by Ivy Kovacs
She was devastated when she heard about what happened to us. Seb and her made sure that I'd get the best doctor around and they hosted me after the accident. They even hired a nurse to stay with me for a few weeks after I was sent home from the hospital. I was thankful for their help now, but a few months ago I was angry at them for not letting me die with mom. I lost a lot of blood and the chances that I'd heal properly were very low.
I had two glasses of wine and my head was already hurting. – I think I'm gonna head to bed now. – I stated and she didn’t comment. I walked upstairs to my room and lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. They had a fully furnished bedroom for me in case I'd want to move here. I'd love to live here but not with these conditions. We agreed that they'd help nana out if there would be anything we need but other than that I would live with her.
Someone knocked at the door. – Come in. – I said and glanced towards it.
- Are you okay? – Dylan peeked inside. I lay on my forearm and nodded. He walked inside and closed the door behind him. – I'm sorry that I yelled at you in the car. – He sat down on the bed and I scooted upper and crossed my legs.
- I'm sorry for hurting you. It wasn't my intention. – I replied quietly.
- I've never been in a situation like this. – He said and looked at me. – Have you...? –
- I've had a boyfriend last year. Nothing serious, we just dated for a couple of months. – I replied honestly and thought about the time when mom was arguing with me every day for coming home late because we spent the days on the beach with my friends. That was when I got together with Jake. He was one of Mia's friends and after hanging out a few times he kissed me. I ended things between us three months later because I hated how much he smoked and how aggressive and jealous he was.
- Cool. – He scratched the back of his head.
- Listen... – I began and looked into his eyes. They were so blue even in this crappy lighting. – Why don't we get to know each other first? We could hang out after school or on weekends. – I shrugged.
- That sounds good. – He gave me a soft smile and I smiled back at him.
- But I'm warning you if you act like a jerk, I'll never speak to you again. – I teased even though I was serious. I hated his mood swings and he had to know that.
- Yes, Miss. – He agreed.
- Good. – I said with a serious face and leaned against the bed frame.
- Why don't we start right now? – He asked looking at me. – You can ask me a question that I have to answer truthfully and I can ask you one. –
- Alright. – I grabbed a pillow and placed it on my lap. – How many girls have you been with? – Straight to the point, Grace.
- Sexually? I'd say over fifty. – His honesty shocked me and I was sure he heard the small gasp that escaped my mouth, because he looked down like he was ashamed. – How long did you date that guy? –
- Three months. – I answered. – Have you ever considered dating before? –
- I have. –
- Before me. – I added.
- Then I haven't. – He replied. – Is it true that you've been touched before? – His question reminded me of Madison's stupid game last week. I had to say yes even though my answer was only partly true.
- It is... – I looked down and fiddled with the pillow.
- I'm sorry if I overstepped... –
- Not it's okay. I should probably be honest with you. – I took a deep breath. – Back in Florida, I had a best friend. He and I grew up together, we went to the same school and hung out all the time. He was probably my first love... – I looked down at the pillow again. – He confused me all the time. He acted like he cared about me and the next second he made fool of me in front of the whole class. –
- Jerk. – He added.
- That's the thing... even though he was a jerk I always let him back into my heart. – I looked up at him. – I thought that we could be together in the future and have this epic love... everyone around us said we'd be the perfect couple. – I smiled half-heartedly and looked down again.
– Then one day when we were on a class trip, he walked up to me and asked how I was. He knew I trusted him and he decided to use it against me... – Dylan was hanging on my words. – We were the only ones on the bus and I was talking to him about my dad when he asked me out of nowhere if he could grab my boobs under my shirt. Obviously, I said no but he kept going on about it. I fought him but he was stronger and his hands slid under my shirt... – I paused for a second. - I never told anyone about it. I didn't even realize it was a sexual assault for years after it happened. – I looked at Dylan again and waited for him to say something.
- I'm so sorry, Grace. – He grabbed my hand. – I wish I could break his hand for what he did to you. I'm not a good guy either but I would never use someone else's trust to do something like this. –
- It's alright. I've had worse things happen to me, remember? – I reminded him with a dark smile and he shook his head pulling me into his arms.
- I'll never let anyone treat you like that. It doesn't matter if we are together or not. – He whispered and gently stroked my hair. His chest smelled the same as it did when we slept together for the first time. Well, I slept and he stayed to watch me.
- I think you owe an answer to my question. – I said quietly and he let go of my head so I pulled away from him. Our eyes immediately found each others. – Do you think this could work? –
- I don't know. – He replied quietly and looked at my lips, licking his own. I'd love to know what he thought about me in moments like this. Did he feel the electricity too?
Every time he touched my skin, I shivered like I was on the North Pole. Though my body reacted like I was cold, his touch warmed me. Whenever he looked into my eyes I felt like he read into my soul. I've never felt this way before. Not with Jake. Not with Adam, whom I considered my first love.
He gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and his hand brushed against my cheek. I closed my eyes and rested my head in his hand, enjoying his delicate touch. – I don't think this how we should keep things slow. – He whispered. His hot breath brushed my skin.
- It isn't. – I opened my eyes and looked into his. I wanted him to kiss me. I needed it.
He leaned closer and my lips automatically parted, ready to receive his. But instead, he left a small peck on my cheek. How much encouragement did he need to do this?
He lay down on the bed, resting his back against the headboard, and wrapped his arms around me. I cuddled up to him and enjoyed his caress on my shoulder.
It seemed like minutes had passed when I looked up at the clock. 11.26 pm. I carefully lifted my head to glance at Dylan and saw that he was deep asleep. I giggled quietly at the way he snored and tucked us under my blanket, before I positioned myself back on his chest and closed my eyes.
twenty-four
I've suffered through the worst things in life. I lost my father before even getting to know him, I almost died in a car accident and I lost my mother... all in eighteen years.
This year I was diagnosed with depression, PTSD, panic disorder, and anxiety disorder. The medicines I was taking have been helping me a lot. Without them, I'd be having breakdowns multiple times a day. My doctor prescribed me the highest amount of medication because less wasn’t enough. Last week, after Dylan and I talked things through I tried only taking half the amount of medication and I haven't had any side effects.
My uncle took me for a session with my psychologist this weekend and it went better than expected. He was very pleased to hear that I've cut my dosage in half (even without his permission). He opposed the idea of a relationship because if he’d break my heart, my mental condition could get worse than it was after the accident. Of course, this triggered my anxiety.
It was Friday today and we've only been texting this week. The fall exams were in less than two weeks so I've been crazy busy studying. But not today.
Dylan told me to pack a bag for the weekend b
ecause he wanted to take me somewhere. I had no idea where he wanted to go, but he said 'pack warm clothes and snacks'.
After school, I rushed home to pack a bag and took a shower before Dylan would pick me up. Thanks to daylight saving, it was getting dark at around six instead of eight. Nana made us food although I told her not to. She really liked Dylan. My godparents too, which made everything easier. I really thought that they would despise him for being this tattooed bad guy who skipped school and played with girls, but that was not the case in our story.
I packed the book I was reading at the moment in case things would get boring. I was tying my hair up into a ponytail when Dylan honked outside. I grabbed my bag and my coat and walked downstairs. Grandma was already standing outside, having a conversation with Dylan.
- I'm pretty sure we won't need this much food but nana insisted. – I patted the large bag in my hand.
- You never know. – Nana replied pinching my cheek and I pursed my lips slightly.
- We should get going before the sun settles. – Dylan took the bags from me and placed them inside the trunk.
- I'll be home tomorrow. – I hugged her tightly as if I was moving away again.
- Be careful and have fun, okay? – She smiled brightly. – I love you so much, Gracie. –
- I love you too. – I squeezed her hand and waved after I got inside the car.
- Are you ready, Gracie? – Dylan put the car in reverse.
- Call me Gracie one more time and I swear I'll kill you. – I threatened seriously and he laughed. We were on the road for a solid twenty minutes when I turned down the volume. – Are you going to tell me where we're going? – I turned my head sideways to see his.
- Curious George. – He grinned and I rolled my eyes.
- Alright, I'll just check my phone to see where we are. –
- Okay, okay. – He said grabbing my phone and putting it next to him. – We're going to Lake Lanier. –
- Lake Lanier? – I raised my eyebrows and he nodded in response.
- Your grandma told me you loved fishing with your grandpa. – He looked at me for a split second before turning his look back on the road.
- I don't really remember that. I was little and he left when I was six anyway. – I shrugged.
- Well, I used to go fishing with my dad all the time when we lived in Spain. –
- I'm sorry. – I lowered my voice and looked at him. I kept forgetting that his life hadn’t been easy either and it was very selfish of me.
- You know that I don't care, right? – He glanced at me again for a second.
- I know... But maybe you should. –
- And why? –
- Because... it's your mom we're talking about. I know she's been horrible to you but look at me. I lost my mother months ago and I'll never be fully healed. – I looked at the boy next to me with hope in my eyes. I didn't know what I was hoping for... Maybe that I'd be able to change his view of life for the better. – Nothings ever too broken to be fixed. –
- Grace. – He placed his hand on my thigh and my body immediately responded with that tingling feeling. – I know you are trying to help, but you can't. Not in this. – I kept staring at his hand on my thigh before I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded warily. I didn't want to force him to do anything but I knew his relationship with his mother could be fixed.
I was distracted by his hand on my body and I only looked up when he took it off me. He parked down in a large field next to the river. After I got out I looked around: there was a small house a few miles away from us.
- Are you okay? – He asked while opening the trunk.
- This is very peaceful. – I smiled, listening to the chirping birds. The weather wasn't too cold either which made it ideal.
- We should make the bed. –
I looked at him and raised my eyebrows. – Where? –
- Here. – He pointed inside his trunk.
- We're going to sleep in your trunk? –
- I got pillows and blankets to make it suitable. I didn't think you were a tent-kinda-girl. – He held back his laughter at my reaction and I rolled my eyes grabbing the pillows from him.
- What kind of girl am I then? – I threw the pillows inside the trunk and laid the blankets down to make our spot more convenient.
- A hot one. – As soon as he said it I looked back at him and saw him staring at my bum.
- You're a jerk. – I rolled my eyes agin and went back to making the 'bed'.
- At least I'm an honest jerk. – I knew he was grinning without having to see his face. By the time I made everything ready for the night he was already sitting by the water. I slammed the trunk door shut and walked behind him. – Do you eat fish? – He questioned looking at me and I shook my head. – I don't either. We're lucky your grandma made us food. – He smiled.
- Do you have a fishing pole? – I asked looking at him.
- How else would we fish? – He added sarcastically to mock me and when I pinched him he ran back to the car. A few moments later he walked back with his rod and placed his bait on the hook. After he threw it in we sat down in the grass and he placed his rod into its holder that he pushed down into the ground.
- This is very relaxing. – I watched the ripples on the water's surface. The sun was already going down even though it was just 4 pm.
- How is the dance going? – Dylan broke the silence after a few minutes.
- It's going well. I've taught most of the choreography to the girls but we still need to practice a lot. Debby wants everything to go perfectly. – I tore down a strand of grass and played with it.
- That sounds like Deb. – He added and kept watching the rod.
- How did you become friends? With Debby and the guys. – I was simply curious about how he formed such a large group of friends.
- I met James when I moved here. We went to the same school. Then he introduced me to Oliver and Cameron and later on we met Max. We hung out after school and played football together. Debby is Cameron's cousin so that's basically how I met her. – He looked over at me.
- I see. – I muttered and glared at the water.
- How about you? What's up with your friends from Florida? – He reclined on his elbows, lying on the grass.
- I've had a group of friends who I hung out with but Mia was my best friend since grade two. – I replied curtly even though I could probably talk more about the friends I've had back in Boca.
Mia had a few friends since she lived there her whole life so that was how we started our group. People kept coming and going but we always stayed.
- That's cool. –
- Yeah. – I nodded and kept thinking about my life back in Florida. I was a completely different person before the accident. I guess I was reborn into this new version of myself.
– You have a catch! – My eyes widened at the sight of the moving rod and Dylan immediately yanked it then carefully pulled the fish out.
- That's a nice one. – A male voice appeared behind us. I didn't notice him because I was busy focusing on the catch. There was a fifty-year-old man standing next to us. His hair was grey and his eyes were gorgeous blue. A beautiful dog was sniffling around him. I guessed it was his.
- Thank you, Sir. – Dylan replied politely and took the fish off the hook and released it back into the water. – Are you fishing too? –
- Ah no. I rather enjoy the landscape with my dogs. – He replied and two other dogs ran up to him. All of them were Bernese Mountain Dogs. I knew every dog breed because I begged my mom to get me a puppy for years.
– I live in a house a few miles away. – So the house I saw was a single house in the middle of nowhere and this man lived there with his three dogs. He probably had the most serene life.
- That's so cool. – I added smiling and he chuckled.
- It has its perks for sure but I have to travel a lot to go grocery shopping. A few years ago I started growing my own vegetables, herbs, and fruits. It makes things
a lot easier. – He explained.
- I'd love to live your life even for just a week. – I chuckled and he smiled. He seemed really nice and his dogs were so well trained!
- Where are you kids from? – He asked looking at us.
- Atlanta. – Dylan replied.
- I went to school in Atlanta. It's a lovely city. – He said looking into the air like he was watching a short flashback of his life. – Anyways, have fun kids. – He replied and turned around walking away.
- That was oddly the best thing that happened to me in months. – I said looking at Dylan.
- So meeting me wasn't the best? – He asked teasingly.
- Well no, because you were a jerk who spilled water all over me. – I folded my arms and pursed my lips.
- That was your fault. I was innocent. – He said throwing grass at me.
- Are you kidding? You're never innocent! – I ripped a handful of grass off and threw it back at him.
- I am. I could've made out with you the first time we met but I didn't. – He replied and my jaw dropped by his statement.
- That... that is not true. – I kept my arms folded in front of my chest and stuttered.
- I know how your body reacts to my touch. I've slept with many girls remember? – He commented and regretted what he said as soon as the words escaped his mouth. – I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way. – He began apologizing and I buried my face into my hands sniffling. – No, no, no. Grace I'm sorry! I'm such a dick. - He kneeled beside me and placed his hands on my back.
I looked up from my hands giggling. – You liar... – He frowned and I tackled him on the ground. I got on top of him and started tickling his sides. He was laughing unstoppably and his laugh cured every disease I’ve had.
I got lost in the thought of his smile and now I was the one tackled on the ground. I laughed hysterically and he kept teasing my sides.
- Okay! Okay! I give up! – I couldn’t stop laughing. I was the most ticklish person this world had ever seen.
