Violet

29| Surprises

Chilling deep black water rushes past the top of my ankles. It presses against my feet, then calves, then thighs, somewhat reflecting pain. Perhaps it is because I have pushed myself beyond my capacity in the last few weeks, so my muscles ache. Even so, I continue in one direction: forwards.

Slimy sand and algae slip between each of my toes as I trample forwards into the depths of the still lake, pulling Emmett by his hand, this time sensing not even the slightest flinch due to the cold, or as I have noticed recently – my touch. My eyes stay planted on the white rippling shimmer, reflecting on the surface, provided by the full moon in the starry night above.

The peaceful cooing of an owl in a nearby tree reminds me that we are alone. No glow or crackling of a fire on the shore, even though we still tried to make one – but failed miserably – no strumming of instruments and no murmuring of others. Only the rustling of the leaves and comforting wildlife noises.

A risky decision, yet an adventurous one. With only two days left, something about recklessness seems like the natural thing to do. To live the rest of our lives to the greatest when our possible deaths are just around the corner.

I come to a stop when the water levels to the middle of my stomach, pressing my singlet against my skin in a ring of ice. When I turn back to Emmett, his eyes fall on me and stay there.

After a few seconds, I plunge into the water, returning soon after. I splash his face, and he gasps. "You are staring at me."

Emmett wipes the water from their eyes, grinning, then stares back. "Because you are beautiful."

I force my nervousness away. "That was the other thing you told me while drunk."

He lifts a hand to his mouth in embarrassment and groans, falling back into the water. I cannot help but laugh with him.

"Oh well," he smiles, bringing me closer after settling down, pushing together slowly with the force of the gurgling water. More crickets chirp in the background and I swear I can hear a frog. The silence between us says a thousand more words than if we were to speak.

My heart races as his soaked hands lightly touch my forearms, then my back. A shiver runs down my spine.

I lean in again and kiss his lips softly, breaking apart soon after. At this moment, it is just me and Emmett. I am not worried about anyone watching us, nor am I worried about the past, present or future. Just us, in this intimate moment in time.

After replicating, Emmett wraps his arms around me.

"You have no idea," he whispers, a grin on his face, "how long I have wanted to do that."

I return the smirk. "Me too."

Then the grin fades, his eyes full of admiration and hope, yet sadness. "Dawn, you mean so much to me. I promise I will get you out of here."

The words melt all the tension kept deep inside of my body, spreading warmth, spreading calmness. I feel safe being held close like this. I am about to respond with something similar, when Emmett's hand presses down hard against the side of my ribcage, sending another familiar white-hot pain through the area.

Biting down on my tongue to stifle a groan, I bring myself to face him and kiss him again. This time, harder. To my complete relief, he gives in willingly, his arms released around my sides, pulling me forwards and bringing his trembling hands to my face and the back of my neck, kissing me back passionately.

Every nerve in my body lights up, causing fire to spread through my skin in the patches where Emmett's hands graze. His lips are hot and insistent as they continue to press themselves against mine. I stagger back into deeper waters, keeping my lips on his, the water rising above my chest.