him.

  "I know, but I'm still worried." he mumbled, looking more adorable then ever. I loved when he was concerned over me. Also, I loved it when he got protective over our baby. I don't know what it was, but seeing him so protective... it made him that bit more attractive. (If that is even possible).

  I closed the distance between us and gently pressed my lips to his. They moved together for a few moments, before I reluctantly pulled back.

  "I'll text you when I get there." I whispered.

  "I love you."

  "And I love you." I smiled, pecking his lips once more, before turning. I stared at the front door for a few moments, inhaling deeply. I took a second to mentally prepare myself for what I was about to put myself through. I took one step forward.

  If I didn't force myself to go now, I never would.

  I stepped inside, instantly feeling a chill creep up my skin, causing all the hairs on my arms to stand. My mouth felt dry. I gulped, trying to regain saliva back in my mouth. The bars seemed to send off vibrations of cold, emotionless feelings that seemed to suffocate me. The place smelled disgusting and made a shudder run down my spine. I cleared my throat as I walked up to the man behind the desk.