Lux

Chapter Eight

 I woke up ridiculously early. It's understandabe considering the time I went to bed, though. Glancing at the clock, I saw it was only two-thirty in the morning. With a sigh, I climbed out of bed. Slippers were suddenly on my feet as I quielty stepped out into the hallway. The silence was eerie and strange as I snuck down the corridor towards the stairs. Within ten minutes I had made it to the main entrance, the door sliding open as I pushed it. The creaking sound broke the silence. Once outside, I rushed to find the garden I had spotted yesterday near the rear of the building.

 The crisp, cold air nipped at my nose as a cold breeze blew over the vacant field. A small light was shining only a few meters away, a sign that the garden gate was directly beneath it. As I got closer to the light, the wooden gate and tall brick wall around the silent oasis. The gate slowly opened, leading to the place of beauty. 

 Small lanterns bordered the pathways, slithering through the jungle of plants. Flowers, trees and bushes surrounded me as I walked forward. and towards the large, stone staircase. Flowers of all different colours filled the area. Colours from pink to yellow to white jumped out at me under the light of the lanterns. As I reached the end of the cobblestone path, the large staircase began. My feet took my up a few stairs before I sat down, gazing at the wonder before me. Trees hung in a small group at the rear of th garden, a small stream trickling down rugged rocks to create a small waterfall. As the stream carried on, it became a little pond, which was currently hidden by the trees.

 I sat in silence, my mind drifting off. Who had taken the time to plant all these flowers? Who in the right mind would build a gorgeous garden, just for it to be neglected by the students of the school? Maybe it was someone with the 'green thumb'. Was that even a real power? Was someone at this school for the supernatural power of superb gardening? It's possible, right? I mean, I can control the elements, so there must be a special gardening power. 

 I wondered if there was ever going to be another war between the supernatural, and if so, would I be there to experience it? War shouldn't happen. I hated the thought of taking part in a battle against people like me, people who aren't truly human. What would I do if war did happen during some point in my life, and I had to take part in it? So many questions were swarming around in my head that I didn't even notice the quiet shutting of a door, or the patter of footsteps trudging down the wide steps. I didn't realize someone was coming until they were seated right next to me. 

 Tingles shot down my spine as an arm brushed against my own. "Nick." I whispered, not needing to look at him to know who it was. I felt more tingles and sparks when he wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close to him. "Why are you up this early?" My voice was but a murmur. 

 "I couldn't sleep. I'm guessing it's the same for you, because you're out here, wide awake." I nodded my head, nuzzling into his chest. "Lux?" Nick's voice was soft, and somewhat nervous. 

 "Yeah?" I sat up, looking at Nick with a look of question on my face. He looked like a small, four year old boy, wanting to get a puppy. He looked as if he was debating whether or not he should talk. "Nick, you can tell or ask me anything. What's wrong?" 

 With slight hesitation, he spoke, his voice soft and innocent. "Do you like me?" I nodded, my brows furrowing together. "No, I mean, do you really like me?" Once again I nodded.

 "Nick , I'm not sure what you're getting at here." My eyes searched his for answers, but he seemed hesitant to tell me. 

 "D-do you think that maybe, just maybe, you might love me?" His voice was coated with worry, and he looked so scared of what my answer might be, that I knew a single wrong word could break him.  

 Relaxing my features, I tried to give him a reassuring look. "Look Nick. I don't know you well. I have feelings for you. I mean, strong feelings. This pull I have towards you scares me. I know why it's there, but I don't know how to control it. I don't know what loving someone feels like. I love my mom, but that's a natural occurance to me. I don't know how to act with people that I have feelings for. I've had crushes before, but that was all they were. Small, elementary school crushes. This attraction to you is, I can't even explain it. It's like each time I am near you, I need to touch you, and I don't know how to control it." I admitted. 

 "Then don't." His statement was strong, bold and he said it as if it was all he wanted in life. "Why try to control it when I'm obviously willing to be around you, to be with you every second of the day? You don't need to control it, Lux." 

 I nodded. "Yes, I do. I made a promise to my mom that I'd wait, for, well, you know. But with you, I don't even know if I could make it until after marriage." 

 "Lux," He started, a mischevious smirk on his lips. "Did you just ask me to marry you?" My eyes widened in shock as his words. "I think seventeen is a little young, don't you agree?" He mocked.

 "No! I didn't mean it like that! I mean, eventually I might want to marry you, but I don't want to be all Bella Swan and marry you at age eighteen or whatever, because I'm going to be eighteen soon and when Bella met Edward she was the same age as I am now. Not that I think you're a stalker vampire or anything, but Edward Cullen is pretty cool, and so are you, but you don't sparkle. Wait, do you sparkle? I don't really date sparkly people. That would be weird, because--" I was interupted by Nick.

 "Lux, you're rambling." Nick laughed, his eyes hinting happiness. "I can't believe you just compared me to a vampire." His chuckle filled the silent landscape. 

 I let out a sigh, closing my mouth tightly. We sat there, staring out at the garden. I was cuddled into Nick's chest, his arm wrapped securly around my  waist. It felt right sitting there. The world around me was safe, I was secure. No evil lingered in the garden at that moment. "Nick?" I asked, breaking the silence once again.

 "Yeah?"

 "Do you love me?" 

 "I love you, Lux. I really do."

 A small smile rested on my lips. 

 "I think I love you too."