The Island (Cole x oc)

Epilogue

I didn't talk about what happened on the island for a while. In fact, I began to wonder if the interaction between Cole and I had actually happened. Eventually, though, Skylor got the story out of me.

As I picked at my bowl of noodles at Chen's, preoccupied by the vague memory, Skylor snapped her fingers in my face, jolting me back to reality, "Huh?"

"Okay, what's going on? You usually love pad thai. Are you feeling alright?" Skylor reached over and placed the back of her hand on my forehead.

I brushed her off, "I'm fine, Sky. Just thinking."

"Wanna talk about it?" She probed, picking at her own food.

I let out a heavy sigh, "I guess. It's just... I'm not sure it's not all in my head."

Skylor set down her chopsticks and waited patiently for me to begin.

"So, you remember how I was having a really hard time learning spinjitzu?" I asked.

She nodded, "You text me every night asking if I knew anything that could help."

"Right. Well, while we were on the island, I had some... spare time, so I decided to practice a bit since everyone else was busy. Guess who walked in on me?"

Skylor smirked, "Is it who I think it is?" she teased.

I huffed, "Unfortunately, yes."

She reached out and lightly slapped my arm, "What do you mean 'unfortunately?' Tell me, who else would you want it to be?"

"I don't know," I admitted, "But, he did help. He told me I needed to have inner balance, that something was holding me back."

"And?"

"And he was right."

"So what was holding you back?" Skylor pressed.

"I guess feeling that Vania had gotten the better of me with Cole."

"Did you tell him as much?"

"Not necessarily. He was actually the one that mentioned her."

Skylor raised her eyebrows, "What did he say?" She leaned forward, fulling invested.

I glanced down at my hands, involuntarily picking at my callouses, "He just said 'it's about Vania, isn't it?' And then he said he didn't like her like that."

Skylor did a little celebratory dance, "Yeah! Score for Celine!" She exclaimed.

"That's not all," I continued, "I- I told him how she tried to kill me, which actually seemed to upset him. And once I said that, he asked me to try again."

"And you did it?" Skylor asked eagerly.

I nodded, "Here's the part I'm blurry about. After a successfully did spinjitzu, I stopped right in front of him, and before I could react, he grabbed me in a hug and swung me around."

Skylor actually squealed, "Oh, my gosh!"

"Shh, there's people around," I urged, "That's not even that half of it."

Skylor suddenly straightened, "No way," she breathed.

I inhaled before I continued, "Like I said, I'm having a hard time telling myself this actually happened, but... Skylor he kissed me."

When I tell you her jaw dropped to the floor. "Holy mother of toads."

"Skylor, I couldn't take it," I whispered.

"What do you mean?" she questioned, her voice softening.

I was already on the brink of tears, "I- I panicked. All I could think of was-" My voice broke in a small sob, "Skylor I pushed him away."

"Oh Celci," she murmured, placing her hand on mine.

Despite the busy restaurant around us, I let a few tears fall, "I feel so rotten," I finally managed to mumble, "And like I said, I don't even know if it happened. He hasn't said a word about it, and I'm too scared to."

"Celine listen to me," Skylor spoke, her older sister tone coming through, "My thought is that since you had the reaction you did, he's giving you time. He knows what you went through, and seeing that flash before your eyes, knowing he caused it, must have been terrible for him. Not that it wasn't for you," she rushed, "I just think he's giving you space. And what's this 'too scared' crap? What happened to the Celine that helped lead the Resistance? The girl that knew who she was and wasn't afraid to put people in their place? What happened to that Celine?"

"She died," I spoke nonchalantly, "The Skull Sorcerer made sure of that."

"I don't think so," Skylor countered, "I think maybe she got hurt, but deep down, I know she's still there."

Cole POV

I collected my composure as I stood outside the door of my dad's house, nerves rattling. I let out a breath as I rang the doorbell.

A few moments passed before my dad opened the door, "Cole? What are you doing here?"

"I can't just stop and say hello to my old man?" I smiled anxiously.

"Well, yes, I suppose, but you never do," Dad shot me a cynical look.

I sighed, staring at the ground, "I'm sorry, dad. I'm sorry I don't visit often, but... I could use a father's advice right now."

Dad's eyes softened as he noticed the distress I was in, "Come in, please. Tell me what's on your mind."

I told him everything. About the trip to Shintaro and Princess Vania. About how it nearly killed me to see how hurt Celine was. How I couldn't bring myself to tell her. How while on the Island of the Keeper's I had tried to kiss her, and how she had reacted, repulsed.

I lowered my face into my hands, elbows braced on my knees, eyes moistened.

"Oh, son," Dad comforted, placing his hand on my back.

"I'm so confused," was all I managed to get out.

He hesitated before speaking, "Emotions... I've never been good at talking about them. Goodness knows your mother knew that. But I'm going to try to help you with this. I'm sorry I neglected my duty as a father. Do you think that Celine returns your feelings?"

"I don't know," I sighed, focusing on the floor, "I want to believe she does, but she can be so reserved. It's hard to read her."

"Has she given you a reason to think she doesn't return your feelings? Has she said anything against it?"

I thought for a moment, "No... I don't think so. Not that I can recall."

"Wait it out son," Dad reassured, "have patience. If it's too much for her to handle right now, especially with what she's gone through in the past, she's going to need time. Wait for her. That's what I did for your mother, and I don't regret a minute of it."

I grabbed Dad in a hug, squeezing my eyes shut against tears. He stiffened for a moment, before accepting the gesture, "Thanks Dad," I murmured.