A Love Like No Other

Part 18:

The group has been walking for three days. The next village was one more day's walk. They settled down for the night, much to Serena's dismay. They had to sleep, regain energy if they wanted to arrive tomorrow.

Ivy was gathering some wood for a fire. Tonight was fairly cold. They had nothing to keep them warm besides the clothes on their backs and the talent for making fires.

As she was walking back to the camp, Anton walked up behind her. A water bucket in hands.

"Hey," he said.

"Hello," she responds with a smile.

"Sorry about your birthday."

Ivy laughs quietly. "It's alright. I've never really cared for it."

They silently exchanged looks. A pink tint sneaks its way onto Ivy's porcelain skin.

Anton's gaze flicks to her neckline. A slight smile pulls on his lips.

"The necklace looks great on you," he said.

"You have to say that," Ivy jokes. "You picked it out."

"That's not why I like it."

Ivy grasped his underlying meaning. Smiling at him. She tried to look in his eyes, but his stare was too intense she didn't trust herself.

"Let's get back to camp before your mother chases after us with a rock," Ivy says.

Anton laughs. "She would probably find a boulder."

They two walked back to camp, their laughter filling the air. Serena was getting ready for bed. Exhaustion is very prominent in her eyes.

"Took you both long enough," she snapped.

"Nice to see you too," Ivy mumbles.

"Get some rest," Serena complains. "We're moving when the sun rises."

Ivy gets her small bed ready. A bed of grass and dirt. Her body is used to the uncomfortable position by now.
Anton lays next to her.

The two sat in silence. Ivy was too busy staring at the sky to notice his attempts at starting a conversation. The way the stars shine between the moon. Her powers pleading to be used.

She ignores it. It's not safe right now.

"Ivy?" Anton said.

"Hmm?" Ivy said half asleep.

"Why didn't you kiss me?"

Ivy's eyes shot open. There were multiple conversation points that Anton could've covered. Why did he have to bring up the almost kiss?

"Aleksander," Ivy whispers. "We can't. It's not like I don't want too-"

"Then what else is holding you back?" he asks. "I really, really, like you Adora. I think you like me too."

"I never said I didn't. But I can't."

"Why?"

"Because love is a fraud. It takes until there is nothing left. Leaving you broke and ruined."

The conversation fell to a stop. Ivy always thought that of love. She saw it with her own parents. They loved until it slowly ate them alive. They were drowning in it. The love and passion for everyone drained away until there was nothing but memories. 

She won't let it happen to her.

"You're wrong," Anton said.

"Then explain it to me," she said.

"Love is the longing look exchanged between two people. Short but expressive. But in that short moment when you lock eyes, you want nothing more than to look into those deep ocean eyes for the rest of your days." Ivy heard Anton rotate to get a better look. "I'll wait, Ivy. I've always waited. But love isn't always good or bad. That's what makes it beautiful."