Before We Fall

Part 1, Chapter 20

Two weeks had passed since I lent Alivia my jacket. She still had it, since we hadn't talked in person for long enough for her to give it back. Things had been different between us since then. Something was different about her, but I couldn't figure out what.

My phone buzzed, and I dug inside my pocket to try and find it and read the message I had gotten.

Benji

Hey

Tonight most of the cast is
going to a bonfire

It's legal don't worry

Alivia will be there ;)

Answer me Skybelle

As intrigued as I am I
somehow doubt the legal part

No seriously we'll be fine

Chaz has an open fire permit, for
some reason, and we'll go to an
actual bonfire spot

You in?

Alright

I'll be there

I'll admit, I got to the bonfire a bit late. I saw a few others walking up to the spot when I got there, including Alivia, so I didn't really feel that bad. Not everyone in the cast was there, just most of the younger actors, minus Vincent and Anthony.

Alivia was there, and she was gorgeous. Well, she usually was, but something was different about her now. I was sure that the difference was all in my head, but it was enough for me to feel heat rush to my cheeks when our eyes met.

"Took you long enough, waterboy," she quipped, holding out my jacket. "I've been meaning to give this back to you."

I smiled. "Considering how you complain about the cold every second you get, I think you should just hang onto it for now."

Our attention was grabbed by the screaming of several castmates. Julian had lit a stick on fire and was chasing people with it. Kind of. He really was just walking around with a torch and some of the guys were playing it up for laughs or something.

"Ugh, men," Alivia lamented next to me. "Not you of course," she added quickly. "But the rest of them."

"No, no, I agree. They're insufferable."

"But we love them anyway." She looked back up at me, sending a new wave of heat to my face."Come on, let's get some food."

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Whoever had the idea to bring chocolate-filled marshmallows deserves a Tony. They're honestly kinda gross on their own, but when melted into a s'more they turn into the best thing I've ever tasted. 

"There once was a ship that put to sea, the name of the ship was the Billy 'o' Tea!" Josh started once everyone had sat down in a circle around the fire. A few people groaned, but he continued. "The winds blew hard, her bow dipped down, blow, me bully boys, blow!"

A few other people, me and Alivia included, joined in on the chorus. "Soon may the Wellerman come to bring us sugar and tea and rum! One day, when the tonguin' is done we'll take our leave and go!"

Josh passed the next verse over to Ben and Demarius. "She had not been two weeks from shore when down on her, a right whale bore. The captain called all hands and swore he'd take that whale in tow!"

Ben put Alivia on the spot for the next verse, but she took this new development in stride and sounded amazing. "Before the boat had hit the water the whale's tail came up and caught her. All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her when she dived down below."

Afterward, however, she fell silent. 'Hey, you okay?" I asked her quietly.

"It's just... this is the first time I've ever been, well, a part of something in a very long time. It's a weird feeling, and I don't know how to explain it."

"No, I understand. We're all here for you." I cautiously slid my arm around her waist, and she didn't object, taking my hand and leaning against my chest. 

"Soon may the Wellerman come to bring us sugar and tea and rum! One day, when the tonguin' is done, we'll take our leave and go!"

I glanced back over at her as she watched sparks dance through the night sky. And it hit me. And It's not like me. And I didn't want to. But I couldn't help it.

I'm yours, Alivia. Completely, totally, hopelessly, and utterly yours.

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 they're getting closerrrrr 

 also i know wellerman didn't come out until 2018 but idc 

 love you all lots!