Sparks and Hearts

Jaw-Dropping

''Well, I gotta hand it to you, this was a great idea,'' I mumbled, soaking up the heat in the steam room.

''One of my best, we both needed it.'' She agreed.

We sat in comfortable silence, and I couldn't help but close my eyes, almost falling asleep a few times. Until mum cleared her throat, making me give her eye contact.

''Did you know you left your phone last night? After you'd gone, I saw you'd left it on the counter.''

''Oh yeah, I just went out for a while wanting some fresh air and some silence,'' I answered.

''I've never known you not to have it when you go out; it's unlike you to forget it.'' She questioned.

''Oh, yeah, I must have forgotten to pick it up.''

''And, by the way, I didn't get a chance to tell you as you went straight upstairs until morning that Officer Cade came over about an hour and a half after you left.'' Her revelation made me choke on my sip of water.

''Did he? What did he want?'' I questioned, trying to sound not bothered.

''I'm not sure he only asked where you were. I figured he wanted to speak to you.''

''How did he seem?'' I hesitantly asked.

''He was pleasant enough, but he seemed a little put out when I told him you left your phone here and went out.''

Shit

''Did he say anything else?''

''No, he left pretty much as soon as I finished talking.''

''Oh.''

''Is whatever's wrong had something to do with him? You've been hanging out recently, so I wondered if you and him were-''

''Something or nothing, mum, but don't worry, I'm alright,'' I assured, smiling softly back at her. ''Anyways, enough of that, I think my pores have been purged enough in this heat; what say we head for the ice shower? Before I fall asleep in here and be found looking like shrivelled up pancake tomorrow morning?'' I suggested.

''Good idea.''

By the poolside, I relished in the calming atmosphere, the spa music, the gentle lapping of the pool water, the soft comfort of the lounge chair, making me sink ever deeper into relaxation. Forgetting my problems and focusing on enjoying the present moment, moments like these helped me reflect on life and be grateful for everything I had. But, before long, my mind soon wandered back to Barricade as it always did these days, like he bound his way into every fibre of me and I was far too tangled to be unravelled; I felt the sting of tears in my eyes. You're stuck inside my head, and I would rather think of anything instead. It's you. It's always you.

Sucking in a deep breath and counting down from ten did I only allow a single tear to fall before I launched myself off the chair, diving into the deep end of the pool, knowing only too well it wasn't the only thing I had fallen deeply into.

After being pampered from head to toe, my soothed muscles and soft baby skin left me feeling much better than I had the past few days, if only I could do this every day. I sat on an open balcony, a gentle breeze made the afternoon heat comfortable, and fresh fruit juice and healthy dining were perfect. Everything felt perfect, yet as I sat with my eyes closed, enjoying the sun on my face, a feeling washed over me, I could sense it, being watched, once again the centre of someone's attention. 

Through steady breaths, I grounded myself, not to panic or react, and when I was ready, I opened my eyes, the brightness of sunlight stung as I scanned the area. No one was nearby, our balcony was empty, and the surrounding grounds lay almost bear with only a few guests passed out after a hard day pampering on the deck. No one was watching, and yet I felt their presence, I knew they were there, and I had a feeling who.