By July

Chapter 10 - Confrontations on the sea

(Can we all just take a moment of silence to admire those beautiful abs? ....... Okay that's good;) )

Song to listen to while you read ;)

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My eyes slowly fluttered open like the wings of a newly born monarch, bright and hesitant for what was in store.

I was rocking back and forth, slowly and smoothly, a feeling that soothed my clouded head. Where was I? What was going on?

I looked around at my surroundings. I was lying atop a hammock, the woven netting made out of a thick and sturdy rope. I ran my fingers over its creamy colored braiding. I sat up and peered around. I was on a dock; wooden flooring decorated with ivory and navy blue furnishings that gave off a nautical vibe. The sound of a motor and water was audible from around and I soon realized that I was onboard a boat...in the middle of the bay. I got off the hammock and walked to the railing, looking over at the brackish, and terrifying, aqua that swayed below.

Oh no, this is bad! Not only am I stuck as a prisoner- but a prisoner on a boat?! First I nearly drown and now this! Could it get any worse?! I thought to myself in alarm.

I began pacing back and forth, trying to recall what might or has happened. The last thing I remember was walking down the docks... and then I ran into someone...oh my! I nearly drowned! And those eyes! But then I passed out... and here I am.

I continued to walk back and forth, deep in thought, interrogating my subconscious as to what to do. I looked down at my attire; all I wore were undergarments and a fluffy white robe. Who did this to me, and where are my clothes?

Flustered, nervous, and frustrated, I sat down on the hammock, placing my head in my hands.

Right before I blacked out I saw those periwinkle eyes. I knew those eyes, but from where? They were permanently imprinted in my memory. And then it hit me- I knew those eyes.

I heard footsteps and I lifted my head, my hazel ones meeting the owner of those periwinkle orbs.

"Julien," I said, my voice just above a whisper.

He hesitantly walked in, a loose white button down shirt lazily draped on his tall frame, and sat down on a small chair a couple feet away from me.

He looked scared- nervous even- and he licked his lips and cleared his throat,"You remember me?" he said lowly and my face grew hot.

No, even though you happened to be my first kiss, but who's even paying attention...

This was embarrassing,"Um yeah, I mean how could I forget, you were my first kiss-" I blurted and slapped my across my mouth. Hello! What was I doing? And was he serious? You don't just kiss a girl, sweep her off her feet, and expect her to forget about it after a couple of hours!

He swallowed hard,"I'm usually a forgettable looking person," he muttered and avoided eye contact.

Forgettable looking person? Did he own a mirror? It was an enigma to me how such a striking human being couldn't see his own appearance and how beautiful it was.

I sighed and broke the awkward stillness,"Thank you for saving my life," I stated nonchalantly. He chuckled,"I was the reason you almost lost it- I'm hardly one to thank," he said, his smile reaching the rest of his face.

I grinned shyly," But you didn't." I said and he shrugged. "Life is a precious thing, thank you for making sure mine is safe," I said thanking him, yet his smile seemed to evaporate and his eyes grew dark.

"Life is not a precious thing Sofia. We are put on this Earth because of wants. We live because we want to, make a living because we want to be accepted, eat because we want to survive. You have a choice- life isn't precious. It's disposable at your leisure." He snapped and I gasped inside.

Okay so that was a touchy subject... I had to admit that I was a bit confounded by his sudden outburst, yet his opinion is his opinion and I have to respect that.

Carefully dodging that topic, I became a bit addled by the fact that my previous attire had disappeared and I sported a robe. "Where are my clothes?" I inquired and his sculpted cheeks turned crimson.

"They were soaked so I had Mrs. Smyth put them in the dryer," he said and I nodded.

Oh.

"Who's that?" I questioned with curiosity.

He sat up in his seat,"She's our maid and housekeeper. Normally she stays at our manor but I wanted to go out on the yacht today and my parents thought it would be best if she was here to look after me." He explained and I smiled.

Wait a second...

"So did she undress me- or did you?" I said while arching my eyebrow at him.

He gulped and another blush crept up his face, answering my question with that simple .

"I-I did," he embarrassed,"But don't worry I didn't do...anything," he said hesitating on the last word.

I giggled at his stiffness, his eyes lightening and his brows furrowed at my amusement. "Okay, and thank you. For drying my clothes and for not doing...anything," I giggled at the last word.

I honestly don't think I'd mind if he had, as inappropriate as that may sound. He was a very handsome person and I was just a simple and facile teenage girl. My subconscious scolded me for my incongruous behavior, her eyes narrowing at me from behind her thick brimmed glasses.

I looked at the sky, hues of custard, amber, and violet infusing into a dewy fog amongst the setting sun. The day had entirely slipped through my fingers.

"Are you hungry?" He asked with disquiet. The last thing I had eaten was at the café this morning; a glass of milk and and cherry pie- ironic, especially now since I was here with the person who held a significance to the dessert.

I hadn't noticed the fact that my stomach ached for something to eat, but since he was offering,"Yes a bit." I admitted and he rose, holding out a hand for me to take.

I placed mine in his, and I felt the familiar tingles rushing through my body. He inhaled sharply and his eyes widened as he looked at my hand and up to my hazel perception.

He swallowed hard, his Adam's Apple bobbing in his throat and with a husky voice he averred,"Come, let me show you around."