Bubble

Chapter 28

Emma and Will laid in the hammock in her backyard later in the day, and the sun was just beginning to set, casting an orangish glow over them. “I told you you’d figure it out,” Will told her, and Emma could feel the vibrations in his chest as he spoke, her head pressed into the nook of his shoulder. It was so peaceful, and Emma drew in a deep breath of fresh air. “I’m glad you did, that world saving stuff is a time sucker, and I’ve barely seen you all week,” he continued.

“Will!” Emma swatted his chest and began giggling at his comment. She couldn’t believe he was trying to be funny right now.

“What? I haven’t,” he told her innocently, but it just made her more hysterical. Will joined in on her chuckles as he began to tickle her already shaking frame.

“Will! Stop it!” she barely managed, gasping for air. Will relinquished her from the ‘torture’, and Emma collapsed trying to catch her breath, both of them still laughing.

Emma could hear their breathing eventually slow as they relaxed and watched the flaming sun sink below the horizon. The moon had already been up, but it began to grow brighter and brighter in the dimming night. Will lifted his finger and pointed to a spot in the navy sky to the left of the moon. “First star that’s out,” he whispered quietly. “I’ve looked for it every night since I came here.”

“I’ll beat you to it next time,” Emma joked, but she was silently worried that there wouldn’t be a next time if she and Abigail didn’t succeed. How many first stars did she have left? Despite her best efforts to conceal her emotions, Will must have seen the look in her eyes.

“E, you okay?” Emma nodded and muttered that she was fine, but once again, he saw right through her.

“Emma, come on. I know something is wrong.” She sighed at his persistence, but lost all determination to keep up a front when she caught the pleading expression on his features.

“I know we figured out the algorithm, but what if we can’t do it?” Tears stung at the corners of her eyes, but she tried her hardest to keep her composure. Emma could see Will’s jaw clench as he looked around and sighed, unsure how to answer her question.

“Emma, look at me,” he told her softly, tilting her chin up so she had no choice but to stare into his deep eyes, the bright moon reflecting in his pupils. “You are the most brilliant girl I’ve ever met. Gosh, the most brilliant girl in all of Nova Kai. You can do this. I know you can, and you will succeed.” Emma knew he was trying to reassure her, but she still was filled with doubt and fear.

“But the algorithm could be wrong or we might not make it there in time or our formula could destroy it or-”

Emma didn't get to finish her sentence because Will’s lips cut her off. Her train of thought, and all the worries that had been flooding her mind, instantly vanished as she was lost in the kiss. Will pulled her closer to him, and Emma sighed as his warm hands caressed the base of her neck. She ran her delicate fingers down his arms and savored the moment with him, soaking up all of the comfort he radiated.

They pulled apart too soon for Emma’s liking, but she couldn’t pout no matter how hard she tried. “That was a really nice way of getting me to stop talking...” she whispered, still breathless. Will smiled, and leaned forward to capture her lips with his once again. Emma was satisfied when they pulled apart the next time, and she rested her head on his chest. She listened to the thumping of his heartbeat, and let it lull her to sleep in his arms as they watched the velvet sky light up with stars.